xyrcncp

I'm not sure if it's because of the cold weather we've been having around here, but for the past 2 days when I turn on my headlights, the left one turns on "slower" than the instant-on of the right one. Could it be the weather or is the bulb or ballast going bad?

xyrcncp

anyone? This morning I turned on the headlights and the left one came on, but it looks dim and kinda pinkish.

xyrcncp

Edit: nevermind, I read through other threads and I'm gonna try the swapping of the bulbs and see if in fact the problem is the bulb or the ballast.
Quick questions about our bulbs? They are D2R size and 4300K OEM? Is it advisable to go to let's say 6000K? Finally, where's a good place to buy them at OEM or 6000K?

Bob_F

Yes, the OEM or stock bulbs are D2R and 4300K.

Although some forum members are happy with 6000K bulbs for the color, you will get less light on the road. One forum member noted that the 6000K bulbs make seeing road signs in the rain more difficult. The consensus seems to be that the 4300K bulbs are best for seeing the road.

I just replaced the bulbs on my 1999 TL and I went with Philips 4300K D2Rs. The cost for the pair was less than $70 shipped via an ebay seller. If you want to check out ebay search for "D2R" and 4300K. Be sure to check the feedback and read the descriptions carefully. Some bulbs are "low time" and not brand new. I wouldn't fool with low time bulbs myself.

Be sure to buy a matched pair since the bulbs do change over time. My previous set of bulbs were really starting the age and the light output had dropped markedly. The also started to take on a pink/purple color. The new bulbs are great.

You can replace these yourself but you'll want to pick up a tamper-proof Torx T-20 tool to remove the screws form the bulb enclosures. The tamper-proof Torx fitting has a hole in the center of the star pattern. A standard T-20 Torx will not work.

Also be careful not to touch the bulbs since the oils from your skin can cause a premature failure.

Bob

xyrcncp

Thanks man, really appreciate the info I was thinking of maybe getting 5000K bulbs, but I'll see. I PMd Excellerate (sp?) and asked about the deal he was running of $150/pair, but I'm not sure if he has 4300K or 5000K.

I did see other threads talking about 6000K bulbs and decided I won't touch 6000K bulbs and stay either with 4300K or 5000K.

fsttyms1

If its turning pinkish the bulb is most likely wearing out. Id stick with 4300 if your looking for the maximum amount of light. I would swap sides with the bulbs jsut to double check though.

xyrcncp

Yeah, I'll do that to check. Too bad is supposed to ice tonight.

xyrcncp

So I go to Advance Auto Parts to look for the T-20 torx...the guy gives me a confused face when I asked if they carry them. Then walks over to the socket section, where I had been already, and points at....get this...REGULAR sockets.

I'm like WTF?, so I point at the Torx ones and tell him that I need a tamper-proof T-20. The confused face comes out again. I dumb it down a little bit more, and I tell him, it's a regular T-20 but with a hole in the middle. He proceeds to say that he's never seen something like it and that it must be a dealer item...I walked out.

Bob_F

They can be harder to find than the basic Torx drivers. After checking a couple of places, I found a pack of four Stanley tamper-proof Torx from my local WalMart for about $7.

My local Sears also had them but they were part of a more expensive driver and bit set.

Bob

01tl4tl

The light turns pink
Then the light no longer turns on

Get some bulbs quick!

xyrcncp

That's pretty much what happened last night. The light went out...I was driving around with one light on. I'll be changing the lights today.