Litronic bulb replacement?

Upon turning on the headlights on my 2000 C2 CAB, one of the Litronic bulbs is flickering, but doesn't come on. I disassembled, wrote down the specs (Philips D2S 35W etc.) and took the bulb to Kragen Auto Parts over here in Palo Alto, CA. The clerk would have to order it .......for $600!!! Is there a cheaper alternative? I am tempted to try the "defective" bulb on the other headlight first, maybe it's not the bulb, but something in the power supply or circuitry because I remember now that months ago that particular Litronic headlight would not stay on all the time so that I had to turn the switch off and then on again for the light to come on again while driving. Any suggestions before I disassemble both headlights?

It coould be the electrical connection for that head light assembly not making good contact. It could also be the switch.

could be the balast? I dont have Lit's but for a $600 bulb, I think I would have some "Splainin" to do to the little women

I think he gave you the price for the headlight assembly. Google 'Philips D2S 35W'. Lots of vendors out there. Might was well replace both while you are at it.

May I suggest this vendor from the UK. I have bought several sets of bulbs from them and they are very reliable. The bulbs can go south over time, and the best way to test is to swap bulbs side to side. Remember make sure not to touch the bulb. The only other component that might go bad is the ballast, but most likely is the bulb is at the end of its life.

I'd bet dollars to donuts (hmmmm...donuts...) it's your head light switch. VERY common failure. Replaced mine on my 02, which had same probem, and fixed it. HID bulbs do NOT flicker, or work sometimes, not others. Got switch from Sunset, about $75 IIRC.

I'm also in the process of replacing my headlight switch in my 02 C4. Both headlamps sometimes don't come on when switch turned on.

OK, all who are suggesting light switch, please reread his first post. If the light switch fails, BOTH lights will not work. In his case, it is only ONE light, which leads one to believe that it is a bulb, ballast, or bad connection at the headlight assembly.

Sorry, but you may be just as wrong. Read my post. I said I had the same problem..one side (same side, always) either worked or didn't unless I repeatedly flipped the switch. If it is constantly flickering, then I'm leaning toward ballast causing the effect, as well though, especially if it is a higher frequency. The switches don't usually stop working completely, but the contacts inside get carbon arced and develop a high resistance, no telling where, and give unpredictable operation. He may have a marginal ballast that a new switch with lower resistance (higher voltage) would work fine with. Cheaper and easier to try than buying a ballast. Bulb is cheapest alternative, of course.

Thanks to all who took the time to read and reply. In order to set things straight: I took out the defective bulb, put in the bulb from the other head light , and it works just fine, so it is really only the one bulb that is no longer working (even though it is flickering for a moment upon turning the light switch). Now where to get a pair of replacement bulbs? I tried various internet sites( powerbulbs.com, plasmagarage.com, cqlight.ca, bulbs.com etc.), eBay, the local dealer, independent repair shops, and it all came down to this: the OEM Philips D2S 35W 85123 seem to be discontinued, nobody was able to tell me whether the 85122 or 85122+ will fit the bill( which I am tempted to buy for around $150 a pair).....Anybody knowledgeable out there who can help me out?

I will freely admit that I had NO idea that HID bulbs are that expensive!!! But FWIW, the D2S 85122+ will work fine...and you're smart to get a pair so they look the same. Glad that is all it is...

I'm surprised there aren't more discussions on litronic HID bulb replacement. Are there various sizes that can be used? One of my bulbs just went out, looking to replace. Are the philips better than the sylvania, or GE?

emdog, i have OEM Factory Spares for Litronics, PM me

All these xenon bulbs are available from dozens of companys. Tyr ebay. just search for D2S bulb. There are many shapes and configurations of bulbs. But they are all the same xenon.You can buy them in different temperature numbers. Stock is about 4300K that is light blue light. You could get the same D2S in 5000K 6000K 7000K 8000K and the color would go to bright blue then purple. You can convert any bulb, H2, H3 etc to a xenon and get any color #. You just buy a HID conversion kit and choose. Then you get a ballast which converts the 12v to a usable power for the xenon. The D2S bulbs are about $40 pr or $600 from the dealer The kits are about $50 up to few hundred. http://www.mbworld.org/forums/s-clas...n-upgrade.html http://www.mbworld.org/forums/sl55-a...r-matched.html

Michael: ebay item #280576473903. $45 shipped...assuming that's the correct part. (Generics even cheaper). GL.

how come every time I enter in my year 01 911, it always says that the d2s doesn't fit my car??

Quotes source post: 8221187

Its D2S and same Part Number for all 95+ Porsche Litronics

you have to look at the bulb to find out what they are

Hey Looking for advice here: I ran across this thread and ironically, have similar problem as reported by Michael, one litronic (low beam) headlight that flickers when I turn on the headlights, but the lamp does not stay on. It also flickers just as I turn the switch off. Mine is a late model 993 with factory litronic bulbs. As did Michael, I switched the bulbs (the manual is NOT helpful in describing how to release the retaining collar). But even after the switch, the swapped (driver's side) bulb flickers slightly. So, logically, it's not a defective bulb, but a problem elsewhere in the line. What is my next step to getting illumination? A new OEM switch, or ballast? I'd welcome any suggestions before I start buying parts or paying a mechanic. Thanks, No Wasser in S.F. P.S. I already bought a Bergvill HID conversion kit, erroneously assuming that I had typical 993 halogen lights. One burned out, so why not upgrade? When I started on the conversion, I discovered litronics bulbs in the lens assembly! Now I've got an unused Bervill HID Conversion Kit for the 993; 4300 Kelvin. Anyone interested, please contact me. [Michael 9962000 Said: Thanks to all who took the time to read and reply. In order to set things straight: I took out the defective bulb, put in the bulb from the other head light , and it works just fine, so it is really only the one bulb that is no longer working (even though it is flickering for a moment upon turning the light switch). Now where to get a pair of replacement bulbs? I tried various internet sites( powerbulbs.com, plasmagarage.com, cqlight.ca, bulbs.com etc.), eBay, the local dealer, independent repair shops, and it all came down to this: the OEM Philips D2S 35W 85123 seem to be discontinued, nobody was able to tell me whether the 85122 or 85122+ will fit the bill( which I am tempted to buy for around $150 a pair).....Anybody knowledgeable out there who can help me out?}

I sold a few of these in another thread somewhere on here, I have the D2S's click HERE -Jason