I noticed today that my driver's HID light is out. When you flip the switch it acts like it is trying to come on, like it flickers for a split second but doesn't completely turn on. I assume this means it's the ballast that's the issue and not the bulb itself?

I also remember hearing that a dying HID bulb will generally start to change colors before they go, and this one has not done that

 

If you can, try getting in there and wiggle the wiring harness to see what happens.

 

switch the bulbs to the passenger side and see if that works. You'll have your answer once you do that. My guess is the bulb.

 

Well it took me long enough to get around to fixing this. I have an extended warranty so I thought I'd give it a shot and see if dealer would fix it. Of course, they wouldn't, but it was worth a try. $180 for a bulb from the dealer is crazy, plus they told me they had to order the bulb and wouldn't be able to tell if it was the bulb or the ballast until they put a new bulb in it. I say no thanks, I'll fix it on my own.

Friend of mine parts out cars and found me a full set of bulbs, ignitors and ballasts from an 05 coupe that were working. $150 for the set. Tested it out first by swapping the ballast, which did not solve the problem. OK, so it's the bulb.

Those bulbs are... how can I put this... IN THERE. Took me a few to figure out how to get it out and how to get the little bracket off that holds the bulb to the ignitor, plus I was being VERY careful not to damage the bulb or touch the glass.

Managed to get it all put back together safely and now I'm good to go, with spare parts in case something else came out, for way less than what the dealer would have charged just to install the bulb, which as they put it "may not even fix the problem."

I'm sure I'll get flamed to death for not buying a brand new bulb, but seriously... even if the one replacement only lasts a year I'll have another spare to fix it with, and still come out ahead money-wise.