I have a 1997 Canadian base C5, so it has the twilight sensor programmed on at all times and relay #44 is not the same as later years and does not disable automatic headlights. I have ordered a resistor to put in the twilight sensor harness and realize I could have the dealer use Tech II to disable it, but that isn't my issue right now, I can have the emergency brake slightly engaged to stop that feature.

My problem is that when I get in the car if I put the key in accessory and turn on headlights on both low beams are on if I start the motor and turn on the headlights only the passenger side is on (or once in a while neither will come on) and I have to restart car once or twice to get the driver's side low beam to come on. The high beams only will come on when there is a problem with the low beams, but the four light high beam harness is installed so when working correctly and high beams are on all four headlights are on.

I installed a new ignition switch, but that had no effect and I have ordered a light/cruise control switch to replace it as my cruise control isn't working (Replaced and adjusted clutch and brake switches) so I thought maybe the switch is the reason for both issues.

At this time I am counting on the light/cruise control switch fixing the problem, but thought I would ask if there is a switch somewhere in the headlight assembly that turns the light on when it is open? I have looked and haven't found anything on that, but thought I would double check if there wasn't a refrigerator door type switch somewhere that I should be checking to.

Of course any other insight is helpful as well. I hate working on electrical issues, took me forever to track down the constant draw that would kill battery in a few days, now this stuff is popping up! LOL

 

New light switch seemed to fix the problems with lights and cruise control works again.

 

The light switch did not fix the problem it is just intermittent, it appears that if I turn on the lights and then start the car that both will be on, but if I start the car and then turn on headlights, or they come on automatically due to this being a Canadian car and twilight sensor... the driver's side low beam usually doesn't come on. Then I have to turn off the engine and flip the headlights on and off until both come on and then start the car...

Since this original post, I have replaced bulbs and the ballast, and it has not fixed the issue, looking for ideas. I have attached a picture of the original ballast which I will put back in since the new one didn't fix the problem. At this time I have checked and even swapped fuses to make sure they are good including the ones in the wiring harness. Basically, all I haven't done is check every inch of wire or done exhaustive voltage meter diagnostics, the fact that it is intermittent would make the latter a hit-and-miss anyway except that it might help narrow down the section or area of issue. Electrical is not my area of expertise, it took me forever to track down a parasitic draw in my power seat....

 

I reached out to George Argel president of Sharplight Innovations to see if he could shed some light on the situation and here is what he said:

"Those are the housings we use, but those aren’t our HID kits. The problem you’re having has to do with the HID system requirements. HID ballasts require a lot of power on startup to fire the bulb. When you crank the engine, this saps a lot of power from the battery and the alternator takes a few seconds to bring the electrical system back up to full voltage. HID ballasts hate this and have a low-voltage auto shutdown feature. Since the passenger side HID ballast is upstream of the driver’s side in the headlight circuit, it gets “first dibs” on available voltage so will usually stay lit. The driver’s side usually doesn’t see enough and will go out.

We offer a DIY upgrade kit to our Bi-LED system that in addition to fixing your headlight problem (and allow full function of the twilight system without a dangerous resistor) will really improve the performance of those lights:

https://sharplightinnovations.com/sh...t-modification"


So at least I can stop looking for shorts and bad grounds! I just thought I would post it in case anyone else was having a similar situation they might find the issue to their problem.

Thanks to George for responding to my email.