Dipping headlight problem, replace ballast or get new aftermarket headlights?

[BuckeyeA4]

Last winter my original Xenon headlights on my 2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro would occasionally flicker and I would get a "dipped heallight" sign in my dash. I didn't do anything too fix it then because it would just go away after a few seconds. But now my passenger headlight is permenantly dipped and wont even turn on. I've tried replacing the bulb but that didn't fix it. So im thinking the ballast is bad. I looked into getting a new ballast and realized they can be up to $400, so i contimplated just getting all new headlights. I looked at a few of the aftermarket xenon headlights with the LED running lights, but I read in forums that a lot of people are having problems with them. I also read where replacing the ballast didn't always fix the dipping problem. Can someone give me any advice on what to do? Do I replace the ballast and see if that fixes the problem? If so my car takes the 12 pin ballast, where can i find a good ballast to buy for a decent price? Or would it be better to go with a new set of aftermarket headlights with the sweet LED's? I was considering the $400 Bixenon LED's they are selling on Ebay or the $700 LLTEK LED & HID equipped E-codes (http://www.lltek.com/audi_headlights_led_daytime_running_lights_f.htm)
Any help or advise is greatly appreciated

[NERO Quattro]

Having the same issue on my left side and today the right side started having issues as well[headbang]. Just bought bulbs (D1S) but if you say it doesn't work then I may also try and purchase new ballasts. Im not sure if Umnitza has them, but I think HID Concept has them.





http://hidconcept.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=29

[BuckeyeA4]

I was told by a dealer that the Xenon bulbs only last about 7 years, and since my car was an '03 they told me that replacing the bulbs would fix my problem. But yeah that didn't work, so now im looking for the ballasts, but of course my car takes the 12 pin ballast which is more expensive and harder to find (I'm not sure why?). So thats about $225-$250 each for used ones... Does anyone have any recomendations or advice on the aftermarket xenon LED headlights? (Diagnosticator, I would love to hear your opinion on fixing my original headlights or just going with new aftermarket headlights). Thanks

[NERO Quattro]

You have an easier solution than I do:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/332700-new-twist-on-ballast-replacement

[NERO Quattro]

Also saw this thread on the b6 section if you havent:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/435276-Dreaded-Dipped-Left-Headlight

[BuckeyeA4]

Also saw this thread on the b6 section if you havent:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/435276-Dreaded-Dipped-Left-Headlight

Wow this thread was amazing. Thanks for the post!

[NERO Quattro]

Dipped error was solve with newly installed bulbs , hope it lasts...

[BuckeyeA4]

Dipped error was solve with newly installed bulbs , hope it lasts...

Replacing the bulbs didn't work for me, but I bought a 4 pin ballast from chrysler for around $120. I used the steps in the previous link to convert 12 pin plug to fit the cheaper 4 pin ballast and my headlight works great now, and there is no more dipping.