DIY: HID Bulb Change
01-21-2016, 01:41 AM
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
DIY: HID Bulb Change
Hello guys!
I will now make a procedure to change the HID bulbs in our 2G MDX..
This guide requires NO TOOLS and the expected change time is under 5 minutes..
What I used for new Bulbs:
Morimoto XB35 5500K from https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VqCE1Y-cFok
What came from the Mail:
Inside the Letter:
Build quality for the Bulb Glass quality looks amazing first hand, Miles better than the "ElCheapo" bulbs I use often from eBay. The Glass seems to have a serial number engraved and the base (Metallic Brace) is the best Ive seen in an Aftermarket Bulb.
The Bulb Itself:
Just for comparison this is the Philips Bulb that came out of my MDX:
Now the procedure.... I cannot stress out how easy is to replace the bulbs in the 2G MDX, A walk in the park compared to the hell, headache inducing, destroying your mind and body that it is to change the bulbs in my Acura TL Type-S.
What YOU need:
1.- A pair of D2S bulbs
Time to do this: Less than 5 minutes, Took me 4 minutes and 36 seconds to do this. Passenger Side is the hardest just because there is a wire loom that crosses behind the brace bar that you will need to work on, Driver side doesn't have this wire loom and its clear of any obstruction.
Steps:
1.- Turn lights completely OFF (Not even in AUTO)
2.- Pop the Hood Open
3.- Locate the Bulb Covers behind the Projector in the Headlight Housing, All your work will be done beneath the chassis brace.
4.- Turn the Cover (Red Circle) counter-clockwise to remove it.
5.- Remove the Ignitor by turning it counter-clockwise and carefully set it aside. Do not pull it because there is a little ground wire attached to it and the projector housing! You DONT WANT to unplug this wire or its going to go from a 5 minute job to a half and hour one... Just leave it hanging with enough room to work behind the bulb.
6.- This is the tricky part if you have never removed an OEM Bulb Before.. D2S bulbs are not socketed like Halogen Bulbs, Instead is pressed into the housing by a retainer clip. This clip will undo itself if you push it to the front and then to the side. Since there is no way to look at it from the angle you will work on I made a small paint graphic on how it looks like:
7.- Installation is reverse Procedure.. Easy as cake! Just take your time with the passenger side because space is tight. Tip: If you forget which side is the bulb guide just remember that the Glass Bulb ground wire must face down for the guide pin point up.
My first start up:
The Review will come in after I break-in the Bulbs, So far I am quite please with them (first night drive).
Hope this helps anyone with the Bulb Change.
I will now make a procedure to change the HID bulbs in our 2G MDX..
This guide requires NO TOOLS and the expected change time is under 5 minutes..
What I used for new Bulbs:
Morimoto XB35 5500K from https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VqCE1Y-cFok
What came from the Mail:
Inside the Letter:
Build quality for the Bulb Glass quality looks amazing first hand, Miles better than the "ElCheapo" bulbs I use often from eBay. The Glass seems to have a serial number engraved and the base (Metallic Brace) is the best Ive seen in an Aftermarket Bulb.
The Bulb Itself:
Just for comparison this is the Philips Bulb that came out of my MDX:
Now the procedure.... I cannot stress out how easy is to replace the bulbs in the 2G MDX, A walk in the park compared to the hell, headache inducing, destroying your mind and body that it is to change the bulbs in my Acura TL Type-S.
What YOU need:
1.- A pair of D2S bulbs
Time to do this: Less than 5 minutes, Took me 4 minutes and 36 seconds to do this. Passenger Side is the hardest just because there is a wire loom that crosses behind the brace bar that you will need to work on, Driver side doesn't have this wire loom and its clear of any obstruction.
Steps:
1.- Turn lights completely OFF (Not even in AUTO)
2.- Pop the Hood Open
3.- Locate the Bulb Covers behind the Projector in the Headlight Housing, All your work will be done beneath the chassis brace.
4.- Turn the Cover (Red Circle) counter-clockwise to remove it.
5.- Remove the Ignitor by turning it counter-clockwise and carefully set it aside. Do not pull it because there is a little ground wire attached to it and the projector housing! You DONT WANT to unplug this wire or its going to go from a 5 minute job to a half and hour one... Just leave it hanging with enough room to work behind the bulb.
6.- This is the tricky part if you have never removed an OEM Bulb Before.. D2S bulbs are not socketed like Halogen Bulbs, Instead is pressed into the housing by a retainer clip. This clip will undo itself if you push it to the front and then to the side. Since there is no way to look at it from the angle you will work on I made a small paint graphic on how it looks like:
7.- Installation is reverse Procedure.. Easy as cake! Just take your time with the passenger side because space is tight. Tip: If you forget which side is the bulb guide just remember that the Glass Bulb ground wire must face down for the guide pin point up.
My first start up:
The Review will come in after I break-in the Bulbs, So far I am quite please with them (first night drive).
Hope this helps anyone with the Bulb Change.
The following 2 users liked this post by Skirmich:
Mr.Tea (01-21-2016),
technocrat (01-26-2016)
01-22-2016, 08:27 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
Hello guys!
I will now make a procedure to change the HID bulbs in our 2G MDX..
This guide requires NO TOOLS and the expected change time is under 5 minutes..
What I used for new Bulbs:
Morimoto XB35 5500K from https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VqCE1Y-cFok
What came from the Mail:
Inside the Letter:
Build quality for the Bulb Glass quality looks amazing first hand, Miles better than the "ElCheapo" bulbs I use often from eBay. The Glass seems to have a serial number engraved and the base (Metallic Brace) is the best Ive seen in an Aftermarket Bulb.
The Bulb Itself:
Just for comparison this is the Philips Bulb that came out of my MDX:
Now the procedure.... I cannot stress out how easy is to replace the bulbs in the 2G MDX, A walk in the park compared to the hell, headache inducing, destroying your mind and body that it is to change the bulbs in my Acura TL Type-S.
What YOU need:
1.- A pair of D2S bulbs
Time to do this: Less than 5 minutes, Took me 4 minutes and 36 seconds to do this. Passenger Side is the hardest just because there is a wire loom that crosses behind the brace bar that you will need to work on, Driver side doesn't have this wire loom and its clear of any obstruction.
Steps:
1.- Turn lights completely OFF (Not even in AUTO)
2.- Pop the Hood Open
3.- Locate the Bulb Covers behind the Projector in the Headlight Housing, All your work will be done beneath the chassis brace.
4.- Turn the Cover (Red Circle) counter-clockwise to remove it.
5.- Remove the Ignitor by turning it counter-clockwise and carefully set it aside. Do not pull it because there is a little ground wire attached to it and the projector housing! You DONT WANT to unplug this wire or its going to go from a 5 minute job to a half and hour one... Just leave it hanging with enough room to work behind the bulb.
6.- This is the tricky part if you have never removed an OEM Bulb Before.. D2S bulbs are not socketed like Halogen Bulbs, Instead is pressed into the housing by a retainer clip. This clip will undo itself if you push it to the front and then to the side. Since there is no way to look at it from the angle you will work on I made a small paint graphic on how it looks like:
7.- Installation is reverse Procedure.. Easy as cake! Just take your time with the passenger side because space is tight. Tip: If you forget which side is the bulb guide just remember that the Glass Bulb ground wire must face down for the guide pin point up.
My first start up:
The Review will come in after I break-in the Bulbs, So far I am quite please with them (first night drive).
Hope this helps anyone with the Bulb Change.
I will now make a procedure to change the HID bulbs in our 2G MDX..
This guide requires NO TOOLS and the expected change time is under 5 minutes..
What I used for new Bulbs:
Morimoto XB35 5500K from https://www.theretrofitsource.com/co...l#.VqCE1Y-cFok
What came from the Mail:
Inside the Letter:
Build quality for the Bulb Glass quality looks amazing first hand, Miles better than the "ElCheapo" bulbs I use often from eBay. The Glass seems to have a serial number engraved and the base (Metallic Brace) is the best Ive seen in an Aftermarket Bulb.
The Bulb Itself:
Just for comparison this is the Philips Bulb that came out of my MDX:
Now the procedure.... I cannot stress out how easy is to replace the bulbs in the 2G MDX, A walk in the park compared to the hell, headache inducing, destroying your mind and body that it is to change the bulbs in my Acura TL Type-S.
What YOU need:
1.- A pair of D2S bulbs
Time to do this: Less than 5 minutes, Took me 4 minutes and 36 seconds to do this. Passenger Side is the hardest just because there is a wire loom that crosses behind the brace bar that you will need to work on, Driver side doesn't have this wire loom and its clear of any obstruction.
Steps:
1.- Turn lights completely OFF (Not even in AUTO)
2.- Pop the Hood Open
3.- Locate the Bulb Covers behind the Projector in the Headlight Housing, All your work will be done beneath the chassis brace.
4.- Turn the Cover (Red Circle) counter-clockwise to remove it.
5.- Remove the Ignitor by turning it counter-clockwise and carefully set it aside. Do not pull it because there is a little ground wire attached to it and the projector housing! You DONT WANT to unplug this wire or its going to go from a 5 minute job to a half and hour one... Just leave it hanging with enough room to work behind the bulb.
6.- This is the tricky part if you have never removed an OEM Bulb Before.. D2S bulbs are not socketed like Halogen Bulbs, Instead is pressed into the housing by a retainer clip. This clip will undo itself if you push it to the front and then to the side. Since there is no way to look at it from the angle you will work on I made a small paint graphic on how it looks like:
7.- Installation is reverse Procedure.. Easy as cake! Just take your time with the passenger side because space is tight. Tip: If you forget which side is the bulb guide just remember that the Glass Bulb ground wire must face down for the guide pin point up.
My first start up:
The Review will come in after I break-in the Bulbs, So far I am quite please with them (first night drive).
Hope this helps anyone with the Bulb Change.
01-23-2016, 12:29 PM
#3
Moderator
Thread Starter
Yep.. The stock bulbs where very dimm in comparison.. And I wanted to try "Hiper White" bulbs for the first time, 5000K bulbs dont even come close 
01-23-2016, 04:40 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Good to know! I think I'm running 5000k in my 2G TL and RSX-S. I remember reading between 4300-5000k is pure white. 6000k has a bluish tint that I used to run in my wifes's mazda3. May try 5500 next
01-23-2016, 11:19 PM
#5
Moderator
Thread Starter
nats007! DISASTER!
One of the XB Bulb started to flicker and now it evens turn off. At first I thought it was my ballast since I swap it to the other side and it did the same thing to the other bulb but now the bulb that originally started to flicker turns off in the new side... The remaining bulb now also fluctuates (Like it gives flares and settles down).
To completely eliminate the OEM Ignitor and Ballast of the equation I installed the Bulbs in my Acura TL and indeed they behaved exactly the same.
I contacted TFS Support and well see how that goes.
One of the XB Bulb started to flicker and now it evens turn off. At first I thought it was my ballast since I swap it to the other side and it did the same thing to the other bulb but now the bulb that originally started to flicker turns off in the new side... The remaining bulb now also fluctuates (Like it gives flares and settles down).
To completely eliminate the OEM Ignitor and Ballast of the equation I installed the Bulbs in my Acura TL and indeed they behaved exactly the same.
I contacted TFS Support and well see how that goes.
01-24-2016, 01:46 AM
#6
Burning Brakes
nats007! DISASTER!
One of the XB Bulb started to flicker and now it evens turn off. At first I thought it was my ballast since I swap it to the other side and it did the same thing to the other bulb but now the bulb that originally started to flicker turns off in the new side... The remaining bulb now also fluctuates (Like it gives flares and settles down).
To completely eliminate the OEM Ignitor and Ballast of the equation I installed the Bulbs in my Acura TL and indeed they behaved exactly the same.
I contacted TFS Support and well see how that goes.
One of the XB Bulb started to flicker and now it evens turn off. At first I thought it was my ballast since I swap it to the other side and it did the same thing to the other bulb but now the bulb that originally started to flicker turns off in the new side... The remaining bulb now also fluctuates (Like it gives flares and settles down).
To completely eliminate the OEM Ignitor and Ballast of the equation I installed the Bulbs in my Acura TL and indeed they behaved exactly the same.
I contacted TFS Support and well see how that goes.
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01-24-2016, 07:52 PM
#8
Senior Moderator
TheRetrofitSource will take care of you for sure usually their products are great.
usually their products are great.
01-24-2016, 11:34 PM
#9
Moderator
Thread Starter
01-24-2016, 11:38 PM
#10
Moderator
Thread Starter
01-24-2016, 11:47 PM
#11
Flickering could be a bad bulb. We carry very similar bulbs from Lucenta and sometimes things happen. Even the best bulbs - Philips/osram come damaged from factory. Could be the way they were handled/shipped/installed/touched during production/disgruntle employee not caring about that day..etc.
check out the Lucenta bulbs, very similar in its linear stands.
d2s HID headlight bulbs acura honda replacements oem
check out the Lucenta bulbs, very similar in its linear stands.
d2s HID headlight bulbs acura honda replacements oem
01-25-2016, 02:46 PM
#16
Do you have Lucenta 5k in your car now ? Do you like the light output? If yes, can you tell me where to order one ?
Thanks in advance!
01-26-2016, 01:48 AM
#18
The lighting output is defiantly better than any generic bulb I have used. If i had to describe them, I would compare them right under CBI's and philips.
d2s HID headlight bulbs acura honda replacements oem
^Link
We actually just installed a set of lucenta HID bulbs in an MDX with our LED high power fogs and he was amazed over what the difference was. I myself since dealing with bulbs thought a bulb was a bulb, until I started to install and look at the differences. The bulbs we removed were generic d2s installed by a shop along with a generic HID kit and he was charged $300 (because they told him they were "the best"). I keep all damaged bulbs and "competition" for reference and how amazing it is to see what people install in others cars. The one bulb's metal connector on the bottom actually came off during removal and the bulb literally fell apart in my hands, its sad. When people ask why pay $100 for high powered LED fogs, $45 for a set of Lucenta bulbs, $125 for an HID kit, or even $150 for CBI's/philips...we let the bulbs do the talking.
Last edited by AckTL05; 01-26-2016 at 01:58 AM.
01-26-2016, 01:39 PM
#19
Moderator
Thread Starter
Update 2:
TRS answered back:
Sooooo "Hello, Can you hear me?"
TRS answered back:
Thanks for taking the time to troubleshoot and determine it was the bulbs that went bad. Again, our apologies for the bad part – but we should be able to ship out a new one ASAP at no charge.
Please carefully read and follow the steps below:
1) Check the attached image. The manufacturer requires bad parts to be destroyed and photographed exactly as shown. Please do the same to your bulbs and send us a clear picture.
2) Confirm your current shipping address. Warranty covers the part and domestic shipping. If you are across the border: the part is covered, but shipping is not.
To avoid any delays: please carefully follow the steps above. Once sent in, you can call TRS during business hours at 404-220-7940 to further expedite processing.
Please carefully read and follow the steps below:
1) Check the attached image. The manufacturer requires bad parts to be destroyed and photographed exactly as shown. Please do the same to your bulbs and send us a clear picture.
2) Confirm your current shipping address. Warranty covers the part and domestic shipping. If you are across the border: the part is covered, but shipping is not.
To avoid any delays: please carefully follow the steps above. Once sent in, you can call TRS during business hours at 404-220-7940 to further expedite processing.
01-26-2016, 01:54 PM
#20
Senior Moderator
TRS used to be much faster with their emails but they've slowed down a bit.
Every time I call they pick up rather quickly though so definitely do that
Andrew and Matt are great guys when they started the company and answered a lot of my questions personally. They're very active on HIDPlanet.com too. I think Andrew opened up an account on here and is a registered vendor too!
Give em some time
.
Every time I call they pick up rather quickly though so definitely do that
Andrew and Matt are great guys when they started the company and answered a lot of my questions personally. They're very active on HIDPlanet.com too. I think Andrew opened up an account on here and is a registered vendor too!
Give em some time
.
01-26-2016, 01:59 PM
#22
Senior Moderator
Atlanta, Georgia
01-26-2016, 10:36 PM
#25
I too first started out talking to matt when he was a small time operation and we chatted here or there. Then several years later (few months ago) we did a deal that I give him TL projectors for TL headlight parts as he told me he threw them away. Well he sends me broken stuff, then I email him saying its all junk and he tells me next time he will send me everything and no worries because there will be a lot of parts. Well a few weeks go on and guess what, he gave them to his employee because he needed them. Then several weeks later no answer. Quite disappointed in how someone can forget where they came from with us chatting here or there to him rather give parts which were mine in a deal to an employee so he can make a set of lights to show off they're new products.
01-26-2016, 10:51 PM
#26
Senior Moderator
That sucks to hear Ack 
I've only had good dealings with Matt but I'm glad to hear another side to the story. I wonder now did your assistance help create the TL-R mini solenoid conversion kits 
I've only had good dealings with Matt but I'm glad to hear another side to the story. I wonder now did your assistance help create the TL-R mini solenoid conversion kits
02-06-2016, 11:16 PM
#27
Moderator
Thread Starter
UPDATE! I received the new Bulbs yesterday (They actually came in past Saturday but didn't have time to install them).. No flicker, No fluctuation...
AWESOME Ultra White color again... I will need a pair for my fogs now because the 5Ks don't match with them.
AWESOME Ultra White color again... I will need a pair for my fogs now because the 5Ks don't match with them.
02-07-2016, 12:03 AM
#28
Senior Moderator
all's well that ends well
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