I recently purchased a 2004 Acura TL for my son. Now I have a problem. BIG problem. It started out with the passenger side headlight. Low beam worked fine, but high beam was out. No problem (we thought!) Just replace that $100 bulb.
Did not fix it. Now we are into this fix about $1200 and still not fixed. Nothing works. We have tried four different ballists and igniters. (sp?) Currently in shop where they are saying "We think it needs a factory (Acura) ballist." I call BS. I know there
are two types of ballists for the car. We have the correct one. They are wanting to spend an aditional $500 for an Acura "factory" ballist. Any suggestions?

 

low beam and high beam using the same bulb, TL use bi-xenon. When flick to high beam the actuator inside projector bow move out the way and let more light out. Generally I stick with OEM ballast and ignitor, try Ebay for a used unit, rarely I seen an OEM ballast and ignitor goes bad.

 

Take a picture and point which exact light doesn't work. Or take a video.

 

Low beam and high beam are the same bulb.

So you replaced a good bulb with a good bulb.

Good news is that now you have a good bulb.

The brights work via a mechanism that flips a shutter. The shutter makes the light project higher and further (high beam).

It doesn't have anything to do with the ballast.

YouTube "bi-xenon projector" to visualize it.
Are you sure your brights are not working?

I know the situation is frustrating. But...generally, you should stop and find out how the system works before spending $1200.

 

Had similar issue on my 2007 model. I assume the solution is the same.
I had my headlamps retrofitted. When I got it back the high beam in one lamp didn't work. After some time of searching for root cause I detected it.
There is wire inside the lamp connecting the high beam relay with the shuttle mechanism. It was disconnected.
Try to listen if there is the sound of shuttle when you change from low to high and vice versa. If there is no sound, your shuttle doesn't work. First check the plug connected to headlamp, then the inner one.

 

What everyone else said is correct. You have a possible issue with the mechanical shutter for the high beam. It is NOT the bulb, ballast or igniter. Time to fire your shop.

 

Have found the photo
This little one is really painful to access.

 

Well... The problem is FIXED! Had to go with factory (Acura) ballist and igniter. Aftermarket stuff just didn't work for whatever reason. $1700 for parts! (With a discount!) But it is now working at least. lol Thank you to all who offered help and advice!

 

Glad you got it fixed! Those parts are well built and a used unit will go along way!

Yay for 3G TL!

 

Great to hear you solve the problem, however it is really strange that balast affected your highbeam, as - as far as I know - they have nothing to do with the shutter.

 

bet the shop replaced the ballast/igniter when they removed the bumper. Which worked prior because it was firing up and the lights came on. And when he was reconnecting everything, plugged in the pliug he missed the first time.