tnobori1

Yep, another headlight thread. I'm 90% this is a new problem though. I have been having headlight problems for about 18 months now. Standard issues with the flickering and turning off of the lights. First the driver side light was out, but two months later the passenger side went out.

Initially, I replaced the bulbs, only to find out it was a different and much more expensive ballast problem. The lights (or just one) would come on for a few seconds, then turn off. If I flicked the switch on and off a few times at least one of the lights would turn on for the trip. They eventually both stopped working altogether and I drove with my high beams for like a week. Instead of spending $800 at the stealership, I bought two used ones on CL from some guy in TX. Installed them both and found that both were faulty, though after reinstalling one of my old ones, it was working on the passenger side (after some flickering of the switch).

I just bought another ballast from an Aziner and installed it today. Put it on, replaced both fuses and cleaned the contacts of the fuses and the relays then it fired right up... for 3 seconds. I then flickered the switch on and off and both lights stayed on.

WTF??!!!!!!!!!! The odds that all 3 were faulty is SUPER unlikely, plus the member I bought it from is a trusted guy on this site. Any advice? Should I replace the relays? Checked every single fuse in the car and everything is fine. SO FRUSTRATING!! Every common issue in our cars has some unusual variation in my car.

tnobori1

^ Bump! 6 views! I should have chosen a different title, but I really need some advice please.

zac

^ Yes, you got 6 views, or 8 or however many. Out of those views, I doubt they could give you accurate, helpful advice. Including me, sorry I know nothing about electrical.

tnobori1

No, I just meant that there were so few views... I should have put "naked chicks" or "HELP" instead of getting cute with it. It was my fault, I wasn't pointing fingers.

zac

Haha, my bad. Yea see if a mod could add XXXPORNXXX to the title

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

you can still get bad parts even if it was from the dealer

tnobori1

True, it's just unlikely that 3 consecutive used parts would be faulty, especially from trusted members. Besides, the part seems to be working, but why does it need to have the switch flickered on and off? Could it be a relay?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Pick up one of those $60 HID kits from the Black Market and install those ballasts. See if that helps. Seeing as how these ballasts are notorious for these problems, I wouldnt be surprised if all 3 were fried.

Sidenote - Youre from the bay area, keep an eye on your car. There seems to be a theft ring there involving CLs.

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

The one you got from me,Did that one work for you ?
That one was not faulty for sure. PM'n

BT5150

I'd second what civicdrvr says, just get one of the aftermarket HID kits and put that in. You'll have new ballasts and bulbs. They have come down amazingly low in price, some places have them for $60. If you are concerned about reliability, some of the sites sell "name brand" gear like Philips for a little more, but from what I've read, even the cheaper kits are reliable.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

One of our vendors:

https://acurazine.com/forums/sponsored-sales-group-buys-10/hid-special-%2460-shipped-acurazine-members-723872/

$60 shipped gets you new ballasts and bulbs with a 2 year warranty.

MrFluffy

If you dont think its a balast issue I would pick up a volt meter and test the power going into the balast.

Also if you want to see if its a wiring problemcarfully touch the two leads of the balast directly to a battery and see if it flickers if it still flickers its a ballast issue if not it could be wiring issue but at least you will know

But I agree with civicdrivr pick up some after market balast

tnobori1

Ok, I'll try the volt meter and wire check. Richard, it's not the ballast. Idk what else to try, but I guess I'll wait and see what the VM says. Thanks for the feedback.

As for after market ballasts, I have two Phillips ballasts, but I haven't felt like figuring out rewiring and rigging up a bracket. We'll see.

tnobori1

Yeah, I saw the other post. I just moved out to Discovery Bay... still Bay Area, but pretty far from the other thefts.

MrFluffy

If you got an after market ballast it would maybe take an extra 5 minutes to install as compared to OEM if you need instruction on how to do it there is a thread also you can IM me and I can help you out

Good luck

tnobori1

I've seen the thread, just seemed like a lot more work... I know the next time one goes out for good, I will be doing the conversion. Fucking Acura ballasts!

MrFluffy

I really dont think that anyones ballast is perfected and to get 6
years out of one is pretty average , aftermarket or OEM

tnobori1

Fair enough, but you would think waterproofing would be high on the list of desirables when designing electrical parts! Either way, I'm pissed at Acura for a 2 year navigation issue in my wife's MDX that they may or may not fix. Now every little issue is their fault!!

MrFluffy

I agree