Xenon Flickering - OEM parts
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Xenon Flickering - OEM parts
Folks,
I am in the process of replacing my custom retrofitted Audi D2S projectors from my halogen housings to OEM, D2R lamps, (via transferring internals and ballast from a damaged headlamp to my halogen lamp housings.
In my initial conversion, using Audi projectors, I also used the Hella ballast as the OEM D2R based headlamps use. Although I noticed the driver-side lamp would flicker if the voltage was lower, i.e. 12-12 volts after starting the vehicle. (diesel uses some juice :-) ) Sometimes it would fire up, sometimes flicker for a little until it fired and sometimes flicker and not fire.
I figured that the ballast was on the fritz...
With the same style hardware but different parts ofcourse I am getting the same effect on the driver-side as I was with my prior retrofit. I installed new Philips D2S Ultinon bulbs at the time. I've swapped the bulbs to other side and no real change. I left it alone and ran this setup for about 3 years.
Note: on my old retrofit I noticed that the passenger side would warm up slightly faster and the color output was slightly darker than the driver-side. I always thought this to be the ballast fault.
So.... I am thinking that I may have a corroded ground that needs some TLC.
In addition my vehicle originally came with halogen based units. I have done nothing to the electrical wiring other than increasing the fuses from 10amp to 20 amp I believe. I was under the impression that the wiring for vehicle w/ xenon and w/o was essentially the same, other then the rear axle sensor that controls the auto leveling of the headlamp....
I am in the process of replacing my custom retrofitted Audi D2S projectors from my halogen housings to OEM, D2R lamps, (via transferring internals and ballast from a damaged headlamp to my halogen lamp housings.
In my initial conversion, using Audi projectors, I also used the Hella ballast as the OEM D2R based headlamps use. Although I noticed the driver-side lamp would flicker if the voltage was lower, i.e. 12-12 volts after starting the vehicle. (diesel uses some juice :-) ) Sometimes it would fire up, sometimes flicker for a little until it fired and sometimes flicker and not fire.
I figured that the ballast was on the fritz...
With the same style hardware but different parts ofcourse I am getting the same effect on the driver-side as I was with my prior retrofit. I installed new Philips D2S Ultinon bulbs at the time. I've swapped the bulbs to other side and no real change. I left it alone and ran this setup for about 3 years.
Note: on my old retrofit I noticed that the passenger side would warm up slightly faster and the color output was slightly darker than the driver-side. I always thought this to be the ballast fault.
So.... I am thinking that I may have a corroded ground that needs some TLC.
In addition my vehicle originally came with halogen based units. I have done nothing to the electrical wiring other than increasing the fuses from 10amp to 20 amp I believe. I was under the impression that the wiring for vehicle w/ xenon and w/o was essentially the same, other then the rear axle sensor that controls the auto leveling of the headlamp....
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Anyone know exactly where the lamps ground? I tried to track the wiring from the harness (the ground runs inside the loom of wires and I lost track). There was a common grounding point in front of the Positive jumping post. I removed these wires to no different effect.
I appears that the right side wamrs up faster, but while playing with it tonight, I experienced no flickering...
Any thoughts?
I appears that the right side wamrs up faster, but while playing with it tonight, I experienced no flickering...
Any thoughts?