Just adding an experience in case it helps someone. I had a HID low beam go out. Some posts indicated you had to take off the bumper to get to it, some said you could do it without taking the bumper off. Also other posts indicated up to a $1000 job at the dealership.

Anyway, its cold...I've been busy...just needed it to be done. So I took it to a decent local shop. Independent shop did it by taking off the bumper (they also thought that was the best way) for $100 labor and cost of bulb. (had them change both since it would have been pretty annoying if the other one went out, maybe smart or not) So if you're not inclined to do it yourself, just wanted to share that to help the next person decide if its worth it to them or not.

 

That sounds about right. Bulbs can usually be found for about 40 bucks each online. Accessing them is like any other car - sometimes the bumper comes off, sometimes you just have a few bolts on top of the housing. If you're lucky, you have a lot of engine bay room and can just reach it without touching a single bolt.

Good that you replaced both - they tend to change color over time, and even if the other wasn't going to die anytime soon, it might have been a slightly different hue.

 

Just paid $900 dealer to replace one HID which included bulb and igniter/ballast.
I don't have any good local shop to go, I know it would be half of it or less at local shop. Also, don't want local shop install wrong part or mess up install.

 

Why not buy the part online, yelp/Google a local shop and have them installed..

 

$1000?

Or buy the parts from your local Acura/Honda dealer and ask them to price match HAP, Brenardi or Manchester Honda, a couple of on-line parts sellers.

MSRP $153 vs $110 for the HID bulb Part #- 33116-SL0-003

The other bulb is $9.00

Are you sure the bumper cover has to come off? I searched and found info on site showing it's not needed. Said the bulbs can be changed from above.

 

Mine was not just a bulb, they said the ignitor was bad, and supposedly it damaged bulb and it had burned spots. Not sure about bumper removal to replace ignitor and balast. I searched, and could not find detailed description how to do it.

If its just a bulb, its $300 at the dealer including labor.

 

Any update on how to change the igniter and ballast? I've been looking for a while with no luck. Is it under the headlight like other Acura cars?