That is the controller. It is easy to move from side to side to see if the problem moves too. But the controller is probably not the problem. If all the contacts to the bulb are clean the problem is likely the ignitor. On pre-2005 Minis that is integral to the headlamp assembly and not easy (some say not possible) to change.

Don't buy a controller until you move them side to side to be sure. And if you want a controller I have a good one that I will sell cheap as that was not my problem either.

Rich

 

About a year ago something flew off the freeway and broke the passenger side headlight (bulbs were fine). I found one at a local MINI mechanic and replaced it the next day; however, the replacement started to act up about 6 months after that... Either it comes on or not; no flickering, dimming, etc. Just a "yes" or "no" pattern, and it seems to be completely random. Since I have my original headlight still intact -sans the front glass- I switched everything that could be removed/installed (e.g., bulbs, controller, etc), but it didn't help.

So.... how do I move the ignitor from my old one to the replacement?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

You only need to take off your headlamp, open the waterproof cover on the backside of the headlamp, take off the failed ignitor and change the working well ignitor on to the position is ok

BTW ignitor like this[/FONT]

 

Thanks for the information. I'll go ahead and swap the ignitor between the original and the replacement.

Can this be done without removing the headlight? Secondly, how is the "black box" end of the ignitor is connected (e.g., screws, clips, etc)?

Thanks!

 

Sometime in 2004 they changed the headlight assembly. That ignitor is inside the headlamp assembly on my 2003 and does not seem to be replaceable as it is inaccessible.

I would love to find a way but alas....

Rich

 

mini have two types ignitor.

this is other type ,number 5 is ballast ,number 6 is bulb holder,number 2 is xenon bulb,number 7 is ignitor.

real like this.

 

I have a 2006 with Xenons, Drivers side does not work, I bought new bulb. No help, then I switched the ignitor, ballast from side to side and still no light from the drivers headlight. Can someone help?

 

oem xenon headlight not work 95% is ballast bed.

so is easy, you only chage it .,the ballast fit under the headlamp.

 

I have a feeling this guy is a spammer maybe? I could be wrong so sorry if I assumed.

 

I have not contacted the dealership yet~ would like to know if this is something I can fix myself.

 

I have been having a problem with my passenger side. I swapped the ballasts and the problem moved. So, I bought another used ballast on eBay. It is working perfectly in my driver's side, but the passenger side suddenly failed, again. Today I swapped the ballasts again and the problem moved again. So, my eBay ballast in now on the passenger side and the original driver's side back where it started and is out. So, I am wondering if it may be something else. These things are $140.00 used (decent deal compared to new; ~$450.00). But, I can't keep this up. I need another one, so, when I order another I will have spent $280.00 this month on headlights. Sheesh!! When they work they are beautiful and bright. I've had my car for 2 months and the passenger side had always been a little intermittent, but never failed to light and always stayed on once lit. That is until about 3 weeks ago. Are there any known problems that anyone can think of that might cause ballasts to go bad on one side?

 

I got a pair of ballasts and bulbs from a wrecker in Florida. When they arrived I noticed that the bulbs where significantly different than the ones on the car. The ones from Florida are warmer in color and have very definitive markings. They are made by Phillips and the ones on the car are made who-knows-who. The Phillips bulbs are clearly marked "D2R;" the others are simply marked "D2." The Phillips ones have a heat sink or stiffener-or-something attached to the bulb glass. The Phillips just look like they have much, much better build quality. I am beginning to wonder if the bluer bulbs (eBay?) were somehow damaging the ballasts. So, far I have been running with Phillips bulbs and two used ballasts (purchased at different times). No flickering, instant ignition, bright, but not as blue. Since, I bought 2 from the guy in Florida, I have a spare ballast just in case.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecapilot/5434574238/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecapilot/5434574238/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ecapilot/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecapilot/5433960445/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecapilot/5433960445/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/ecapilot/, on Flickr

I think there is a "buyer beware" statement in here. I have always looked to save buck when I can, but I believe this to be a case of "you get what you pay for." WMW has them for about $100 each. Here are some that are bit cheaper, but still expensive.
http://www.hidxenonlights.com/volvo-volvo-s60-lights-c-643_517_521/d2r-hid-oem-philips-p-196

 

I have the pre-facelift xenons (2004). I've already had one ballast(control unit) go bad on me (passenger side). Now it seems the other one is going out (drivers) as well.

As someone mentioned, they flicker when they're still cold. However, my passenger side xenon does not flicker but the driver's side does but only for about the first 10-20 minutes of use. After that, it usually stops, not always.

Tomorrow I'm going to swap ballasts around and see if the problem moves. I doubt it's the bulb though I really hope it is. Probably the ballast. I just really really hope it is not the ignitor

 

I am getting ready to pick up a replacement (#3) for the replacement (#2) headlight on passenger side (03 MCS). I swap the bulbs and ballasts and the problem doesn't move. I even used the extras from my broken headlight (#1) (everything was working at the time of removal due to broken lens) and the results are the same. I am 99% sure that it's the ignitor and 100% pissed that I can't replace a stupid little part and need an entire new headlight assembly

 

Son of a gun! I just replaced my battery (original one since April 2003) and the passenger side Xenon works again! About 6 months ago, it was intermittent, then it just stopped working starting 2 months ago (never came back on regardless of what I changed), and now with a new battery, it works just fine. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will last. We'll see....

 

Well, it's been about a month since I replaced my aftermarket bulbs with OEM ones and my lights are working just fine. I am now more convinced that you have to really watch out when buying aftermarket HID bulbs. I have not had any problems since switching to the Phillips OEM bulbs. My ballasts aren't crashing and there is no more flicker. I only wish that the OEMs were a little more blue. But, oh well. So, buyer beware in my opinion.

 

My flicker has drastically reduced now that the weather has warmed up. Also noticed my bulbs are slightly different colors, may replace both; with oem of course.

 

Any one have the length of the OEM Ignighter leads? I recieved an ignighter from oemxenonpart.com but they were about 3 1/2" long. Prior to baking the light to melt the sealant, I did a quick visual of the ignighter modual and routing. It is substantialy longer than the part I recieved. Looks to have about 10"-11" long leads.

The rep from oemxenonpart.com was asking me the length I needed. It doesnt give me a substantialy warm fealing about that one. Their site is OEM XENON PART. They should know the OEM XENON PART I NEED!!!

But yeah any one know the length?

 

oemxenonpart.com is great for pulling pictures of the parts you need, but is basically a ripoff house. I ordered a ballast from them a year ago because they responded to email quickly and were about half the price of anywhere else selling "new" parts. I verified the part was new before ordering, and then the guy sent me a ballast with scratches all over it and stamped with a production date from 5 years ago. I called him on it and he continued to say the part was new. What are you gonna do when the guy is in China though? So I put the obviously used ballast in and 8 months later it went out and I had to go shopping for another ballast. General rule of thumb is stay away from cheap Chinese aftermarket junk.

 

This is pretty discouraging, the shop I take my Mini Cooper S 2003 to wants to change me $700 to fix the Ballast, and that's after replacing the bulb last Oct for $250 (I live in VA near DC things are pricey but this is outrageous). So I decided I'd do some research and try to do it myself. I'm female and do not have any experience with cars however I'm a quick learner, and love my Mini.

To make a long story short the passenger light only works intermittently. I've been looking at Ballasts on ebay and contacted a seller on ebay after seeing these...
<img alt="2 x AC REGULAR BALLASTS XENON LIGHTS 35W HID KIT AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT" border="0">
Item Id:350650835489The seller was kind enough to realize he was dealing with a inexperienced person and promptly sent me an email stating if my Mini had a stock HID system the aforementioned would not work and he recommended the following...

: http://www.ebay.com/itm/02-03-04-05-...9007fe&vxp=mtr

1.)My question is this should I try to convert to a non-stock HID system and how expensive would that be? I ask as it would seem to be easier to replace the ballasts in the future should the need arise? The first system looks like it's plug and play.
2) If I were going to pay the mechanic $700 to replace the ballast on the passenger side how long would that last?
3) Is it that difficult to change a ballast?

Thank you

 

Dave a friend travels to China regularly and he tells me Minis are a very popular car over there. I bet this guy had a field day