Thanks to Acurazine I was able to diagnose and fix my HID problem. I just purchased an 03 TL and after getting it home my wife realized the right low beam wasn't working. I googled Acura headlight repair and found this site and so much information. I purchasing the Hidextra kit and relay kit, and just installed it last night, with a few problems...

The previous owner replaced only the drivers side low beam with a kit and ran a jumper wire from the low beam plug to the park light WTF! Needless to say, I blew the small light fuse along with high beam fuse. Now that I killed the jumper and replaced the fuses, everthing is working properly. Now it's time to solder and heat shrink my connections this morning and put everything back together.

This is my first foreign car and I have a lot to learn, but I'm confident that with the help of this forum I can keep my car running in top shape. So far I am really liking my choice, which was between the TL and the Lexus ES 300. This car is fun to drive and has a great split personality, luxury mixed with sporty.

Sorry for such a long first post, but just wanted to say thank you for all the great information.

 

glad we were able to help find and fix the problem
Not surprising you had to deal with a past owner jiy
Im running the same kit and very happy wih color and output lumens

mounted the ballast to side of frame rail with double stick tape for vibration then zip ties together to make a long one, thru a few holes and around the ballast- thats not going anywhere

slid the extra wire to bulb under the light housing as it was slid back into place, zip tie together and out of the way

I do suggest installing the ground wire provided- from the ballast to frame- make it ready for ground by removing paint, like any ground wire = clean bare metal to metal is best

 

the lex is nice but when any prob occurs- its complex,,,expensive~
The TL is pretty user easy to fix most probs

suggest you flush the ps and brake fluid asap, see diy section = 3rd item down the main gen2 list (where you are now)

register with acura 1 800 382 2238 x5 as new owner- ask if all recalls are taken care of
and www.owners.acura.com where you can store the radio security codes and download a free owner manual
many tips in that, speeds in SS etc
do NOT use SS to downshift into 3 or 2 at max rpm !!! = fast way to a trans rebuild

Brakes are for slowing the car, trans is for going faster

an 03 is probably ready for its 105/7year maitenance-timing belt water pump- good idea hoses and thermostat,,new spark plugs,,use only the correct 8 dollar each ngk
ck seafoam diy and buy 2 cans,,under 20 bucks total

 

and most important- welcome to acurazine-home of the ziner nut!

 

Low Beam doesnt need a Relay Kit tough! that would be the High Beams.

WELCOME TO AZINE!!!

 

Thanks everyone!

Everything is back together and is working correctly. The bumper was easy to remove and reinstall. The radio code card was in the owners manual, all is good!

Oddly enough, the previously owner had all the service records, receipts and performed all the required maintenance. The timing belt/water pump was done at 100k, the transmission was replaced at 80k. Plugs where changed along with fuel injection cleaning at the same time. Brakes and tires at 105 and now the clock is showing 117k.

 

i also have an 03 TL-S recently purchased about 203xxx km on it, guess i could use the same maintenance items..

also how bad is using sport shift? is it fine to use as long as ur not making hard downshifts? Mine has a large delay goin up from 2nd to 3rd in SS but is fine in D5 and so on

 

SS uses a higher line pressure, which can help if the trans doesnt want to engage a gear
If yours works in d5 thats your gear!
each gear has its own clutch pack-stack of thin friction disc-- like cd's on a stick
they wear out differently 2-3 being our weak points, 3rd gets much less oil flow to it for cooling than other sets

repeated downshifts `for no purpose` are a hurt on the trans weak parts
if you are needing to be on the torque band at the apex,,ok use SS and enjoy!
some fun is ok, just not repeated abuse= in town playing wannabe racer
Brakes are cheap and made to slow the car,,
Trans shifting is to go faster

 

great score on a car with the 105 etc already done!

DO a fuel injection cleaning every year/15kmiles
many here use seafoam for easy, dependable results
bg redline and motorpurr are other favorites