Cycling MH?

[growinforthefuture]

i got a 400 watt MH that seems to be cycling, that is it powers up, shines well for like 10 minutes, then it goes out, and cools, while the starter continuously tries to start it. once it has cooled for about 2-5 minutes, the light relights for anywhere from 1-5 minutes, then it goes off. I think this is the general pattern, but it seems like sometimes it stays on for 20 minutes or more. So i got several questions.

1. is the bulb the culprit?
2. is leaving the system on so that the plants can use the light that is produced when the bulb is on going to damage the ballast?
3. could it be other problems since the "cycling" of the bulb is not consistent?

luckily this MH is only supplementing a 1000 watt HPS

[bejay]

would probably try another bulb and would just leave it unplugged until you get one to try.

[growinforthefuture]

well now it just seems to be one... really it is when i am in the grow roomt hat it seems to do this. i think it might be a loose connection or somehting shitty like that.. anyhow it is on for now. it seems to have a very slight flicker. i only notice it whne i look at the light cast on the wall in an adjoining room, when i look right at the light the flicker is imperceivable.