11 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHBallast Issue?
Reported or suspected cause
headlight switch(!)
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Leading evidence: 'headlight switch(!)' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'headlight switch(!)' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check edges of the socket' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
If it is not the bulb it is probably the control module on the back of the light (silver box) .
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
check the edges of the socket for arcing, it could be as simple as that.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Did you clean the center contact in the connector?
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I swapped the capsules from side to side to see if the problem moves accordingly, but I also used 600 grit sand paper to lightly clean all the contact surfaces of the socket that goes on the base of the HID capsule.
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I swapped the capsules from side to side to see if the problem moves accordingly, but I also used 600 grit sand paper to lightly clean all the contact surfaces of the socket that goes on the base of the HID capsule.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
11 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
Cleaning the contact area of the capsule and connector did not help, however swapping the capsules between the two sides did, both sides light up now.
I have a 2000 996 Cab with the Lightronic headlights. Occasionally the left headlight won't come on. it will blink several times, trying to come on but not fully ignite.
Is this a bad ballast, or something else? Sometimes the lights work fine, sometimes not.
Ideas??
Sounds similar to a problem I had when I purchased my xenon lights. Try swapping bulbs from the bad light to the good light to see if it's the bulb. If it is not the bulb it is probably the control module on the back of the light (silver box) . My module was bad and when I purchased a used one the light worked fine. My guess is it is one of the two
My driver's side started to intermittently not turn on this summer, it's a new set of capsules I put in beginning of last year.
I swapped the capsules from side to side to see if the problem moves accordingly, but I also used 600 grit sand paper to lightly clean all the contact surfaces of the socket that goes on the base of the HID capsule.
Guess what? The headlights have worked every single time over the last month!! It kind of makes sense since HID ballast generates high initial voltage (in hundreds of volts) to kick start the xenon gas in the capsule, so any resistance due to oxidation on the metal contact surface will reduce the effectiveness of the high voltage.
So try that before you condemn the ballast.
Yes the "bulb", I just can't get myself to call something without an internal filament a "bulb", capsule is a common term for the HID "bulb" in the industry.
Almost two years later I am encountering initially intermittent light up on the driver side again, normally shutting off ignition and turn back on again will light up the HID, but not today.
Cleaning the contact area of the capsule and connector did not help, however swapping the capsules between the two sides did, both sides light up now.
Go figure!
The insulation can often crack/disintegrate on the high-voltage wiring, making shorting an issue. I'm dealing with a balky ballast on the wife's car right now - it seldom ignites on the first try.
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
