nickpoore

So I have a 2004.

I've had it since new, and have 150K miles on it.

I had the passenger headlight go out a couple of months ago.
My Honda mechanic installed a new bulb ($150 installed.)

This lasted fine for six weeks, but last week the bulb went out again.

My mechanic (3rd party Honda/Acura guy) said that the next thing to replace would be the igniter and/or the control unit.
(He did verify that the headlight was still good.)
Each of these items is ~$200, and to replace them I have to remove the front bumper.

Is there any way to KNOW which needs replacing, or should I just replace both.

My mechanic said to go to the dealership (he does not want to pull the bumper).

Any suggestions?

Also, how do I know which parts I need. I'm told that there was a change in the Igniter/Controller. My VIN ends in 014xxx.

Many thanks.
Nick.

jdm acura

most likly it wold be the ballaster thats bad i had that problem one time and i replaceds it and its all good

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

If he is afraid of pulling the bumper, I'd be afraid to use him. It's not that hard.

PS, you can access the headlight bulbs by taking off the wheels and pulling back the fender liner. It's tight, but doable.

Now, easy way to troubleshoot...swap bulbs. If your driver side starts giving you an issue, then it's the bulb. If the passenger side STILL has the issue, then it's the igniter/ballast. You can pick them up on the black market or on ebay for a bit cheaper. There are DIY's for bumper removal or bulb changing either way. To swap out the ballast you will have to remove bumper...THAT, is under the light and bolted in.

You can handle this, or you can probably find a local member to give you a hand.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Also, DDM tuning, $30 bucks would buy you 2 bulbs...
and if money is tight and you want to get creative, you technically could retro some aftermarket hid kits from there for $30 also and solve the entire issue.

pwr2panda

you can do it yourself...there are threads on here how to take off the bumper and change bulbs...you can try swapping the L/R ballasts and see if the problem changes headlights...if so...you know it's the ballast for sure. if you dont know if it's the bulb...try changing the bulb and see if the problem switches or remains the same.

pwr2panda

lol rockstar beat me to the punch, but yeah...you can get good quality bulbs for cheap and can do it yourself...ballast i would just buy new from the dealership tho...you need the correct OEM ones to seal up the headlights properly

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

I've made it happen by retro'ing and siliconing in the wiring on my friend's 03 Tl...it worked but not as clean as OEM, of course.

Check wiring too...and add some dielectric grease for good continuity, keep elements out of connections, you know, for safe measure.

IMO, easier to swap bulbs than swap ballasts for troubleshooting purposes...leads to the same answer.

nickpoore

FYI, my mechanic got burned doing an 03 TL when he changed everything, and it still did not work. I think he just wants to protect himself against spending a bunch of time, materials with no results.

Yes, he changed the bulb by removing the wheel and pulling back the wheel liner.

I think I'm going to purchase OEM parts on eBay (seems cheapest) and then pull the bumper off one weekend.

Does anyone have those pages from the service manual.
(I have the service manual, but it's in storage as we're in the process of moving house.)

Thanks.

nickpoore

PS. Does anyone know what part numbers I need?
Like I said, I have one of the earlier VIN's (014xxx). I'm told they moved to new part numbers around VIN 030xxx...

PPS. Which is the "ballast". The control unit, or the igniter?

leedogg

My money is on the ballast as well. water gets in those things and shorts them out.

csmeance

the best thing to do is swap parts from the working side to the non-working side starting with the ballasts. If it works, problem found, if not, then move to the ingnitor. If that doesn't solve it, then it's the bulb.

AckTL05

iTrader: (18)

If I had to guess it would be the ballast. I would not buy new, especially from a dealer at their prices. I can get you OEM parts and beat any dealers prices but for half the cost you can get some on EBAY. Remember, sometimes those don't work either. Make sure you are buying from a reputable seller.