Reputable HID bulb failing after three hours of burn time?
08-02-11, 10:36 AM
#1
Reputable HID bulb failing after three hours of burn time?
OK. So I bought an unused/uninstalled HID kit (Xenondepot) from another member on the board recently and installed it in my GX470. I have had aftermarket HID kits (Toyota OEM ballasts and D2S Phillips bulbs w/adapters) in other cars so I know how to install them and what I need to be careful of (don't touch bulbs, good connections, etc).
Well, after about three hours of burn time over a few days with about 6 start up strikes, my drivers side is failing. The bulb did not strike one time so I turned the lights off, waited 10 seconds and turned it back on to re-strike the bulbs and the both came on. When I started the car later that evening, the drivers side did not work again. I tried the same re-strike process and no dice. The drivers side never came back after that.
I know XenonDepot has no liability to me since I did not buy the kit directly from them but I am not sure where I should buy a single replacement bulb from since it seems like the new bulb was defective (the kit was brand new and uninstalled). Should I consider the bad bulb a fluke and go with Xenondepot for the replacement or is there another source people use for bulbs that are reliable as well?
I know people swear by Xenondepot and find it reassuring but having a bulb fail so quickly bothers me.
Well, after about three hours of burn time over a few days with about 6 start up strikes, my drivers side is failing. The bulb did not strike one time so I turned the lights off, waited 10 seconds and turned it back on to re-strike the bulbs and the both came on. When I started the car later that evening, the drivers side did not work again. I tried the same re-strike process and no dice. The drivers side never came back after that.
I know XenonDepot has no liability to me since I did not buy the kit directly from them but I am not sure where I should buy a single replacement bulb from since it seems like the new bulb was defective (the kit was brand new and uninstalled). Should I consider the bad bulb a fluke and go with Xenondepot for the replacement or is there another source people use for bulbs that are reliable as well?
I know people swear by Xenondepot and find it reassuring but having a bulb fail so quickly bothers me.
08-02-11, 10:52 AM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Contact Steve at Xenon depot--Im sure he will take care of you!! Ive had fogs/low beam bulbs for over 2 years now and zero issues, So You may have a fluke of a bulb
08-02-11, 11:07 AM
#3
Xenondepot has been recommended over and over on this forum for a reason. I bought couple of kits from them, and they have never failed. There are many horror stories on the forums from people that bought their kits on eBay (some that actually were happy too - but very few). As Booyah said, go with Steve.
08-21-11, 12:59 AM
#7
Well, I finally got around to troubleshooting the side that did not work. First I replaced the HID bulb. No dice. Then I tested the voltage at the relay to the ballast unplugged which was good. Then I plugged the Ballast to the harness and only detected 2.14 volts... Hmmmmm... I decided to bypass the harness and connect the Ballast directly to the battery. !Let there be light! It worked! So then I focused on the harness and connections. Connections show good with no resistance out of norms. Then I checked the functionality of the relay. Bam! No relay switch action when energized. There was the problem. I tore the harness apart and put a nice Bosch relay in and all is good now. I have light from both sides. At least I have an extra set of bulbs for future replacement and got them for a really good price.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
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