marakbai

Seems like this is month of repairs for me and my TSX.

First the brakes, then the massive allround service, then the VSA light is coming on on its own, then tires, and now the headlight.

Driving in this morning I realised my left headlight was not on, but the right was. So I turned off the switch and turned it back on, then the left one starts to flicker like crazy. Ridiculous.

Then my wife volunteered the information that she saw it looking a bit pink lately, and not the white/blue look as usual (she drives the car more than I do during the week) so I figure it must mean, it's just about ready to burn out.

So guess it's time to change the bulb. My question is, do these Xenon HID bulbs have a lifespan .. is 2 years typical? Should I buy 2 at the same time (replace the right), to maintain the overal look/output? Lastly, is this something I can change myself, or do I need the dealer or some other repair shop to do it?

Let me know!

Thanks all.

TSX.Fury

Well I don't know about the lifespan or anything like that but you can def do it yourself. I switched my headlights to the jdm ones and it only took about 1.5hrs, and that was with a lot more work. Just switching the bulbs shouldn't take you more then 45mins.

TSX7

I think the bulb might be covered under warranty since they're suppose to last something like >10x the lifespan of a regular halogen light bulb. I believe people have changed their xenon's but I'd take it to the dealer first and see what they say. These bulbs draw less current than a regular halogen light bulb but uses higher voltage (25000 volts I think).

marakbai

say it ain't so! Not another trip to the dealer!
Oye, I'd have to go on Saturday morning first thing.

Kev L.

I remembered at the "new car care clinic", the dealer said the bulbs are under warranty for 1 year. Don't think that helps you though, but just FYI.

ianS

Will you able to just buy 1 light bulb? wasn't they always come in a pair?

marakbai

hence my question ... I don't know about that ...

I'll call the dealer and see if it's covered or not

rmpage

You can buy a single 4500K D2S HID lamp, but be advised it may be a slightly different color than the other stock lamp. One manufacturer's 4500K is another manufacturer's 6500K.

They're fairly expensive, about $80 a bulb last I checked. However, they should last damn near forever, and I'm really surprised you already lost one. Might be a problem with the ballast or ignitor. I recommend having the dealer handle it, just in case that is the problem and not the bulb.

You can change them yourself - the 23kV is only present during bulb ignition. Run voltage is around 80V. The ignitor has a bleeder resistor in it to drain the HV after you shut the lamp off, so it won't be present at the terminals when you go to change it yourself.

TSXDude

I'm assuming you had your cars for two years?

I don't think the HID bulb will burn out every two year. I heard they were suppose to last the life of your vehicle. My parents have an I30 for 6 yrs, and their HID never needs to be replace. Go complain at your dealer.

I agree with rmpage regarding the color issue. My parents car recently got into an accident, and one of the headlight assembly needs to be replaced. Now at nighttime, the difference in color output is very noticeable.

marakbai

Well I confirmed that the warranty is 1 yr/20,000Km ... since the car is 2 years old this October, that's out.

I'm going to have them check out the system first, becuase that's really troublesome considering everyone seems to think the light should not go out already. Not to mention my VSA light is still coming on!

Will have to wait until next week though, the dealership's closed this weekend for inventory. Damn.

marakbai

Update:

Problem fixed! Went to the dealership on Saturday and they replaced the "inverter and harness"

All under warranty, even got a new bulb out of it, so that was very cool!

The lights actually look very similar as far as burning colour, so I'm happy as can be.

Thanks all for your advice, as always.