Hey guys, I know there are a ton of threads about HID issues.... But I still have more questions specific to my problem.

I just picked up an 07 Type S. I found out on my first night drive, that the headlights are basically screwed.

Sometimes, they'll work fine for a few minutes. Other times, one will flicker, and go out, and the other one will work fine. Most of the time, they will both flicker, and go out and not work. So to drive at night, I basically have to drive with the running lights which is really unsafe, obviously.

Considering the problem is BOTH head lights, does that narrow the possibilities? I'm not sure what type of bulb the previous owner used, and I did order a new set of Phillips online, but they aren't here yet.

Lets assume I get the new bulbs and that doesn't solve the problem (likely)
Would replacing the ballasts and igniters solve my problem? I'm not familiar with how they are wired.. Could it be a ground/power issue? I'm not sure.

I'm just trying to diagnose the problem and get it fixed as soon as possible. I had the car checked out at the dealer, and was quoted 1000-1400, but they weren't sure what the problem was for sure because it was just a quick check out.. (I wish they would have been able to diagnose the problem, obviously)

 

Intermittent issues are likely a ballast issue more than a bulb. Bulbs usually turn pink prior to going bad or just die, less often do they work once and not another time. I would do some electrical testing and check the headlight relays and then check ballasts. 90% sure it's not the bulbs.

 

I tend to agree RE the bulbs.

So... how do I test the relays (and where are they) and how do I test the ballasts....?

 

Take the bumper off and make sure everything is wired properly and is buttoned up well too. It could be a loose connection or two causing all your issues!

 

Yeah, absolutely.

That's kind of what's throwing me off here. If it were just one light, I could see it being the ignitor, ballast, or bulb. But the fact that it's both of the lights makes me thing it could be a wiring issue or something. That's why I wanted to post here and get the opinion of you guys who know way more than I do. Was hoping that the fact that it's both of them acting up would be a key piece of information that could narrow down the possible problems.

 

next to the underhood fusebox is the light control module. If that has a loose connection or is going bad it could be causing issues

 

FYI... The head lamp relays are built into the large under hood fuse box on the passenger side. The head lamp relays are literally directly below the fuses/relays that are accessible from the top.

The only way to replace them is to replace the fuse box or the lower part of the fuse box.

 

Ohh boy.

That doesn't sound like something I'm capable of dealing with.

I want to drive this car off a cliff (but I'd have to do it during the day light)

 

Sounds like you have an Igniter problem. See link below.


https://acurazine.com/forums/first-g...x-05-a-935994/

 

Thanks for the input, but I'm not sure my problem is the same... Because they almost always (actually, probably always) come on, they just flicker and go off.

 

Replace ballasts.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys... Turns out it was just the bulbs themselves! Nothing 200 dollars to the dealer can't fix.. and I even supplied the bulbs. Yikes! Oh well, it's fixed and no more stress.

 

Yeah this is a bulb issue. When the bulbs are at the end of their life, they won't ignite properly and so will flicker and go out. Glad you replaced the right part.

 

i am 99.5% sure the bulbs are wired in series on the 07 08's. so if 1 bulb goes out or flickers, the other one will do the same.

 

^ No, headlamps would never be wired in series. That would be a serious liability issue.

 

oh wait.. the DRL's are in series. i dont remember the hids...

 

^ Same DRL not in series. Pretty much all exterior lamps are not in series for safety.

 

No you're actually incorrect on the DRLs.. I have the Acura ETM. And I installed 08 headlights with oem bulbs and I know how it is wires to keep from burning out the headlight frame, as some people have claimed. CHECK THE BOOK. I bet you don't have one. I was getting the hids mixed up for a sec because its been so long,ago when I did the upgrade. Speaking of hids, I got the 50w ballasts on mine.

 

Not in series. 07/08 DRL TL

 

Not in series. 07/08 HID TL

 

I already corrected myself on the hid comment. And apparently you cannot read. It says FOG LIGHT. That's not DRL. And it's not the same as the 05 fog light. Plus HELM schematics are best to follow.

 

DRL/fog on 07-08 is different though.

 

Since they're so great, why don't you post them to enlighten us all?

 

My book is packed away. Getting ready to move. I have bigger fish to fry than worry about convincing you. Now.. I have work to do. Unsubscribed

 

Useful as always

 

I think you should get your money back on your engineering degree Chad..