Low beam out

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Old 04-25-2009, 11:33 PM
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Low beam out

2002 3.2TL.

OK...my pass. side low beam bulb is out. I read the owners manual and it said not to mess with replacing the low beam bulb. Yeah, the high beam bulb just pops right out. But the round cover behind the low beam has a warning label on it that basically says keep out, danger of life threatening shock. WTF!

The owners manual goes on to say if the low beam goes out take it to the dealer. Another WTF!

Do I need to do this? If so, how much is this gonna cost me?

Thanks, RS
Old 04-26-2009, 12:14 AM
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ehh thats ur hids. u can buy bulbs for it. preffer to get after markets. if u get the original you will pay a crap load from the dealer. it is safe to remove just make sure u have it off. Just do hope its just the bulb and not anything else (ballast or ignitor) if so u you will be spending some cash.
Old 04-26-2009, 10:10 AM
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Switch bulbs to see if it is the culprit. If it is still not working, then it can be the ballast or ignitor.
Old 04-26-2009, 10:50 AM
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check the diy section-its not as bad as it sounds- remove a few things for access and dive in
you have to get a torx #20 SECURITY screwdriver bit to get out the special screws on the round back cover- or cut them flatblade with a dremel

Leave the lights off for a few hours to let the energy contained in parts to die off
Handle bulbs wearing latex or rubber gloves- finger oil will cut their lifespan!!

If there was any moisture in that housing behind the lens glass- you have another problem to deal with before the bulb

Replace bulbs in pairs or the brightness and color will be way different and the other one will go out soon

Our sponsoring vendor Excelerate carries Kaixen brand- ~$110 per pair azine price- used by many here
stock color is 4300k
5000k is a little more blue, 6000k is a lot more
stick with 5000 for normal drivers
Other brands can be found on the bay for cheaper- but dont trust used!
for referance Dealer price- $125 per bulb!
Old 04-26-2009, 11:23 AM
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Thanks, guys...I'll look into that #20 driver...looked like they're just Phillips heads.

Expensive damn bulbs!
Old 04-26-2009, 11:25 AM
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How do I link to Excelerate? There's no excelerate.com. Thks, RS
Old 04-26-2009, 12:10 PM
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^https://acurazine.com/forums/sponsored-sales-group-buys-10/kaixen-hid-replacement-d2c-bulbs-new-price-394988/

Replacing the bulbs looks scarier then it actually is
Old 04-26-2009, 08:21 PM
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I'm just worried about the 26,000 volt warning label.

Anyone got a link to the DIY thread re low beam bulb replacement for a 2002 TL?
Old 04-26-2009, 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by rollinstone
I'm just worried about the 26,000 volt warning label.

Anyone got a link to the DIY thread re low beam bulb replacement for a 2002 TL?
Our guru and moderator fsttyms1 has a low beam HID bulb replacement DIY here, at post 38 of this thread:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...light=security
Old 04-26-2009, 11:06 PM
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you can PM Excelerate on here or the estore is
http://store.excelerateperformance.com/default.aspx
PM for any special ziner prices- or phone call to Josh

its not a phillips- and the differance between the regular torx #20 and the special torx SECURITY #20 is the center thing that prevents a normal screwdriver from going in-

its anti theft in its intentions- but if the crooks want the bulbs they take the entire housing~ with a crowbar
Old 04-26-2009, 11:07 PM
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2 bucks for the tip or screwdriver at most parts stores
Old 04-27-2009, 02:39 AM
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Like all have said its really simple...just looks intimidating, MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT TOUCH THE BULB, use gloves. When you get the safety cap off you may have issues figuring our what to do next...at least i did, you just have to rotate the igniter, (black piece) and it will pop out.
Old 04-27-2009, 11:08 AM
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Y'know...youz guys are awesome! This is gonna save me major bucks!

Now, this is my wife's car, so I don't need no fancy bulbs...I heard Phillips 4300K's are close to stock? But if I can get the Kaixen 6000K's for cheap, why not?
Old 04-27-2009, 11:12 AM
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yes sir...go with 5K to keep it close to stock...thats what im running...to make it easier on you put the bulb in there first so the connector that goes to the bulb doesnt give u such a hard time when tryin to put the metal holder in place...i learned that after 30 minutes tryin to mess with it...
Old 04-27-2009, 11:23 AM
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5K ftw
Old 04-27-2009, 01:09 PM
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i grabbed a pair of 4300K Philips D2R bulbs on ebay for $87.88 shipped,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...S:11&viewitem=

in case you wanted to go for the 4300K stock color
Old 04-27-2009, 06:26 PM
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there is a metal arm that locks the bulb in place
It will make you crazy if you dont understand- push in to unlock- move sideways to release-
Wear latex or rubber gloves when handling bulbs
Make sure the external piece doesnt get damaged by twisting the bulb as its installed
Make sure it goes in --the same direction the old one came out- its external electrode on top iirc---anyone??
Old 04-27-2009, 06:26 PM
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a small mechanics inspection mirror is a big help looking in to see the locking mechanism
Old 04-30-2009, 03:37 PM
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Guys...what's the trick for removing or getting around the air cleaner box on the driver's side? PITA. I can unscrew the air cleaner top from the box, but can't see how to get the top out of the way without possibly breaking the spring that holds the top in the intake.

Even then, it looks like there's a metal plate just in front of the box. Is there anything else that's in the way?

Also, the washer fluid filler neck is in the way on the pass. side. Does that remove easily? How?

I'm about ready to take it to my mechanic (not a dealer), and pay him the $100 or so to do the job, after I give him the bulbs I bought on eBay, for cheap!
Old 04-30-2009, 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by rollinstone
Guys...what's the trick for removing or getting around the air cleaner box on the driver's side? PITA. I can unscrew the air cleaner top from the box, but can't see how to get the top out of the way without possibly breaking the spring that holds the top in the intake.

Even then, it looks like there's a metal plate just in front of the box. Is there anything else that's in the way?

Also, the washer fluid filler neck is in the way on the pass. side. Does that remove easily? How?

I'm about ready to take it to my mechanic (not a dealer), and pay him the $100 or so to do the job, after I give him the bulbs I bought on eBay, for cheap!
Pull the bumper cover off, take the lights off and........
Old 04-30-2009, 04:00 PM
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The lights sit above the bumper. So, if I remove the bumper and come in from under the lights will I see mounting bolts/screws that hold the lights? My wife's got the car for the rest of the day...can't do much now.
Old 05-01-2009, 02:36 PM
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If you remove the few end bolts and pop out clips and take off the front bumber cover- the headlight housing bolts are right there.
Remove entire housing, swap out the bulbs and lock the arm.
replace back covers and install housing
Sometimes its faster that way
Have a friend to help remove the cover- its big and you dont want to drop and scratch it- a blanket on the ground wont hurt~
Watch closely and get the cover under the fender liner edges- or wherever it has to be inside or outside of the next part on reinstall.
Old 05-02-2009, 06:16 AM
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I do not want to be the bearer of bad news!! that said..
At this point the bulb is your suspect. There are other components that can also be the cause of this problem, those components are also in the vicinity.So pulling the bumper cover not only helps, by getting the job done easier, but you will be halfway to figure out problems, if the bulb is not the problem.
This is the way, I did it, and I found it to be easier than having to get my hands between the components and what.... via the underhood method.
If you decide to do it this way there is a diy somewhere, you can search, I will also try looking for it, if I find it I will surely post the link.
Old 05-02-2009, 06:25 AM
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Originally Posted by spiro
I do not want to be the bearer of bad news!! that said..
At this point the bulb is your suspect. There are other components that can also be the cause of this problem, those components are also in the vicinity.So pulling the bumper cover not only helps, by getting the job done easier, but you will be halfway to figure out problems, if the bulb is not the problem.
This is the way, I did it, and I found it to be easier than having to get my hands between the components and what.... via the underhood method.
If you decide to do it this way there is a diy somewhere, you can search, I will also try looking for it, if I find it I will surely post the link.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/184466/18
Old 05-10-2009, 01:25 PM
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It was the bulb! Whew...what a relief! That last link from Spiro did the trick...excellent DIY w/ pics! I was just about ready to take her to my fave shop when I read that link last night. Got to her this morning...finished in under 2 hours!

Thanks, Spiro...and all the others who chipped in!

Rollinstone...*tippin' back a cold one for all of ya's*
Old 05-10-2009, 07:55 PM
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You did replace both sides low beam bulb,, right?

If not- the color and brightness with be very noticable, enough to attract the wrong kind of attention from LE~
plus the other one will fail in a month or 2,,they get the same amount of wear

New bulbs need about 50 to 100 hours to get fully ~burned in~, like bedding in good brakes-
they take sustained useage time to get up to max brightness and stable color
Drive with them on all the time- that will take care of it and help you be seen by other cars
Old 05-11-2009, 01:34 AM
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Yep...replaced both...picked up on that earlier. Thanks re the tip to drive with them on all the time...did not know that.
Old 05-11-2009, 08:08 AM
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yeah- the packaging never tells you how to do things right~

You will notice the differance over a month as they bed in, and driving with them on is a good safety habit,,
So many people dont look out the windshield while driving,,,or left their brains somewhere...
The bright lights coming down the road help get their attention
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