youngbuk

In December, 2013 I got two new bulbs- according to the invoice they were Xenon D4S. Around July, 2014 the driver side headlight would stay on for 20-30 seconds or so and then go out. I took it to the shop that installed the lights and they said they replaced the headlight and gave me back the car. I noticed that night that the problem wasn't fixed. I took it back to them and they said it must be the ballast. At this point, I don't trust them, because they didn't stand to gain anything from replacing the bulb as parts and service were under warranty, so I'm not convinced they actually did anything (especially given that they didn't even test it before giving me the car back).

About 2 weeks ago, I noticed that the same thing is happening on the passenger side, and they both go off at the same time. I find it hard to believe that both ballasts would go out and the timing would be identical. The problem is, now, I cannot test it by switching the bulbs from right to left because they both do the same thing. According to XenonDepot there are a lot of Phillips counterfeits - does that apply to Xenon bulbs as well?

Should I buy new headlights and try to install them? I'm looking at XenonDepot (http://www.xenondepot.com/D4S-automo...lbs-s/1043.htm) and it looks like the D4S Xenon bulbs are $59.99, but there are other bulbs. I don't know which ones to buy.

Is it likely that the problem is electrical because they both go out at the same time? If it is electrical, what kind of problem/price am I looking at?

burny

That is how the bulbs act when they are failing. I would suggest you replace the bulbs. I bought Phillips D4S 42402 off Amazon pretty cheap.

Asav

iTrader: (2)

your bulb is likely dying. I would start there especially since you are now reporting this on both sides around the same timeframe. Get the bulb from kbcarstuff.com which is a vendor here. They give a good discount for forum members. You should do this yourself. It is very straight forward and there are write ups on the board for this and the fogs for that matter.

youngbuk

I replaced both bulbs and they're working fine now. However, there is a slight humming when the headlights are on and I feel like I fitted something incorrectly. As soon as the headlights go off there is no more humming. Is this unsafe, or just bothersome? (I have to take it to a new mechanic anyway for regular servicing, so can I live with this issue until I get a chance to take it to them?)

Also, I found out that the driver side bulb that the shop installed was a D2S. I was wondering whether this would cause any long term issues with the car. Additionally, would it be the cause of the passenger side headlight going out too early?

worker

that humming is the ballast doing it warm up. In about 1min or so, it'll go into normal mode and the humming would stop.... the normal mode use less power and that's when your old bulb turn off.