salamander12

I've got an Acura 2004 RL. One of my headlights just went out and I need to get it replaced. The dealer's quoting me $260, and local mechanic $215. Local mechanic said bulb itself would run him $150. So I was thinking about picking one up myself off Ebay, and then bringing it to him for installation. Looks like I can get a pair for about $60 here, for example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-pai...#ht_4280wt_908

I'd get a pair, but my plan would be to only replace one, and keep the other as backup. Is this asking for trouble? I'm pretty sure my old light has 4300k Osram (it was replaced in 2006 by the previous owner, but I'm pretty sure he just replaced it at the dealer, and so it would be with the standard) and so there shouldn't be a mismatch, correct?

Also, is it a mistake going with one of these cheaper ones that only cost $60? The consensus seems to be that Phillips is good. But I can't help but worry at how much cheaper they are in comparison with, for example, these $500 ones:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HID-X...ht_4062wt_1009

Any advice much appreciated. thanks.

db22

My advice would be to post on the thread for your model of car but it's a generic question and I would always replace both lamps due to color temperature mismatch caused by ageing.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

yeah no idea on your model, but if the bumper had to come off to replace it, do them in pairs.

If not and you dont mind the color difference you could do one at a time.

For me its all about preventive maintenance.

salamander12

Ok, thanks y'all

3.5RLv-tec?

iTrader: (2)

Are you looking just to buy only the D2s 4300K bulbs or with the ballasts too? Don't buy on ebay go to retrofitsource. com. I bought my D2S Philips($95) and Morimoto($45) bulbs from them, plus you get an one year warranty. if you're on a budget I suggest get the Morimoto, I had Morimoto ballast and it was the best I used so far.
Wait a minute, does the RL use D2R or D2S? Anyway I bought all lighting from them, good customer service. Or you can try retosolution. com hope that help.

neuronbob

Moved to 1G RL and merged.

silver3.5

ok...replacing the bulbs only take 5 minutes tops. no need to remove bumper or anything. there's a screw that holds the cap. just unscrew it and twist the cap counterclockwise to open, unscrew the plug that plugs into the bulb and replace the bulb. if anyone says you have to remove the bumper to replace the bulb, they're lying and stealing your money.

your bulb type is D2R, 35W, 4300K Osram/Philips. D2S will not fit unless you do some modification to the base. the first ebay link above is the D2S. and the 2nd link is cheap aftermarket crap; never buy them....even if it's $600+ but retail said $69.99???? here are 2 links. don't buy from the stealer; they are nothing but ripoffs!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-P...Q5fAccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PHILI...Q5fAccessories

i have personally bought many items from the ebay seller "intergra9006hid" and he's a great seller, super fast shipping, excellent products. also, since your good bulb was from 2006, that's already 4 years old and alot of miles on it already. new + old = mismatch color. best to buy a pair of new ones.

salamander12

Thank you so much! I got a couple. Will give DIY a shot. Good luck to me.

Take care everyone!

Eljefe1981

Silver3.5 said it all.

Hassent

My driver side headlight goes out once or twice every evening. If I turn the lights off and back on the headlight restarts with no problem. Does anyone know what is causing this. Is this the ballast? The ignitor? Or the Bulb? (bulb seems unlikely)

Does anyone have a link to a step by step putline to replace the bulb?

bricecakes

I had that problem before cept it was the passenger. I bought a new set of bulbs and never had a problem since. That was about 2 years ago and I found out at the time that my headlight bulbs were not matching. One was a phillips and the other an osram. The osram blew out shortly after I had the flickering issue. You can test the bulb by switching the left and the right back and forth and see if the same bulb goes out.

I happen to have a phillips bulb left over from when I replaced mine if you'd want to get it offa me. Let me know