Ok, this isn't the lighting section, but I'm in dire need of help as I need to drive, but can't in my car's current state.

My passenger side headlight has been out for sometime so I finally was able to order new bulbs (not the issue unfortunately) and came to the conclusion that my ballast was bad. I got my OEM ballasts (2 actually with headlight adapters included to work with) and installed the new ballast, actually I tried both and neither are working.

My driver side has had zero issues, so I decided I'd unbolt the driver side ballast and install the two new ballasts to see if either are working, both aren't. Upset and frustrated I bolt back the original and WORKING ballast on the driver side and now the driver side light isn't working.

WTF. Makes no sense. Is there some trick to making the ballasts work? Sorry that this isn't posted in the appropriate forum, I'm hoping for some quick assistance! Ahhh!

 

Where'd you get the ballasts from?

 

They're OEM, but from eBay.

I can understand if they're bad (unlikely that both are and none of the three have water damage), however it doesn't make sense that my driver side no longer works after removing it and reinstalling it.

 

Anyone...? Ugh...tried tinkering around with absolutely zero results. FML.

 

yeah id check to make sure the ballasts are good. are you getting power TO them?? ground circuit?

 

As far as I can tell the ballasts are good. I know for sure that the driver side ballast, which was firing the driver side headlight is good because it's always worked, that is until I uninstalled and then reinstalled it (this makes absolutely zero sense to me).

Yup, they're definitely getting power as well. Grounded with the screw directly to the ballast (didn't mess with the harness ground as it's worked and is currently grounded). If you have any suggestions I'm all ears. This is sooo frustrating. If I can't figure it out I'm actually considering buying an aftermarket HID kit, which will definitely be cheaper, but obviously not OEM. Ughhhh, so frustrated.

 

Well you know one side works, try switching the ballast from one side to the other. This will prove if it's a ballast issue or something in the wiring. This will also prove if the eBay ballasts you purchased are working or not!
Gary

 

Gary,

I appreciate your help. I actually tried switching the working ballast to the other side with no luck, which leads me to believe that it's a fuse (I'm crossing my fingers ever so tightly hoping this is the easy and inexpensive fix). I'm just trying to find out and waiting to verify where the fuse is for the headlights. From reading the service manual, I think it's underneath the battery and in/around the IPDM, but want to make sure before I go through the hassle of disconnecting my battery. Yesterday was a nightmare that only made things worse. Ugh.

Thanks for your reply, sincerely!

 

what ended up being the problem? I think I have 1 bad ballast. Same severio here.