***please Read To All Hella 3 Owners** - SRT Forums

**jmduke3** · 04-23-2006, 04:03 PM

If you own a Hella 3 Ballast I would immediately go out and look at your ballast where the plug that runs the power to the ballast.

My right headlight has now died. I shot the wires, changed the bulb to no luck. So I went to the ballast and pulled the plug off of the ballast and what do I find but the same shit that you will find on your battery. Water gets into in and its done. The seal on that plug is crap.

My right ballast is mounted in the same location as Kenny's (haknslash). Between the washer bottle and sheetmetal.

I have PM'd Kenny to find out what can be done.

Just giving everyone the fair heads up on this one.

neonelite10 · 04-23-2006, 04:38 PM

Does it get hot enough to melt clear silicone? Because mine are mounted in the same location. It may have something to do with the salt/snow/humidity/rain mix you guys get for a majority of the year.

**jmduke3** · 04-23-2006, 04:45 PM

It is not a problem with it getting hot enough to melt anything. I will get pics to show you all what I mean. I mounted mine with windshield adhesive, it aint going anywhere.

The problem is that water gets into where the plug goes into the ballast. The seal on that plug is no good, and water gets into it. I will get some pics and post them up. Unfortunatly I have already tried to clean it out some.

neonelite10 · 04-23-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jmduke3

It is not a problem with it getting hot enough to melt anything. I will get pics to show you all what I mean. I mounted mine with windshield adhesive, it aint going anywhere.

The problem is that water gets into where the plug goes into the ballast. The seal on that plug is no good, and water gets into it. I will get some pics and post them up. Unfortunatly I have already tried to clean it out some.

What I'm getting at, is couldnt you just seal it with clear silicone? I know that mine won't be seen, nor come off of the car for a long time, so it wouldn't bother me to glob on some silicone to protect it.

Dale Seeley · 04-23-2006, 04:49 PM

I think what he was getting at was that the installer should have known enough to put some silicone on that connection for you.

That's about the only way we could keep connections weather-tight on the rally cars up in Rochester.

Your installer screwed up, take it up with them first.

Regards,
Dale

**jmduke3** · 04-23-2006, 04:56 PM

This is the plug Here is one of the connection Here is another pic of same

Sorry pics are not of the greatest quality will try to fix later.

neonelite10 · 04-23-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jmduke3

This is the plug

I know which one you're talking about, but I think I will just pile on some silicone and call it a day, after you clean your's up, you should do the same. Dale got it, I think you're making the problem bigger than it needs to be. just seal them up with some sticky stuff.

**jmduke3** · 04-23-2006, 05:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Dale Seeley

I think what he was getting at was that the installer should have known enough to put some silicone on that connection for you.

That's about the only way we could keep connections weather-tight on the rally cars up in Rochester.

Your installer screwed up, take it up with them first.

Regards,
Dale

I also had locktite on the plug before I got it plugged in there as well.

**jmduke3** · 04-23-2006, 05:01 PM

That is the problem I am in a no worky worky situation right now. Is there a fuse in this thing too?

neonelite10 · 04-23-2006, 05:07 PM

I'm not sure if there is one inside the ballast, maybe you burnt out the electromagnets, or wore them down or something, caused by your installers lack of foresight.

Just replace the ballast, and for god sakes, seal up those connections! You should know better living up there where cars rust on dealer lots.

**jmduke3** · 04-23-2006, 05:57 PM

Well checked the other side and it is doing just fine. So I do not know what the deal is. The other side had locktite on ti and everything was good on that side, so I don't know what the deal is. I have cleaned it out as much as I can, and still not getting any joy.

Anyone with ideas, let me know.

*Haknslash* If I need to replace, am I able to buy just one ballast?

Guess I can be happy this happened in spring...sun up early and down late.

neonelite10 · 04-23-2006, 07:52 PM

hidplanet.com or xenondepot.com

you can buy just one ballast from either. And they are surprizingly cheap!

**jmduke3** · 04-23-2006, 08:10 PM

Thanks did not know you could just get one. Thought you had to get the set

Dale Seeley · 04-23-2006, 09:53 PM

Loc-tite makes a lot of products. If you are using thread sealer, it's not the right application. Loc-tite, Permatex, and RTV all make automotive purpose silicone sealers that are available at all auto parts places like NAPA and Pep Boys.

Make your connection, then encase the connector with the silicone and allow it to dry overnight before moving the car.

Do the same with all of your aftermarket connections exposed to the weather.

FYX193 · 04-23-2006, 10:04 PM

The pics are down, so are you guys talking about the 2 wire (+/-) harness that has the rubber grommet seal?

I'm glad I waterproofed/potted my ballasts then!