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GrassyKnoll
07-06-2007, 01:51 PM
Well, looks like my headlight clearing didn't work out as well as I hoped. After about a month and a half, looks like the seal has failed. Last night I noticed that my left headlight (low beam, HID) was dead so I pulled over and looked at the headlight. Unfortunately, the headlight was fogged up and the light had no signs of turning on. I brought it home and took out the headlight. Drained about a cup of water out of the headlight casing.

Because of Subaru's design (I guess they didn't count on people messing with the seals "_") the HID ballast sits underneath the rest of the headlight casing. The 1 cup of water was literally sitting inside / on top of the ballast. I ripped the ballast out and to my dissapointment, heard alot of water sloshing inside.

So, I picked up some 3M strip caulk and am planning to try to reseal the light (I might do the other too just to prevent possible future damage). I plan on baking the light again, making sure all the moisture is out, and resealing.

As far as the light goes, im suspecting a ballast failure. Just to make sure, I am going to open 'er up and drain the water out than dry it for a couple days. I've heard stories about these things coming back to life, but I also don't know how bad the damage is inside. If things are as I expect them to be, I will need to pick up a new ballast. Anyone know the best place to get one of these custom fit 04 STI headlight ballast modules?

Gracias

Bu11dogg2
07-06-2007, 01:52 PM
Vlad just redid his tail the other day.

Sorry I can't help with the other questions.

f1vlad
07-06-2007, 01:57 PM
If I were doing that man I'd reopen the lamp, cleaned it by hand inside and reseal. That's what I wound up doing for one of my tails that I cleared. My headlights resealed about 1 year ago and so far no problems.

Are you sure it will drain by itself without reopening the whole thing?

GrassyKnoll
07-06-2007, 02:43 PM
If I were doing that man I'd reopen the lamp, cleaned it by hand inside and reseal. That's what I wound up doing for one of my tails that I cleared. My headlights resealed about 1 year ago and so far no problems.

Are you sure it will drain by itself without reopening the whole thing?

Oh I am re-opneing them. I am going to bake, re-open, put in the new caulking, then close'm up

Murphy2012
07-06-2007, 05:57 PM
Good luck, thats too bad man.

doylfish
07-06-2007, 09:12 PM
yeah, good luck with that, gonna require a little more patience than just pulling them apart and popping out the amber lens in the first place, have an extra hand to help you?

GrassyKnoll
07-06-2007, 10:56 PM
yea i think so

2mprzya
07-09-2007, 03:38 PM
hows things working out?

GrassyKnoll
07-09-2007, 10:14 PM
ive been away, just got back in. planning on re-sealing the lights tomorrow.

let the ballast dry out and it's working again. I ended up draining about a quarter cup of water out of the ballast ALONE. it's amazing it's still alive!

Murphy2012
07-10-2007, 11:23 AM
Ya man, you got lucky, I bet those headlights are pricey as **** too.

GrassyKnoll
07-10-2007, 03:48 PM
$300 for the ballast, no wiring, no gasket :O

TrickyDik
07-10-2007, 03:51 PM
Ouchy.

Murphy2012
07-10-2007, 06:51 PM
Gullll......:pulls neck collar:

2mprzya
07-11-2007, 11:09 AM
glad to hear you got them up and running again.

GrassyKnoll
07-11-2007, 12:56 PM
just finished re-sealing them. seems to be good!

doylfish
07-26-2007, 08:16 AM
so i know that you can clear the 04/05 headlights having done that for myself and two other buddies, how about with the 06/07's? my buddy that just got his wagon wants the front cleared and i just wondering if it's the same thing, different style light, or if there are any snafus i have to watch for like debadging those trunks lol

2mprzya
07-26-2007, 11:15 AM
^ talk to either vlad or terry.

unsakred
07-26-2007, 11:48 AM
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