Acura 2003 TL, bought about 4 weeks ago from a used car dealer.

In the first week, I noticed that the Driver's side headlamp was out. Checked with the dealer who obviously said that it was fine when sold (hadn't checked that well enough)

So, after debating the HIDExtra aftermarket kit, took it to a HID specialist in town (a decision that I regretted soon after not because of problems but I figured I could have done the job myself). The bulb was out, so was the ballast. A bit pricey, but he installed what was an AC ballast (HIDextra is DC balllast), igniter and new bulbs.

Worked well for a couple of weeks, no issues. Last night, too, I did not notice anything remiss. This morning, I flick on headlights 'cos it was a bit cloudy and I noticed from the reflection on the car in front of me that the driver side was out. I turned it off and on as I drove for the next 10 minutes (still Driver's side out). I turned on headlights probably a 4th or 5th time in 10 minutes and observed both lamps on in the bumper in front of me, although the Drivers side seemed to be about 20% brighter than the other, later confirmed when I got out and looked at them.

Do I have a bad switch? Something else going on?

 

Hey Isiravi, take it back to the "HID" specialist who done ya wrong. Make them either fix it right or give your money back and go buy an aftermarket kit for DIY.

 

You don't have a bad switch. You have bad parts...either ballast, ignitor or bulb....it's anybody's guess. This is not the way to do things for an out-of-warranty car. You need to replace all bulbs and install an aftermarket HID kit. This is the best bang for your buck.
As for what to do now....well, hopefully these guys can take back their parts and refund your money. It's easy to install an HID kit yourself. We have a diy with pictures here.

 

I *do* have an aftermarket kit installed. Just the on-again, off-again situation. I tried it a few times now. Comes on each time. I'm just confused.

I also have a 2 year warranty on bulbs and life-time warranty on ballast. So not worried there. They'll replace everything, labor included, if necessary. But I do need to show 'em 'this is the problem' when I get there.

 

Any idea what brand HID kit they installed? Could it be a cheap one? Cheap kits often have these types of problems.

 

The name escapes my memory. Given the life-time warranty and that they are local, I would guess it isn't too bad a sort. Those guys have been around a while, so they aren't hit and run. I looked them up before I went to them.

Will look up the brand and post later.

 

No brand on it.

HID Lighting System
E13 10R 02-9538

That's all it says. It isn't, however, as small as the HIDExtra system. Pretty big - as big as the stock. Sounds like a generic Chinese brand.

 

And you said it has a separate ignitor, right? Sounds like an old cheap generic unit. You take your chances with this stuff. If it was me, I would get a refund on it and install a reliable Morimoto unit with a 5 yr replacement warranty on bulbs + ballasts.