DNPhotography

does anyone know how to change out the bulbs? or does anyone have a service manual that shows how to? i want to swap my OEM bulbs out with a set of 6500K that i just bought. on the cover on the housing it reads, Danger high voltage (25,000 volts) fatal. of course i disconnected the battery but when i opened the cover all i can see is a silver piece. i stopped there because i dont want to die haha that and i dont want o break anything. can anyone help me!?!? i thought it would have been like swapping out regular halogens...

DNPhotography

heres some pictures

visuelz

I'm not sure how to help you but I want to say you're smart by not getting any further and asking for help. Even though you removed that power source, there is still power there just like TV.

mav238

see thread

http://www.tsxclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12274

DNPhotography

thanks mav238 i found instructions before you posted but thanks alot! and if anyone ever decides to change their HID bulbs for any reasons let me tell you this, ITS A B****!!!

sasair

These are the instructions in the RDX service manual. I would imagine you can do this with out removing the entire headlight assembly from the vehicle. It may be a safety precaution or may just make it easily to work with. I've found the service manual contains many unnecessary procedures....

HID Bulb Replacement

Warning: A transient high tension (25,000 V) occurs at the bulb sockets of the high intensity discharge (HID) lamps when the conbination light switch is turned ON, it may cause serious electrical shock or electrocution if you do not observe the cautions below.

Cautions:
-Never turn on the combination light switch before fitting the HID bulbs to their bulb sockets and completing the reassembly of the headlight assembly.
-Do not service the headlights assembly in wet conditions, such as rain or snow, near a sprinkler system, or when your hands are wet to prevent electrocution.
-Do not touch the surface of the HID bulbs with your bare hands and do not stain it with any oils and fats.
-Do not dissassemble the inverter unit and the ignitor unit.
-Do not turn on the HID bulb by using a power source other than the battery mounted on your vehicle.

1. Make sure you have the antitheft code for radio and navigation. write down presets for radio. Ignition switch in off position.

2. Turn the combination light switch off

3. Disconnect battery negative cable, then positive cable.

4. Remove headlight assembly

5. Turn the cover 45 degrees couterclockwisse to remove from the headlight assembly

6. Turn the socket 45 degrees counterclockwise to remove it from the bulb

7. Pull the retaining spring away from the bulb then remove the bulb

8. Make sure the bulb harness is routed correctly so it does not contact the reflector

9. Install the new bulb in the reverse order or removal. Make sure notches in bulb align with the tabs in headlight. Reconnect battery.

10. Enter the antitheft code for radio and navigation then enter audio presets.

11. Set the clock.

DNPhotography

oops, thanks sasair but ive already found instructions from another forum. all i really needed to know was what the heck that silver thing was about. it was the ignitor. im really curious as to how the service manual advises you on removing the headlight assembly. i didnt remove it and i had a heck of a time changing the bulbs in that small cramped space.

in the end it was worth it. the visual light output is the same (IMHO) but with a much more brilliant color.

***also i made sure that there was no power left in the ignitor by swithcing the headlight switch off and on a few times after disconnecting the battery. i didnt want to die =P

sasair

I know you already got your answer, but I had to delete the link to the other forum that was posted earlier because it was a "competing website", so I thought I'd post the instructions for anyone else that may be looking for this in the future.

Next time I'm in honolulu, I'd love to come see what your headlights look like now. Unfortunately I just left there a couple weeks ago so I won't be there again for a while! What color temp did you go with? 6000k?

neo1738

i believe he said 6500k

DNPhotography

yes it was 6500K ill take a picture the next time im free and post it here. you were here on vacation or business? its been very humid here lately.

sasair

I guess you could call it vacation. I have relatives there and my family has a condo in Nauru tower.

DNPhotography

nice! the Nauru tower is also really nice.

ballinfizzle89

iTrader: (6)

Good to hear everything worked out ! Get a picture with the 6500k's!

VeNeNo

iTrader: (1)

DNphoto, I too am looking to change my hid's on a scale of 1-10 one being a child could do it to 10 expert mechanic needed. what would you rate the difficulty...?

DNPhotography

well the first time i did it, it was a b*tch. it took me forever and i would rate the first time at a 15. the second time i did it (to replace it back to stocks) it was a 5 because i knew what i was doing. the hardest part is the passenger side because there is no space.

VeNeNo

iTrader: (1)

so the average is about a 10 huh...? Why did you change the lights back? Did you have any problems with the new HIDs? Please give me any positive or negative feed back because i am considering changing my whole set up, Fogs and all all HID. Any info would help thanks DN!

DNPhotography

i changed them back because im selling the car. i also changed my fog lights back to stock. the hardest part is when the connector comes off of the pin inside the HID housing. its a bitch to put it back. like i said the first time was the hardest becuase i didnt know what i was doing.

the best advice i can give to you is when you remove the ignitor, the silver thing pictured below



take a mirrior like one from a girls compact and take a look at how the pin is located and how the bulb is sitting in the housing. it will give you a better understanding on how to remove it and put it back. well good luck because your gonna need it.

Nyjumpman23

DN, why you selling the car?

DNPhotography

when i had purchased the car back in october i was on a budget so i got a base model. since then ive had a promotion and could afford a better car. although the RDX is very fun to drive i felt as though its missing something. so i ended up getting a 07 TL Type-S. the Navi, bluetooth, memory seats and backup camera is what i was missing the whole time. i will definitely miss the turbo & SH-AWD it is one of a kind. the interior space isnt really an issue as we rarely used the space we had in the RDX. im happy with my change.

Nyjumpman23

well, other then a taller car, and save a lil more gas on the rdx, def. congrats to you DN.

speedy_liu

i want to put HIDs for my fog lights. is the stock HIDs 6000k?

mau108

4300k i believe.

sasair

but over time, HID bulbs get slightly higher in color temp. 5000k bulbs were actually created for dealers who have to replace one bulb and want it to match the other 4300k bulb that had been in there for over a year.

6000k is very purplish/blue.

SwampGas

Want to point out that turning the assembly on without a bulb in there is what causes the high voltage.

A xenon bulb presents near infinite resistance when it's not on. The igniter quickly ramps up the voltage to several kilovolts in order to arc the bulb (striking the lamp). Once it arcs and the bulb is lit, it presents a very low resistance....so the current bypasses the ignitor and is regulated by the ballast.