Hi,

So lastnight, my passenger side HID goes out and I drive home with one light. Called the dealer, and ask them about the cost to change the bulb. This is for a 05 RL. I was told that they first must run a diagnostic check to see if it is in fact the bulb or the more expensive Igniter or controller.

Well when i get to the dealer and turn on the headlight...low and behold, the passenger HID is working now, but noticeably flickering. So the bottom line is that it's pretty clear its not the bulb. They run the diagnostic and surprise surprise, they say its both the igniter AND the controller that need to be replaced. According to the service rep, both turned up with an internal error... needless to say he couldn't elaborate. I'm hoping you all note the sarcasm.

The quote for the parts and labor is approximately $780.00 and about $520 of that is parts, i'm sorry, but i can't see $260 in labor (3-4 hours labor) to install both parts. From my understanding its really just plug and play, with the exception of getting to the igniter/controller, which to my knowledge requires removing the bumper. They would not give me a quote for just labor if I provided my own parts. I'm able to get the parts for around $300 which leads me to the reason for this post...

I'm fairly tech/auto savvy, so I would feel comfy doing to work to get to the igniter and controller, but is there anything electrical that i need to be worried about with these parts? That is my only concern...

Any comments would be appreciated.

To summarize, I need to know if replacing the Igniter &/or Controller hardware for an 05 RL Passenger side HID, is a DIY job or if I should pony up and have it done by the dealer.

-Logic

 

someone had pasted photos and instructions for replacing the bulb. Assume you basically have to get to the same area for the igniter/controller
try a search

 

i know i've done some work on my friends audi a4 and the ignitor and controller were pretty much plug and play. so if you are pretty auto/tech savy, i would say go for it on your own. if you do run into any problems just bundle up everything and take it to the dealer. when i've had parts installed on my accord through honda, they just said that they can't guarantee the parts obviously and just ended up charging me labor. but bottom line, i would have a go at it on my own. good luck!

 

this thread might be of some use to you as well:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...replacing+bulb

 

Thanks for this link, I already have it bookmarked and have been studying the pictures to see any potential hurdles. The only thing is that I need to get an extender for my socket set, but that's no biggie. I've got a sears just up the street from my house.

I'm thinking that I'm going to replace the Igniter first and then if the problem persists, then I'll change the controller also. I just really suspect the igniter is the true culprit and not the controller.

I'm looking for just a little more inspiration from some of these more tech savvy guys before I take the plunge , but i'm really leaning towards tackling this myself.

 

Good luck with the install! I have the same problem with my 05 RL (driver side going out, left is flickering) but of course when i go to my Acura dealership the "Unable to duplicated" comes in to play

 

Logic717 - you should make a DIY with pics as you go through your install/fix. I see countless people here having problems with their (mainly passenger) HIDs. Maybe your thread could even be immortalized into a STICKY =)

 

I had a huge fight with my Dealer over this. They gave me the same cannot duplicate. I told them them it is a random flicker and if they had to duplicate it before they could fix, then they would have to sit in front of the car all day long with the lights on. I told them it was a safety issue and that if they could not believe me that it was flickering, I would go to Acura. Furthermore, I showed them links to all the other people who posted here about the flicker and showed them that their Dealers replaed for free.
They finally budged and replaced for free as "good will" (quote was $420).
Based on my experience and other posts, I think if it is just flicker, then it is most likely bulb, but if total failure like this OP, could be igniter. In my case, they replaced the bulb and all is well.

 

I just might do that! I'm going to order the parts hopefully this week and I already spoke to my uncle who's a mechanic and he'll back me up if I need it lol.

 

So i found a used Controller and Igniter on Ebay for 150 + shipping, and its from an 08 and is tested to be in working condition... question is would you take the risk or spend that 150 on an OEM igniter from the dealer? I'm so torn!

safe bet is with the warrantied dealer part... but damn that price is good on the used part for both!

 

Is there a warrenty on these parts? I normally try to get everything OEM from Acura, but some of their price are insine. If they give a 30 day return policy, i would jump on it (your saving like 3-4 hundred from buying new)! If there is a problem with either the controller/igniter you will notice it after install or a few days later (if it works after that, i wouldn't worry...it is comming off of a 08 meaning less then a year old).

 

Wow! Great job on managing to get them to replace the bulbs via “goodwill”. As for myself I think it is a lost cause trying to get them to replace via warranty (hoping the OP will do a detailed DYI on this replacement ). I doubt I am not the only one, but for my 3 trips to the Acura dealership I have found it to be frustrating/annoying/ discourteous. Everytime I bring up a problem (i.e. flickering lights/dimples on the door handles/exhaust tips/ any type of interior and exterior noise : which they still end up fixing) they think I’m freaken delusional and gives me the strangest look (like I’m saying I saw a UFO)!

 

I'm just about 100% sure I'm going to do a DIY on the install. I'm just waiting for a reply from the seller to determine if i'm going to by from Ebay or not. It probably will be sometime next week before I take the detailed pictures of my process. It'll be my first DIY and i want legendary status lol.

Seriously, i just want this issue fixed... and my car is out of warranty so, my options are severely limited.

 

shouldnt this be covered under warranty? i have the same flickering issue on my front right headlight and looking to take it into the dealer for a warranty coverage fix. i have an extended warranty on my car. since it cant be the bulb it thats wrong it must be covered under warranty right?