I did the install tonight - it went very smoothly - thanks again for the write up!

CL6 - this kit gives you two ballasts and two bulbs for $179 ... way less than OEM. This is my second bad ballast so I thought it was worth it to swap out both. And since I haven't replaced either bulb before tonight I'm happy to have new ones in there.

A couple of comments on the install:

It took me about 3 1/2 hours from start to finish (cleanup included)

I don't think you need 25 Amp fuses with this kit, the instructions suggest 15A (but I noticed afterwards so I've got 25A currently installed).

I used the blue 16 gauge butt connectors and they worked great ... I think most of the wires are 18 guage.

And finally, I ordered the 4300k bulbs and I'm pretty sure they're a bit whiter than the OEM bulbs ... which I'd personally prefer anyways.

I took pictures if anyone wants to see anything from the install but I think PSCANLON99 has all of the key points covered.

 

Hey Implicit,

Glad everything worked out for you! I agree with going down to a lower K rating on my headlights. From what I know, 4300 is OEM and closest to "daylight"=white. My 10k's are a little too blue for my liking, 6,000 to me would be best. I only switched the fuse because the instructions told me to, I think it wasn't really needed, but just wanted to follow directions...for once! And yeah, post some pictures up and let me see how it looks! Thanks for the compliment on the right up and peace!

 

im going to do this mod to my 03 CL Type-S because i have a bad inverter so instead of buying a new one im gonna do this to save me some money

 

please someone post a link to a decent HID kit company so i dont get screwed like i did with my last kit on my girlfriends car

 

http://www.lightwerkz.net/prod_honda.htm

Scroll down. Theyre pricey, but they work.

Or here:

http://www.retrosolutionsllc.com/ser...its/Categories

 

What about the vendor on the group buy page at least you have an easy way to contact him if anything goes wrong

HIDextra

 

I dont have any experience with the HID vendors.

 

this is probably the most useful DIY on the site and should be imported to the CL/TL DIY section.

way to save Aziners some serious coinage!!

Props OP

I'll be coming back to this thread when my ballasts take a shit on me.

 

Thanks!

 

I have a 2003 acura tl, and one of my headlights has turned pink. I called the dealership and they told me the bulb alone (just one bulb) would be $200 - just for the part. I am beside myself that it might cost that, plus labor, and even more if they tell me my ballast is bad, blah blah blah. I mean, it's an acura, not a rolls royce. When did headlights get so friggin' expensive?

I'm a single girl. I'm ok with a drill around the house, but I haven't done too much home auto repair. Actually none, but I'm getting pretty mad about this situation and I'm thinkin' I would like to try to fix this myself.

I don't really understand the whole HID conversion kit thing. Please confirm for me that using an aftermarket HID conversion kit, doesn't really convert anything in our already HID equipt cars, but instead just replaces OEM parts with aftermarket? Right, or am I missing something?

I'm debating getting a kit or just trying to replace the bulbs. I might get a kit and just give it to my mechanic and see if he'll install it for me. (girl power, not so much).

Thank you!

PS - I bought a torx screwdriver to see if I could switch the bulbs to test the bad one, then lost my nerve.

 

If your ballast still works, theres no need to get the aftermarket kit.

Just search around for D2R bulbs. As a matter of fact, Ive got two OEM bulbs that I pulled right before I put in my projectors. I dont know how many hours are on them, but they were still shining white when I pulled them. If you want the pair let me know. You are new here though, so you cant send private messages.

 

Thanks for the offer. My mechanic this morning was unable to diagnose the problem and then wanted to charge me $200 to take it apart and diagnose. He said just to go ahead and buy the bulbs. So, I'm going to do that. I found a vendor on ebay, and I'm going to get new bulbs and let him put them in. Fingers crossed that they work!


Still can't believe the exceptional cost of these parts! It's outrageous.

 

Great write up just did mine and it works great...

 

bringing up an old thread.... did anyone try using 55w kits instead of a 35w?

 

It will burn the chrome of the reflector. It does that even with most projectors.

 

didnt think it would make too much of a difference in heat.....i hate the oem ballast since they are dim....i wonder if the aftermarket 35w are brighter then the oem

 

How old are your bulbs?

 

Getting ready to use this wonderful write-up in a couple weeks!

 

got them a few months back...not old at all....i just hate how dim the lights are compared to alot of diff cars....

 

Thats cuz you need projectors

 

PSCANLON99 ==> Are all the kits from the site you got 35 watt kits? I'm going 55

Just curious if you went higher and if you had any issues. Got a day off next week and i'm doin work with this write-up!

 

im wondering about the 55w also....let me know if it burns anything...i was going to make the move, but you can go first

 

Dude, I promise you, you're going to burn the chrome of the reflectors. Its not immediate, give it a few months. You'll see.

 

You think so? My buddy has the 55 watt ones in his car and he's had them for a few months now without any issues. I don't see how they could make that big a diff. If I'm wrong please fill me in.

 

They create alot more heat. If you dont believe me, try them out.

 

I'm glad this got bumped up as I'm finally going to fix my ballast issue. With the help of this write-up of course. I was able to hold off for as long as possible with the on/off trick, but now it won't work at all.

Civicdrivr you recommended to me those DDM Tuning kits in your projector thread. So I checked them out and they look legit. Great prices too!

I'm going to get the 35w kit. You guys above ^ are crazy to think nothing bad is going to happen with the 55w kit. I had some chrome on my housing come off by barely rubbing it when putting my lights back together. Good luck with that.You want brighter do a retrofit.
Quick question civic while your in here: Should I go with the Raptor kit, or the slim kit? Price is only $10 difference, I have TSX projectors too. Thanks man.

Edit: I was posting this while watching the new David Blane special. Civic you are hilarious! Didn't see your sig... That's crazy!

 

DDM FTMFW. The lifetime warranty on the ballasts and bulbs is unheard of in the industry. Both kits are good. Its up to you. The Raptor kit really isnt that large to begin with.

And yea, the chrome on the stock reflectors is very fragile. Even most projector reflectors have a hard time handling 55w kits.

BTW, Im starting my next retro

 

Yeah I didn't see a real difference in the 2 kits performance wise, more of a size thing. You seem to be really on top of things around here dude
Your car is looking sick btw...

That David Blane thing was just wierd. Was watching his magic show and then looked over at the screen and I did a crazy double-take, then read your sig and lol ensued.

 

i got tape on the chrome from blacking and clearing out my housing.... then when i pulled the tape off the chrome, it was a bit sticky...i first rubbed it with my fingers and then with cloth..nothing came off....i didnt have a prob with it

 

Damn Thats exactly what I got was the DDM 55watt. FML... Guess I gotta wait for the 35 to come in...

 

Thats very odd because when I put low adhesive painters tape on my first set of headlights the chrome peeled off with the tape

 

maybe each headlight the chrome is different? some might be softer from wear and tear..or water gets in and softens it? not sure

 

Damn if it peels off with tape then I'd def be asking for trouble...

 

awesome write up, its gonna save me 100's on my 04 tl now, only diff in our hids is wer d2s and your d2r thanks man

 

Great DIY, super helpful for any conversion. Not to mention I saved a bundle compared to taking it to the stealership.

FYI- make sure you check your clearance of the cord coming out of the housing of the before you drill your holes.

 

Ahh.. i need to replace 2003 TL ballast.. but the pics don't show anymore

 

Yea what gives with the pics? I bought the HID kit about a month ago but couldn't get to installing till now. The pics were on here when I purchased...

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...market-788745/

 

Is there any way to upload the pics from this DIY? Thank you

 

Is there any way to upload the pics from this DIY? All I need to know is if I need to cut the old wire going to the old ballast(has a gray adapter at the end) and then splice that into the new wiire running from new ballast? Also where to mount new ballast? Thank you