My ongoing HID problem still exists and is now getting worse with the incoming colder weather. Prolly had to click em on and off 15 times to get the passenger side to fire. I called Main Line Mini which turned out to be a mistake. "It could be the xenon unit which is $400, the bulb which is 700, or the body module which is 400. I would suggest talking to service before you try any home repairs." Excuse me, I did this for over a year, and spent 18 months and $20,000 at a tech school. Don't tell me what I can't do. I work at an auto parts store and can get the bulb for 145, minus the discount, about 120. Where do I go from here? I'm going to try Otto's and see if they are any nicer.

 

While I'm at it, any reccomendations as to who is decent to buy aftermarket ballasts from If I have no luck anywhere else? I've seen a couple places on the first page of a google search for "HID conversion kits". These places sell ballasts for 100-150 bucks. Some seem good, others a little, eehhh.

 

There are only three parts. bulb, ignitor and control module. If you are that worked up, just buy them all and get it over with. If you don't diagnose it right, you may end up replacing one piece at a time, only to end up needing a new bulb again. Do a search for xenon problems and you'll find info on a bulletin that affects a specific run of a specific manufacturer's control modules. Make sure you are not part this before you go any further. Also, what exactly is the problem?

 

The guy at Main Line told me it could also be either a body module or a software issue, but he was a tool which leads me to not believe this very much. My car was made in September of 2002 as a 2003 model year, way before that TSB. Also, some dude on Ebay has the whole assembly, minus bulbs, for about $50. Is it worth it to get these and start cheap and see if the control unit fixes it or should I bite the bullet and go to the dealer? I'm waiting for a response on the working condition of the control unit.

 

First describe the problem.

 

When I had non-starting Xenon headlight problems it was only in wet weather; MINI of Peabody changed I think the igniter to solve it.

 

Oh - it should be easy to determine where the fault basically lies.
If you have an off headlight, but it's getting the supply from the BC1, then it's not the BC1 ...

 

Try some basic trouble shooting.

Swap the bulb from one side to the other. Did the problem swap sides too?

Swap the ballast from one side to the other. Did the problem move from one side to the other?

If the problem stays in the same place, then the ballast probably isn't getting voltage when the switch is on....that might point to the BC1.

I suspect that the ballast is going bad.

Rawhyde

 

try www.hidplanet.com -- they sell Phillips ballasts.

 

I and several friends bought from www.xenondepot.com with excellent results and warranty.

 

I swapped the bulbs and that was a no go. Passenger side still does it. I'm going to call Otto's and have them run my VIN. I have less than 50k but am unsure of the date of expiration. If it's out, I'll get a price on the ballast. The bulb I can get myself (I work at Advance Auto) for about half of what they want. If its too far out of budget, I'll seriously consider getting one of the aftermarket ones.

 

You can also run the VIN at www.realoem.com to find out the build month ...