Head light flickering

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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 08:47 AM
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Head light flickering

Hi,

Since last week, my 04 TL's left head light flickers occasionally. I checked the wire harness and everything is intact. What else could be the problem?
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 12:55 PM
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ballast / ignitor going out
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 03:19 PM
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Yikes!! why should always the expensive parts blow off?
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Old Aug 16, 2010 | 03:21 PM
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buy aftermarket replacement.. should be 1/4 of the price.
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 09:29 AM
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I took my car to the shop since I have extended warranty and the dealer said my HID bulb is malfunctioning. The igniter as such is fine. The bulb is not covered under warranty and so i was told that the total cost would be $398 to get it changed($220 for bulb and rest labor). I looked up the bulb(33116-SL0-003) at acuraoemparts.com and found them to be 149.87$. I would want to do it myself. Is there a DIY to replace the bulb?
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 01:07 PM
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Alright. I found the DIY. Should the bumper be really taken off to replace a bulb? is there an alternative?
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 01:24 PM
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look into ddmtuning for replacement bulbs at a very great price and the quality is top notch.
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 01:28 PM
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If it is the bulbs.. don't buy OE, buy aftermarket as wrxy posted.. they're a fraction of the price and always buy in pairs. HID bulbs change color as they age so you replace both to get the colors even. When a HID bulb starts to go they usually dim and the color turns purple / pink, so I'm not 100% convinced it's the bulb.
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 01:33 PM
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Originally Posted by moodymaverick
Alright. I found the DIY. Should the bumper be really taken off to replace a bulb? is there an alternative?
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598853
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 01:34 PM
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a quick diagnosis would be to change the bulb from each headlight. If the flickering still happens than its not the bulb. It will be the ballast or ignitor. If the bulb flickers on the opposite headlight than its the bulb. I would test this first before you decide to purchase anything.
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 09:37 PM
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Thanks a lot. I will do the test this weekend and let you know.
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by wrxyboy
a quick diagnosis would be to change the bulb from each headlight. If the flickering still happens than its not the bulb. It will be the ballast or ignitor. If the bulb flickers on the opposite headlight than its the bulb. I would test this first before you decide to purchase anything.
ya use the good bulb on the bad side first!!!
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Old Dec 12, 2010 | 02:11 AM
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so one blub is 200 or both of them?
no way man
I still have my oem blub
good thing I dont throw them out lol
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Old Dec 26, 2012 | 04:53 PM
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Kinda late to get it fixed, but yes, I fixed the issue finally after 2 years. I could not do it without taking the bumper off. It was the ignitor which was causing the issue. I swapped it with new OEM ignitor and the headlight is working fine now. no flickers!
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Old Apr 23, 2016 | 08:23 PM
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do you know how much an ignitor cost for 2004 acura tl automatic
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Old Nov 3, 2016 | 02:36 PM
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In light of not starting a new thread, What after market Ballast does everyone like/use. Its time for me and while I got the front end taken off I might as well get as much done as possible.
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Old Nov 3, 2016 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Gnargasim
In light of not starting a new thread, What after market Ballast does everyone like/use. Its time for me and while I got the front end taken off I might as well get as much done as possible.
For our 3G's, stick with the OEM ballast, they're very reliable and fit better for this car. I would suggest Morimoto ballasts for any other car but the 3G.
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Old Nov 3, 2016 | 02:48 PM
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Okay thank you. I was looking those morimoto ballasts. Correct me if im wrong but there are two ballasts? Stupid question but i see a lot of people selling just one
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Old Nov 3, 2016 | 02:56 PM
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One for each side
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Old Nov 3, 2016 | 06:35 PM
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For ignitor and ballast, OEM all the way.
There​​​​​ are so many TLs being parted out, buyer should have advantage.
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