This is half way a question, and half way an FYI for others. Recently had an issue start with my passenger side headlight where it wouldn't stay on initially. When I would turn the switch on it would briefly flash, the second cycle it would stay on about a half second, third time about a second and fourth time it would stay on. I looked through the forums here and could find a post with the same issues (at least not how I read them). After a quick Google search I came across another forums where a guy had the exact same issue on his Acura. Apparently it's one of the things that happens when the bulbs start to die, much in the same way fluorescent bulbs start to die. I never took the time to read up on how HID/Xenon bulbs worked, so I had no clue. Ordered a pair of Osram 5000k bulbs which should be here Saturday. Anybody else ever had this issue?

 

I had the same issue with my '05 sedan. Passenger side bulb would come on initially for about 5-10 minutes, then start to flicker, then die. If I turned the lights off, 50/50 chance it came back on or stayed out.
I tried fidgeting with the connector, but no change. I replaced the bulb and problem solved.
Just make sure you don't touch the glass portion of the light bulb, and that's any headlight bulb at that xenon or halogen.

 

Once mine are on, they stay on, just takes a couple cycles of the switch to get the initial warmup done, after that they are good to go.

 

Eventually the bad bulb will have trouble staying on for long periods as they continue to degrade. No amount of on / off will fix it. You'll notice it get really bright before it's about to die. It's annoying because the bulb can go off while you're driving and you might not know it. This opens you to getting pulled over at night. You can always swap the left and right bulbs to verify your ballasts are good. Once you swap the bulb I bet everything will be good bro.

 

In most cases with intermittent HID lights, its usually a bad bulb.

 

When changing lamps use a little bit of toilet paper to hold the lamp so you don't get the oil from your skin on the glass. TP gives excellent grip on glass for some reason and that's typically what we use at work. Paper towels tend to be slippery, if they have a factory paper sleeve those tend to be slippery as well.

 

I just use a pair of disposable nitrile gloves. I just grabbed one of the pairs I had in my "ouch pouch". They are slightly textured for good grip.

 

I just use my old panties 🙄

 

I see what you did there brah