ojmcduffie

Please dont tell me to search, i have for awhile and nobody can resolve my issue. My passenger HID flickers and shuts off after 2 to 5 minutes. I have gone through new ballast, and 4 HID bulbs. Anyone have a clue as to what's going on? My mechanic said its something electrical...(no sh**). And wont even attempt to disganose the issue. Just referred me to someone else.

Anyone?

Honestly im tired of this car, ill never buy a honda/acura again...i had an A6 before this w 92k on odometer with 0 issues. My 06 RL has torn leather on seats, and armrest, bubbled glovebox, and now this HID issue.

Im truly disappointed in the $$$ i spent on it 8 years ago.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

its going to be VERY VERY hard to diagnose something as delicate as flickering bulbs over the internet.

the best advice is to trouble shoot. replacing things are fine, but thats not really trouble shooting.

if I read it correctly, it says BOTH head lights are flickering? YES?

ojmcduffie

No, just passenger side...ive had bulb AND ballast replaced. No errors on dash. AFS works great

thoiboi

Sell it and buy another Audi.. what a POS

thoiboi

Replace the igniter.



OEM ballast?

ojmcduffie

To each his own...ive owned my RL and have loved it up until a couple years ago. POS...thats your opinion...i didnt start this thread to bash every other car company. I was simply making a statement...my 99 lexus gs400...never had an issue...my 2003 a6 2.7t...never had an issue...my 2006 acura rl...nothing but issues...there are many things about the RL i love, but seriously it falls apart...if i could get this issue fixed...cool. but again why is my leather falling apart? Why is my glovebox bubbling? I have treated this car the same as any other. I havent tried the "igniter"...i will. Just to blow more $$$ on something that may or may not fix it...hopefully it does.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

stop blowing money on random parts and trouble shoot, by moving passenger bulb, igniter, ballast over to drivers side.

if problem follows, then you know you have a problem with that set

oo7spy

He was just confirming your assertion that the RL is a POS and by association all Hondas.

He's most likely right about the ignitor too.

dester243

I just had to register to reply to this thread. To me it's comical.

1) You came in here ranting and your opening statement comes off as "I don't want to do anything and I just want answers now"

2) Did you really just compare Audi's reliability to the acura? Those 2.7 motors and even the 3.0 v6 in the A6s were huge in repair and maintenance bills. Who makes a timing belt in the front and timing chain in the rear of a v6 engine? Audi. YAY engineering. The acura has it's issues and it's not perfect but comparing it to an audi is horrible. The GS400 is a pretty reliable car but it's got it's own trim and body paneling issues also. (I'd know. I was a lexus certified tech for a while)

3) Your mechanic dumped you. I'd probably point this back to #1. Maybe it's how you've handled yourself that you made your own mechanic not want to mess with you anymore.

Anywho. If you would like to try to find the solution to your problem. A couple members here have thrown out great suggestions. Since you can replicate the problem within 2-5 minutes and it's not a ghost or phantom "every now and then issue" Swap parts left to right one by one and see if the issue moves with the part moved. from ballasts to bulbs to the whole headlight assembly. Could be a ground wiring problem or a ground problem within the headlight housing. I haven't messed with the RL's headlight in particular but some headlight bulbs power with a 1 pin connector to the bulb then use the housing as a ground. Could be bad contact.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^too be honest, thats just the nature of the internet. forums are a place to vent, like you just did!!

I didnt fault him for being angry, as i just want to help out too.

dester243

I don't fault him for being angry. But being angry doesn't solve problems. Gotta keep a cool head and keep chipping away at diagnosing the issue isn't of wasting $ and throwing parts at it.

Like I said, if the problem happens within 2-5 minutes. It's a LOT easier to diag than a problem that happens every week, month, blue moon, when the stars align. etc.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

you are correct!

just didnt want him to come back and get more angry because of internet strangers. lol

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

it takes a certain aptitude for machines. afterall, a car is a machine and needs to be well lubed so it can keep on keeping on.


Almost, ALMOST, akin to IT and computer problems. a certain skill is needed to diagnose problems

thoiboi

Bond understands

08KBP_VA

Truly if those are the only issues youve had I think thats pretty damn good considering all the technology in these vehicles. To your point your mechanic ran away cuz most when they see electrical run the other way. Theyre a nightmare to diagnose and not worth their time.

Since this only seems to affect your DS can you swap igniter from one side to the other to test to see if thats the problem? Test your known knowns

1stRL

Just a question. but did you use a volt meter on the bulb connection? is the voltage moving sporadically? If so I would check the fuses, and potentially the wiring to see if there are any exposed or grounding happening

I would also like to add that the RL is nothing but a money pit. I never had a car that was so worth of the money i poured in

JDMCRX

Ive had the passenger side HID flicking since ive got it. It only does it once in a while im gonna be looking at the grounds .

If you think those little things are a good reason to go over to audi !!! See ya man have fun with the audi, there so much more reliable cars, make sure you got AAA or a scan tool in your glove box 247 lol.

Türk

I faced this problem more than one year. and finally found it.

I WAS NOT ABLE TO INSTALL THE BULB CORRECTLY.

Not joking.

The socket is a little bir hard to fix to bulb.
Please check...