3G TL (2004-2008)
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2008 TL lights replacement help

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Old 09-30-2020, 02:50 PM
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2008 TL lights replacement help

I'm fairly new to my car still and noticed about my head lights not working properly (high beam doesn't work) , been thinking about replacing them for new ones or to upgrade them to LED lights because previous owner shoved in some cheap single beam HIDs, same with the day lights, but due to the fact of so many online options and references I'm seeking some advice from our experiences mates around here, I know the HID are D2S and the other ones are 9005 bulbs, what would be good and reliable ( taking in account the beam spectrum and brightness) to replace them with, my actual budget is around 150-200 to get this done, please any advice is appreciated.
Old 09-30-2020, 04:49 PM
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Bulb has nothing to do with the high beam functionality. If the low beam works...guess what...it is the same exact bulb and light source, it is a mechanical flap that moves to enable high beam.

If you are looking at the inner lights on a 2008, those are the DRLs.
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Old 09-30-2020, 07:39 PM
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3G TL has "Bi-Xenon" headlamps and high beam is in the same projector as low beam. Inner bulb is DRL/fog bulb. LED's will not work great vs HID in the projector currently. If you want to buy new bulbs get OSRAM or Philips. Night Breaker HID's are the best.
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Old 09-30-2020, 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by csmeance
3G TL has "Bi-Xenon" headlamps and high beam is in the same projector as low beam. Inner bulb is DRL/fog bulb. LED's will not work great vs HID in the projector currently. If you want to buy new bulbs get OSRAM or Philips. Night Breaker HID's are the best.
OP says he has an 08 model. That mean he's got the model with fog lights in the bumper and the inner bulbs are the high beams.
Old 09-30-2020, 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Curious3GTL
OP says he has an 08 model. That mean he's got the model with fog lights in the bumper and the inner bulbs are the high beams.
For 2007-08, and all Canadian 3G TL cars, the inner bulb is DRL, and DRL only.

The 3G TL only uses one bulb, with the same output, for low beam and high beam, and that's all 3G TL from the factory. The only difference between the two, as stated, is a mechanical flap that adjusts the light beam.
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Old 10-01-2020, 10:34 AM
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so basically this is the front i have at the moment, no fog lights halogens on my bumper just DRLs, for the HID and bulbs they turn on but the do not transition from low to high beam, the DRL does the job but the HIDs barely work at night and just upon checking the light itself would have to be taken down to reinstall them ( lost of lose things), i will check the OSRAM D2S the look good enough.





current HID


Old 10-01-2020, 03:11 PM
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Originally Posted by vpasla1
For 2007-08, and all Canadian 3G TL cars, the inner bulb is DRL, and DRL only.

The 3G TL only uses one bulb, with the same output, for low beam and high beam, and that's all 3G TL from the factory. The only difference between the two, as stated, is a mechanical flap that adjusts the light beam.
Well damn, TIL. Thanks
Old 10-01-2020, 03:14 PM
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Lemi, your car has 04-06 headlights, wrong bumper (04-06) for being an 08. You have an aftermarket HID kit that's probably a piece of crap vs the OEM setup. Bad ballasts can make a good bulb turn to shit very quickly.
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Old 10-01-2020, 04:11 PM
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thanks for the info, is good to know where I'm standing with it, so the best option for this would be to get a new HID kit as well
Old 10-01-2020, 09:05 PM
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Yes...get a decent 4k or 5k HID kit, not a 8k junk one like what is in there now.

Check the wiring around there to see if you can find the wire that connects to the high beam actuator.
Old 10-02-2020, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by csmeance
Lemi, your car has 04-06 headlights, wrong bumper (04-06) for being an 08. You have an aftermarket HID kit that's probably a piece of crap vs the OEM setup. Bad ballasts can make a good bulb turn to shit very quickly.
Maybe it was in front end wreck. I had a car that had a mismatched front end. It was interesting when I had to swap out a headlight assembly.

Originally Posted by Lemi
thanks for the info, is good to know where I'm standing with it, so the best option for this would be to get a new HID kit as well
You should check if you can get a used OEM replacement for the whole headlight system from a wrecking yard. You might need to figure out if it will work with that bumper.
Old 10-03-2020, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Synchro
Maybe it was in front end wreck. I had a car that had a mismatched front end. It was interesting when I had to swap out a headlight assembly.



You should check if you can get a used OEM replacement for the whole headlight system from a wrecking yard. You might need to figure out if it will work with that bumper.
I found out the previous owner ( a total idiot) put them in because he liked them better, i looked into replacing the whole lights assembly and the front bumper to have the fog lights back, anyways i have to take down the front completely to see the damage done, also need to figure out the proper ballasts and lights to put on them.
Old 10-03-2020, 11:20 AM
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if you browse a honda/acura parts website; you'll be able to follow the parts diagram to get you back in working order.

www.acuraoemparts.com
www.oemacuraparts.com

depending on how far you want to go to get the OEM 07-08 headlights back or if you want to stick with the 04- 06 headlights...
since the 04-06 headlights are already on the car, you could just buy the 06 ballast and HID's.
a cheaper option would be to go to www.theretrofitsource.com to obtain a better quality aftermarket ballast and bulbs for the 04-06 headlights. (the morimoto set is well designed and lasts a long time)

Last edited by justnspace; 10-03-2020 at 11:24 AM.
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