[Blurry]

Tonight after going out for dinner, started the R, headlight setting always at "O", it was dusk, the HIDs attempted to come on and went out. Got a message "Bulb Failure" "Low Beam Bulb". Tried switching the headlight settings in all positions and nothing. No DRL or HIDs. Still have turn signals, fogs, parking lights. Thankfully was only 15 minutes from home and I drove home with the fog lights/parking lights on. Of course it had to happen on Friday night with no dealership or my regular mechanic open till Monday....Any thoughts or help greatly appreciated...any thoughts on cost to fix?

On the bright side, got dinner for 4; Thai food for free since they took so long to serve us....and the R is running great; I just can't drive her in the fog, rain, dark, etc...

 

[T5 for Life]

Re: Help! No DRL or HIDs in Low or High Settings (Blurry)

That sucks, but grats on the dinner.

I wouldn't say it's the switch, since you're getting bulb failure messages. Did you check the plugs (if any) on the back of the ballasts? I'm not sure if the ballast modules themselves can fail, but it's a possibility. You might be better off getting new modules from SharpHID instead of the oem units. But I'm wondering why they both failed...

 

[m3nt0s]

Could the bulbs just be burned out?

 

[chinaonnitrous1]

So you have 0 out of 2 headlights working?

Thats strange.

Unless you have 2 burned out bulbs, or 2 busted ballasts. I would check the fuses first.

You won't get DRL's because its dark, the headlights are supposed to be on regardless of the switch setting. If its dark, you get headlights and no DRL's regardless of ON or off.

Parking lights, thats normal.

So by thinking about it, IF BOTH headlights are out..these are your possiblities.

1. Blown Fuse
2. Both HID bulbs Burnt out.
3. Both Ballasts Burnt out.
4. Both ballast & Headlights burnt out

Thoes are in order of likeness.

I'd assume it was a fuse, since both of your systems are not powering on. Its highly unlikely you were driving around with one side out, and didn't notice untill the other side gave out. An R without a headlight is like driving with one eye shut, its really noticeable.

So unless you didn't notice one light out, and the other finally giving out...giving you total darkness. I'd assume its a fuse.

If it is a fuse, Replace it, and see if it happens again. If it does happen again, you may have a shorted ballast, or some loose wiring.

 

[QnsMostWanted]

I vote number 2!

 

[Blurry]

Re: (QnsMostWanted)

Update - Car is at my mechanics (Alan Auto, Portland ME) ...I had planned on installing a new TCV, hoses from IPD, new spark plugs, mudflaps and Synthetic Oil change (Red Line 5w30)....now everything is dependent on how much the light issue will cost...

Mechanic seems to think it's a fuse since everything (DRL, Low/High Beam) all went out at once....My loaner is an old 240 with 294,000 plus miles...the thing runs great...I may have to buy one as a back up for the R

.

Modified by Blurry at 9:45 AM 5-18-2009

 

[T5 for Life]

Re: (Blurry)

I hope it's the fuse. Sounds like the logical cause.

I am very tempted to get a 240 and set it up as an Autocross car. They're great little machines with a lot of potential. I'm also toying with maybe getting an Amazon instead. Feeling the urge for a new toy.

 

[Adam12]

Re: (T5 for Life)

I would bet its the fuse. Just happened to my SR last week, same message, no lights in any position, started checking fuses, all under the hood were good, so I satrted gettnig worried, but it was the fuse for the headlights located on the side of the dash. Replaced it, works perfect again.

Adam

 

[Blurry]

Re: (Adam12)

UPDATE: Adam12 and some others were correct.....Just heard back and it was the in-cabin fuse. Not only that but at one time when the dealer installed new HID bulbs (previous owner) the driver's side HID was installed either upsidedown/wrong

so they corrected that and told me I should see better now at night.

Thankfully it wasn't a bulb or ballast. Since it was a simple inexpensive fix, figured I'd go ahead with installing new plugs (since w/83,*** miles and no record of when they were last replaced), new stock TCV and tubing, as well as oem mudguards being installed prior to me picking the R up tonight.