First of all, I'm new here. I just signed up, because every time I Google something with my TL, AcuraZine shows up before anything else. Haha. But it seems like a great community, plenty of knowledgeable individuals, it seems. Could be wrong, but I hope not.

Alright, so when I bought the car a few weeks ago, I noticed that both headlight assemblies have a problem. The inner lens over the low beam bulb is yellow, and the top is literally melted. Because of that fact, my low beams are terribly dull and as the driver, it almost feels as if I'm driving without my headlights on at all. The brights, however, I feel like I can see forever away.

My first question: has anyone else had that problem (or similar) with the headlight assemblies? If so, is there a known cause, or is it likely just age?

With that being said, I'm looking at getting new assemblies. I found a pair for $127 online. No problem. The installation, I have that covered as well. When I do get them, I plan to get new bulbs as well -- replace everything at a single point in time. Makes sense to me. I can find the HID bulbs on Amazon for between $37 and $67 each, depending on the brand.

My next question is: Are the high beams the same type of bulb?

I ask because when I look on AutoZone's Web site, or use the little computer screen at Wal-Mart that tells me which products fit, they say Silverstar 9005 for the brights, which are much cheaper. However, the product details for the low beam HID bulbs state that their application is "low beam and high beam". So what's the deal with that?

 

use this guide as your lighting bible.
https://www.sylvania.com/en-us/appli...s/lrgmain.aspx

Low beam = D2r
High beam = 9005

only the 3rd gen TL came with Bi-xenon projectors.
this means; one bulb does both low and high beams.
the projector has a little solenoid or shield. when you activate the high beams, this shield lowers and you get more light

 

Thanks, justnspace. I'm still curious about the melted lens over the low beam bulbs. It's not much of an issue, as I don't have a need to drive at night too often anyhow. Plus, I'll be taking care of it fairly soon. But I'd like to know if anyone else has seen it?

 

I dont own a 2nd gen TL, so I wouldnt have come across the same problem as you are having.
except, i am pretty good at spotting, looking, and inspecting things.
could you take a pic of it and upload it to a photo sharing website like, photobucket and then share the the pic here?

 

Sure thing. I'm at work at the moment, but next time I step out I'll take a pic and upload it.

 

Driver's Side - http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...pseb89035c.jpg

Passenger's Side - http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...ps17cb9d4f.jpg

If you look closely at the top of the Passenger's Side photo, you can see the melted area. The driver's side isn't quite as yellow, but still melted at the top. The passenger's side light is the one that's really dim.

 

I havent ever seen that on a 2nd gen. Usually its the outside cover that gets discolored. I would replace the headlights and bulbs like you mentioned and carry on. Oh, also I would check out http://www.theretrofitsource.com/ for bulbs. You pay a little more but they are quality bulbs and they have great customer service.

 

Yeah, I always thought it would be the outside lens as well. It's strange to me. But I honestly have no idea if the lights have ever been changed. And considering it's a 2000, I'm thinking the age just got to it. That, or the assemblies on the car are cheaply made.

 

the only time ive seen a 3G TL headlight burn like that in your pictures is when people replace the factory 35 watt ballast with a 55watt ballast.
the bulb generates TOO much heat and melts the plastic housing.

the one thing ive seen on these 2G TL's is the ballast not being water proof enough and it usually dies.
im interested in seeing if your ballast was ever changed.

 

Alright. Would it require a full disassembly to check it? Or is that something I can check under the hood?

 

i believe the front bumper has to come off to visibly see the ballast, as it will be directly underneath the headlight

 

Yup, pull the bumper and the brace behind it, and you're in ballast-ville. Doesn't take long once you find every clip and bolt, then the housings come out easily for inspection/replacement/retrofit.

 

Thank you all for the input. I'll have it looked at by the shop. When I find out more, I may update this post. But seeing as how it'll be a little while, I may just make a new post altogether and let everyone know.