So I've been having an issue with my headlights for a while where they'll shut off if I go over a bump, or randomly on their own. Sometimes flicking the switch to off and then back to on will resolve it.
I figured it's likely an issue with the ballasts or igniters, as I've heard those go out on our model, and my bulbs were fine.

At the junkyard I grabbed another '99 model ballast, and a '02 model ballast.
It looks like the '02 model has an internal igniter, as it interfaces directly with the bulb rather than passing through an igniter box like the '99 model does.
The specs are almost identical, with the '02 model giving out 36watts rather than 38, so no modifications needed to make it work. However the bolts don't line up, so I made it fit with one bolt and some zip ties.
So far the bulbs are both lighting up, but I'll give it some time and see if the '02 model ballast/igniter is more stable. I'll keep ya'll posted.

Anyone know much about the ballasts/igniters of our car, to either agree with me or show me where I'm understanding this stuff incorrectly?

 

You might just have issues with moisture if the 02 isn't sealing properly but you may get lucky Just keep us posted if it works

 

So far so good, the '02 ballast is running steady! I'll give it another week of driving through the rough Atlanta streets to see if I can make it turn off again. Then I'll have to dig through my trash can and find the plastic lid that goes behind the bulb, as I didn't even think about the moisture issue,...