Headlight issue - ballast?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 57
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From: Los Angeles
Headlight issue - ballast?
I hit something a couple of weeks ago on the highway - think it was a piece of furniture, but not sure - came sliding across and happened fast.
It was a pretty good thump on the nose and part of it went under causing the car to hop up. People really need to learn how to tie stuff down in the back of trucks and on trailers. So dangerous and frustrating.
As a result, one of my headlights went out. I had recently (a couple of weeks prior) replaced both bulbs because one burned out. Both sides were working fine after I put the new bulbs in.
Since I still had the good old bulb left, I tested the side that didn't work after the impact. The impact/bump didn't damage the bulb, as that side still didn't work when I put the old but good bulb back in.
My next guess is the vibration/thump got to the ballast. Thoughts on this?
Are they susceptible to damage from a jolt/impact like that? If there was a wire issue or a plug got jarred loose, I made very sure the plug was snug and back on properly, so I don't think that's it.
Probably ballast? Appreciate the thoughts before I buy one.
It was a pretty good thump on the nose and part of it went under causing the car to hop up. People really need to learn how to tie stuff down in the back of trucks and on trailers. So dangerous and frustrating.
As a result, one of my headlights went out. I had recently (a couple of weeks prior) replaced both bulbs because one burned out. Both sides were working fine after I put the new bulbs in.
Since I still had the good old bulb left, I tested the side that didn't work after the impact. The impact/bump didn't damage the bulb, as that side still didn't work when I put the old but good bulb back in.
My next guess is the vibration/thump got to the ballast. Thoughts on this?
Are they susceptible to damage from a jolt/impact like that? If there was a wire issue or a plug got jarred loose, I made very sure the plug was snug and back on properly, so I don't think that's it.
Probably ballast? Appreciate the thoughts before I buy one.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles
Update - tried a few more things.
Checked fuses and swapped a couple....no change.
Fuse box seems all fine, as well.
Swapped out the headlight relay w/another and that didn't help.
So, have ruled out fuse, relay, bulb and fusebox.
Still just the side the took the majority of the thump from what I hit is not working.
I think my succinct question is whether the ballast is the kind of part that a hard shake/jolt might effect.
Thoughts are appreciated.
Fuse box seems all fine, as well.
Swapped out the headlight relay w/another and that didn't help.
So, have ruled out fuse, relay, bulb and fusebox.
Still just the side the took the majority of the thump from what I hit is not working.
I think my succinct question is whether the ballast is the kind of part that a hard shake/jolt might effect.
Thoughts are appreciated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 19
Did you ever resolve this? If so where did you get your ballast from? I think one of mine got wet driving through a deep puddle I couldn't avoid, need to grab a new ballast but not sure where to get it from.
