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wasabi2k

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#174941 11-Jun-2015 15:22
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Kia Ora all,
Hoping someone can give me some ideas as to the possible cause of an issue I'm having.

My car has HID lights, which are great, however my driver side light has started flickering.

1. Doesn't happen from cold
2. Always ignites fine
3. Usually starts about half way home (roughly 20 mins in)
4. Turning lights off and on doesn't fix it
5. Sometimes stops on it's own
6. Happens at idle/motorway crawl and while driving (though probably more at idle)

Now I have done some research, most people suggested replacing bulb. I swapped the drivers and passenger bulbs over the weekend and the issue remains on the drivers side - so I don't think it is the bulb.

When swapping them I noticed that the driver side bulb had a bit of darkening on the read contact, while the passenger didn't, which sounds to me like possibly a bad contact? I have tried bouncing the front of the car to see if it is a really obviously loose connection but no luck - stays fine.

Does anyone have any bright ideas? Who would I take it to to be looked at?

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gzt

gzt
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  #1322846 11-Jun-2015 15:30
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Could try some contact cleaner anyway. But bear in mind the heat indications you saw could be caused by high(er) resistance in that area but not necessarily the point of contact itself.



lxsw20
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  #1322857 11-Jun-2015 15:42
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Things that can go wrong are inverter/ballast, bulb, and wiring. I'd try some contact cleaner like the above has said, and see if you can swap the ballast from one bulb to the other. If you can stop on the side of the road when one starts flashing and just feel that the ballast on that side isn't getting stupid hot or something, comparable with the other side. 

Aredwood
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  #1322858 11-Jun-2015 15:43

Are these factory fitted or aftermarket HID bulbs / drivers? It seems that there is voltage drop on the input to the driver.







wasabi2k

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  #1322859 11-Jun-2015 15:44
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Aredwood: Are these factory fitted or aftermarket HID bulbs / drivers? It seems that there is voltage drop on the input to the driver.


Factory lights, cheaper bulbs.

Anything obvious to look for?

lxsw20
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  #1322863 11-Jun-2015 15:47
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http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/car-parts-accessories/toyota/exterior/auction-898834679.htm - ask this dude if it comes with the ballast. Be a cheapish fix if it is. If you can't resolve it, it would be  a trip to an auto sparky. 

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