Driver Side Low Beam HID not Lighting

5181 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by UltimateSubzero, Jan 28, 2014

UltimateSubzero

Discussion Starter · Jul 25, 2013

2013; Spring; lets say March; VT

Had a re-occurring issue with Low Beam HID not working... Somehow I think moisture was getting "into," the interior assembly.. Water wouldn't get into it, but faint residual moisture, faint faint mist, sometimes after a wash, sometimes after an intense rain...

Went to Subie, they fixed a wire in the Ballast; apparently that part was about $6-$8, plus respective service fees.

Problem fixed, right?.... Well for a bit...

Flash to July [1st week] 2013. Problem rears its ugly head again.

This time Subie Tech checks it out, states, " Diagnostic tested wiring found power at Head Light, Power Goes in Ballast Inside Light BUT NOT to Bulb Light and Ballast Needed to Repair."

Part #'s they gave me to check out:

"Ring Ballast" : 84914fe010 [cost $8]
"Ballast Control Module" : 84965sa010 [$394]

and "if" I wanted a whole new Headlamp housing : 84001fg331 [$855]

Bummed... Advice? Electricians out there?....

Did a part cost reference, and yes, I can get them a little bit cheaper [ the ballast and ballast control module ]... But not much... Don't know if I would rather attempt to take off headlight [which I haven't done before] and clean, examine, reseal thoroughly.... or find a used Front Left {Driver's Side} assembly...

Thoughts, Advice, Direction? Experience?

~ UltimateSubzero

Oh, and to add a bit of candy to all of this, "timing," Going on a LooooooooooooooonG road trip Aug. 3 -------------- Vermont -----------------> Washington State.

Yep.

D-(

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JSS829

· #2 · Jul 29, 2013

If you're in need of a ballast, check out the Matsushita Gen V ballast at Theretrofitsource.com

They should be a direct replacement for your OEM ballast at a fraction of the cost. They also come with new sealing rings.

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UltimateSubzero

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 29, 2013

Yes, might be new ballast time... I was contemplating removing the ballast and "baking" it in the oven @ 200 deg F [read that on some other blog / forum spot] about the theoretical "if" some type of moisture is preventing the system from working correctly.

If I did that, the next question would be, "How to get to the ballast?"

I'll have to do a search on that one.... Guessing it might have to do with removing the front bumper to get at the headlight housing area?

*** I'm checking that link now, as well ***

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UltimateSubzero

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 29, 2013

Also, reputation for this aftermarket product?...

I wonder too, the low beam leveler [elevator] isn't working as well, perhaps associated with potential moisture / electrical?

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alex15

· #5 · Jul 29, 2013

Are you dealing with Brattleboro subaru? That's where I ordered my STi from

So as far as taking the headlight apart and resealing it after; it's very simple. You can definitely do that yourself. I think if you have any friends that have electrical or electronics knowledge they can definitely help you. I would definitely do a lot of troubleshooting to find the exact cause of the problem before dropping $400 on a part. If I lived anywhere near you I would help, but I don't, so sorry.

Edit: I read over the post again and it really looks like you need a new ballast.

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JSS829

· #6 · Jul 29, 2013

UltimateSubzero said:
Also, reputation for this aftermarket product?...

I wonder too, the low beam leveler [elevator] isn't working as well, perhaps associated with potential moisture / electrical?

I believe Panasonic/matsushita is the OEM manufacturer, so there shouldn't be any worries there. It's not your typical Chinese knock-off ballast.

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Wil

· #7 · Jul 29, 2013 (Edited)

UltimateSubzero said:
Yes, might be new ballast time... I was contemplating removing the ballast and "baking" it in the oven @ 200 deg F [read that on some other blog / forum spot] about the theoretical "if" some type of moisture is preventing the system from working correctly.

If I did that, the next question would be, "How to get to the ballast?"

I'll have to do a search on that one.... Guessing it might have to do with removing the front bumper to get at the headlight housing area?

*** I'm checking that link now, as well ***

ballast is super simple to get to. It bolts up to the bottom of the headlight housing. Only difficult part is you will have to remove the front bumper to either remove the light and/or replace the ballast. Here is the pic of the ballast itself. Sorry dont have a pic of it attached to the housing. Its held on by 3 self tapping screws.

UltimateSubzero said:
Also, reputation for this aftermarket product?...

I wonder too, the low beam leveler [elevator] isn't working as well, perhaps associated with potential moisture / electrical?

As for the retrofit source. They are awesome! couldn't ask for better guys. Give them a call and they will walk you through the entire replacement if you want. Also if you need it super quick you can contact lightwerkz (located in connecticut). They are also top notch. If the ballast is the root cause, heres a link to your replacement. (Matsushita Gen V 35w) HID Projector Headlight Retrofit for Subaru, Honda, BMW, Scion and More | LightWerkz.net

To just replace the ballast it is a pretty simple remove and reinstall. Only hiccup is removing the bumper...

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G(SP)T

· #8 · Jul 30, 2013

Bumper removal on the GR is very simple. It's like 12 plastic clips and then peel from the wheel well towards the headlights. There's a how to on here somewhere, but it's really easy.

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Wil

· #9 · Jul 30, 2013

G(SP)T said:
Bumper removal on the GR is very simple. It's like 12 plastic clips and then peel from the wheel well towards the headlights. There's a how to on here somewhere, but it's really easy.

Your right, there's not much to it but for somebody figuring it out for the first time, it is going to turn a 30 second ballast swap into a little more effort.

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yoho

· #10 · Jan 25, 2014

Found a pic from Japanese blog that comparing the size of the Matsushita Gen IV and Gen V ballast side by side. The OP said there is barely changed inside the ballast in Gen V

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Cesar02

· #11 · Jan 27, 2014

from your guys experience what would you suggest for hid lights?!

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UltimateSubzero

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 28, 2014

Yes,

The conclusion to his issue was the ballast. Ignitor was fine, but after I took bumper off (easy) and got under the car, located the Ballast, unscrewed the three screws, took it away from placement position water had found its way to what is the top section. That section which has a circular reduction (design flaw?) had allowed water (that had found its way probably from Drivers side Hood to Front Quarter Panel pinch zone / seam.

Some of the wiring was a bit rusty on the ignitor to Ballast hookup connection, as a result. Further, attempting to "dry out" internal of Ballast, baking it in oven (only ballast, disconnected ignitor & connecting wire).

After 2 dry out attempts no the result was the same. No light.

Ordered a OEM ballast via eBay, due to OE specs, and robust (general) reliability of part.

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UltimateSubzero

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 28, 2014

After ordering eBay part, installed, and look at that! BINGO, light!

The work was simple enough, once bumper was off.

I had thought of what would happen if a slightly used Ballast wouldn't work, like having to search around for a "new" ballast, etc, but glad the fix worked.

eBay part came with Ballast & Ignitor. I think it was $70, lower than the quote from Burlington Subaru was ($300 for ballast, $120 for Ignitor, then add Labor to that).

As usual a little interaction with our autos goes a long way.

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