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Mix 'n Match Ballast/Bulb

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Old Nov 20, 2011 | 08:04 PM
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Mix 'n Match Ballast/Bulb

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your input the last time. I've since replaced the alternator. Now onto the matter at-hand for today...

I recently installed a (dirt cheap) HID fog kit. It was supposed to be xentec according to the guy selling it. He offered to install it for me as well. So, it looked gorgeous for about a week. 6000K, very bright. Stood out like nothing else.

Anyhow...after about a week. The passenger side fog would come on as normal, but kept its green'ish hue, instead of warming up and going brighter, it goes dim, flickers and eventually shuts off. The driver side one work as normal.

So after doing a bit of research, it turns out could be either the ballast or the bulb. So, the question I have is, can I just get other 6000K H3 bulbs, and slap one on if it turns out the bulb is defective? Or would I need to purchase a whole new kit because the bulb might not be compatible with existing ballast? And vise versa. If the ballast is bad, do I just purchase a replcement ballast and replace it?

Would the same principle also apply to headlights? If i wanted to upgrade the low beam OEM HID from 4300k (as it comes) to 6000K, do I just get the 6000K bulbs or do I need a whole new kit?

Thanks a bunch guys. I'm sorry for n00b questions, but i'm still learning my way around these things.
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 08:10 PM
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You can mix and match for the headlights or fogs. No need to get entire kits.
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 08:43 PM
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I would swap the bulbs to see if it was the bulb itself, if the passenger side bulb works normally when moved to the driver side I would say the ballast on the passenger side is failing and contact the seller for a replacement as it should not start to fail after just a week of use.
Old Nov 20, 2011 | 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Ghost_54
I would swap the bulbs to see if it was the bulb itself, if the passenger side bulb works normally when moved to the driver side I would say the ballast on the passenger side is failing and contact the seller for a replacement as it should not start to fail after just a week of use.
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 06:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Ghost_54
I would swap the bulbs to see if it was the bulb itself, if the passenger side bulb works normally when moved to the driver side I would say the ballast on the passenger side is failing and contact the seller for a replacement as it should not start to fail after just a week of use.
^This


And yes, you can mix/match ballasts as long as they're the same wattage. (35w is standard)
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 02:12 PM
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Thanks guys. Plan to get to this by the weekend. Will post updates here. I hope it's just an easy bulb/ballast replacement.
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 04:52 PM
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I had Xentec briefly as well. Those are probably the most problem-prone ones on the market. I got a name-brand kit for about $220 and I've been running it for a few months now. It's working wonderfully.
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 07:10 PM
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xentec is crap i purchase probably over 5 kits in a year. but there dirt cheap so i just buy another one
Old Nov 21, 2011 | 07:26 PM
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DDM > Xentec. Just sayin'.
Old Nov 25, 2011 | 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by ChrisMan287
DDM > Xentec. Just sayin'.
Do I need to order Relay, Error Eliminator, or anything besides just the kit?
Old Nov 25, 2011 | 09:03 AM
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Yeah, lesson learned. Not going to purchase xentec again. It's the hassle of having to re-do that outweighs the initial cost.
Old Nov 25, 2011 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by ChiTeMax
Do I need to order Relay, Error Eliminator, or anything besides just the kit?
Relay harnesses are always better. No need for anything else.
Old Nov 26, 2011 | 03:20 AM
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Operatic in the group deals section sells great hid kits
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