Dipped Headlight and no output

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JayRyan
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Dipped Headlight and no output

Post by JayRyan »

I think I might have screwed myself here. I got a left dipped headlight warning and lost output on my drivers side HID.

Everything I dig up relates to factory installs and not aftermarket. So I'm a bit stumped as to the cause. I'm going to start by replacing the bulb...although the setup is built like they never intended a bulb replacement...then try replacing ballasts if that doesn't work. At that point though I might as well get a new set...

Of course I can't find any paperwork related to my purchase and have no idea what's in there now. Lol

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Re: Dipped Headlight and no output

Post by YASHA7FOLD »

I know there is times when it's super cold out that my A6 has an issue. But when I turn the lights off then back on the lights usually work. Not sure about what's going on with yours. Maybe a bad ballast. But replacing bulbs would be the best start. Good luck Jay


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Re: Dipped Headlight and no output

Post by JayRyan »

I've heard discussion on the issue relating to the cars and not the lights...I've got some Q's out to guys smarter than I so I'll see what's up.

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Re: Dipped Headlight and no output

Post by Mikewire »

You've got a bulb out I'm sure. I've run the DDM's for almost three years now and when I had a bulb go bad, the dipped headlight error popped up. I ordered a new set of bulbs and installed them. On these inexpensive HID kits the wires come out of the back of the housing (bulb and wires are on unit) and plug into the ballast.

I did get some strangeness after changing them out, like the ABS light etc. coming on, but after cycling the lights the errors cleared. It has to do with the "insufficient" grounding of the kits (picky) and the amount of power to fire the ballast.

I'm not sure what kind of HID's you are running but I would bet they are aftermarket, and honestly now HID's are cheap enough that I would just order a new kit from DDM tuning.

Using a T30(?) torx you can pull one headlight housing in about 5 minutes and see what HID's you are running.

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Re: Dipped Headlight and no output

Post by JayRyan »

I have aftermarket DDMs....I've simply never seen the issue. The bulb will flick on for an instant. I'm afraid I'll spend a bunch of money only to find it's an issue with the car :P

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Re: Dipped Headlight and no output

Post by JayRyan »

Dang. $15 for a pair? Shoot. I'll go that route for sure first

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Re: Dipped Headlight and no output

Post by Mikewire »

JayRyan wrote:I have aftermarket DDMs....I've simply never seen the issue. The bulb will flick on for an instant. I'm afraid I'll spend a bunch of money only to find it's an issue with the car :P

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Yup, that's what happens when they die. Pull the bulb and look at the filament, it'll be pretty obvious that the bulb is dead.

Are you running 35W or 55W ballasts? What's your preference on Kelvin, 4300?

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Re: Dipped Headlight and no output

Post by JayRyan »

I'm running 55w 6ks. I can't believe they won't let me order for overnight shipping...anyway, I have a new set of bulbs on order. See if that fixes it. If not, I'll spend another $35 for a new ballast set beyond that....

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'11 Sprinter 170” Diesel 2WD

Former Dubs:
'03 A4 1.8TQM Modifcations
'04 Jetta VR6M GLI - Silvery
'99 Passat 1.8TM - Emerald Green
'88 Fox GL 1.8M - Brown...gold?
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