So I did a quick search and found the following three threads that seemed to loosely match my issues:

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ght=Head+light

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ght=Head+light

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ght=Head+light

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/headlight-module-assembly-broken-right-headlight-not-working-219840/

But as none of them seemed conclusively the same, I was just hoping for a little feedback...

My passanger side headlight seems to internittently work/not work. Occasionally when I pull into my garage I notice that it is slightly flickering (or so it seems). Not enough that it is actually out, but just sort of a very fast dimming.

I have a 2004 GT Manual RX-8. As I'm in the US I do not have Day Time Running Lights (so the third post seems unlikely, unless we still have a module even without the Day Time Running Lights). I do have 185,000 miles on my 8, so lots of things can be creaping in at this point...

But as turning off the headlights and then trying them again later seems to always get them to come on, along with how sometimes they are flickering even when not moving...

I'm leaning towards, bulb is good... not likely a loose wire. Could be some sort of bad ground or perhaps the ballast is going bad? Assuming the ballast on these headlights works like the ballast on a fluorescent bulb... it sure feels like a ballast.

Is the ballast an easily accesable part that can be easly swapped out by me?

I have all stock bulbs, all stock wiring (except the Fog Light mod where I've tied the fogs into the parking lights). I have tied a radar detector and nav unit into the electrical but it is off one of the accesory fuses and I can't imaging is having any impact on the lights.

Thanks for the thoughts and feedback.

 

No thoughts? Anyone really understand how these lights work? Anyone know where or how you access the Ballasts?

 

I'm in the same boat as you, and I posted a thread about this a week ago actually.

My right headlight (low beam night time, not DRL) doesn't work anymore. It's not the bulb, since replacing the bulb didn't do anything.

Mazda said that I have to replace the entire headlight piece ($1,000 msrp), but I noticed that I can buy just the HID module from the internet ($250 msrp).

I couldn't find a single thread confirming if you can replace the module (also called ballast) yourself. I really want to do it myself, and I think I'll order the module today. I'll tell you how it goes.

By the way, the ballast is just under the headlight, attached to the headlight. We'll have to take off the front bumper and the headlight to work on it.

http://www.mazda-parts.com/partscat.html

They have the best price on the module. Look under "Front Lamps", then "Headlamp Components", then "Module".

 

Thanks for the reply ace10134! I was very surprised that no one seemed to have any knowledge or experience to add.

I look forward to hearing how your exchange goes. I've had my rear bumper off several times, but only ever assisted a friend with his front bumper. At 185k miles, simple things like pulling a plastic bumper sometimes prove more challenging then expected! Any pointers once your done will be greatly appreciated!

Oh, and I added your thread to the few I had found earlier Might as well list them all for quick reference!

 

So I put in my order for just the module a week ago, and the online store called me today saying that,

"Mazda no longer makes just the module. They used to, but they stopped doing that. You have to order the entire headlight"

Soooo, I just ordered a $815 headlight online (with shipping). This blows. That ends the mystery of the modules at least.

 

That sucks, and the end of the rx8 is coming soon. Sad but true.