headlight help

ok shitty day today

i went to go get my truck inspected and my driverside headlight it out. i have noticed it out before probally like 5 or 6 times but usually i just turn them off then back on and it starts right back up fine. well today it wouldnt come on at all

so i traced everything out and everything appeared fine. so i went deeper. i switch the bulbs to the opposite side and its still the driverside that wont work.....

so my question is what does that mean? the ballast? and my next questions would be: what should i do try and get a ballast or reinstall the stock ones to get it inspected? btw i really dont wanna have to do that

 

swap the ballasts and see if the problem follows the ballasts... if it does, then bingo. new ballast = problem solved.

 

I'm assuming you have HID lights? You questioning what a ballast is makes me think you don't have HIDs in which case it could be a wiring, relay or switch issue. Do you have the stock headlight bulbs or upgraded lights?

 

wait what? idk about swapping the ballasts around

the driverside is the problem. i thought it was just the bulb cuz i thought i rubbed it during install so i switched them and now the driverside bulb is working in the passenger side and that one isnt working on the driverside

sorry this seems so confusing but i did search before i posted this and read a bunch of threads like this but idk i never found and answer

this is confusing

 

i purchased HID lights from a group buy on here. i know a little about them but im not very good with electrical shit.

or at least diagnosing it

 

If you can swap the bulbs, you should be able to swap the ballasts. What don't you know about it?

 

Just making sure before we try to diagnose a problem for a system you don't even had. Smiling Mark is correct, swap the driver side and passenger side ballasts and see if that solves your problem. If the problem now happens in your passenger side, you've got a bad ballast and you'll need to replace it (hopefully under warranty).

 

sorry i didnt explain it very well. i probally shoulda started with that

idk i already swapped the bulbs and same results. i dont really know what swapping the ballasts will achieve:/ but i really do appreciate the fast responses and have nothing to lose so i guess ill try it

thank you very much and i will report back in about 30

 

It could be a wiring issue. If you swap the ballasts and the problem persists in the driver's side, then it's a wiring issue and not a bad ballast. It's quicker and easier to swap the ballast than to get a volt meter and start checking every wire, relay, switch, etc. When it comes to electrical (or anything really) start by testing the simple stuff and then move down the line as you eliminate possiblites.

 

Swapping the bulbs first was a smart first move. You've elimanted the bulbs as part of the problem.
If you swap the ballasts and the problem follows the ballast then you know that the ballast is the problem. If the problem stays with the drivers side you know the ballasts are okay.
If the both the bulb and ballast are okay, it's a wiring problem which is trickier to diagnose and fix, but can be done with a multimeter and some wire strippers.
Good Luck and keep us posted!

 

x2 (obviously we were both typing at the same time )

I don't think it's a relay or a fuse problem since both passenger and drivers come off the same terminals. If the ballast is okay, i'm betting it's in the connection to the ballast. If it's just a loose connection, swapping the ballasts will more than likely fix it.

However, not having heard back on the ballast swap results, I'd put my money there. It sounds like it was intermittent at first followed by total failure. My experience with non-automotive lighting has shown that this is indicitive of ballast failure.

 

I agree, I doubt it's a switch or relay, just making a point to start simple and work your way to the more complex parts. I'm betting it's the ballast also and the first thing they'll ask him when he calls to warranty it is "did you swap it to the other side and have the same problem?". It may seem like a waste of time but it'll make his warranty case rock solid.

 

wow! thank you so much for explaining it all that really cleared things up and nice vocabulary
I did it and now its on the passenger side so it must be the ballast. i guess ill get started on procuring a new one
i cant tell you enough how much i really appreciate your fast, informative, and well thought out posts




and fast

 

Great news! Where did you get the HID kit from? Ballast may be under warranty and get replaced for free. Like Pugga said, you've done the troubleshooting to prove it's the ballast so the company shouldn't have a problem swapping it out.

 

This is the perfect thread for me, I am experiencing the same issue! I will do the swaps and post the results!

 

Even better news for the OP, he got them from a group buy here which means most likely slim cubby so he won't have to deal with DDM and their infamous customer service!

 

Im having the same issue...However the bulb is my problem. I switched both lamps and confirmed lamp failure. How long is the warranty? This kit will only be a year old in january. However, during a move, the boxes were thrown away, does this pose a problem? I have no information on the manufacturer or a way to find out how to get this lamp replaced...This is where im counting on my fellow Toyota family to give a brother a hand! Thanks guys, any info will help!
BTW: I purchased through slim and have PM'd him regarding this issue but have not gotten a response..