HID Headlights -Intermittent ON and OFF

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-08-2016, 12:49 PM
  #1  
5th Gear
Thread Starter
 
shashim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Age: 44
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
HID Headlights -Intermittent ON and OFF

Hi,

I noticed that the passenger side low beam headlight is not working on my 2003 3.2 TL. The other lights work normally.
The dealer did diagnosis and told me to replace the igniter/inverter. He asked me around 800 bucks for this which is completely out of my budget and so couldn't get it done. After a week, I noticed that the passenger side light came on all by itself. But when I stopped the car and turned it on it didn't come back. I am not a mechanic but any suggestions on how to get this done fixed would be greatly appreciated. Is there anyone in Kansas who can get it fixed other than the dealer?

Thank you,
Shashi
Old 02-10-2016, 11:12 AM
  #2  
Team Owner
 
01tl4tl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Age: 64
Posts: 33,535
Received 1,137 Likes on 1,067 Posts
welcome to the forum
Trash the OE parts completely and start fresh with an HID `kit` from online suppliers
many here use HIDeXtra | HID, LED, Xenon Vehicle Headlight Kits & Bulbs ~$70, and others like the more expensive Morimoto brand ~$200

Comes with 2 new ballast, 2 igniter-invertors and 2 new bulbs
Get the 35 watt ballast and 5000K color bulbs

DIY is on here and fairly easy if you can operate wire cutters and pliers..you can do it
If no place to work- no tools, a shop that does stereos probably has experience with these type kits, from upgrading cars with old school plain lights to HID
We dont need any extra relay or parts as we have HID- its just a parts swap
Once the lights start acting up this is the fix!

Note: once dealer got the car apart... price would jump to 1500 dollars!
for what we can do for under 100!

Last edited by 01tl4tl; 02-10-2016 at 11:14 AM.
Old 02-10-2016, 11:16 AM
  #3  
Team Owner
 
01tl4tl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Age: 64
Posts: 33,535
Received 1,137 Likes on 1,067 Posts
do you have water in the headlight housing behind the lens?
that drips out the bottom and directly onto the ballast, shorting it and killing ignitor

the modern parts are sealed in epoxy and have waterproof oring connection for wires
Old 02-10-2016, 11:21 AM
  #4  
5th Gear
Thread Starter
 
shashim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Age: 44
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you very much for your response. I have ordered the parts online.
Old 02-10-2016, 11:23 AM
  #5  
5th Gear
Thread Starter
 
shashim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Age: 44
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't see any water behind the lens. I guess that's good news.
Old 02-10-2016, 11:25 AM
  #6  
Senior Moderator
 
thoiboi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SoCal, CA
Posts: 46,877
Received 8,582 Likes on 6,629 Posts
https://www.theretrofitsource.com/hid-systems.html is actually only $150 not $200
Old 02-29-2016, 07:03 AM
  #7  
Racer
 
Darksyne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Age: 31
Posts: 357
Received 42 Likes on 35 Posts
Are they the original bulbs? If they are they just need replacing due to age like mine. You can get a pair of aftermarket D2R HID's for less than 50 bucks and see if that fixes it. Fingers crossed it really isn't the ballast igniter
Old 02-29-2016, 07:05 AM
  #8  
5th Gear
Thread Starter
 
shashim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Age: 44
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I replaced the ballast and igniter with aftermarket kit and it is working fine now. Thanks everyone for their replies. Appreciate it very much.
Old 03-03-2016, 10:57 AM
  #9  
Team Owner
 
01tl4tl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Age: 64
Posts: 33,535
Received 1,137 Likes on 1,067 Posts
hope you did the bulbs too! those wear with age, losing color and lumens (output)
Its not till you get a fully functioning system do you realize how bad the old bulbs really were!

Polishing the headlight plastic lens can improve usable lighting too.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:33 PM.