The bulbs are good. That's about as far as I can diagnose. I'm not looking to replace bulbs with new brighter bulbs, just trying to determine why both left and right projector (low beam) are so dim now. The car has the "technology package", whatever that is; my wife wanted it, what can I say.

Both are equally dim -- is there a common problem source there? The running/driving lights down below in the bumper appear brighter. High beams work fine. The local shops just want to replace the headlight assemblies, which don't include ballasts and igniters, but I am hesitant to do this because it does not appear to be the problem or fully the problem (we had the lenses cleaned and polished but no better results). I notice now that sometimes (not always) when turning off the running lights (no headlights) there may be a momentary flick of bright light, a little greenish tint, and this is also on both sides. I don't know if that is the headlamps for certain, but when projecting on the garage door that flash seems to be at the same level as the low beams.

Do ballasts and igniters fail cooperatively or equally on both sides? What are typical problems with this model?

Thank you.

 

An interesting problem, for each lamp you have a completely different grounds, then the problem is not in the grounds and most likely the 12 volt wires is Ok, it looks like the problem is in the relay. The easiest way to check is to start the engine, turn on the headlights and check the fuse 6, 18, 19 under the hood. The voltage should be the same, and in the range of 13-14 volts. Good luck!

 

Thanks. Checked those points engine on lights running. 13.7 v on big fuse location and 13.6ish on smaller fuses (15A).

 

It could be that the interior of the headlight’s projector bulb has degraded either with door or delaminated causing the dimmer bulbs.

 

I immediately thought about it, but the author says that sometimes they shine brightly as they should, so a physical defect is excluded.

 

Are you sure that sometimes they shine brightly? If not, then I would take off the headlight, take out the bulb and check the reflector. If used correctly, Acura does not have problems with reflectors, but some people constantly drive with the light on and reflectors burn out, in my practice there was Acura in which, after 6 years, the OEM reflectors burned out.

 

Well... the projector lenses do look funky... I just didn't think it was enough to make them be as dim as they are. The passenger side (right) is clear on one half. I'll try to get pics to turn out in daylight if needed, but here is one running -- keep in mind the camera adjusted the lighting balance with what was in the frame. Maybe it is perception only as we get out up the street into more lighting situations, like with more cars, and ours seems so useless. The driving lights may be brighter. And that quick flick of greenish light bothers me. So possibly combinations of problems here?


Can that funky split on the projector lens be the degradation inside reflector material? The car does get driven frequently at night so yes, the lights are on and needed.

Assemblies, as I may find them, have the projectors included. Seeing that might be $800 (for just ok quality assemblies) to $1,000+ and the labor, if it has to be, then it has to be. But I didn't want to find out that wouldn't solve the problem. I think projector lenses can be replaced for lower parts cost, right? But the task is as involved as replacing entire assembly, meaning the shop will charge labor plus a bit more to transfer over ballasts, igniters, bulbs, and projector lens. I'm not messing with removing the bumper/grill stuff on my wife's car (my Dodge Ram perhaps).

 

Hmm... slow thinker here, but: So basically, as time goes on and each projector is used equally it is possible that both original equipment projector parts degrade equally or consistently from use.


Off topic, but curiosity: Aren't halogen bulbs hotter so shouldn't those cause this sooner? And is it advisable to replace the ballasts and igniters while we are having projector lenses replaced (if those can be)?

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The lenses are glass and have an unlimited lifetime. But the inner reflector is plastic and could burn out. It is necessary to remove the headlamp and take out the lamp to look into the lamp hole and visually diagnose the condition of the internal reflector. In Russia, reflectors are made on MDX, they are made of iron, unlike OEM and have a lifetime warranty. It doesn't take long to replace them, but you will need a kitchen oven and 3 hours of time. https://www.alpha-light.pro/remkompl...-otrazhateley/

 

Sorry, but my native language is Russian and I may not have understood you correctly. It seemed to me that you wrote that sometimes your headlights shine normally brightly, but with a green light. So I immediately thought that the reflectors were okay.

 

Thanks for looking for clarification. No, the lights run white, but I found sometimes when just using running/marker lights (headlights not on) and then turning the switch off, a greenish flash of light comes out apparently from the projector lens (low beam).

I came across this post: https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g.../#post12741936 It states painting inside black. How would that be different than in this situation where possibly my projectors housings are degraded and are not reflecting light? Is there a different bulb that sends the light out directly forward and doesn't need to rely on reflective housing?

 

This green flash happens occasionally, not always, and not while driving with lowbeams on (night). Only when turning switch off from running/marker light position. I think the lowbeam light looks white, just definitely not bright enough.

 

I think you have 2 cheap choices.
1) Buy Afrermaket ($ 360), and spend 1 hour replacing them. They are for 2007 - 2009 MDX , but I still have not found any differences, so I think they will fit in 2010 2) Buy reflectors ($ 120 with delivery) wait a month for them, then spend 3-5 hours replacing them and polish( $23 ) the inside of the glasses.

 

Just FYI they are dim by design. You can retrofit with different projectors, changing bulbs will not give huge improvement, because optics are garbage.
Back in 2012 when i bough my MDX brand new out of dealership... on my first ride home I was like WTF, these lights shine like garbage compared to 07 TL-S.
My suggestion would be either shim the "30min" side of the bulb or bend it. This will create bigger hotspot.