OEM xenon/hid fault E39 540i

[Reuvers]

Hello,

I'm hoping someone here can help me.

I recently bought a '97 540i which has original D2S xenon. 1 of the lights didn't work so I bought myself 2 new D2S 6000K bulbs.

I fitted them this morning and both worked fine. However, after about 15 seconds, first one light goes out and then a couple of seconds later the other goes out. Dash reads "check headlights"(in german)

When i turn off the lights, and turn them back on shortly after, the same things repeats itself.

I tried it 3 times, and three times same story.

Does anyone know what could be the issue?

Thanks in advance

[Reuvers]

Anyone?

btw it's constantly the same light which goes out first. It flickers 2 times before it actually goes out.

Furthermore, the side which stops working first is not the side of which the light wasn't working in the first place...

[Moose]

It must be a problem with the electrical somewhere. The odds of both bulbs or both ballasts/inverters going out at the same time are mind boggling. Did you check for proper voltage with a voltage meter at the ballast molex connector? I would start there...

[Reuvers]

Thats not a bad idea. But what voltage should it be?

Furthermore, the bulbs aren't actually bust, as they both work, but only for a short time.

Latest update btw, is that only one side goes out now. The side which did not have the bust bulb to begin with...

1 of the pins holding the main connector to the ballast seems broken off, and I'm thinking there might lie the problem.

Are these cables sold seperately? If so, what are they called?

[Moose]

Voltage feeding should not be greater than 14 volts. I believe you have a 35watt HID system correct? I am fairly certain the molex cable and ballast are sold together, but I could be wrong. There are many aftermarket ballast and bulb combos that will work great in those lamps (D2S bulb), an OEM Hella set will pick your pockets dry, but would be ideal of course. However, if a pin is broken off, it seems to me that; would be the 'big red truck" in the room so to say. So you probably found the source. Can you post a pic of the broken item so we can get a better idea to repair or replace? I am logging off but will check back with you tomorrow.

[Reuvers]

great moose.

Will do

[Reuvers]

well things keep getting more interesting

I disconnected the connector which i thought was faulty, then reconnected it hoping it would solve the issue.
However after starting the car and turning on the lights, all of a sudden it was the other side which turned off.

This makes me think it can't be the connector, as both sides are turning off, in turns.

Anyone that can help?

The D2S lights I bought were off ebay. Could it be non OEM parts which are causing the failure?

Strange that they both work for about 20 seconds and then one or the other turns off...

[Reuvers]

pictures of the connector i thought was faulty (it's the grey connector i mean)






and the car