After a few years, one HID is not working (kit) - Help

[Skarbro]

I did email MacGuyver as he installed these for me a few years back. I'm not sure of his current status and availability, so I thought I would post here too.

Hope to fix this fast.

I have the KDW superthin HID kit for the headlight lows that was bought in a group buy in 2007 I believe. MacGuyver installed them on my car and re-wired my fogs as the DRLs at the same time. They have worked perfectly for 3-4 years.

Now I can guess that it is either the bulb or ballast that is blown. Are all bulbs for company HID kits interchangable? Can I just get a replacement bulb? Or do I have to search for that same kit again? I see that The Xenon Store has a kit called KWD - which might be the same? Not sure. Maybe I need to order one of those as replacement parts?

Help me figure this out please.

[stevenma188]

To test, swap the bulbs and ballasts left and right. This should tell you whether it's the bulb or the ballast that died.

I think most generic kits use the same setup.

[Thrizzl3]

if the wiring is still the same im pretty sure you can just change the bulbs. Now if it's the ballast then your better off getting a new kit. Do you hear it clicking when you turn on the headlights?

[Skarbro]

Swapping the bulbs. Good idea.

I don't hear any clicking. Is that a good sign?

[Thrizzl3]

Swapping the bulbs. Good idea.

I don't hear any clicking. Is that a good sign?

no clicking is a dead ballast

[Templar Knight]

Blown fuse? Check under your dash. I blew 2 last month.

[Skarbro]

I don't recall hearing clicking before the light blew. I'll have to investigate that further.

I doubt it is a blown fuse. But all possibilities should be considered. Thanks.

[sp3GT]

If you're kit is 3-4 years old you should still be able to interchangeably the bulbs/ballast.

We even have adapters for bulbs/ballast for extremely old kits.

[Skarbro]

Awesome info. First step is to figure out if it is the bulb or ballast. I'll be tackling this tonight. I know what a PITA changing the headlight bulbs are on this car, so I'm not looking forward to it.

[cwp_sedan]

Holy crap Ken! Where the heck have you been?! lol

Give me a shout if you need help diagnosing or changing the bulbs (if it's the bulbs).

[Skarbro]

Hey Ryan! Thanks for the help. I will hit you up on WhatsApp (found you there). We have to catch up. I still have the old PMs where we were meeting up for these bulbs.

I will tackle it today. Step 1 - figure out if it is the bulb or ballast. I'll post back here.

I know I've been scarce. Long story short... 2 kids under 4 = less time to play with cars! lol

[Skarbro]

Okay, here's the update.

I attempted to remove the bulb. I couldn't figure out that metal clip, so I never got it out. Put the rubber gasket back on. Started the car. Turned on the headlights. The light came on. Turned them off for a few seconds then on again. It didn't come on. Tapped the ballast a bit with a screwdriver (shot in the dark). Turned them back on again and it worked. So the status right now is the light is working - but for how long, I don't know. The bulb appears to be good. But I'm not sure if it is the ballast or a bad connection somewhere that is causing the intermittant problem. I should add that when turning the lights on and the light doesn't work, I hear buzzing from the ballast for a second or two.

I have some help available to tackle this further.

[sp3GT]

^ It sounds like your ballast or igniter is the issue. When it comes to HID's the bulbs rarely die, 9 out of 10 times it's the ballast.

You're light kinda flickers and tries to turn on then turns off right? And then with another shot it may turn on again?

[Skarbro]

Not quite. It turns on normally when it is working. It doesn't flicker at all when it isn't working - it just doesn't come on. But I agree on the ballast.

[cwp_sedan]

If you have one side that works ok. Disconnect the working ballast and ignitor separately and connect them to the defective side. If the bulb fires up then it's definitely not the bulb or whichever component you swapped out at that time.

You have a relay since you have a 2006. Check the connection for that as well. Make sure nothing is corroded.

Sounds like the ballast/ignitor to me.