Okay, so I've spent a lot of time trying to find the answers that I need, but I've come up as short as I was when I started researching.

My ballasts have gone to shit is the nutshell, and now I shall elaborate on what I'm having trouble with:

Is there a ballast for each individual beam (high and low)?
I've been browsing for new HID kits but some are only for high beams and others only for low. Essentially, do I need to order a set for my high AND low beams? Meaning there would be 4 ballasts total in my presumption. I'm just now getting into cars so bear with me and excuse my improper use of terms if I'm doing so.

I am kind of wanting 6000k for my lows and 5000k for my high's. Feasible, or should I stick to one kind all around?

My car: 03 TL-S

 

There are only 2 Lights that Use HIDs those are the Low Beams, High Beams are normal Halogen 65w Lights.

You can Actually change the OEM ballast for an Aftermarket Kit and Add up a Second for Highs. I do have different K ratings for Highs and Lows that is most for looks you can Even all Out to look well... even.

Hope that Helps Bud.

 

So the reason for my left high beam going out is an isolated incident on it's own then? The only source of light that is working for me right now is my right high beam; it's terrible haha. Do you have any links to the aftermarket parts you're referring to?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/9005-HB3-500...ht_5699wt_1140

^ This says it fits high beam, but when I looked at the one described as low beam it wasn't compatible with my model. Another confliction that is leading to my confusion. Basically is this what I need to get my low beams back into shape?

If you feel there is something better out there please feel free to point me in the right direction. Take note though that being a 19 year old with a limited budget is a factor unfortunately.

 

assuming you have ckd fuses and relays for power, and may have water inside the headlight lens issues:

go to our trusted sponsor and supplier www.hidextra.com
look up your car and see the `kit` thats $59
that will fix your low beams,,has new ballast, capacitor/ignitor and bulbs for both sides
suggest 5000k for best to see objects on the road with

you can get another kit and convert the high beams, with some extra work

 

Like my trusty bud here "01tl4tl" said Plus:

3200K/3500Lm this is Golden Yellow ala JDM Style the Strongest output of All
4300K/3300Lm OEM Bulb aka Amber.
5000K/3100Lm is like the OEM bulb just Ultra White instead of Amber
6000K/3000Lm its a lil upgrade to 5K with a Hint of Blue
8000K/2900Lm its the "Show" light having a more hint of blue than white.
In my experience they all work to Light the Road BUT Some people cant handle the different Color light very well assuming theres less light in the road with 6 and 8K. Never go far up to 10K, 12K etc. They start to be darker (Ultra Blue, Deep Blue, Purple, Etc.) those ratings surpass the Dark Spectrum of Colors meaning the light will blend with dark roads! Very dangerous. 8K is as far as you wanna go.

For the Low Beams Youll need a D2R Aftermarket kit hidextra.com carries it.
For the Highs youll need a 9005 Aftermarket kit also on hidextra.com
For the Fog Lights (02-03) youll need a 9006 etc etc....

Since our Low Beams comes with OEM HIDs you need to replace the Ballast and Ignitor in OEM this parts comes as 2 pieces, The ballas beneath the Headlight and the Ignitor that attaches to the Bulb Itself.
In an Aftermarket kit the ballast look the same as all but you need
The Ignitor plug that isnt really an Ignitor in some kits just and empty plastic shell needed to actually fit our Bulbs.

I currently have:
Low Beams: 8000K High Beams: 6000K
Fog Lights: 8000K
Can perfectly see everything on the road (With all 6 Lights On) I sometimes miss having the 5Ks but the Color of the 8s are Priceless. I have the 5Ks in the garage so I can swap anytime.


Hope that info Helps bud...

 

3000 is yellow for fog lights
4300 was stock white with a good taste of blue
5000 I suggest as plenty of white to see road with and more blue than stock- that picks up the reflecto paint in road markings and signs

6000 (ran kaixens for 3 years) seemed great at the time, until new side by side comparison in my car between 5 and 6 =
5 totally wins for ability to see stuff on the road,,, and avoid it

thats what I use the lights for,,seeing!
if you only care about how it looks to oncoming traffic...6 looks way cool

anything higher will attract law enforcements attention...you see cars with purple headlights coming at you on the road now,--what do you think? that cars not stock!

 

hidextras kit for the lows has the ignitor/capacitor built inline on the power cable from ballast to bulb

hid systems need each part in order to create, store, and spark at extreme/thousands of volts! all to light the bulbs~

 

I think someone mentioned that hidextra only supplies D2S bulbs now with these kits. My 2000 TL takes the D2R bulbs. Is it ok if I install this kit with the D2S? Will there be any visibility problems?
I am thinking of ordering the 5000K 55W kit....and yes, I will be aiming the lights lower.

 

I called hidextra who confirmed they only carry the D2S bulbs from now on. I am thinking of installing these 55W D2S bulbs in my 00 TL (aimed low to not blind other drivers), unless there are any objections or problems I should be aware of....

 

D2S bulbs in our Headlights will introduce Glare...
D2R have an Special Glare Shield that Avoids it...

Im running D2S Bulbs right now, No Problems so far.

 

I just got a kit from HIDextra and hooked up the driver side (it flickers and goes out, but I'm not sure if that's because I haven't installed the passenger side.)

Is this how it should be hooked up? (I drew this up rather than explaining)

 

No! Each ballast should have their own (-/+) they dont fire up in series!!

 

cut the OE connector off the power to low beam -at the headlight housing- to splice together new/old leads there,
or buy matching half of the connector that comes attached to new ballast wires and make it that way

each side of the car has its own fuse, relay, and power leads for the low beams

 

I think we early year TL's can use the bulb,,
its later years that came with different base and shield

 

Lot's of information here, and much more appreciation! Thank you all. I'll be sure to let you guys know how it all goes once the parts actually get here. I'm sure I'll have more questions.

 

Hope you guys see this. I'm going to clean them up tomorrow.

 

Thats alot of Glare did you Removed the Glare Shields on the Headlights? D2S Bulbs should not introduce so much Glare.

 

reminder to all with new lights: it takes approx 50-100 hours of run time for them to `burn in` and settle on their full brightness and color

Drive with lights on all the time to get those hours in!

makes a big differance --like when your new brakes get fully bedded~

 

Might just be the way my phone caught the light, but I've done no such thing.

 

A lot of great information in this thread!

With the TL Type S I just picked up, the right head light goes on sometimes and doesnt other times. Mostly doesnt work, I bought new bulbs for it thinking it was that but nope. I think the issue could be the stock ballasts, is this a common issue with the TL's?

I was looking into hidextra and the 55W kit, it seems to be a nice kit, do I need a cancellor and relay harness?

thanks guys

 

A very common issue. I ordered from hidextra and ne eded no cancellor or relay harness .

 

You shouldn't need a harness. Most of the harnesses have a relay and they pull power directly from the battery and use the 12v source from one of the stock headlights to handle switching. The harness alone should be enough to fix flicker and uneven start up for those without Acuras. Acura's come with separate relays for each side. No need for the harness. Just find the 12v source that powers your OEM ballast on each side. Tap into that to power the aftermarket ballast. You want to use female spade terminals on the (+) side. I cut my OEM connectors off leaving enough wire hanging out of the back so I could crimp spades on and throw them in the trunk in case I ever decide to go back to OEM. On my 2000 TL the 12v source is a gray connector. The other end disappears under the headlight can behind the bumper. That can stay put. All you need is the 12v input.

 

thanks for the input, I have been looking for the DIY on doing the HID kit, where is the DIY section here on Acurazine

 

3rd item down the gen2 thread list.. as you enter
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/new-official-2nd-gen-tl-diy-thread-706083/
save to your favorites

with the hidextra kit- it comes with connectors on ballast power and ground.
you can buy the mates for `car side` of the wire at any parts store--
or most simply solder a splice together and use shrink wrap tubing to protect it

do use both stock wires to the 2 new ballast wires
also use ground wire from ballast to frame for best results,,more grounds never hurt!