Acurazine Community -

I have a 2007 RDX. I got it used and there was condensation inside the headlights which I thought was just the result of a recent rain and would go away.

It didn't, and the high beams went out. Anyways, I brought it to the dealer, upon external inspection they said I may need new assemblies, ballasts, igniters, and controllers. ($2800 worth of OEM parts). However they were nice enough to suggest ebay for some parts. My question is this:

1. Why do I need new assemblies if there is no visible damage to the existing ones? The previous owner seems to have had some minor fender benders that mildly displaced the front bumper cover, could this have damaged the assembly? It seems that it could be a gasket issue as mentioned in other threads on other Acuras.

2. Is it possible to test each part of the system myself if they are unwilling to take it apart and diagnose (hopefully they will seeing I paid $130 for the assessment, at least I should know what's going on)

3. How hard is it to replace these parts myself?

Thanks!

onsight

 

Generally condensation is a result of a failed seal, and a fairly skilled DIY-er might be able to fix that. But if your high-beams have shorted out, you probably at least need a new ballast, but maybe the actual unit assembly is still ok if your regular lights (the HID's) still work fine. Still will want to fix the seal to eliminate condensation though. Have you tried just putting in a new high beam bulb? Excess condensation will make the bulb more likely to crack and fail...suppose there's a chance it's as simple as that.

Basically you'll want to -
1. Find out what actually failed - bulb, ballast, fuse, etc.
2. If that cause can be isolated and fixed cheaply, you may take a stab at re-sealing the headlights (heat up light to soften glue, separate lens from body, clean / dry, apply new glue and reassemble)

Good luck

 

This is the technician notes: “VERIFIED CUST CONCERN. CK FOR VOLTAGE AT LEFT & RIGHT HEADLIGHT CONTROL UNITS, NO VOLTAGE PRESENT. CK FUSES # 16 & 17, BOTH FUSES BLOWN. REPLACE FUSES, HEADLIGHTS STILL INOP. CHECK WITH TEST CONTROL UNIT & IGNITER, HEADLIGHT WORKING. BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY'S ARE LEAKING & FULL OF MOISTURE CAUSING CONTROL UNIT FAILURE. SUGGEST REPLACING BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY'S, CONTROL UNITS, IGNITERS, & BULBS.”

How hard would the labor be to do this myself (given little experience)? I plan on ordering the parts via ebay.

 

The regular headlights are what don't work. The brights do work. How easy it to replace the assembly, ballasts, fuse, etc myself

 

2. YES
3. search for threads, and begin with the following link, post #10, then my other posts in that thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=785512&highlight=headlight

 

Combine and mix parts from both headlamp units, into one unit, to determine if possibly one of the IGNITERs and CONTROL UNITs are working. Also, once the parts are disassembled and dried, they all might still work.

Its unlikely that the shells are leaking, unless they are cracked. It is more likely that the control unit gasket (bottom of shell), or the rubber seals on the IGNITER are leaking. They get old, deteriorate from ozone, or take a *set*, and leak. Replace with new seals.

Also check the seals on both the high-beam bulbs, and the marker/ turn-signal bulbs.