Ryanzj

Hey all,

First post but longtime lurker. I have spent hours searching this site (and the rest of the internet) trying to figure out what is going on with my headlights, and while I've found similar issues to what I have going on, I haven't seen anything that addresses exactly what I'm experiencing.

The car: 2004 TL 5AT Nav

A while back I went to turn on my headlights and nothing happened. I replaced the bulbs with OEM Philips bulbs and that didn't fix the problem. I read around on this forum and it sounded like the problem was either the igniter or ballast, so I ordered and installed the following parts from theretrofitsource.com:

1 x D2S: Philips 85122+ (PhilipsD2S)
1 x Morimoto 3Five Ballasts (D2S) (3FiveD2S)
2 x Common Connections (Connect)

Now, when the headlight switch is off (doesn't matter if the engine is running or not) both of the headlights flicker or strobe. When the headlight switch is on the lights work perfectly. For now I have pulled both the headlight fuses to avoid damaging any of the components.

It seems like to me there must be an issue with the headlight realy(s) or switch if the ballast/igniters are getting power. Problem is I can't seem to find exactly where the relays are located under-hood. Sounds like somewhere built into the fuse box?

Maybe I'm way off base. Can anybody help?

Thanks in advance.

Ryan

Ryanzj

Bump for the weekend crowd. I really need to get this fixed!

Ryanzj

I am bringing this back from the dead because driving with only foglights really sucks!!!

Can anybody tell me where the headlight relay is? I want to replace it becuase I think it isn't working properly.

I am replacing my headlight switch this weekend to see if that solves the problem. Will post up results in case anybody has similar issues and stumbles across this post.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the kit from theretrofitsource.com SHOULD HAVE CAME WITH A RELAY.

because you used a completely different ballast; the OEM wires might not be stout enough.

ohhhh, i see that you bought the components separately and not in the KIT that provides everything.

you'll need to order the relay

Ryanzj

Thanks for the reply. I need an additional relay even though the car came with HID headlights stock?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^did you not change out the ballast from stock?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

also, if you head to The Retrofit Source Inc you can chat with a live person to help you trouble shoot your issues.

Ryanzj

I appreciate it justnspace. I did change out the ballast, just having trouble understanding why the existing relay wouldn't work considering both ballasts are rated at 35w and the new ballasts were spliced into the existing/factory wiring. I can certainly add another relay, where do I pull the remote signal from? Sorry for the stupid questions, electrical work isn't my stong suit.


I have submitted a message to TRS as well and will wait to see what they say.

Ryanzj

I'll close the loop on this in case anybody else is having a similar problem. The headlight relay had apparently gone bad. This isn't something than can be replaced on it's own unfortunately, it is part of a multiplex unit. I fixed the issue by replacing the relay box assembly with a salvage yard part, part 38250-SEP-A01.

Hope this helps somebody down the road!

Soccer07

Hi. Im having the same problems with my acura. I have tried everything but changing the relay. Is this part hard to change?

csmeance

it's under the hood next to the fuse box. It shouldn't be that hard to replace, simply unscrew it, undo the wire connectors and install in reverse order.

Ryanzj

It only took me 20 minutes to do. csmeance has it down, the only part I would add is to disconnect the positive and negative terminals from the battery first. When you get the new fuse box you'll see that there are 6 tabs that hold the two halves together...unclip those and you'll see the 6-8 connections that will need to be removed from the old box.

Soccer07

Thanks guys. I will start looking for the part and give it a try.

Soccer07

Hi guys. I ordered the part from ebay and went ahead and changed it and it still donesnt work. Any suggestions? Thanks