360 Intermittent passenger side headlight issue.

Thought I would post here before I start tearing things apart.

I'm having intermittent issues with the passenger side (US) headlight turning on. All other lights function as normal, but, occasionally, the low beam does not want to turn on. Turning the lights off and back on one or more times temporarily resolves the issue.

It's embarrassing and I would like to fix this as soon as possible. So, before I start ripping off panels and checking wiring, etc, has anyone had a similar issue and, if so, what was your resolution ?

Thanks, in advance!

 

For info, there is only a single relay for both low beam headlights, so it's not likely to be a relay issue. The control column stalk switch controls the single relay, so it's not likely to be that, either. It's not likely to be a fuse (unless the fuseholder contacts are corroded).

Probably a faulty lamp. Isn't the high beam light the only one which uses a ballast?

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

All of that makes sense. Checking the bulb itself is easy enough. The low beams are HID and the high beams look to be normal, incandescent. So wouldn't the our low beams have the ballasts?

 

I wasn't sure. I just assumed the more powerful ones required a ballast. If the low beam has a ballast, then unfortunately that's the most likely culprit.

EDIT: Looking at the parts manual, you could be mistaken for thinking that the inboard lamp has a ballast (#37).

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Anyway, please let us know what you find.

 

Middle bulb is low beam and part number 36 looks like a ballast to me, no?

 

Correct (AFAIK)... but look where the lamp is pointing...

Image Unavailable, Please Login

If the ballast is used for the middle lamp, the graphics artist failed technical drawing.

 

I had a similar problem a couple of years ago. The bulb holder at the end of the cable from the ballast(igniter) had fused to the bulb. I needed a new ballast and fitted two new bulbs so I had the same colour on both sides. It wasn't a hard job to do. I chose to remove the wheel for easy access.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Yes. Low beam.

I hope it doesn't come to that... But would be my luck lol

 

Update: I yanked out the HID ballasts and wired in LEDs. They are a bit brighter.. .but that's okay. Not enough to be annoying. The cut-off seems to still work, keeping the beam from going above normal level. I couldn't find anything under 100w that would work for our cars. There was a brief learning curve but no biggie. It took minutes to do each side, once I figured it out. I did a detailed write up, if anyone is interested. Thanks for all the advice and info, fellas.

 

Just for future reference for anyone else having the intermittent light issue:

What fails is the striker circuit in the ballast. The ballasts continue to supply 12V on the bench. So the least expensive option is to just install HID to LED bulbs. The LEDs don't need the strike so they work great and fire up every time.

If you insist on using HID bulbs, then the ballast is interchangeable with a VW - I think a Jetta or Passat - I don't remember off hand but I was able to match up the part numbers.

 

Correct. I thought I mentioned the striker issue, but maybe didn't use the term. Thank you. Result: ballasts have a finite life span because of that.
Not sure how that would affect the light going out after lighting up or if that's a separate issue, because it seems that's how all HID issues progress.
Anyone?
I almost researched back up ballasts. I had a list of part numbers. I decided that LED *should* create less heat, are simpler/less parts, and should last longer than another ballast.Also, It was a matter of time before the driver side did the same.

 

Although the striker circuit should only affect startup, it affects more with these ballasts. Mine suffered from the same problem - the strike intermittently worked, then it started failing while driving, requiring me to pull over and play with the switch until it turned back on. (Generally they work fine until you pull up on a group of beautiful women lol. Then I assure you, the headlight will fail just to embarrass you.) Bought new HID lights, no improvement. Switched to HID-to-LED and problem solved!

Just FYI, all the LED lights are Chinese so the quality is marginal. Buy an extra. You can expect them to last 12 months, depending on how much night driving you do. One of mine failed after about 6 months. So far so good on that replacement after about 1.5 years. I drive my car for hours at length on the highway at night so they get their use!