So I went through the pain of removing my front bumper to replace my HID bulbs and ballasts, only to find that one bulb now only works intermittently. Then tonight I notice that my high beams don't work at all! I understand that this headlight system is pretty complicated with igniters, solenoids, pricey bulbs, etc. Some might refer to it as a "nightmare".

I'm prepared to throw some money at this problem, but would like an easy and reliable fix if anyone here knows what that is? I see some LED upgrade kits which sound good but I feel like I could use a recommendation. Thanks in advance.

 

LEDs for this car are a downgrade, not an upgrade. Please elaborate on what you mean by “ the high beam does not work at all’? Are you referring to the inner bulb on the headlight assembly ? Or are you saying your high beam solenoid is not working?

 

Thanks, honestly that's fine as long as the shits work and I don't hafta take the bumper off more than once every couple years

I hear the solenoid click when I push the stalk forward. But the headlights (not fogs) go OFF.

 

Did you route the igniter cable properly using the retainer clip? The shutter solenoid does not interact electrically with the bulb at all, but a loose cable can get grabbed by the mechanism.

 

The HID seem reliable to me. My OEM bulbs lasted about 13 years. I've got about 4 years on my replacement set and I use my headlights during day as well.

I got my replacement set on Amazon but verified they were authentic on Philips website.


https://www.usa.philips.com/c-e/au/c...ity-check.html



Replacing the bulbs is not easy but it can be done without removing bumper. (remember to use gloves when installing the new bulb, human oils shorten life of bulb)

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-g...-598853/page4/

 

great advice guys, I probably did route that igniter cable wrong. I didn't understand how the system works when I R&Red it. Stealer wanted $500 for bulbs and ballasts so I went w EBay Chinesium. I tested aftet reassmbky but problem is intermittent. Lol I know, dumb move

I saw the narrow access thru the wheel well, again I didn't know what I was grabbing and I wanted to inspect the ballasts. Maybe I will get some OEM bulbs and do it right. With gloves!

 

I bought some LED and added it to my car. Simple paid like 99$ for the whole kit.

some kid said its a downgrade. but in my opinion, it was an upgrade. I can see better at night. its bright and i have life time warranty on them. Hopfully the company is around forever. LOL

 

Update for anyone who is curious: I pulled the bumper and ballasts, checked all the connections, replaced the igniters and made my own insulation for the new igniters since my kit didn't have rubber boots for the igniter to ballast connection.

Lights work fine now. Damn, that was a pain!

 

Thanks for the update, could be very useful for someone in the future. I dislike when someone finds a fix, but never update their post with the solution! 👍🏽

 

I have a 2007 Tl Type S, 190k miles, and one headlamp went out. As it seems everyone else has found out, it costs $500+ for the HID Igniter, Ballast and Bulb, and a local dealership said $1400 per side to replace. FUNK that. I know that LED is a downgrade from HID, but I want a functioning headlamp, and don't want to spend the value of the vehicle to replace both. Especially if there are other bulbs that need replaced. The driving lights and other lights seem to be ok for now. If I was to go with LED, are there any recommendations of brands? And is installation need rewiring because the bypass of ignitor and ballast?

Thanks!

 

Has any troubleshooting been done to narrow down what failed? It would be silly to change to LED over a dead bulb or igniter. Even if the ballast was bad, I'd seek out used ballasts before LEDs. And I am speaking from experience: I rebuilt both of my headlights last year with new bulbs, new igniters, and junkyard ballasts. LED is going to be a lot more work for a lot less result.

 

NOT!! Paul, our star master mechanic here in Nawth Jerzy recommends against changing the headlights to LED's on the '04-'08 TL's. Too much BS! Stick with high-grade D2S bulbs and you'll be fine.
.

 

buy a used ballast

 

Thanks for the reply. I was supposed to get pinged when someone answered, but nada. I haven’t tested any of the individual parts, which I will do. So you went new bulbs, new igniters and junkyard ballasts. We’re you able to check the junkyard ballasts to see if they were functional? And where did you source the igniters and bulbs? Did you go OEM? Aftermarket? Any brand recommendations? Sorry for the pile on of questions, I love my TL, just venturing into new maintenance territory.

thanks!

 

You only need to replace the parts that are broken, be they bulbs, igntiers or ballasts. You can rule out which part is not working by transferring them from the left to the right bulb or vice versa. I recommend OEM for everything except the bulbs, the OEM option is plenty reliable. Bulbs, I would go with some good brand Philips bulbs depending on your budget. I buy my bulbs here https://www.theretrofitsource.com/hi...bulbs-d-series Pick your poison based on your budget. also you only get 'pinged' when someone tags you, not quote unfortunately @Drewz2007TLtypeS

 

Thank you so much! I appreciate your help. And everyone else who responded. I just now, I think, figured out how to respond to you.