11 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHBi-Xenon Light Issues
Reported repair
Replace ignition switch
Reported resolution
1
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Discussions that report a fix
1
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Reported fix
Replaced the ignition switch and that fixed it 100%.
Leading evidence: 'Replace ignition switch' (1 discussions report resolution; 0 report an unsuccessful attempt). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace ignition switch' (1 discussions). For that action, 1 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. The most frequently reported fix is 'Replace ignition switch', supported by resolution reports in 1 discussions. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I replaced the ballast about 6 months ago, which solved a similar but slightly different issue.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I used small flexible nylon tubing but they sell wire insulation wraps at many places including Harbor Freight that will work to wrap the exposed wires.
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
My understanding is these ballasts rarely fail but replace the bulbs is the cheapest check.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I used small flexible nylon tubing but they sell wire insulation wraps at many places including Harbor Freight that will work to wrap the exposed wires.
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11 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T025149Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Passenger side headlight sort of randomly turns on and off (when headlight switch is ON). When I go over a bump, it is likely to flicker and *maybe* stay on but maybe shut down. If I get out of the car and smack the light I can convince it to turn back on, but that's not an effective solution for highway driving. The connection between the light assembly and the car might be a contributing factor (there are times when all the lights - blinker, fog, highbeam - will not work), but I re-seated it today and that seems to have solved everything except the xenon low beam.
I replaced the ballast about 6 months ago, which solved a similar but slightly different issue. Is the next place to go the bulb, or straight to a wiring harness rebuild?
I had an issue with just my turn signal not working, and it ended up being the body/headlight connection. The bracket holding the body side connector was fatigued, and eventually broke. If you take the plug loose from the bracket, you can plug it into the headlight, make sure it seats all the way, and test for function. No idea if thats your issue or not, but I thought I'd share just in case.
Back to having intermittent blinker/fog/highbeam availability. Must be either a loose connection at the body or wiring insulation. Guess I should bite the bullet and do the full harness.
I remember when I had 98 Boxster with regular halogen headlights, the wiring was melted and I had to take bunch of wires to get them working again. Do Bi-Xenon headlights have same melting wires issues? Or its specifically connectors?
I had similar experience with my 996.2 headlights. Remove headlight open up rear of headlights and look at the exposed wires and I�m sure you will find the insulation has fallen off the wires. I used small flexible nylon tubing but they sell wire insulation wraps at many places including Harbor Freight that will work to wrap the exposed wires. Next remove xenon bulb and look at connections and replace with new bulb. My understanding is these ballasts rarely fail but replace the bulbs is the cheapest check. Next the contacts for turn signals INSIDE the headlight housing can be �tweaked� or bent to make better connections. Hope that helps. It�s outrageous that the insulation is this poor in these cars!
All good suggestions before me, but one other thing to check is whether the connector is securely in place on the HID bulb. I had this issue when I first got my 996. The wire going from the ballast to this connector is so inflexible that sometimes it can "untwist" itself from the notches on the HID bulb and make the connection unreliable. My light would flicker while driving when this happened.
But if multiple bulbs are failing intermittently, unfortunately it usually means you need a new harness...
