03blackbeast

Ive been posting alot lately but oh well. So I've had my TL almost a year now. I switched to all HID's up front after about 2 months because I like the look. Had a mechanic retrofit them and replaced all the balasts and bulbs with aftermarket. Now I've on my 3rd set of those on my lo's and fog's. They change to random colors after about a month then they slowly die and turn on when they want then eventually just go out one by one. I've tried different brands and spots for my ballasts. Any ideas? I'm at a loss and am game for anything. Thanks for the help.

Gfaze

You replaced your OEM ballasts and bulbs for your lows with an aftermarket HID kit? Why?

What brand HID kits did you get?

01tl4tl

why???! how bout because the oe stuff gets water logged from moisture in the housing drips out,,and dies!

Are you using a relay -dedicated power to the lights?
or just tapped into circuit for each system?

That would be my first fix, sort out the power= as fluctuations will kill bulbs

you can make one from radio shack parts or get the kit from www.hidextra.com for 16$
I like their hid replacement kit for us- 2x ballast bulbs ignitors for $59, 10% off coupons abound!

03blackbeast

I've been thinking about a doing a relay kit. Hopefully I can get one ordered and see if that works. They're relatively inexpensive. Thanks for the idea!

Skirmich

My OE Ballast been fine for over 10 Years Now

For the OP are you sure they arent Cheap-O Bulbs??? I had to replace my Fog HID Bulb recently becouse it started to change its Color randomly but it wasnt the Ballast just the Bulb! Replace them Both for 25 Bucks Shipped over Ebay and bein doing fine since.

victus1

Most places will send you cheap bulbs with their HID kits. Either use Phillips OEM bulbs (which are the best) or get good aftermarket ones like Morimotos. TRS sells OEM bulbs at really good prices.

01tl4tl

hidextra bulbs are high quality,,nice color and lumens

10 years old and ready to fail!
The main prob is moisture inside the headlight lens--that drips out and directly onto the ballast,,the circuitry fries and often takes the capacitor/ignitor with it

For the price of OE parts, we are smarter to install new aftermarket hid kits that are WATERPROOF..solving the main problem

I agree that quality bulbs are important

01tl4tl

hid bulbs change color near death,,our low beams often pink or purple at startup,
can be other colors during run time = order some replacements

Skirmich

Nah mine started to shift in color in about 5 months XD Bad Bulbs I guess...

But Seriously My OEM Ballast seems to run Strong as Hell not a Single Issue, But anyway if they Go Ill try to Replace them for another set of OEMs I think China Ballast will never out-run OEM... I mean 10 years? I had an Aftermarket Ballast for my Fogs that went South in 3 weeks....

victus1

You cannot beat OEM ballasts and bulbs for quality and longevity. But you can sure beat the insane prices the dealer charges. You can get OEM ballasts & bulbs for a fraction of what the dealer is asking.

DphAmT

I don't know about you guys but I've been using DDM Tuning HIDs for awhile now. the only thing that crapped out on me was the bulbs. since it's lifetime warranty, i just call them in and they send me new ones.

01tl4tl

with our known moisture issues- going aftermarket with WATERPROOF ballast
and connectors sealed etc, is the smart money way to go = IMO

acura did not buy the best parts- it bought what was avail in mass quantity for cheapest

Skirmich

I must disagree 01tl4tl on that One....
Acura/Honda did use the ONLY Manufacturer of HID Ballast IN THE WORLD at the Time: PHILIPS/OSRAM and that one was made from top Materials over Germany.

I think the Main Reason our OEM ballast fail is becouse a STUPID HEADLIGHT DESIGN! I bet you if you get some Gromets where the Ignitor Cable goes to the Ballast to Inhibit Moisture those things must Last x10 ANY Aftermarket Ballast, Hell even the Gap between Bumper Headlight let alot of Water/Rain hit the Ballast most of the Time...

An Idiotic 5$ Plastic Water Shield and a 1$ Buck Gromet should save around 500 Bucks in Parts..... ACURA/HONDA cannot think of it All I guess, At least they Gived Us a GREAT ENGINE HEH!!!

victus1

^Agreed. You cannot beat oem ballasts for quality and longevity. You can get the new oem Matsushita Gen V for $170/pair. This is what you find in the new Japanese vehicles. The oem stuff is designed to be in a moisture-free environment. Acura should have known this. But you can always put a bead of silicone around their case.


http://www.theretrofitsource.com/pro...roducts_id=147

Skirmich

That kit Victus1 Looks GREAT! Doest that even fit in the OEM HID Cover??? If it does is AWESOME!

victus1

Ahh....you can always make things fit. I managed to install the Morimoto kit in the exact same location (under the headlight) using screws and zip ties. These new Gen V oem ballasts would easily install under the headlight and fit inside the cover with minor tweeks.