Passenger Side Headlight...Need to turn Headlight switch on and off repeatedly

[joelhski]

Did a search but could not find what I was looking for,

2001 S4

Headlight D2S bulbs are brand new and after awhile this problem just now started to occur

Turn on headlights but the passenger headlight will not come on.

Here are the specifics,

Turn on the switch, the drivers side light comes on immediately, the passenger side headlight will flash for a quick second like it wants to come on but does not.

I repeatedly turn the headlight switch on and off, the passenger headlight does the exact same thing, then after about 6 or so times flipping the switch, the passenger side headlight comes on and everything is fine.

Am I dealing with a bad headlight switch or possibly a ballast?

I was not thinking a switch since the drivers side light comes on everytime. My plan this weekend is to switch the ballast to see if the problem moves to the drivers side!

Thanks for your help!

OOOO

[infinkc]

sounds like a ballast.

[bikerbob951]

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/HI...Wiring-Harness

Try this. The full current for the headlight runs through our headlight switches, and sometimes doesn't have enough power to ignite the bulb. This ensures that won't be an issue.

[s4930]

Yeap I had the same issue and I needed a new ballast

[bps4]

+1 on ballast.. You can swap sides with the bulb to rule the bulb out

[mooseclap05]

ballast is done, same issue

[airjawed]

Mine acted up similar to yours for a little while and now won't turn on at all.... I switched bulbs around and problem followed bulb(does not light). I've got 2 new bulbs coming to me in a few days(online cheaper ones...not those $100 ones!) We'll see what happens.

I also noticed that the bulb connectors were getting hot and actually melted the plastic on the bulb..both sides... maybe this is normal after 10+ years? I'll clean off the connectors and replace bulb and try to report back.

[somebody5788]

ballast is done, same issue

Swap the bulbs and see if it follows but you might have another bad ballast, never rule it out even if you replaced it. It will save you lots of future headaches.

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/HI...Wiring-Harness

Try this. The full current for the headlight runs through our headlight switches, and sometimes doesn't have enough power to ignite the bulb. This ensures that won't be an issue.

On an OEM S4 ballast? No.

[airjawed]

Mine acted up similar to yours for a little while and now won't turn on at all.... I switched bulbs around and problem followed bulb(does not light). I've got 2 new bulbs coming to me in a few days(online cheaper ones...not those $100 ones!) We'll see what happens.

I also noticed that the bulb connectors were getting hot and actually melted the plastic on the bulb..both sides... maybe this is normal after 10+ years? I'll clean off the connectors and replace bulb and try to report back.

Update:

Got new bulbs in from amazon (maxlux) and they are both working now. I replaced both as a pair....just to make sure one of them wasn't off in color. Kept my old good one in case of emergency.