Headlight Flicker/Turn Off when BRAKING
#1
Headlight Flicker/Turn Off when BRAKING
like the title says... when i hit the brakes and the car weight shifts forward, the headlights seem to flicker one time off and on real quick... sometimes the driver bulb just turns off and i have to turn the lights on and off to get both on again... the problem seems to be occurring only when i brake semi hard/hard, if i brake smoothly the headlights seem fine... what im wondering is if this could be a battery ground issue? or just a bulb issue... if anyone has had anything similar happen when braking feel free to chime in... thanks
#2
Sounds like the bulb is failing to me, someone else suggested in another thread to swap the bulbs and see if the problems transfer to the other lights - seems like a good place to start and will get you familiar with the bulb replacement process anyways...
#4
As hid bulbs get older they require more power to stay light and ignite in general, i'm guessing braking with the lights and the ABS etc may be just enough power draw to cause them to flicker. You might also want to get your battery and charging system checked...
#6
Senior Moderator
I would check the terminal connectors to the battery for tightness. I have heard here that the battery testers will pass a battery that the RL will have trouble with. Also, if the car is on, the battery voltage/current should have little effect. The terminal connection will effect the electronics with the car on. How old is the battery?
#7
same with me, before i would take really hard turns because i would think im drifting, and the lights would flicker and then turn off. just replace both bulbs. if the driver side is flickering the passenger side will follow soon and u might as well do it.
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#8
I concur that I think the primary culprit is likely the bulbs going bad... my reasoning behind it was mostly conjecture and comparing it to the DLP bulbs that I have more familiarity with from projectors and TV's
#9
I would check the terminal connectors to the battery for tightness. I have heard here that the battery testers will pass a battery that the RL will have trouble with. Also, if the car is on, the battery voltage/current should have little effect. The terminal connection will effect the electronics with the car on. How old is the battery?
#11
Suzuka Master
iTrader: (1)
if not it claims there is a warranty
WARRANTY
The Xenon bulbs will come with two year warranty under normal use. Warranty will cover all normal defects, any physical damages will void the warranty
#12
ya, worth a try... a little update btw, cleaned the hell out of the battery terminals and so far the lights havent flickered again... could be coincidence... but im ordering new bulbs either way... what color temp are the stock ones? 4300? im thinking of getting 5k...
#13
Senior Moderator
They are 4300K, but 5000k is my next step.
#15
Even if you leave your headlights in "on" position (not auto), they will still turn off automatically.
#16
Senior Moderator
^ After much time?
#17
^ only a few minutes - can't remember if you can set the time
#18
Senior Moderator
Are you sure the battery voltage just doesn't drop below the ballast threshold?
#19
No, I'm sure. 1) I believe it is in the manual. 2) I left my lights on one day. Remembered after several hours and thought I would return to car with dead battery.
Lights were out and battery fine.
Lights were out and battery fine.
#20
Just confirmed lights go out automatically in the manual whether in On or Auto position. Uses the same timeout period for both that you can set through the MID menu. Default is 90 seconds
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oo7spy (01-17-2012)
#21
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OP, I am having the same issue with my passenger side light, only mine flickers and goes out when I make right turns, and hit a bump in the middle of the turn while the AFS is activated. I've read about the AFS light staying on in other threads, and it annoys me when mine comes on, but I really think this is a bulb or voltage issue. I'm gonna swap my bulbs and see what happens.
Anyone have a link to some good 5000K bulbs?
Anyone have a link to some good 5000K bulbs?
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