Hey hows it going guys? Well I have another one for you guys, and please bear with me as I'm a noob and all.

I just got my baby (02 TL-S) back from the shop after a major accident. And I noticed parked next to my range rover the HID's of the TL weren't as bright as the range's HID. And I can distinctly remember that before the accident, the HID's were of pure bright white color of that what Xeon lights should look like.

So what do you guys think could cause this to happen? By the way, I'm running ballasts and ignitors off of a 05' TSX. The body shop that did all the work claimed that installed brand new bulbs. But I was wondering if they used a cheaper version or generic quality bulb, could that cause it to be less bright? Thanks your help and input. I look forward to hearing your responses.

 

Could have used 6000k bulbs instead of 4100k our cars use, and cheapos at that!
real Phillips bulbs are $130 or so a pair online- the dealer gets that much PER bulb!!-

What exactly does the invoice say- I worked in a body shop - till my morals returned and had to quit!-get the point???

Pull a bulb and check the markings
4100 6000 8000 numbers are about color spectrum- the higher numbers put less visable light onto the road surface

Was the ballast setup something you had done before or what they used instead of the stock parts?

 

I am guessing insurance paid for the repairs- as such- some shops or even the insurance co. itself, will try to use crap low quality stuff to save money and maximize profits

You have rights!!! Read your policy and contact your insurance agent
Have a different shop inspect the entire repair job to be sure its correct-

again-YOU HAVE RIGHTS to a properly fixed car

Dont expect your lights to be the same as any other car- especially the rover!

 

Thanks for the great advice. I'm definitely going to pull one of the bulbs and check them.

As for the ballasts, the shop was going to order the new parts (ballasts and ignitors) when they were repairing the whole car. I was going to let them order the parts until I found out how much they cost. ($700 per side) So I checked eBay and found the very same ones but they were taken off a 2005 TSX. I verified through a couple of sources, and found out that it should work in our TL's with no problem. So I bought them really cheap on eBay and gave it to the shop to install. But I have a good feeling that its the bulbs that are the problem. I'll let you know what happens either way though.

 

also new bulbs need around 100 hrs to fully change over color and brightness.

 

I had forgotten about HID break in periods- good catch Kris!

Drive with lights on during the day for a few weeks to bed them in!

 

100% correct. It's called color shifting. They take about 100hrs to color shift. I took pics of what my bulbs looked like before I replaced them with new ones and the new ones looked yellow compared to the old color shifted bulbs. Any time i'm in the car and driving, those headlights are on.

 

Thanks alot guys I really appreciate your input/suggestions. I had no idea about the color shifting and bedding them in.

But the thing is, as of right now they're actually not yellow. They're kinda white...just not exactly HID pure white (almost a lil bluish) as were before the accident happened. So do you still think that bedding them in will do the trick? I'm not sure if this matters or not - just thought to ask.

Also, one more thing (stupid actually), when I was taking out my HID bulb to check the markings if the shop used the right bulbs or not. I accidentally dropped that oddly "U" shaped clip that held the HID bulb in place from the back. That clip holds the bulb in place and a screw holds the clip, and then the ignitor goes over it. I think I dropped it directly below the headlight by the windshield fluid container. I tried everything to find it, I even tried to abruptly accelerate and brake the car so it might fall down somewhere. So what can I do now?? Do they have this part at the dealer? Or can I buy the clip from somewhere else (local part store)?

As always, I appreciate any input for you guys as I know its coming from the experts.

 

Yea, they're not really yellow, but not that bright compared to a color shifted bulb. Yes, leaving the lights on all the time you drive will break it in. As for that clip that holds the bulbs in, I'm not sure where you can find that, but I suggest looking for it. good luck

 

It could be only my perception, but it seems that newer models of cars are much more effective at the amount of light put evenly on the pavement. I had the factory 4300K bulbs and upgraded to 6000K Philips and did notice a slight decrease in visibility, however my factory 4300K bulbs ('02 TL-S) were dim in comparison to, say, an '07 Audi A6 or '07 LS450. And I say that with "aging" aside. Placing their ballasts and bulbs in our car would yield different results. I blame the reflectors in our cars over anything else. Now yes, newer cars may also be projectors but so is the TSX and it still doesn't seem to compare to the other manufacturers new lines. I do admit, it could be my perception.

Thanks.

 

Thanks guys for all your advice and expertise. So I got the bulbs back in (tried everywhere for the clip - but no luck) I actually just used a paper clip, and bent it like how the original one was. I'll keep looking for the clip elsewhere in the meantime.

Just one last thing, while I had the bulb out I figured if anyone knew whether these were OE bulbs - you guys would. I tried to take pics of it, but left my cameras at the office. So, I managed to write down every marking on the base of the bulb (exlactly how it was written) - so here goes:

Osram Xenarc (on other side of base)
03X DOT Germany 682092
D2R 35W 66050 1621
96T1

So, can any of you decipher any of this?? Does the wattage tell you anything (35w) - is that the right wattage? And can you figure out the "k" rating from any of this? As always, I greatly appreciate any thoughts, inputs, advice.

 

HIDs should be 35w, so that is correct.

Osram and Philips are essentially the two names you will find on most factory HID setups. I believe our car came with either Osram or Philips depending on year of manufacturing. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

The Philips 85126 is the equivalent of the Osram 66050. The Osram you listed is 4250K.

 

Oh great and thanks for quick response. BTW, so an extra 50k wont make much of a difference - huh? (i know i sound like a noob)

 

Fix the clip so the light sits in there perfect and burn the headlights in

Try junkyard for clip

 

50 Kelvin in color is not noticeable. 500K in color difference is barely noticeable, but noticeable. I can recognize that my 2500K fogs are more yellow than 3000K for example.

 

Thanks alot for all great responses and advices. I'm going to have to make it a day outing to the junkyard one of these days. As I'm very lazy.

 

Most likely you can call one and they will pull the clip off a housing in the back room
Or call the Acura dealer and tell parts dept what you need, like you're the first person to drop that clip!

 

I also thought the dealer might've had too. From maybe a bad/broken housing or something alike. I explained them what it was and what I needed. (received the oddest confused and bewildered stare from the parts guy) He went into the back room and brought a diagram of the headlight. And told me to point it out.....which I replied that its at the back of the housing and not shown in the diagram! He then rudely told me that its part of the housing and theres nothing they can do. (i would have to buy the whole housing again!) I even tried to reason w/ him, since I just recently bought the oem lip kit from them. Maybe I'll just call around to other dealership. Btw...that dealer was Mcgrath acura in Morton Grove near Chicago, for any of you guys in the area.