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Mkii Spit · 17-01-2008

Originally Posted by Alfie156

Killer - any update on this? - my 156 GTA SW has EXACTLY the same issue. When cold or wet (esp.) the driver side xenon fails to start until the engine is up to temp or the lights are turned on/off several times. Have replaced the xenon bulb and HT unit (aka ballast?) but still same problem . Garage wants me to leave it with them overnight so they can experience it first hand! The power draw issue seems plausible......

Originally Posted by Iandoyle

Hi,
my 147GTA is having exactly the same problem has anyone got a sollution yet? The dealer wants to change the bulb and the ballast but it sounds like this could be a waste of money?

Does the lamp try to fire up? Do you hear a clicking noise & see it flickering and then go out? If this is the case then I will almost guarantee that it is the battery. See if you can get hold of a heavy duty high AH battery and try that. Alternatively start the engine, apply some revs so that the alternator is charging fully and then try turning on the lights. Cars fitted with HID should really have high AH rated batteries purely for the large current draw when first firing up the HID units. This can be as much as 60A or so for the first second of their cycle.
Hope this helps.

17-01-2008	#15 (Post Link)
Mkii Spit AO Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bromsgrove Posts: 182 Member car: GTV V6 3.0	Re: Xenon lights problem Originally Posted by Alfie156 Killer - any update on this? - my 156 GTA SW has EXACTLY the same issue. When cold or wet (esp.) the driver side xenon fails to start until the engine is up to temp or the lights are turned on/off several times. Have replaced the xenon bulb and HT unit (aka ballast?) but still same problem . Garage wants me to leave it with them overnight so they can experience it first hand! The power draw issue seems plausible...... Originally Posted by Iandoyle Hi, my 147GTA is having exactly the same problem has anyone got a sollution yet? The dealer wants to change the bulb and the ballast but it sounds like this could be a waste of money? Does the lamp try to fire up? Do you hear a clicking noise & see it flickering and then go out? If this is the case then I will almost guarantee that it is the battery. See if you can get hold of a heavy duty high AH battery and try that. Alternatively start the engine, apply some revs so that the alternator is charging fully and then try turning on the lights. Cars fitted with HID should really have high AH rated batteries purely for the large current draw when first firing up the HID units. This can be as much as 60A or so for the first second of their cycle. Hope this helps.