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D2 - Lights Headlights, xenons, foglights. Everything outside the car that glows

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Old 22nd December 2013, 11:22 AM
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Default headlight issue

My o/s headlight sometimes goes out when I go over a bit of a bump, but comes on again if I switch them off and back on.

Connections seem to be OK - any ideas?

I've got Bixenons BTW
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2002 Final Edition S8. Ebony black with Silver Grey leather and myrtle wood trim.
Current mods: solar sun roof, 20mm rear spacers, 15 mm on front, red brembo callipers, 6k headlights, rear view camera, engine remap, alloy dash dial rings, alloy navi rings, tt/phaeton pedal upgrade, (and custom matching foot rest) dension ipod interface & parrot hands free kit (both fully hidden), av input, tv in motion switched thro' PF switch in blanking plug right of steering column, Audi 'quattro' sill covers, repositioned centre console switches, radio clock, .
Planned mods: auto-dimming rear view mirror, dash cam (as steamship's), fit the ski hatch, refit philips drl's (or maybe not - nope, definitely not - horrible botch!).
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Old 22nd December 2013, 01:55 PM
PsYcHe PsYcHe is offline
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Could be a dry joint in the ballast itself. If you can swap them over, and see if the problem moves.
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Old 15th January 2014, 08:37 AM
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Well, the problem got much worse, with the bulb going out quite frequently, so I started with the easiest option - replacing the bulb.

Did that last night and all was well on the way in for 30 miles or more, until I hit a big pot hole and the bulb went out again. It came on after switching off, but then went off again a minute later. So probably not the bulb!

So where do I find the ballast? And how do I swap them over?
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2002 Final Edition S8. Ebony black with Silver Grey leather and myrtle wood trim.
Current mods: solar sun roof, 20mm rear spacers, 15 mm on front, red brembo callipers, 6k headlights, rear view camera, engine remap, alloy dash dial rings, alloy navi rings, tt/phaeton pedal upgrade, (and custom matching foot rest) dension ipod interface & parrot hands free kit (both fully hidden), av input, tv in motion switched thro' PF switch in blanking plug right of steering column, Audi 'quattro' sill covers, repositioned centre console switches, radio clock, .
Planned mods: auto-dimming rear view mirror, dash cam (as steamship's), fit the ski hatch, refit philips drl's (or maybe not - nope, definitely not - horrible botch!).
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Old 15th January 2014, 09:10 AM
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The ballast is the metal box about the size of a pack of cards attached to the side of the headlamp unit. As you know Jim I had an intermittent lamp (not bulb - thats what you plant in the garden ) problem at the MoT the other day. The high voltages used by xenon lamps area problem if there is poor contact/dry joint so its best to sort it out soonest. You will have spare unit on you spare headlamp assemblies.
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Old 15th January 2014, 09:22 AM
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But didn't you just replace the bulb, sorry, lamp? I'll try swapping the ballast tonight. Thanks
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2002 Final Edition S8. Ebony black with Silver Grey leather and myrtle wood trim.
Current mods: solar sun roof, 20mm rear spacers, 15 mm on front, red brembo callipers, 6k headlights, rear view camera, engine remap, alloy dash dial rings, alloy navi rings, tt/phaeton pedal upgrade, (and custom matching foot rest) dension ipod interface & parrot hands free kit (both fully hidden), av input, tv in motion switched thro' PF switch in blanking plug right of steering column, Audi 'quattro' sill covers, repositioned centre console switches, radio clock, .
Planned mods: auto-dimming rear view mirror, dash cam (as steamship's), fit the ski hatch, refit philips drl's (or maybe not - nope, definitely not - horrible botch!).
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Old 15th January 2014, 09:26 AM
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I concur ballast.

Think of xenons like flourescent tubes, on their own they cant get going or stay going. They need help, the ignitors get them going and the ballast keeps them going. If the ballast goes a bit iffy the lamp will go on and off just like a flourescent light........

Its a reasonably regular part request for a D2 from memory although never had one fail personally.
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Old 15th January 2014, 09:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The_Laird View Post
But didn't you just replace the bulb, sorry, lamp? I'll try swapping the ballast tonight. Thanks
Yes. mine was an issue of poor contact between the lamp and the lampholder.
Arcing had caused pitting and deposits which meant that occassionally it didnt light up when switched on. If switched off then on again it was generally ok - except it happened at the MoT centre!
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Old 15th January 2014, 11:35 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IT View Post
...on their own they can't get going or stay going. They need help.
Sounds familiar!
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2002 Final Edition S8. Ebony black with Silver Grey leather and myrtle wood trim.
Current mods: solar sun roof, 20mm rear spacers, 15 mm on front, red brembo callipers, 6k headlights, rear view camera, engine remap, alloy dash dial rings, alloy navi rings, tt/phaeton pedal upgrade, (and custom matching foot rest) dension ipod interface & parrot hands free kit (both fully hidden), av input, tv in motion switched thro' PF switch in blanking plug right of steering column, Audi 'quattro' sill covers, repositioned centre console switches, radio clock, .
Planned mods: auto-dimming rear view mirror, dash cam (as steamship's), fit the ski hatch, refit philips drl's (or maybe not - nope, definitely not - horrible botch!).
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  #9  
Old 15th January 2014, 11:38 AM
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Is it an easy swap? I've seen the 4 cross-head screws on the cover, but what's underneath that in terms of wiring and whatever else?
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2002 Final Edition S8. Ebony black with Silver Grey leather and myrtle wood trim.
Current mods: solar sun roof, 20mm rear spacers, 15 mm on front, red brembo callipers, 6k headlights, rear view camera, engine remap, alloy dash dial rings, alloy navi rings, tt/phaeton pedal upgrade, (and custom matching foot rest) dension ipod interface & parrot hands free kit (both fully hidden), av input, tv in motion switched thro' PF switch in blanking plug right of steering column, Audi 'quattro' sill covers, repositioned centre console switches, radio clock, .
Planned mods: auto-dimming rear view mirror, dash cam (as steamship's), fit the ski hatch, refit philips drl's (or maybe not - nope, definitely not - horrible botch!).
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  #10  
Old 15th January 2014, 03:46 PM
PsYcHe PsYcHe is offline
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You'd probably swap the unit as a whole rather than the gubbins.
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