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Old 09-17-2004, 12:56 AM   #1
silverF4turbo
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Default How do I replace JDM HID ballasts?

I recently had the ballast that came with my JDM HID headlights short out on me. It starts up but then goes into a flicker like a strobe light. So I need to find out how to get replacement ballasts that will work with them...

My question is how do I replace it being the ballast for a headlight that isn't sold in the US? I've been digging around aftermarket HID sites and they seem to carry "ballasts" but I don't know if they work... are ballasts universal items? These sites basically cater to HID retrofit kits. I need a ballast that works with factory-style "D2S" size hid bulbs.

Ideally I just want to replace with ballasts that are meant for the headlights but are the USDM '04 STI ballasts compatible with the '02 STI ('01 really..) bugeye JDM HID lights or would any other factory-style ballast (legacy gt, or audi, bmw etc.) work properly with them?

I'm sure someone has had one of these go

Thanks

John
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Old 01-09-2005, 07:49 PM   #2
gordy
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I have the same headlights as you and the passenger side one just started flickering (constant strobe light).. did you find out what the problem was? I'm about to just take it to the shop but if you know how to fix the problem I'll just do it myself.
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Old 01-09-2005, 08:33 PM   #3
Mulder
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It may not be the ballast. How do you have them connected- are you using the factory low beam ground in the connector? If so that may be the problem, the switched grounds can't properly handle the startup current of the HIDs and can result in problems like this.
Try connecting the ballast negative directly to chassis ground and see if it works then.
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Old 01-09-2005, 08:34 PM   #4
gordy
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I actually didn't install them, but I think they are grounded directly because they stay on when the highbeams are on.
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Old 01-09-2005, 08:38 PM   #5
Mulder
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You might be right. But check over the wiring anyway, both for the proper ground and any bad connections. Strobing is usually an indication that the ballast is not getting sufficient power to start fully. The maximum current is drawn immediately after the lights are turned on, and this is when any wiring deficiencies will become apparent.
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Old 01-09-2005, 08:40 PM   #6
gordy
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I just got back from my car, and its doing something different now. Instead of constantly strobing, it strobed for a second and then stopped. But the light that was strobing looks yellow now.
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Old 01-09-2005, 08:51 PM   #7
Mulder
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Could be the bulb is shot, either because it was bad before or it was damaged by the strobing. You can try swapping bulbs between sides and see what happens.
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Old 01-09-2005, 09:15 PM   #8
stickman
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i have OEM HID kit w/ ballast, ignitors, and DS2 bulbs for sale.
PM if interested in buying them from me.
$250 plus shipping for all of it.
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