All, I apologize in advance if this has already been answered, but the fabulous thing about NAM is the fact that it contains nearly endless info about Minis and sometimes trying to find very specific info, even with the search feature, can be challenging...

So, yesterday my driver side HID low beam went out. This caused me to start the diagnostic and dismantling process. I have a Bentley manual and read through the chapter several times to get familiar with all the various parts. Xenon and their operation are completely new to me, so I'm learning all about this technology. First lesson... NOT cheap!!! Anyhow, the good news (for now) is that after I switched the controllers (ballast) from one side to the other (left/right) everything worked fine again! Weird I know! Hopefully that will last.

Here is my long winded question... What is the small, slotted, round opening for in the headlight? See picture attached. There is a connector behind it, but it doesn't appear to be a bulb holder. The Bentley makes no specific mention of what this is or it's purpose (at least in the section I was reading).

Anyone know?
Thanks!

 

So, I investigated this a little closer with flashlight and some fiddling around with the back connectors. When the larger rubber cover is removed from the back of the xenon, you can peak through the opening and see that there is a square black box with wires coming out of it as well as what appears to be a small ceramic electrical shield for the harness that ties in to that 3rd rear plug. The only thing I can figure this can be is the igniter portion of the lamp. It doesn't appear that this is easily replaceable if indeed it goes bad. I'm going to do a bit more research on this. Why they tucked it behind that slotted area or why that is even there (the slotted part) is anyone's guess. Mine is that it may be needed to help vent the light and the other may be purely cosmetic and design related.

 

I think that the ignitor is not serviceable on the '03- like mine. Some later Gen 1 xenon ignitors are. The only way to access our ignitors is by baking in the oven and opening up the unit- like people do for the Joey mod. My driver's side unit works intermittently, but I haven't replaced it- more than $400 for a new complete xenon. Ouch. Good luck...