HID question for those more in the know than me

[Stampy]

On my 01 4.2 I have the stock HID's. When I got this one in Feb, first thing I did when I got home was swap the bulbs for a set of 6K's I had laying around. Needless to say I have been unhappy with the stock HID's and how much the light output sucks. I have tried many different bulbs, 4300,6000,and 8000. I didn't expect the 8k's to improve anything, just figured if they were going to suck I might as well look good. Now the problem....the driver side is always brighter? No matter which set of bulbs I use, the drivers side is always brighter. Not to say that they passenger is dim, just not as bright. So does this mean bad ballast? I was always under the impression that once a ballast was on that was it...it works. Am I wrong? I don't have any issues with start up, or flickering. These are the OEM units though from 01. If the ballast is bad do I have to buy the same gigantic style from 01 or do I buy a newer style? Do I have to replace both at the same time like the bulbs? I bought a set of 02+ Ecode bi-Xenon projectors that I am planning on swapping in. I have been unable to find a 02+ reflector though to complete my project. If I have to get new ballast, I would be swapping them in whenever I can complete my project.

I really tried searching here and AW, but didn't find any answers to my questions. Thanks in advance guys.

8k of useless lighting...

[PMR2.7t]

The higher the temp the lower the light output is i would stick with oem 4300k i had the same problem but i bought phillps 6000k bulbs and 6000k fog kit and im very happy. My had the problem like yours the passenger side bulb was dim while the driver side was bright and try to avoid the ebay bulbs from china pay a little more and ones from germany...

[02alltoad]

http://www.ddmtuning.com/hidkihidbuhi.html try here

[Stampy]

So I forgot to mention that the 4300k's that I am using are philips. Infact I have three sets and they all do this. The other bulbs are cheap obviously, and the 8k's are useless I know. Since I don't want to buy an aftermarket kit and I know its not my bulbs....whats up with the light output?

[white fish]

I dont know much about this stuff
but maybe the lens in side is dusty/dirty

[Stampy]

I actually thought about that too. I have never actually heard of that happening before and I have no idea how it could. I might take it apart today to check it out.

[East2.7Six]

i would suggest a lense restoral kit if you notice one is more foggy than the other.

[KfabR8]

Is there any way you can check the voltage output of the ballast off of a set that works like you want versus the set you have? There's a chance that the voltage could be lower? (this is strictly a guess)... Be careful, though, as the ballast puts out a pretty high voltage.

[Daft]

I encountered this issue with my A4 a couple years ago.

The problem is that the projector is coated with a silver coating much like chrome. As the hot bulb is running, the heat from it is rising and baking the reflective surface of the projector and eventually, it blackens and even clouds the surface. This of course reduces the light reflectivity of the surface and then you have less light on the road.

A new projector will cure the problem but, they really aren't sold separate from the headlight housing. Your only other option is to find a projector on ebay and take the gamble that it is in better sape than your own.

Back in January when a deer ran into my passenger side fender, it smashed my headlight and I had to buy a new one. From that point on, the passenger side was always brighter. I did notice that the projectors in the 2002+ cars have a metal guard that operates as a heat shield in some fashion to reduce this fading effect.

I'm willing to bet that if you open you headlight, extract the projector and look at the reflector cup, it will be quite faded.

[wofman]

I wonder if there are enough of us to get some sort of group buy on C5 headlights. Seems like there are several that have problem of some sort. I can get by with what I have before I'll pay OEM prices.... Maybe a seller of Hellas somewhere?

[UGwagen]

I encountered this issue with my A4 a couple years ago.

The problem is that the projector is coated with a silver coating much like chrome. As the hot bulb is running, the heat from it is rising and baking the reflective surface of the projector and eventually, it blackens and even clouds the surface. This of course reduces the light reflectivity of the surface and then you have less light on the road.

A new projector will cure the problem but, they really aren't sold separate from the headlight housing. Your only other option is to find a projector on ebay and take the gamble that it is in better sape than your own.

Back in January when a deer ran into my passenger side fender, it smashed my headlight and I had to buy a new one. From that point on, the passenger side was always brighter. I did notice that the projectors in the 2002+ cars have a metal guard that operates as a heat shield in some fashion to reduce this fading effect.

I'm willing to bet that if you open you headlight, extract the projector and look at the reflector cup, it will be quite faded.

That applies to the Valeo assemblies, but iirc, the OP's A6 has Hella assemblies, which is built differently from the Valeo, in particular the lens holder (which is stamped steel).

[04A6SLine]

while everyone's at this.. i got the similar problem with my tail.. the driver side is brighter than the passenger... i switched bulbs on the driver side one time and i started noticing it.. so i switch the passenger side with the same bulb and nothing..

[Stampy]

For the taillight I would make sure you didn't have a leak at some point. Water stains can cause those issues.

I think you might be right DAFT. I actually have had these headlights apart 2-3 times and did kinda notice what you are talking about. I am willing to bet that is the cause of my problem. I just couldn't figure out how the ballast could cause this, but it was the only thing I could really think of. So I guess my problem will be better when I can find the parts I need to swap in my 90mm projectors.

If anyone cares....the difference in size of the projectors...


The different mounting positions...You need the facelifted reflector to swap in 90mm's


Ahhh ecode beam pattern

[ckpepper02]

DAFT always dropping the knowledge!

[Daft]

That applies to the Valeo assemblies, but iirc, the OP's A6 has Hella assemblies, which is built differently from the Valeo, in particular the lens holder (which is stamped steel).

Actually I was talking about the reflector basket (bulb holder as well). Both are metal and dipped in a special bath to coat them with their reflective coating and both will blacken.

The only change Ive seen since the first designs in 2000 is that in the 2002+ projectors (facelift) is that the reflector basket has a heat shield now.

Since Stampy's are older than 2002, they will blacken much easier from the rising heat.

[02alltoad]

i have a projector if some one wants, its from an 01 a8