Wow. What a frustrating day...
So I scheduled an appt with a (so-called affordable) mechanic for this morning to install my new ballast and ignitor (I could have done this myself, but its just a pain in the ass and time consuming). Also, I had him install my ABS wheel sensor, because my old one was corroded and was causing my brakes to lock up every turn I took. So I come back to the shop in high hopes that everything is installed and well.

He told me he was able to only put in the ABS wheel sensor. He did not realize that in order to install the ballast and ignitor, that the entire bumper must come off. Therefor, he refused to install. So, just for installing the wheels sensor, he charged me $75.00! (On the phone a week ago while scheduling an appt he quoted $75 for the ballast/ignitor installation).

But thats not all! So driving out of the shop and taking a corner, my abs sensor was locking up just like before! So I returned to his shop and he fed me some bs saying that it has been a while since an abs sensor has been in there so give it some time. He also said that the rainy weather may be the reason. F*ck That. Once I got home I took the entire sensor out. Problem solved. No abs sensor, probably for ever.

Later this evening I was so fed up with it all and decided to install the new ballast/ignitor myself (Only the driver side, because the passenger side lights up fine). After about 3 hours, it was all done.

I turn on the lights, and what do you know... nothing. Only the fogs. Back where I started from the beginning - the passenger light will turn on about 3/5 times I turn on the entire headlight assembly, but the driver's side, not at all


Before installation, just about everytime both would light up the first shot, but if I were to turn em off, then back on, usually just the passenger light would turn on but the driver light will not.

My apologies for the lengthy write up, but I am just trying to give all the details for you guys to help me solve this.

It seems as though I have tried just about everything. Guys, will I ever be able to resolve this ongoing dilemma?

 

so if its not the ballast, then its the bulb lol

 

that was fhe first thing I checked. I tested the bulb and it worked fine.

 

Here's a service manual scan for troubleshooting the HIDs.

From the sounds of it it could be a loose ground or battery connection for that one headlight.

A quick check with a multimeter per the SM should help identify it.

 

Here's some more scans.

Could be something as simple as cleaning up the ground connections if there's a bunch of rust on them.

Any chance you installed a CAI and moved the ground connections on the driver's side?

I'd think it'd effect a lot more than just the headlight if it was a bad ground, but at least it's something that could help.

 

I'll be sure to check this out. A lot of the parts on my TL (rotors/brakes/ballast) seemed to be rusted up pretty bad, which leads me to believe that the previous owner submerged it into a good amount of water in the past.

I had posted a thread about this issue several weeks ago, and everyone was convinced that it was a bad ballast. Now, on to the ground wire. In all honesty, this is the only thing that makes sense at the time - a simple bad wiring issue. Again, when I have time off I'll be looking into this. I may be PM'ing you for further details if you don't mind mzilvar. Thanks.

 

Can you send some larger images of this info? It wont let me enlarge. Or send me the link you got it from. Thanks.