Headlight issue.

[12th]

My Headlights are flickering - intensity varying massively - when the car is started with them on. They settle down and within 30-60s are working normally. Any ideas?

Any MOT-failing problem sets my teeth on edge now it's getting difficult to get parts...

[Zyox]

I've had that for years and any time I've researched into it I've not seen a satisfactory reason or solution. I've seen a few go down entire rabbit holes and replace everything and still have the same result. I've learned to just live with it. Worst case scenario I've had is people notice you driving up behind them due to the flicker and graciously move over.

I mean I'd love to solve it but the fact that once everything warms up it stops has just let me forget it - especially with the nightmare of parts finding now. I always found it was when humidity/dampness was high for me. Possibly related to condensation build up in the lights. Unsure.

[12th]

I've had that for years and any time I've researched into it I've not seen a satisfactory reason or solution. I've seen a few go down entire rabbit holes and replace everything and still have the same result. I've learned to just live with it. Worst case scenario I've had is people notice you driving up behind them due to the flicker and graciously move over.

I mean I'd love to solve it but the fact that once everything warms up it stops has just let me forget it - especially with the nightmare of parts finding now. I always found it was when humidity/dampness was high for me. Possibly related to condensation build up in the lights. Unsure.

OK - I'll be having a word with my indy, but I seldom drive at night so it's not the end of the world - just wondering whether it's going to trip me up come MOT time - I take it yours hasn't?

[Zyox]

Well I'm not in the UK but the equivalent test here never failed. And that's 14 years of it. It's just a flicker. The longest I've ever seen it go out is 1 second max but it's straight back on again. And that's usually on the low beams. I've never seen it happen on the high beams. I think you'd be fine for an MOT and I'd only go chasing to fix it if it showed up as an issue. I've also seen people reference this as a known fault on the headlights? And that might have gotten them through then as a reply if there was any question.

[lushman]

Silly question as I had a similar experience but was intermittent and turned out to be the bulbs. REplaced and flicker never came back

[12th]

I was wondering if it might be to do with the electrical load on start-up, so just tried it without the engine running - no flickering. Turned lights off and started car to see if this then set it off, but this time it didn't, so I am presently none the wiser.

[Zyox]

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=121910

Some good advice here hopefully. If you're dead set on solving it maybe try bulb replacement with good thick contacts and then hope it's not the ballast. Please let us know how you get on though.

[12th]

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=121910

Some good advice here hopefully. If you're dead set on solving it maybe try bulb replacement with good thick contacts and then hope it's not the ballast. Please let us know how you get on though.

Much appreciated!

[666Lenine]

Silly question as I had a similar experience but was intermittent and turned out to be the bulbs. REplaced and flicker never came back

Had the same experience and solution.

[Zyox]

Did you guys go with OEM bulbs or anything different actually?

[666Lenine]

I went osram bulbs.