Factory Xenon HIDs

[miffmole]

One of my factory OEM Xenon HIDs started flickering tonight on the way home. When I pulled over to look, the driver's side light was a reddish, bloodshot color, while the passenger's side was normal.
Are these expensive to have replaced/installed, and/or are there any DIYs on this subject? I've looked but haven't found any.
Could it be a faulty headlight switch?
Thanks.

[FastAndFurious]

they are very expensive, probably around 50$ for set of bulbs . You have to hope thats its not your ballasts because if it is, you will be in for a big surprise as far as labor. They are hidden under the bumper and requires whole front end removal (bumper and fenders)to access that area.


try swapping the bulbs from left to right side and see if the problem travels. It could be just a simple bulb is on way out or you night need a new ballast. Ballasts are known to go on these cars, thats why VW got rid of oem hid as an option on beetles. I have a whole passanger side assembly for sale and also drivers side internals if u need parts.

here is the list of parts and part numbers incase you ever need to replace anything on them

American headlights
1C0 941 005H
1C0 941 006H

European headlights

1C0 941 005G
1C0 941 006G

Ballasts
7M3907391

Wiring harnesses

left
1C0971671A

right
1C0971672

[Dragwn]

You can always check DDMtuning.com for bulbs, their HID bulbs are $12 a set. If your ballast is toast, you could get the same light output with a set from them using their ballasts which are less than $50 a set with bulbs, they make their own bulbs and ballasts and have a lifetime warranty.

[miffmole]

Thank you for the replies. I appreciate it.

Does the fact that it still lights up (the driver's side) indicate anything, like maybe a bad ballast? It starts out fine, but quickly changes to a reddish orange color.

[Dragwn]

If it still lights at all, try swapping the bulbs, that will put to rest if it is a bulb or not quickly

if it is the ballast, your simplest and cheapest option would be to replace with a set from DDMtuning. If you want the best light to drive with and see then get the 5k temp bulbs, anything over 6k will not be usable light and be a waste. Also the DDM micro ballast is thinner than a deck of cards and will be easy to place. You won't need 55 watt ballasts, the 35 watt are great. (I have them in my `08 mazda3 hb and will be going in my wife's greenie soon)

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by Dragwn

If it still lights at all, try swapping the bulbs, that will put to rest if it is a bulb or not quickly

How do you get to the bulb? I don't know the first thing about this. Are the OEM HIDs changed just like the regular headlights?

[Dragwn]

I would expect so. You could also just pull the headlight assembly from the affected side and plug in the plug from the side that is working correctly and then you would know if it were the ballast or bulb without removing both completely.

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by Dragwn

You can always check DDMtuning.com for bulbs, their HID bulbs are $12 a set. If your ballast is toast, you could get the same light output with a set from them using their ballasts which are less than $50 a set with bulbs, they make their own bulbs and ballasts and have a lifetime warranty.

Why is there such a huge discrepancy in pricing? The ones you mention are $12 a set, yet these are $87.66 for one!
Susquehanna MotorSports - Auto Performance Product

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Here is a link for the Hella Bulbs you mention at $80+. It contains some info on ballast failure and diagnosis. Instead of swapping ballasts from side to side, first go buy a $12 multi-meter at Wally World and check both the ground at the ballast and the input voltage to the ballast. Sounds like a ballast problem to me, but not necessarily a bad ballast.
Hella D2S 35W Xenon Gas HID Replacement Bulb

As to price, you have to be paying something for the Hella name, but I assume there is a difference in quality. resistance to vibration, life, etc.

MORAV

And no, I still haven't gotten around to that console thing, but if you'll look close at the parts with the door out, you should be able to easily see where it has to be positioned to snap in, and then rotate on the mount.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Dragwn

If it still lights at all, try swapping the bulbs, that will put to rest if it is a bulb or not quickly

if it is the ballast, your simplest and cheapest option would be to replace with a set from DDMtuning. If you want the best light to drive with and see then get the 5k temp bulbs, anything over 6k will not be usable light and be a waste. Also the DDM micro ballast is thinner than a deck of cards and will be easy to place. You won't need 55 watt ballasts, the 35 watt are great. (I have them in my `08 mazda3 hb and will be going in my wife's greenie soon)

The OEM bulbs are 35w as are the Hella bulbs the OPer references below.

MORAV

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

And no, I still haven't gotten around to that console thing, but if you'll look close at the parts with the door out, you should be able to easily see where it has to be positioned to snap in, and then rotate on the mount.

It goes in fine...it just won't stay in the closed position.

[miffmole]

Well, I put in a new bulb yesterday, a Philips D2S Xenon HID Headlight Bulb ($49 on Amazon).
It burns right, but it flickers about 3-4 times before it burns steadliy. I guess that's not good, huh?

[miffmole]

Well, there are no more flickers on start-up now, the new headlight is working fine...Is there a break-in time for xenon HIDs?

[miffmole]

I found these two links most helpful in changing my bulb:
YouTube - How To Change a Headlight Bulb

http://www.cindyli.com/index.php/sit...t_replacement/