Mechanic says ballasts don't need programming?

[tomahawk297]

So I've just brought my car to my mechanic because my brand new headlight assemblies don't work except for the turn signals and daytime runners. I tell my mechanic that I'm pretty sure they just have to be programmed to the ECU and he says that ballasts don't need reprogramming even when replaced but he will go in and "reset" them even though he doesn't think this is the issue. Does this sound right or does he not know what he's doing? Thanks.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

So I've just brought my car to my mechanic because my brand new headlight assemblies don't work except for the turn signals and daytime runners. I tell my mechanic that I'm pretty sure they just have to be programmed to the ECU and he says that ballasts don't need reprogramming even when replaced but he will go in and "reset" them even though he doesn't think this is the issue. Does this sound right or does he not know what he's doing? Thanks.

What headlights? OEM? Aftermarket? Factory xenon? Aftermarket xenon?

[aluthman]

If swapping from halogen to oem bixenon, there is coding that needs to be changed.

[Shanster]

If swapping ballasts from old OE Bi-xenons to new OE Bi-xenons, you do not need any coding.

[fly300kts]

If swapping ballasts from old OE Bi-xenons to new OE Bi-xenons, you do not need any coding.

Yes and No
If the ballast version (software level) is different, you will need to recode. If same version, you are OK
In your case, the version must be different and you need to marry the new ballast to the ECU

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ast+adaptation

Phil