Weird headlight issue ...

So lately when its really cold out my drivers side hid does not ignite when i first start the car. so i have to turn the headlights off and flip them back on. Is this normal for hid's when its cold? These are brand new bulbs too.

 

My hid does that too. i think its normal.

 

its weird because i never had an issue when i had the stock bulbs (04 sti), but ever since putting these in its started doing that.

 

Not normal. I've seen my temp gauge read -17 this year in the morning and both lights turn right on.

 

Ignitor problem. If they're aftermarket, pick up a new FULL SIZE ballast. The slim ones are junk.


(in before "OMG MY SLIM BALLASTZ R T3h BEST0RZ!!!1!1one")

 

i have slim ballast with my HIDs and they will randomly do that. but im not worried bout it cause it has happened 2 times in the year i have had them

 

Same here.

 

i have slim balast, mine will flicker or sometimes not turn on at all, i just turn the car off then back on and then they work perfect...

 

everything is stock just changed bulbs. so i dont know if ballasts are the issue.

 

You may want to check your battery voltage/amperage. I had an issue with mine randomly not firing, and turning off when I took sharp RH corners. Turns out, my battery was getting tired. Soon after, it would struggle to start my car.

Just something else to check. Usually HID bulbs aren't the cause though. They either fire or they dont.

 

driftin is probably on the mark here. If your battery is starting to get tired it may not be providing the inrush current the HID igniter requires. If you're running the original stock batter in an 04 you should get it replaced anyhow, as it's becoming just a matter of time before it gives up the ghost.