Headlight out, No Dash Indicator?

[sprung]

The car is a 2005 ZHP convertible with the Xenon lights.

About a month ago, the driver side headlight went out and I got the dash indicator. No big deal, I figured on a 15 year old car, replacing a bulb or two is expected.

I opened the cap above the light and saw the wiring insulation had broken away and exposed the wiring. I sealed it all back up, put in a new bulb, but it still did not work.

I started swapping parts from the passenger side to see if there may be another issue. Some time during those activities, the passenger side stopped working.

I returned everything back to original locations. I bought new bulbs. And now, neither side is working.

Running lights work, turn signals work. But the Xenons do not. And there is no dash indicator that any light is out. With the hood up, I can hear a click when activating the switch but no lights.

Any thoughts on what to check for next?

[White94RX]

On the E46, they require 3 components to operate. There's a xenon control unit, the bulb itself, and the ignitor that goes on the back of the bulb (and of course all the wiring inside the headlight).

Something is wrong somewhere. And now you've affected both sides by trying to swap parts. You were doing what I would have done (swap parts), but now nothing works and you need to start over with some new parts. Hate to tell you to just throw parts at it, but you may have to.

[sprung]

Ugh....this is so frustrating.


I still don't know why my dash illuminators now all of a sudden don't indicate bad lights, when they did before.


I've ordered new ballasts and bulbs. Repaired brittle wiring as best as I could.


I'll try the new ballasts when they arrive.


Should i just buy all new headlights? Very pricey for Xenons!

[Mless5]

Should've started with checking fuses.

[White94RX]

Any update?