Thanks for this informative video, both my HIDs are due for replacement but I noticed one suddenly got much dimmer so I thought I might have a failed ballast but when I took the bulb out it looked just as you described. A new pair of bulbs are on order.
I was going to just replace one of these on my wife's Santa Fe, which has gone bad. I keep telling her that her headlights are dull. I'll now both. We leave the lights always on because of safety/better visibility of our silver car to other drivers. A few hundred dollars is cheap for great lighting and safety. Thanks mate 👍
This was one of the most helpful and informational videos I've seen on this topic. Thanks for explaining the science behind the HID bulbs, ballast, and best practices for a stress-free remedy to our damaged lighting systems. This video inspired me to get back out there and finish fixing my headlight, I got discouraged because diagnosing my lighting problems was hard to grasp. Well, not anymore. Haha🤩😅 Thanks again🫡❤
Helpful explanation and visuals. I am learning about these as my new car uses HIDs. Thank you! Edit: you can verify authenticity of bulbs with a code that should be included with the package. Osram has this. Edit 2: Would you be able to make a video that demonstrates how to replace the bulb if the ballast is good? Please and thank you!
Good presentation. I would love to see you do a closeup of the bulb with explanation of the parts as well as how the optics works. Why is alignment so important. This information is not available anywhere i can find. Thank you
Hello BestCarMods, GREAT Video! I recently purchased a set of D1S bulbs for my 08 Saab 9-7x. The left light went out, but I always replace in pairs and keep the "working bulb" for emergency and reorder time. Received a set from ebay purchase. Started to have "flicker" on Right side.....? Though I was going crazy or damaged wiring when I pulled the headlamp assembly. NO! Got bad bulb and it failed. Price was TOO good for them to be OEM Osram
At the end you showed the old vs new and the calcification etc. Will a bulb like the old one still work or would you look at that and say its "blown". My X Type has an aftermarket HID Kit for the fog lights. They have never worked and Im unsure if the bulbs are the issue or maybe the ballasts. The bulbs are H11 type and looks like the ignitor are seperate from the bulb body. The igniter and ballasts are mounted together and just held to the car chassis with zip ties which looks like a common method with most kits.
old bulbs can work even with the calcification. make sure the glass cell is not cracked. also with the ballasts for the fogs, maybe they have been connected the wrong way around (change polarity of power plug - common issue on H11 install)
@@BestCarMods Thanks I’ll give that a try. However I assume they worked when installed by whomever did it. I might just revert to the standard 55w halogen as the original plug end is in tact.
Great video :D I have another issue. I xenon went out... so i bough new bulb D2S, then I found that balast is also bad... I replaced balast with OEM one and it worked for a day.. then it went out again next day... what could be the issue.. i also noticed that now.. the other bulb is sometimes working and sometimes not hmm
My OEM D3S bulbs (about 9 years old...lots of use) are beginning to pulse a little. The headlamps are still bright, even with the pulsing/strobing. Output color is normal. I am not well-versed in HIDs, so I figured I'd ask....should I suspect the bulbs or the ballasts are the cause? Both headlamps are affected, so I can't troubleshoot by swapping parts. I have verified that the wiring can carry a 5 amp load with no voltage drop. Visually, the exterior of the ballasts are in good shape. I did notice that each headlamp is drawing about 4.2A (50W), and each ballast is supposed to have a 35W output...not sure it it's relevant though. There is an audible hum from the ballasts which may/may not have always been there...I've never purposely stuck my head by my headlamps until now.
New bulbs are installed, and the issue is fixed! Also, the new bulbs are 1000x brighter than the bulbs from 2013! Thanks for schooling me! OSRAM XENARC NIGHT BREAKER LASER are the bulbs I installed.
Do all bulbs eventually calcify in the center as they get older? So...whenever you see the center of the bulb start calcifying - you go ahead and change it?
Hi, I have Morimoto D2S lighting system (Morimoto ballasts, harness and bulbs) for my vehicle. The Morimoto lighting system is 5 years old now. This week both bulbs burned out at the same time. I replaced both bulbs and they flickered for a few seconds and both bulbs burned out right away. Do you have any idea why this would happen or how to fix? Your reply will be greatly appreciated.
@@BestCarModshi sir.. how could i send you the videl of my DS2 lightbulb flickers 3 times each time when i on it and goes out ..the right bulb is good. I switched the ballast, bulb ignitor and also the bulb its same .. pls help sir.
I have Benz 2007 E350. O changed the left D1S and it worked fine. In a week, the right hand side bulb failed to light. So I replaced that side as well. Botha bulbs are new and are Osram brand. The right bulb does not come on. I can hear clicking noise from it ( probably the igniter) . How do I know what is wrong..is the new bulb faulty or the igniter?
Providing you have got original Osram bulbs, you could swap Left to Right to make sure that the bulbs is not the cause. After swapping bulbs, you can do the same with Igniters. Also check the igniter for bent pins, and make sure you have cliped it correctly. let me know how it goes :)
I have a 2018 Chevrolet Impala Premier with D3S Hid bulb the problem I'm experiencing while my Headlight switch is in Auto they come on for a while but after a hour or so of driving or idling the right side bulb goes out I will switch back and forth between Auto and off and they will come back on,and if I have my Headlight switch in the Headlight setting itself the left side bulb goes out switch back and forth it comes back on in your opinion would you think it's the bulbs or ballast or anything else like the switch itself or fuse or relay please help Thanks in advance.
Hello, thanks for the video, I have a question, my two OEM 5dv - d2s are blinking as soon as the radiator fan kicks in like I need more amps or voltage, any ideas? Thanks you again
I bought a Silverado 2016 high country with LED headlights, i bought Anzo headlights for HID trucks and had and car electrician help me install them, i just found out he put the incorrect hid bulbs in there, he put a h1 hid kit and the bulb keep moving because it ain't holding right, i now know it needs a D5S hid bulb for the headlight but my truck factory was LED, have some questions, the guy cut the OEM HID connector from the headlight, trying to see if i can find a plug somewhere but all i see is d1s and d3s plugs, will any of these light up a D5S, is the D5S led and D5S hid connector the same, if i find the D5S connector and put it back in my headlights and connect it to my truck, will it work, i mean my truck is factory LED?
your problem is hard to solve over comments on YT. If you are in the UK we could sort it out, but if not get someone that knows what they are doing to sort it.
@@BestCarMods I purchased a new bulb, put it in, no light. Purchased ballast online, it slid in but the screw holes didn’t line up. I called the seller and they stated they never had problems before. I took pictures of the ballast in place and you could see the screw holes were not aligned. I went to two auto parts stores, no ballast. Went to GM dealer, purchased ballast. It fit perfect, however, no light. Placed old bulb in and there was light. It flickered and went out. Purchased a new bulb from dealer and all was fine. Cheap knock offs online. Thanks for the video and your comments.
@@gregoryhumphrey2831 sometimes it can get complicated... usually you will want to have new bulbs and after that address balast issues ... you can also have damaged pins due to non oem bulbs and the possible list of faults is long. You made me curious regarding the ballast ... what was the type? And On what car did you have the issue?
@@BestCarMods ‘14 GMC Acadia. The ballast is flat and slides into a slot below the lamp . When seated all the way in, it snaps into the connection which is made in the rear of the ballast. Then two torches screws hold it into the front. All pins are straight. Just believe they were junk manufacturing. Here is a video: ruclips.net/video/ub7FRdNOUgM/видео.html made by a Mr Ben Streck. You can see the ballst has no wires to it and it slides into a connector in the rear. You can see the ballast @1:14 and @4:09
Hello thanks for the video! I have a 2016 audi a3 with the DS3 one. The driver side is working perfectly and its bright. The other one is very low lighting but it has some little light still. What do you think is the problem? Thanks
This is way better than university lectures, that is definitely Gold. It covers everything.
thank you
Thanks for this informative video, both my HIDs are due for replacement but I noticed one suddenly got much dimmer so I thought I might have a failed ballast but when I took the bulb out it looked just as you described. A new pair of bulbs are on order.
Thanks for the great work you did with this video man. This is gold
Great information well put together video
If only more people could be as informed as you are
Thanks again
I was going to just replace one of these on my wife's Santa Fe, which has gone bad. I keep telling her that her headlights are dull. I'll now both. We leave the lights always on because of safety/better visibility of our silver car to other drivers.
A few hundred dollars is cheap for great lighting and safety. Thanks mate 👍
This was one of the most helpful and informational videos I've seen on this topic. Thanks for explaining the science behind the HID bulbs, ballast, and best practices for a stress-free remedy to our damaged lighting systems. This video inspired me to get back out there and finish fixing my headlight, I got discouraged because diagnosing my lighting problems was hard to grasp. Well, not anymore. Haha🤩😅 Thanks again🫡❤
Thank for the kind words.
This fellow offers great information and learning!
thanks
Helpful explanation and visuals. I am learning about these as my new car uses HIDs. Thank you!
Edit: you can verify authenticity of bulbs with a code that should be included with the package. Osram has this.
Edit 2: Would you be able to make a video that demonstrates how to replace the bulb if the ballast is good? Please and thank you!
Good and simple explanation. Thank you!
Thank you, a lot of useful information & advice.
Good presentation. I would love to see you do a closeup of the bulb with explanation of the parts as well as how the optics works. Why is alignment so important. This information is not available anywhere i can find. Thank you
that is a verry good idea for a future video ;)
Great video thanks for creating
Very good info! Thanks!
Thank you , now i know what to do 👏👍
Siema Bogdan. Dzięki za rady 😊
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks bro! Very helpful!
Awesome tutorial
Hello BestCarMods,
GREAT Video! I recently purchased a set of D1S bulbs for my 08 Saab 9-7x. The left light went out, but I always replace in pairs and keep the "working bulb" for emergency and reorder time.
Received a set from ebay purchase. Started to have "flicker" on Right side.....? Though I was going crazy or damaged wiring when I pulled the headlamp assembly. NO! Got bad bulb and it failed.
Price was TOO good for them to be OEM Osram
That is how we learn. :) I have seen copies so well done, that I could not tell the difference until I started to take them apart.
At the end you showed the old vs new and the calcification etc. Will a bulb like the old one still work or would you look at that and say its "blown". My X Type has an aftermarket HID Kit for the fog lights. They have never worked and Im unsure if the bulbs are the issue or maybe the ballasts. The bulbs are H11 type and looks like the ignitor are seperate from the bulb body. The igniter and ballasts are mounted together and just held to the car chassis with zip ties which looks like a common method with most kits.
old bulbs can work even with the calcification. make sure the glass cell is not cracked. also with the ballasts for the fogs, maybe they have been connected the wrong way around (change polarity of power plug - common issue on H11 install)
@@BestCarMods Thanks I’ll give that a try. However I assume they worked when installed by whomever did it. I might just revert to the standard 55w halogen as the original plug end is in tact.
Great video :D I have another issue. I xenon went out... so i bough new bulb D2S, then I found that balast is also bad... I replaced balast with OEM one and it worked for a day.. then it went out again next day... what could be the issue.. i also noticed that now.. the other bulb is sometimes working and sometimes not hmm
maybe your ballast is fake OEM, maybe the bulb is not the OEM quality.
@@BestCarMods thank you for quick reply i will double check that
I bought a new philips on your recommendation. Any thoughts or links to buy the retaining clips these hid bulbs use for Dodge Chargers?
where are you based ?
My OEM D3S bulbs (about 9 years old...lots of use) are beginning to pulse a little. The headlamps are still bright, even with the pulsing/strobing. Output color is normal.
I am not well-versed in HIDs, so I figured I'd ask....should I suspect the bulbs or the ballasts are the cause?
Both headlamps are affected, so I can't troubleshoot by swapping parts. I have verified that the wiring can carry a 5 amp load with no voltage drop. Visually, the exterior of the ballasts are in good shape. I did notice that each headlamp is drawing about 4.2A (50W), and each ballast is supposed to have a 35W output...not sure it it's relevant though.
There is an audible hum from the ballasts which may/may not have always been there...I've never purposely stuck my head by my headlamps until now.
get new bulbs first, and continue if needed with ballasts. having good bulbs is a solid base.
@@BestCarMods Thanks. I will start with bulbs. I imagine that it's much more likely that both bulbs are failing versus two ballasts.
@@RK-kn1ud Exactly.
New bulbs are installed, and the issue is fixed! Also, the new bulbs are 1000x brighter than the bulbs from 2013! Thanks for schooling me!
OSRAM XENARC NIGHT BREAKER LASER are the bulbs I installed.
Thanks!
Do all bulbs eventually calcify in the center as they get older?
So...whenever you see the center of the bulb start calcifying - you go ahead and change it?
yes
Hi, I have Morimoto D2S lighting system (Morimoto ballasts, harness and bulbs) for my vehicle. The Morimoto lighting system is 5 years old now. This week both bulbs burned out at the same time. I replaced both bulbs and they flickered for a few seconds and both bulbs burned out right away. Do you have any idea why this would happen or how to fix? Your reply will be greatly appreciated.
statistically it is very unlikely for this to happen ... send me on IG pictures with the old and new bulbs
@@BestCarMods I sent you photos on Facebook. Sorry, I don't have Instagram.
@@BestCarModshi sir.. how could i send you the videl of my DS2 lightbulb flickers 3 times each time when i on it and goes out ..the right bulb is good. I switched the ballast, bulb ignitor and also the bulb its same .. pls help sir.
I have Benz 2007 E350. O changed the left D1S and it worked fine. In a week, the right hand side bulb failed to light. So I replaced that side as well. Botha bulbs are new and are Osram brand. The right bulb does not come on. I can hear clicking noise from it ( probably the igniter) . How do I know what is wrong..is the new bulb faulty or the igniter?
Providing you have got original Osram bulbs, you could swap Left to Right to make sure that the bulbs is not the cause. After swapping bulbs, you can do the same with Igniters. Also check the igniter for bent pins, and make sure you have cliped it correctly. let me know how it goes :)
12:47 Should GENUINE OSRAM D1S glass capsule have slight BLUE tint like the one on right? Does large spot welds vs small dot spot weld matter?
the answer is it depends ... there are different generations different models
I have a 2018 Chevrolet Impala Premier with D3S Hid bulb the problem I'm experiencing while my Headlight switch is in Auto they come on for a while but after a hour or so of driving or idling the right side bulb goes out I will switch back and forth between Auto and off and they will come back on,and if I have my Headlight switch in the Headlight setting itself the left side bulb goes out switch back and forth it comes back on in your opinion would you think it's the bulbs or ballast or anything else like the switch itself or fuse or relay please help Thanks in advance.
first get new genuine OSRAM/Philips bulbs and only after that start investigating the rest.
Hello, excuse me. My jeep limited ballast 2014 has an input voltage of 14.5v, the ballast indicates 12v, my question is the ballast supports 14.5v?
yes ... all automotive components are ok with 14.5v
What's the difference between d2s and d4s, are they interchangeable?
same difference between D1 and D3. not interchangeable
Hello, thanks for the video, I have a question, my two OEM 5dv - d2s are blinking as soon as the radiator fan kicks in like I need more amps or voltage, any ideas? Thanks you again
always start with new quality bulbs and continue from there.
@@BestCarMods thank you brother
Can arc welding (on the motor gate) 500 mm away from the car damage the hid xenon light?
I would say no to that
I want to know if a ds3 light would work in place of a ds1... if I already have ds1 should I stick with it?
not compatible.
I bought a Silverado 2016 high country with LED headlights, i bought Anzo headlights for HID trucks and had and car electrician help me install them, i just found out he put the incorrect hid bulbs in there, he put a h1 hid kit and the bulb keep moving because it ain't holding right, i now know it needs a D5S hid bulb for the headlight but my truck factory was LED, have some questions, the guy cut the OEM HID connector from the headlight, trying to see if i can find a plug somewhere but all i see is d1s and d3s plugs, will any of these light up a D5S, is the D5S led and D5S hid connector the same, if i find the D5S connector and put it back in my headlights and connect it to my truck, will it work, i mean my truck is factory LED?
your problem is hard to solve over comments on YT. If you are in the UK we could sort it out, but if not get someone that knows what they are doing to sort it.
Can i use D8S instead of D3S?
what do you think is the correct answer?
@@BestCarMods NO. They both have a different base.
@@7UpYors that is correct, and what can you tell me about their power? d8s vs d3s ?
@@BestCarMods hey, you the one making the videos. You should be answering the questions.
This video is good but does not tell how to figure out if the ballast is a problem.
if you know the bulb to be ok the next source of possible problems is the ballast ;)
@@BestCarMods I purchased a new bulb, put it in, no light. Purchased ballast online, it slid in but the screw holes didn’t line up. I called the seller and they stated they never had problems before. I took pictures of the ballast in place and you could see the screw holes were not aligned. I went to two auto parts stores, no ballast. Went to GM dealer, purchased ballast. It fit perfect, however, no light. Placed old bulb in and there was light. It flickered and went out. Purchased a new bulb from dealer and all was fine. Cheap knock offs online. Thanks for the video and your comments.
@@gregoryhumphrey2831 sometimes it can get complicated... usually you will want to have new bulbs and after that address balast issues ... you can also have damaged pins due to non oem bulbs and the possible list of faults is long. You made me curious regarding the ballast ... what was the type? And On what car did you have the issue?
@@BestCarMods ‘14 GMC Acadia. The ballast is flat and slides into a slot below the lamp . When seated all the way in, it snaps into the connection which is made in the rear of the ballast. Then two torches screws hold it into the front. All pins are straight. Just believe they were junk manufacturing. Here is a video: ruclips.net/video/ub7FRdNOUgM/видео.html made by a Mr Ben Streck. You can see the ballst has no wires to it and it slides into a connector in the rear. You can see the ballast @1:14 and @4:09
@@gregoryhumphrey2831 it looks to me like a valeo 7g, i have more than 10 units, never seen one go bad.
i MUST know where ure from
If the URL @12:35 is any indication: Romania 🙂
Too much explanation just get to testing it
What's wrong here?? He has explained very well...nothing is bad here.
To much talk talk talk talk talk, show us how to separate it instead!
Hello thanks for the video! I have a 2016 audi a3 with the DS3 one. The driver side is working perfectly and its bright. The other one is very low lighting but it has some little light still. What do you think is the problem? Thanks
inspect bulb is seated correctly, inspect bulb and if it looks old replace with new. i expect the bulb is old
@@BestCarMods thanks i fixed it. The bulb was down all the time… it wasnt inserted correctly