Xenon flickering (video)

[slip_]

Hello everyone!

I'm having a problem with the drivers side xenon headlamp. Some days it lights up just fine, but now and then it gets these "flicker-attacks", like seen in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sMnScTiN5U

What's more likely - the bulb or the ballast failing?

What type of bulbs do I need if I need to order new ones? D1S, like these: http://www.suvlights.com/index.php?cPath=25_50_32?

Thanks!

Regards,

slip_

[SEXICÄN]

bulb going out. take out the right bulb and put it in the right and see if it still flickers that will show you if it's the bulb or ballast

[Jeff]

I had the exact same problem, especially as the car gets warm. Typically a flickering issue is in the ballast and NOT the bulb. The D1S using an internal ignitor, which is like lighting a stove--it simply needs to ignite the ONCE, and a steady stream of power should be supplied by the ballast. What I'm trying to say is, once the bulb is ignited and lit, the problem is no longer in the ignitor.

The best way to diagnose is to swap bulbs/ballasts left-to-right to see if the problem persists.

For me, the problem started with the headlamps flickering occasionally while driving, which was almost unnoticeable...to where it would flicker for a few seconds at a time, to then flickering and completely shutting off. Turning the switch off and back on should reignite the bulb, in which it will start flickering again. This issue drove me insane for a few weeks, but in the early pre-death cycle of the ballast, it was difficult to diagnose as the issue was sporadic as it went away as I got home.

[Dola]

I had the same problem and i bought new D1S bulbs ... 90$ is not the end ....

[fly300kts]

Replace the bulb

Phil

[Stea1th]

I had the same exact issue. it's the bulb.

I went on ebay and bought 2 for 100 bucks.

[Zebman]

Here's another +1 to bulbs. Bought McCulloch 3000k replacement D1S bulbs. No more flicker.

[slip_]

Thanks for the reply people. I'll try replacing the bulbs first, and take it from there :)

[pyrobecks]

Not to hijack this thread, but I have a similar (not as pronounced) problem with a slight flicker when I go over bumps while driving. I can replicate it easily when changing lanes on the freeway, the cat's eyes make the bulb flicker ever so slightly.

Any ideas, bulb or ballast?

[slip_]

Not to hijack this thread, but I have a similar (not as pronounced) problem with a slight flicker when I go over bumps while driving. I can replicate it easily when changing lanes on the freeway, the cat's eyes make the bulb flicker ever so slightly.

Any ideas, bulb or ballast?

No problem:)


OT: Will these fit my car?

[xcuter]

just replaced my bulbs and issue resolved was getting dipped headlight on both L and R sides.

[Zebman]

No problem:)


OT: Will these fit my car?

Yes.

[inphamous_A4]

stupid stock d1s bulbs ! i had the same problem. thank god someone local let go a pair of D1s for 20 bux ! it was the bulbs for me at least. now the funny thing is. i gave my flickering pair to a friend with a b6 and hes been running them for a week no flickering or anything,

[Stea1th]

mine would sometimes not flicker for weeks, then all of a sudden flicker badly
for a few days to the point where they would shut off.

It wasn't constant, which made me not want to fix them right away.

[Jeff]

stupid stock d1s bulbs ! i had the same problem. thank god someone local let go a pair of D1s for 20 bux ! it was the bulbs for me at least. now the funny thing is. i gave my flickering pair to a friend with a b6 and hes been running them for a week no flickering or anything,

It's the ballasts. I would change the bulbs, and "thought" my flickering problem was surprisingly solved. But then it would start flickering again in a few weeks. After 3 pairs of bulbs, I replaced the ballast and problem solved. Now with the new ballast, I used all the old bulbs that I 'thought' were bad, and they work flawlessly.

[Winners Eat Pho]

Alright, so I'm now having this problem with seemingly the rest of the world, but only on the drivers side for now. Over time, it's getting worse, with more frequent and longer flickering. So, it sounds like the ballast is the first thing to try and replace? How much is that, and do you have a part no. please?

[fly300kts]

Start by the cheapest solution: THE BULB

Phil

[Stea1th]

Start by the cheapest solution: THE BULB

Phil

Cosign

[D0lphinGrey]

mine would sometimes not flicker for weeks, then all of a sudden flicker badly
for a few days to the point where they would shut off.

It wasn't constant, which made me not want to fix them right away.

Exactly like mine. It hasn't been flickering for the last 3 weeks.

[Winners Eat Pho]

Alright, this leads me to the next question. I'm not well versed about the different bulbs - I think different temperatures put out a different light? What's the stock temperature I'm looking for? Is this a good time to replace both to get a different fresh hue?

[staticuxo]

Alright, this leads me to the next question. I'm not well versed about the different bulbs - I think different temperatures put out a different light? What's the stock temperature I'm looking for? Is this a good time to replace both to get a different fresh hue?

stock is 4300k.. i wouldn't go over 5k. and yes, replace both.

[adwatter]

my flickering is horrible at this point as well. if i were to get a new ballast(s) where would i get one from? oem is way too expensive

[b7kevin]

Incorrect after much research TRUE oem color is 4150k

[fly300kts]

my flickering is horrible at this point as well. if i were to get a new ballast(s) where would i get one from? oem is way too expensive

Still these, even used, are expensive

phil