2013 Base RDX low beam projector

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 12, 2017 | 01:04 PM
  #1  
aquaholik's Avatar
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
2013 Base RDX low beam projector

I don't drive at night very often and this car is almost 4 years old. Had issue with the driver side halogen low beam not being as bright as the passenger side. Dealer did full electrical testing and came to the same conclusion as I did, bad projector on the driver side. Low beam Sylvania H11 bulb is bright out of the projector but the driver side projector is clouded up. It's like somebody put a masking tape right in the center of the projector. Had my mechanic suggest alternatives to replacing it(about $600 for parts on the internet, dealer wanted $900 for parts and $300 labor). He said the passenger side is also starting to cloud up. Quite disappointing since there is no such problem with my last 10 years old CR-V. The junkyard wanted $400 for the lights but I have no confidence in it since mine didn't last 4 years. Because of the mileage, it is out of warranty.

How is your halogen low beam projector holding up for those that have the base RDX.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2017 | 01:08 PM
  #2  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
odd. unless contamination, i dont see how a sealed projector can become foggy over time.
in for other results
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2017 | 01:57 PM
  #3  
aquaholik's Avatar
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
Yeah, it was/is sealed pretty good with gasketed cover.

Mechanic said heat from halogen bulb. Not like he can take a cotton swab and clean it out.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2017 | 02:21 PM
  #4  
justnspace's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 86,293
Likes: 16,291
I thought about heat....
but dismissed it cuz...wouldnt honda have tested and done some Quality Control before production!?!?

butt, i do agree with mechanic...ONLY heat can cause the inside of the projector to sour like that.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2017 | 03:11 PM
  #5  
mrgold35's Avatar
mrgold35
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 1,661
From: ABQ, NM
For that kinda of replacement cost, it might be easier to add some LED driving lights where the factory fog lights go if you planning to keep the RDX for a while.
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2017 | 06:22 PM
  #6  
Brown13's Avatar
Instructor
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 235
Likes: 43
From: Wisconsin
Here's a reasonably priced new one; https://www.carid.com/2013-acura-rdx...108058196.html
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2017 | 09:24 AM
  #7  
Comfy's Avatar
2014 RDX AWD Tech
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 356
Now you are going to have to replace both headlights anyway. And your car is nearly out of warranty. And you are unhappy with the halogen lights anyway. This is the time I would consider an HID retrofit on your existing headlights. It will be cheaper, the lighting will be much much better than halogens and won't produce glare like LED lights and will likely pass inspections (since most of the RDXs have HID anyway).
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2017 | 09:27 AM
  #8  
thoiboi's Avatar
Senior Moderator
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,314
Likes: 9,177
From: SoCal, CA
Just get a Oem HID headlight swapped in!
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2017 | 10:10 AM
  #9  
Comfy's Avatar
2014 RDX AWD Tech
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 356
Originally Posted by thoiboi
Just get a Oem HID headlight swapped in!
That would work too even though at slightly more expense. In fact I would prefer this to getting a new halogen headlights.
Either way HID lights are on the horizon for you to stay as legal as possible.
Sticking in LED bulbs to your original headlight won't work as the reflectors are likely burnt out.
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2017 | 08:40 PM
  #10  
aquaholik's Avatar
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 3
Good idea. Might as well go HID.
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2017 | 08:54 PM
  #11  
Comfy's Avatar
2014 RDX AWD Tech
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 356
Recently found out that the RDX uses same projectors for HID as well as halogens... same part number ..... see this thread.

https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...2014-a-954339/
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2017 | 06:55 AM
  #12  
Nicholasx's Avatar
7th Gear
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: DC
Originally Posted by Comfy
Recently found out that the RDX uses same projectors for HID as well as halogens... same part number ..... see this thread.

https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...2014-a-954339/
Are you sure? I just did a search on a couple of parts websites and these are the parts numbers I found:

2013 RDX HID housing part number: 33101-TX4-A01
2013 RDX Halogen housing part number: 33100-TX4-A11
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2017 | 07:35 AM
  #13  
Comfy's Avatar
2014 RDX AWD Tech
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 356
I see. I stand corrected. Thanks.
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2017 | 08:13 AM
  #14  
thoiboi's Avatar
Senior Moderator
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 48,314
Likes: 9,177
From: SoCal, CA
Yeah, if you really want, you'll have to just buy the new HID headlight housing as I said early on. You may have to look into additional harnesses that the base RDX doesn't have and then the ballasts, ignitors etc..
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:02 PM.