mystikk

High beams are at normal output, fuses aren't broke, so I guess it has to be inside the housing itself .. I was gonna go ahead and switch the bulbs to see if that's the culprit.

How would I go about doing this? Never done anything like this before, the bulbs don't seem to be the twist-out, twist-in type deal.

Anyone know why it could be blown? I did some searching, seems changing weather and moisture can kill a bulb. Any other reason?

It shouldn't matter, but I did cut the harnesses out for the foglights, a member bought em from me. They shouldn't have anything to do with the headlights though, especially since the headlight was still working after I cut em out.

03silvertypeS

It's really not that hard to replace the bulb. The bulbs are D2R HID bulbs (can be bought at any Acura/Benz/BMW dealership). You'll need a Torx (star shaped w/ whole in center) to remove the small screw on the round back cover of the headlight. Once the screw is out, all you have to to is screw off the cover and remove the bulb. Be sure not to touch the glass part of either bulb (especially the one you are replacing the old bulb with). After that, it's just a matter of putting everything back in.

kyle77777

Well since one bulb is burnt out, now is a good time to upgrade to the Kaixen bulb Excellerate has. If your wanting the stock but brighter look get the 6k or if you want more blue get the 8500k

mystikk

Interesting. Honda dealership says $125 for one bulb. And even then, the color won't match. However, Excelerate's 6k bulbs cost $150 plus shipping for both .. Hmm, I'll look into it.

GreenMonster

They just die... Just like other things like tires, brakes, batteries, etc... bulbs are consumable items...

Here's a thread with a pic to go with 03silvertypeS's instructions...

You might want to upgrade bulbs (and sell the still good stock bulb) or buy a pair of stock bulbs and keep the used one as a spare...

Stock HID's will be slightly different colors depending on the age (new vs. 70K mile used ones)

INSPIRE 32V

iTrader: (1)

Just get Excelerate's 6k bulbs. You'll be more than happy

UNCTYPE-S

The lower the K, the brighter. So if stock is 4300/4500 (cant remember), how is it that 6k is brighter?

mystikk

That's what I thought too. Stock should be 4300k.

And GM .. I don't see a link.

bigmark89

stock is 4300k. the higher the kelvin the less light output but the bluer and IMO the cooler they look and i dont mind sacrificing a little light for sexy 6000k blue HID's

ll1l2l1l2lll

i thought you needed the 6000k balast for 6000k bulbs etc.

VIPCLS

Shouldn't you remoe the cables from the battery terminal??? I see all the warning stickers around the enclosue.

Corrosion

Are you sure it's just your bulb? Our ballasts suck too.

mystikk

No, not sure at all if it's just the bulb. I didn't check yet. How could I check if it's a bad ballast? Lemme do a search ..

mystikk

I better pray it's the bulb. $330 for one ballast ..

GreenMonster

Oops... I was supposed to paste a link there, wasn't I ??

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187401

Swap the bulbs, like you said in the first post. If the bulb that isn't working works on the other side, it's not the bulb (and probably the ballast). I wouldn't put the good bulb in the other side, since if the ballast is bad, I'd be worried that it would take out the working bulb.

If it is a ballast, you can see if you can get one from a junkyard. As you have seen recently, lots of CL's are getting totaled

Don't get the TL ballast, it's different then the one for the CL.

That's what I always thought since the power draw for a "brighter" bulb is more then the stock ballast was designed for.... I would think that running a "brighter" bulb would put more stain on the ballast, thus shortening it's lifespan

Moodist

iTrader: (2)

Does the headlight that is out flicker when you turn it on? The reason I ask, it is usually more likely the bulb is fine and the ballast is messed up. I have had both of my ballasts replaced, but the bulbs are original. Try taking the bulb from your passenger headlight and put it in the driver's side before you order anything.

Dirty Type-S

so stock head lights, u guys dont suggest 6000k or even 8500k bulbs?

UNCTYPE-S

Most peoeple get 6k because of the color the headlights shine off and can deal with the slight loss of light, but that's just what it is. The higher you go, the more light will be lost. I dont understand how people get 8.5-10k bulbs. Sure it may "look cool", but I think our oem bulbs are nice and I can see much better then the people with 8.5 and above.

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

Technically the 4300k OEM bulb emits the most lumen (light output), but b/c the 6000k is extreme white it appears brighter to the naked eye than the 4300k. Technically, though, it isn't as bright as tht 4300k, but you will never notice.

UNCTYPE-S

I know, I was just asking kyle directly because he seems to think differently.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

I was about the say the same thing.

The higher you go past 4300K, the lower the light output you get. The other effect of going with a higher temp rated bulb is you get the blue/purple color. Too many people assume that if you have that color bulb you have brighter bulbs when that's not the case. I don't know how many times I've said it but the bulbs in mercs, bimmers, audi typically use projection headlamps and those tend to be brighter because the light is more focused. So even if they were using a higher temp rated bulb, the projector housing contributes a lot to intensity of the light and the color.

if you want the brightest bulb, stick with OEM, if you don't care about that and jus twant the color, put in any other bulb.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

at 6000K though they start to look more blue and that may OR may not attact the piggies to you.

kyle77777

Iv got the 8500K and I definantly can tell a loss in light output. But i still can see fine

JnC

iTrader: (12)

Stick with 4300K, as others have said the higher you go with the color temp the lower the output is in lumen. I am sad to say that if your bulb went out all of a sudden then it probably is the ballast. HID bulbs dont just pass out like halogens, they die over a period of time the first indication is that they will turn pink and from there on to red and then pass out one day.

Dont buy brand new ballast from the factory, you can get a good one on ebay or even in the black market section, good luck.

BigLizard

8K bulbs,

I went back to OEM once one of them blew. Those were D2R, NOT D2S

Jrezo

Is d2S stock ?

BigLizard

D2R is stock.

D2S is for projectors.

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

6000k is extreme white w/ a hint of blue. Not much but a little. And cops will typically only bust balls if your headlights are aimed high into the eyes of oncoming traffic goers like some of the ricers do.

mystikk

Alright I'll go ahead and switch the bulbs and pray right now.

Can anyone confirm that a different ballast is required to run 6000k bulbs? I'd rather buy two kaixen bulbs than settle for one 4300k at almost the same price, unless buying different ballasts/inverters are required too.

kyle77777

You do not need a new ballast for the 6k HID's. Just get them in the D2R bulb for a direct replacement of the OEM bulbs

mystikk

Well I just confirmed it.

The $330 ballast is the culprit.

Damn.

mystikk

But this is weird though .. it's said through search that if the headlight flickered at all before it finally went out completely, then it's a bad ballast. Another symptom is dim highbeam light. But my headlight never flickered at all and the highbeams are still putting out their regular light.

Yet I switch bulbs and both work under the working headlight. GAH. I hate being a newb.

All Mine

Your high beams are regular halogens, thus would still work fine.