k4thdan

Anyone know of an easy way to replace the ballast and igniter on a 2001 TL Passenger side without removing the bumper? I also keep reading about getting shocked from the ballast, It wont shock me as long as I dont try and open it correct? thanks

Kirk

01tl4tl

capacitors/ballast maintain a mega high voltage charge for hours
Dont use the headlight for at least 8 hours before and you are fine
DISCONNECT the battery
You have to remove bumber-its easy- remove headlight housing with special torx20 security tip bit and finally the box under the housing is the bad part
Handle bulbs with latex/rubber gloves and remember they are fragile

01tl4tl

Have you swapped the bulbs left to right to verify its not a bulb?

k4thdan

No I took it to the Acura dealership and they said it was the ballast and igniter and would be 700.00 to fix it. You have to take the bumber off just to change the ballast and igniter even though I am not changing the Headlight fixture itself? If I unhook the ballast and igniter first that will not keep me from getting shocked?

Kirk

laidback93

I never had a problem changing mine out. I did make sure to not used the headlights for a day prior.

01tl4tl

If the dealer diagnosed it for you- then you need those parts
I assume that headlight not working at all?

The parts you need to reach are mounted to the underside of the headlight housing
That requires removal of the plastic bumper cover to get to the housings with their special bolts. Its to cut down on theft of very expensive parts

You can try azine sponsor oeacura.com for prices

As I said before- any HID- High Intensity DISCHARGE light must be left OFF for several hours, and the battery disconnected before working on them to prevent the shock of your life

Make sure you know the radio and nav codes before discon the battery

See the DIY on blacked out housings- shows how to remove everything.
Its fairly simple, just take pics of where different colored bolts go where and you will be fine

JetBlackAC

I had this problem 2 weeks earlier...
dealer told me the same thing, instead bought the parts in black market, had abuddy install, saved over 500

01tl4tl

auto recylers/junkyards and the black market here are the place to look for parts

k4thdan

Ok just a couple more questions and thanks for all your replys. Black Market meaning what? can you give me names of places? and were do I get the radio codes?

MrMakeMoney1

I have the exact same problem! I need a cheaper way than the $700 that the dealership is talking about too! So I need to search for the ballast and ignitor?

Curtsan

I need to diagnose a problem in one of my lights...comes on, flickers, then goes out....to do so, I have to first try a different bulb...and that means bumper removal...I've searched and see a thread on service manuals for a Gen-3, but I need for a 2000 TL...Can anyone attach or send the diagrams on bumper removal for a Gen 2? I can follow instructions ok when I see a picture, but am not to inuitive to just figure out where all the clips are....Thanks very much

mcflyguy24

Hope this helps you guys, I'll be using these DIY's myself on wednesday to replace my housings that got moisture inside them. The dealer quoted 1 1/2 hours to remove the bumper alone! Looks like you can do it in 15mins tops. They are scam artists as I don't expect to spend more than 2hours total on this project.
Bumper Removal:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/184466/18

https://acurazine.com/forums/show...06&page=3&pp=25

Diagram which isn't very clear:

mcflyguy24

Oh and thanks 01tl4tl I didn't know I had to leave the lights off for awhile before disconnecting the ballast. You saved me from a shocking experience as I tend to use my lights during the day.
Does anyone know if you have to aim the lights on the TL or is it a preset kind of thing once you put them back in?

AMGala

iTrader: (4)

I don't believe you have to remove the bumper just to change bulbs. But you do need to remove the bumper in order to remove the headlights and gain access to your ballast and igniter. The bulb installation instructions should be in your user's manual. Also, here is a DIY that may help you:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...89&postcount=2

Curtsan

Thanks very much for attaching the diagram...I should be able to tackle it from here on in...

Luke7

try a salvage yard for the Ballest and ignitor. You should be able to pick one up for a good price. Did you call around to see?