Both HID's flickering
#1
08-12-2009, 06:29 PM
Both HID's flickering
This one has me stumped! In the last few days both HID's have started flickering. It is not very noticable (unless you are driving on a dark road or have the car pointed at a wall) and the flickering goes after about 30 minutes of driving with them powered on. If it was just one I would suspect the ballast or bulb, but both going out at the same time would be unusual. I cannot hear any unusual noises associated with the flickering. Finally, I can see no difference between the auto and on light setting as far as flickering is concerned.
The car is an 04 X350 and it just turned 50K, so not too many miles. It just came back from the 50K service, which I hope is unrelated. They did the 50k and in addition changed the oil, brake fluid and coolant flush. I had the battery checked as part of the 50K and although it is nearly 5 years, it is apparently holding up well (unusual for a battery to last 5 years in the TX heat).
Anybody out there with any ideas?
My only suspect is the alternator or regulator or both bulbs going....
Thanks
- Tim
The car is an 04 X350 and it just turned 50K, so not too many miles. It just came back from the 50K service, which I hope is unrelated. They did the 50k and in addition changed the oil, brake fluid and coolant flush. I had the battery checked as part of the 50K and although it is nearly 5 years, it is apparently holding up well (unusual for a battery to last 5 years in the TX heat).
Anybody out there with any ideas?
My only suspect is the alternator or regulator or both bulbs going....
Thanks
- Tim
Last edited by timfountain; 08-12-2009 at 09:31 PM.
#2
08-18-2009, 09:38 PM
Senior Member
the bulbs would color shift to a light violet before they start flickering. OEM hids bulbs hardly ever go bad.
i would suspect the battery to be the culprit, 5 years is long for anywhere for a battery to last.it may crank and start the motor, but isnt holding enough of a charge to run accesories. i spend alot of time on HIDPLANET.com and do actual projector retrofits on non hid cars.
cliffnotes
-first id replace the cheapest alternative, the battery
-if problem is ongoing, check out the alternator and voltage regulator.
-vic
i would suspect the battery to be the culprit, 5 years is long for anywhere for a battery to last.it may crank and start the motor, but isnt holding enough of a charge to run accesories. i spend alot of time on HIDPLANET.com and do actual projector retrofits on non hid cars.
cliffnotes
-first id replace the cheapest alternative, the battery
-if problem is ongoing, check out the alternator and voltage regulator.
-vic
#3
08-19-2009, 12:44 AM
Veteran member
Just read a thread yesterday on here about flickering headlamps, turns out his alternator was bad (at least that is what was replaced, and solved his problem) Have it checked, and should be under $200 for a rebuild.
Strate has you steered in the correct direction. Report back with good news!
Strate has you steered in the correct direction. Report back with good news!
#4
08-19-2009, 08:35 AM
Thanks
Thanks for the responses. I'll do as suggested and first try the battery. I'm still smarting a bit from the $787 50K service and I still need to do the brakes within the next 5k miles so it might have to wait a month or two. I have been holding off doing the battery as I have had it checked twice (on-load/off-load test) and both times it checked out. I'm going to put a scope on the 12V line and see if there is any interference....
- Tim
- Tim
#6
08-19-2009, 01:26 PM
Senior Member
You can also clean up your battery and connections terminals, its simple all you need is a brown scotchbrite pad (forgot exactly whats its called but its brown and feels like the rough side of a spounge).
I recently cleaned the terminals on my 18month old civic and youd be surprised how pitted and dirty they actually get in a short perioud of time.
If all of the above doesnt doesnt fix your problem, then I'd say its the OSRAM ballasts > they have a stated 3000hr lifespan (pictured below)
heres a pic of the scotchbrite
they can be purchased in packs of three basicly anywhere.. walmart,pathmark,autozone
I recently cleaned the terminals on my 18month old civic and youd be surprised how pitted and dirty they actually get in a short perioud of time.
If all of the above doesnt doesnt fix your problem, then I'd say its the OSRAM ballasts > they have a stated 3000hr lifespan (pictured below)
heres a pic of the scotchbrite
they can be purchased in packs of three basicly anywhere.. walmart,pathmark,autozone
#7
08-19-2009, 04:32 PM
Veteran member
Trending Topics
#8
08-19-2009, 11:17 PM
Senior Member
#9
08-20-2009, 08:29 AM
I just hit me when I re-read both of these posts together. I think it might be the regulator or alternator. The flickering might go away because the alternator or regulator is no longer having to re-charge the battery that was depleted from the start. Just a theory and I'm going to get the scope and DMM on the case.
I have checked all the connections I can easily get to and everything looks clean. That is one advantage of living in a perrenial furnace, it is so dry and hot that there is virtually no corrosion. Now working on the car in this heat is another matter altogether, it is like 120 in the garage at the moment!
Regarding the brakes, does anyone have a link to how to do a front brake job? I'd love to do it myself and having seen other people do their brakes, it does seem to be quite quick and easy, but I dont want to try to save a few bucks and end up breaking or damaging something, or worse.....
I have checked all the connections I can easily get to and everything looks clean. That is one advantage of living in a perrenial furnace, it is so dry and hot that there is virtually no corrosion. Now working on the car in this heat is another matter altogether, it is like 120 in the garage at the moment!
Regarding the brakes, does anyone have a link to how to do a front brake job? I'd love to do it myself and having seen other people do their brakes, it does seem to be quite quick and easy, but I dont want to try to save a few bucks and end up breaking or damaging something, or worse.....
#10
10-18-2009, 09:33 PM
OK I'm the new guy here and this sounds like it has been beat to death here in the fourm BUT I also have this fantom problem I have had the car in to the dealer several times and they say they can't get it to replicate the problem! I have a 04 XJ8 and it doesn't do it all the time but my wife says it does it periodadiclly. Both lights will blink on and off she calls it a light show. Now I had the battery replaced and it went away for a while then came back I asked that they do a load test on the electrical system but they said it was fine! Huh! So it now sounds like it is either the Gen or Reg. If anyone has any other words of wisdom I would love to hear them I have had this problem for over a year. One last thing my car only 50,000 miles and is on an extended warranty (thank gooddness) so I would love to cure this problem once and for all.
#11
10-20-2009, 07:24 AM
Guest
Posts: n/a
The Light Show...
OK I'm the new guy here and this sounds like it has been beat to death here in the fourm BUT I also have this fantom problem I have had the car in to the dealer several times and they say they can't get it to replicate the problem! I have a 04 XJ8 and it doesn't do it all the time but my wife says it does it periodadiclly. Both lights will blink on and off she calls it a light show. Now I had the battery replaced and it went away for a while then came back I asked that they do a load test on the electrical system but they said it was fine! Huh! So it now sounds like it is either the Gen or Reg. If anyone has any other words of wisdom I would love to hear them I have had this problem for over a year. One last thing my car only 50,000 miles and is on an extended warranty (thank gooddness) so I would love to cure this problem once and for all.
05 SV8 here with 43k miles. EXACT same issue; down to the name 'the light show'. Dealer response was same as well.
I live in a small rural town at the top of a mountain. I drive mostly in the evening and have found interesting patterns out of 'Jake'; my car. The first leg into the 'city' is a 6 mile gently winding 2 lane state highway that cuts across the top of the mountain. Nothing too extreme so I cruise from 55 - 70; depending on conditions. As soon as I reach the end of this leg, however, the light show starts. Right at the stop sign that ends leg one and begins leg two. I say this because my time from home to this milestone can vary by a few minutes; or not. But the problem ALWAYS starts there.
LEG2 is a thrill ride; 8 mile 8% grade down winding canyon, cross river bridge and then back up the other side. Lots of hairpins, S curves...etc. Fun w/ Jake. EXCEPT....
LEFT light goes out; stays out for 5 seconds. Repeat 2x.
RIGHT light goes out; stays out for 5 seconds.
BOTH Lights ON
LEFT goes out and stays out; unless HIGHBEAMS engaged.
(At this point i typically turn off lights/turn on quickly and problem goes away....for a few seconds and starts all over again. By then I'm on brights out of need to see. Pull back stalk for oncoming traffic and left light is out. Driving lights on.)
At some point before hitting the river bridge, the problem goes away; e.g. both lights on at either low or highbeam / driving lights also on.
Once I hit the river bridge, I stop and turn onto the upcanyon road. Its an aggressive grade and no sooner than I can say Supercharged MidLife Crisis, the light show starts again. ALWAYS at the same spot.
Downside is we add a new step:
ALL Lights go OUT (kinda fun on those 15mph hairpins w/ sheer drop canyon wall)
All lights come ON; but in 'stages' as if 'rebooting'.
The only commonality I have seen is the whole stop sign tie-in. While kinda odd; Jake will do it repeatedly in these two places. So now I have to have someone camcorder me so Mr. Could Not Replicate in service stops thinking i've come undone. again.
Hope this rambling helps.
05 SV8
08 XKR
99 XJR
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nycturbovr6 (03-16-2015)
#12
10-20-2009, 01:57 PM
Senior Member
#13
10-20-2009, 03:54 PM
#15
10-21-2009, 04:29 PM
Guest
Posts: n/a
Will clean the harness tonight; give it a whirl.
Excellent elimination question on the up/down hill reference. One stop sign is at even grade; approx 1/4 mile just prior to going down canyon. The next stop is at beginning of upcanyon; and that is instant 8% grade.
Fixed or not, this car is the most rewarding personal relationship I have ever had. At least Jake is predictable when cranky....
Oh. There is one thing I'd like to smack the engineer with a wet squirrel for: Fuel Filler Cap Holder.
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nycturbovr6 (06-16-2015)
#17
10-22-2009, 09:27 PM
Senior Member
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