Help... Ballast or Bulb?
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Help... Ballast or Bulb?
Hi All,
I noticed last night that my drivers side headlight was out. The next time I was driving I noticed that it was working again... it went out right after. When I turn the lights off and then back on, the light in question works for a few minutes and then turns off. My question is... is the Ballast the problem or can it be the Bulb? Do HID bulbs die intermittently?
I noticed last night that my drivers side headlight was out. The next time I was driving I noticed that it was working again... it went out right after. When I turn the lights off and then back on, the light in question works for a few minutes and then turns off. My question is... is the Ballast the problem or can it be the Bulb? Do HID bulbs die intermittently?
#5
Pole Position
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: KENT, WA
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cheapest way to find out which is which. Pull the passenger bulb out. Plug it into the driver side. If it continues to have the same symptoms, its the ballast. If not, then its the bulb. You can also plug the driver bulb in the passenger side and see if it has the same symptoms.
Ive done it a couple times. Does your bulb flicker and turn a dim purplish blue? Like it wants to light up, but cuts out instead. If so, then its definitely a ballast issue.
Ive done it a couple times. Does your bulb flicker and turn a dim purplish blue? Like it wants to light up, but cuts out instead. If so, then its definitely a ballast issue.
#7
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Those are some good points. I just had my car washed the day of the issue so I will check to see if water got in. Thanks also for the tip to switch the bulbs to different sides... I didnt even think of that. Thank you all!
Trending Topics
#8
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Hi All,
I noticed last night that my drivers side headlight was out. The next time I was driving I noticed that it was working again... it went out right after. When I turn the lights off and then back on, the light in question works for a few minutes and then turns off. My question is... is the Ballast the problem or can it be the Bulb? Do HID bulbs die intermittently?
I noticed last night that my drivers side headlight was out. The next time I was driving I noticed that it was working again... it went out right after. When I turn the lights off and then back on, the light in question works for a few minutes and then turns off. My question is... is the Ballast the problem or can it be the Bulb? Do HID bulbs die intermittently?
#9
Lead Lap
It could also be a bad connection, but most likely the ballast.
#10
Had the exact problem with my 2008 Avalon Touring driver side. My mechanic switched the bulb from Driver to passenger and passenger side is now flickering. Ordered two Philips D4R from Amazon.com last week at $55 each should arrive this week.
Jack
08 Avalon Touring
Jack
08 Avalon Touring
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi All. Just wanted to post the update to the problem. After months of procrastination and not wanting to take the front bumper off to change anything I finally did, lol. It turned out to be just the bulb that went bad and not the ballast. Im glad that its a cheap fix! Thanks for all of your help.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TXES350
ES - 5th Gen (2007-2012)
4
03-12-11 07:46 PM