Problem with one HID

[2003Gti]

Hey guys,
As of the last couple weeks, I've had a problem with the passenger side HID not turning on. The only thing is, it still comes on every once in a while. It doesn't act like there's a short, because when it turns on, it stays on and doesn't flicker or go out until I turn the lights off myself.
Has anyone had this happen??
I'm not sure how to troubleshoot it or really what to look for.
Please help!
Thanks

[Shameless]

Sounds like the ballast is taking a while to fire up or not firing up.

[2003Gti]

Could it have something to do with the cold?
The temperature has dropped a lot at right about the same time the light stopped turning on.

[rodgertherabit]

Temperature affects the bulbs before the ballasts. There's a problem/short (usually a bad ground) in the wiring that powers the ballasts.

[2003Gti]

Could it be the bulb?
Or definitely just a problem with the ballast?
The previous owner installed the kit so I'm trying to find where the ground would be.

[VRT-24V]

if your DRL aren't disabled they will damage the HID ballasts over time

from what I remember (from someone who explained this to me) our cars send a low voltage signal to the bulbs constantly, for the Daytime Running Lamps. This damages the ballasts over time, at least that's what happened with my first HID kit.

There's a video on youtube on how to do it. It's really easy, it'll take ya 10 minutes tops. Ever since I disabled my DRL's my HID's have been great.

Oh and I hope you're using HID bulbs in a projector housing. Cuz I'll shoot you if you install them in the stock reflector housing. I frikkin hate that.

[2003Gti]

Oh wow I had no idea!
They are hooked up to the DRL's right now.
And I am running them through projectors
I can disable them through the DRL's but it doesn't come on with the headlights on right now. Does that mean I need a new ballast?

[Shameless]

Possibly. Check your battery/alternator first.

[2003Gti]

So I tried swapping the ballasts to the opposite sides and found that the one ballast isn't working. Possibly caused by running them through the DRL'S?
Is there anyway to fix a ballast when it isn't working,
Or do I just need to buy a new one?

[desjetta]

Vrt-24v is correct disable you drl and you will be fine I just had to do this

[2003Gti]

Right, but it doesn't come on, even when I turn on the headlights.
While the headlight connected with the other ballast does work.
If I disable the DRL'S, will that make it start working all of a sudden?

[Shameless]

Nope. And you'll just have to get a new ballast. There's no repairing one cost and time effectively haha.

[2003Gti]

Originally Posted by Shameless

Nope. And you'll just have to get a new ballast. There's no repairing one cost and time effectively haha.

Haha thanks Shameless.
Kinda what I figured. Sounds like I should go ahead and disable the DRL's anyway, so I don't lose another ballast.
Do you guys know if any ballast will do the job?
Or will the light look different? Do I need both ballasts to match?

[2003Gti]

Wow, so after work today, both headlights came on. Drove to Walmart with them on and then leaving Walmart only the one came on. Weird that it decides to work when it wants to but no flickering or signs of a short.

[desjetta]

Just disable drl will fix the problem I had the same exact thing happening to me