I own a 2004 MINI COOPER 'S' with the original Factory installed Xenons. The passenger side, (right side), just went out, but the Xenon bulb still flickers on and off like it wants to fire up??? Does the bulb need to be replaced??? Or does the ballast/igniter need replacing??? (if there is any light coming from the bulb whatsoever, I would think that the bulb is still good). I haven't tried switching the bulbs yet, but certainly this same problem has happened to enough MINI owners by now, that the guesswork would be taken out of it. Can someone throw some light on this subject? (Xenon light hopefully!!!)
Thanks!!! And Motor On!!! Mini Estate

minisrcheeky@hotmail.com

 

I had a problem on my 2003 whereas the bulb wouldn't ignite unless you flicked it on multiple times. Others have had the same issue. I haven't seen the issue you are having and I'm sorry I can't be of more support. As you said, swapping the bulbs is the best way to find if the bulbs are the problem or not (a quick job although you also want to disconnect the battery). In my situation, even the ballast didn't resolve the issue and I had to replace the entire headlight housing. I found a used one somebody was selling online for somewhere between $200-300, although I can't remember the exact price now. Good luck!

 

I had body work done to my '05 MC and the idiot body man didn't know how to install the bulb/ballast correctly into the rear of the new headlamp assembly. So later that night, I'm on a trip out of town in my newly repaired MINI and the light starts to flicker for a while but it went back on. About an hour later, it flickers and then goes out. I pop the hood and I see that the bulb must not have been seated correctly because it arced inside of the ballast. Both the ballast and the bulb were trash after that. What saved a little money was that I didn't have to purchase a new ballast since one came with the new light assembly during bodywork. The bulb was over $100.00. I should have had my body shop pay but I didn't want to bother. Also, I found that a local Infiniti dealer was getting rid of a large number of HID lights at $35.00 a pop. I got 3 so I'm set for a while.

 

Noting some old post, I'm having the exact same problem with my 2003. Passenager side Xenon light out. About a year ago, while messing with it, it started working and the problem didn't re-occure until now.

I've not taken it to the dealer because the previous posts scare me ($$). I changed the bulbs, and it works in the driver side housing.

Any help out there? Can I switch back to regular bulbs?

Thanks -

George
Houston, TX