DEPO headlight flickering issues

[edtv82]

I searched and can't seem to find anyone who's ran into the same issue i'm having with my DEPO headlights... I bought these DEPO's with auto leveling...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-07...Q5fAccessories they did work fantastically. but I'm getting flickering from the both the passenger and driver side headlights (mainly driver side)... with the OEM frosties i had to replace my passenger ballast b/c my headlight would just flicker and then cut out all together. This time i'll switch the lights on they will work fine and then just start flickering... but not cutting out its like im getting a low voltage and the headlight is re igniting but i'm not getting any error messages on the dash... if anyone can help thanks in advance... (or if anyone has bought the same headlights i got)

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[loungn14]

you need to use star and set xeon=present

Quick search for xeon=present will show the same symptoms

[edtv82]

Originally Posted by loungn14

you need to use star and set xeon=present

Quick search for xeon=present will show the same symptoms

I already had Xeons (I had the frosted D2R xenons) prior to installing these...

[moosejaw]

I think it may be your ballasts (OEM) or the igniter
I didnt even know Depo made a headlgiht for the BiXenon/Xenon equiped cars.

[edtv82]

Originally Posted by moosejaw

I think it may be your ballasts (OEM) or the igniter
I didnt even know Depo made a headlgiht for the BiXenon/Xenon equiped cars.

i was suspecting the ballasts also... but if the ballast are bad wouldn't the lights just shut off? and then throw an error?

igniter i'd say isn't the issue just b/c they turn on everytime either on Auto or when i manually switch them on.


anyone know how to check a ballast?

[moosejaw]

IDK how to check a balast
I wonder if you can hold a test light to them.
Otherwise buy a used one off of Ebay to try out

[edtv82]

Originally Posted by moosejaw

IDK how to check a balast
I wonder if you can hold a test light to them.
Otherwise buy a used one off of Ebay to try out

yeah searching now for a pair... just don't want to buy different ballast and that not be the fix.

[SGTzAMG]

yeah its most likely the ballast, ignitor or the actual bulb itself..
the actual DEPO's shouldnt be causing it to flicker or what not.

[TemjinX2]

its probably the ignitor. There's a diy on the ignitor replacement on the w203 forum.

[edtv82]

Thanks for the help and info... i'll work on this on sunday if i up for it...

[Dingleberry]

damn, i didnt know depo had auto leveling headlights. i might have to try this out, my car has factory frosty xenon too

[FrankW]

ignitor or ballast causing inconsistent voltage probably.

didn't know they came out with a auto-lvl light. interesting

[edtv82]

yeah... the guy i bought them from is a pretty nice guy too... he knows his stuff He's helping me narrow the issues down.

[Dingleberry]

could you post pics of your headlights?

have you confirmed that they really auto-level when you turn the car on? they should go up and down one time quickly

[60n5pt1]

I have the DEPOs but installed HIDs since it did not come with them just regular
H7s.
Mine started flickering, too (driver side, too). Could it be the ECU is sensing low voltage like LEDs will?
Sometimes after flickering, it just would not light up at all.

[edtv82]

Originally Posted by Dingleberry

could you post pics of your headlights?

have you confirmed that they really auto-level when you turn the car on? they should go up and down one time quickly

I dont understand the doubt?? they are auto leveling... they do move up and down at start up... you can see it happening

[edtv82]

Originally Posted by 60n5pt1

I have the DEPOs but installed HIDs since it did not come with them just regular
H7s.
Mine started flickering, too (driver side, too). Could it be the ECU is sensing low voltage like LEDs will?
Sometimes after flickering, it just would not light up at all.

if that happened you'd get a malfunction to check you low beams... your issue sounds like its a bad ballasts...

[Dingleberry]

Originally Posted by edtv82

I dont understand the doubt?? they are auto leveling... they do move up and down at start up... you can see it happening

im not doubting, i want to buy them. just want to see them in action is all

[edtv82]

Originally Posted by Dingleberry

im not doubting, i want to buy them. just want to see them in action is all

yeah i would get them, they are a cheaper alternative than the $1600+ OEMs

[SilverBulletAMG]

I have the exact same issue! It is only the drivers side and doesn't do it when it's cold or first started. It seems like the power is fluctuating and there is no real pattern to it. I did notice that if you already have the windows up all the way but hold the up bottom for the windows, it will keep them from flickering for a few seconds. The bulb won't go out, just high/low flicker and it's driving me crazy. Not to mention it looks retarded at night and must make on coming traffic go "wtf". Very interested in your fix.

[SilverBulletAMG]

Ed, any updates?

[Dingleberry]

Originally Posted by SilverBulletAMG

I have the exact same issue! It is only the drivers side and doesn't do it when it's cold or first started. It seems like the power is fluctuating and there is no real pattern to it. I did notice that if you already have the windows up all the way but hold the up bottom for the windows, it will keep them from flickering for a few seconds. The bulb won't go out, just high/low flicker and it's driving me crazy. Not to mention it looks retarded at night and must make on coming traffic go "wtf". Very interested in your fix.

your car originally had frosty xenon and you just swapped the headlights, right? meaning you're using the OEM ballast and igniter.

[SilverBulletAMG]

Originally Posted by Dingleberry

your car originally had frosty xenon and you just swapped the headlights, right? meaning you're using the OEM ballast and igniter.

I did have the frosty xenons and auto level to begin with. No longer have the auto level. The Depos were ebay specials and then modified based on temjins DIY. The kit I used came with new ballast(s) and igniter(s), so they only have a little over a years use.

[Dingleberry]

Originally Posted by SilverBulletAMG

I did have the frosty xenons and auto level to begin with. No longer have the auto level. The Depos were ebay specials and then modified based on temjins DIY. The kit I used came with new ballast(s) and igniter(s), so they only have a little over a years use.

i see. i too have the factory frosty xenons. im thinking about buying these auto leveling depo lights but i'm also debating switching over to a 55w ballast. what is the factory connector that goes into your aftermarket ballast? 9006? 9007? HB1? basically what i'm asking is which type do i need to buy if i wanted to replace my factory xenon ballast

[edtv82]

Originally Posted by SilverBulletAMG

Ed, any updates?

Nothing new as of yet... i have new bulbs on the way (free of charge from Simon, who's the guy that sold me these headlights)

I'll be able to at least narrow it down... I'm temped to put the frosty back on to see if its anything with the ballast? but then again mine are new...

i also am looking in the VW threads, read somewhere awhile back about the alternator causing a low power draw making the headlight relay reignite similar to what i'm facing now... i'll try and post my results but its hard to to do things in 20 degree weather in my garage even with a heater blasting.