2000 BMW 540i Single Fog Light Out

[JakeLevin99]

So a while back I got a check fog light notification on the dash. The left fog light only was out. Thought it was no big deal so I ordered a new set of fog lights. When I bought the car they had been converted to HIDs. Got the new lights in, they were the correct type, replaced both and the left one still was out. So now I thought the HID ballast must be broken. Ordered two brand new ballasts and STILL the left fog light is out. Ive checked fuse 16 in the glove box. Im at a loss here. Someone please help!!

[geargrinder]

Did you put a multimeter on it and see if there's juice at the plug? All bets are off for "previous owner Hid Conversions" normally - those can end up being all kinds of messes.

[JakeLevin99]

I tested the voltage coming out of the ballast before i replaced it and got nothing. Thats when i assumed it was the ballast and ordered the new ones. When i unplugged the ballast to test if it was getting power the car started flashing lights on the dash once i turned the fog lights on. I dont know what happened.

[geargrinder]

Yikes. Don't test the ballast output. Thats AC, and , is a blast of high voltage to start the lights. Dangerous if you're not careful. At very least would need an AC setting, but the lamp starts at kilovolts so yer basic multimeter aint no good fer that!

[Mach540]

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