Headlight Problem... Not the bulb

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-13-2009, 06:54 PM
  #1  
10th Gear
Thread Starter
 
240sxsexy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Headlight Problem... Not the bulb

I know this topic has been beaten to death and I did search and read all the headlight related posts but i need some advice. My car's an 03 TL-S. My driver side light keeps going off for a few days then back on again. I switch the bulbs and determined that the bulbs were OK. When I was reinstalling the black cover that goes behind the bulb housing and seals everything in (it has an O-ring and is the part that must be removed using a security torx wrench) i noticed that some of the teeth that allow the cover to lock in place had cracked off. This allowed the seal not to be air tight between the cover and the headlight housing. My question to you guys is do you think it is the broken cover causing the problem or just a bad ballast? I've already wasted $100 on new bulbs and would like to avoid paying for a new ballast if at all possible. Thanks for your help.
Old 02-13-2009, 07:01 PM
  #2  
Avant Garde Wheels
iTrader: (23)
 
jjashaa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Cypress, CA
Age: 34
Posts: 14,026
Received 349 Likes on 291 Posts
possible the igniters? are bad.. or even the ballast.. maybe check fuses too..
Old 02-20-2009, 11:36 PM
  #3  
Advanced
 
Agentphan007's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Age: 38
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
im having the same problem except mines will shut off and all i have to do is shut the headlight off and on and it will work funny thing is when i hit a hard bump it goes off and also when im speeding but only the left side.....i haven't had time to fix it but i don't believe its my ballast i think getting air into the headlight will make it shut off
Old 02-20-2009, 11:44 PM
  #4  
I have dead hookers in
 
ArTL-S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: arkansas
Age: 43
Posts: 875
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Agentphan007
im having the same problem except mines will shut off and all i have to do is shut the headlight off and on and it will work funny thing is when i hit a hard bump it goes off and also when im speeding but only the left side.....i haven't had time to fix it but i don't believe its my ballast i think getting air into the headlight will make it shut off

Nope. I have had my HID fogs hooked up and turned on hanging from the bumper for extra light working under the car. They were there for an hour or so and never went off. Something else is up with your stuff
Old 08-05-2009, 11:40 AM
  #5  
Intermediate
 
HIDStuff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Agent - You likely have a loose connection from either the ballast to the bulb, or the harness to the ballast.

240SX- You likely have a moisture issue.

General Troubleshooting-

Start first by checking your fuses. If they look fine, your problem could be the ballast (the larger metal box), the igniter (basically the cord from box to bulb) or the bulb. Troubleshoot by swapping them out between the driver and passenger side, and eliminating the problem part. Remember to wear clean cotton gloves when handling the bulb, as they can't have any contaminants on them.



I also recommend that you seal the connection were the ignitor hooks into the ballast with clear silicone caulk when you install your new ballasts. The biggest killer of ballasts is moisture, and this is the most common point of entry. If you look at the part re-design in 2007, Acura put a HUGE rubber grommit on this connection to keep moisture out.
Old 02-21-2010, 03:14 PM
  #6  
10th Gear
Thread Starter
 
240sxsexy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
OK a year later I finally replace the ballasts igniter and the bulb. It still wont work. I checked the relays and fuses. They are good. Any advice?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hashbrown
4G TL (2009-2014)
37
02-18-2022 11:20 AM
rp_guy
Member Cars for Sale
9
07-16-2017 07:33 AM
Mr.Tea
2G RL (2005-2012)
15
10-02-2015 10:32 PM
mshipon
2G CL Problems & Fixes
1
09-28-2015 12:14 PM
h22lude
3G TL (2004-2008)
7
09-27-2015 06:22 PM



Quick Reply: Headlight Problem... Not the bulb



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:45 PM.