Not your usual HID problem - Salt Corrosion!!

Art0ir

TDi Ho
Sep 21, 2009
356
0
Newry
Well I noticed today my passenger side headlight isn't working. After an inspection, the shelf underneath the headlight housing that most people seem to store there ballast in, was damp and full of bloody grit and salt!

The ballast is badly corroded as seen below

01032010092.jpg


01032010091.jpg


01032010090.jpg


01032010087.jpg



I've sent an email off to the supplier asking what happened, as they're meant to be waterproof? I know grit etc speeds up the process but its worth a try...

Question is, how can I stop this happening again??
 

Art0ir

TDi Ho
Sep 21, 2009
356
0
Newry
Ok been in contact today, sounds like they will replace them. Just realised I've only had them fitted a month and a half, should definitely last longer than that!

Any suggestions on how I can avoid this again? Some form of waterproofing or maybe grease them up? I'm really not sure what to do.
 

gazR

CUPRA
Apr 25, 2009
458
2
Derbyshire
my passenger side ballasts strapped to the washer tank and the drivers is in between the airbox and battery. mine have been in nearly a year and still like new.
 

Art0ir

TDi Ho
Sep 21, 2009
356
0
Newry
Thats exactly where mine are mate, but the shelf I have the ballast sitting on was damp and full of grit :(
 

Art0ir

TDi Ho
Sep 21, 2009
356
0
Newry
Yea I honestly don't know how it got in. I know when I'm coming home from work some nights, cars in front spray fresh grit all over my bonnet so unless a bit got in. Also I'd be partial to a power wash every week or so, so unless it got through the gap in the bonnet? :confused:
 

gazR

CUPRA
Apr 25, 2009
458
2
Derbyshire
possibly, its wierd how its corroded though. so youve got the passenger mounted like this?
14042009088.jpg

borrowed the picture from DK but mines mounted the same
 

Art0ir

TDi Ho
Sep 21, 2009
356
0
Newry
I see you have a cold air feed there.

Did you removed a plastic cover to fit it? On mine I have a little shelf underneath the headlight casing, and a plastic cover about the same size as the battery cover that goes over it all? I have the ballast stored in the shelving bit
 

gazR

CUPRA
Apr 25, 2009
458
2
Derbyshire
I see you have a cold air feed there.

Did you removed a plastic cover to fit it? On mine I have a little shelf underneath the headlight casing, and a plastic cover about the same size as the battery cover that goes over it all? I have the ballast stored in the shelving bit

its not my car in the pictures mate, the pictures are of other member cars (top one: jamiebennett81 bottom one: D.K). they gave me ideas of where to put mine when i installed mine. in the end i decided to put it the other side of the battery next to the airbox, ill be moving it to the front like the bottom picture when i get my induction cone
 

Keano

Guest
To Art0ir: they look like hidsdirect ballasts. Am i right?

Went through 4 in less than a year. Irrc, they have now upgraded the ballasts, so you may be in for a shiny treat :D
 
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