So I had the stock D2S 35W HID bulbs tested to see if they were blown, because my exterior headlights do not work while both interior and turn signals do. It turns out that my HID (exterior) lights are completely fine. Could this be a ballast issue? HELP PLEASE! I need my car back asap!

 

very rare for both headlights to fail.
check fuses

 

fuses, relays are all fine...no one has had this issue before where both HIDS do not turn on?

 

do you have 12v at the ballast?

 

I have not yet opened up the ballasts yet, but as far as I'm concerned, they are factory (12v). But how would I know if a ballast went bad anyway?
Any further advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

Only 1/3 of the screws for the ballast are reachable. The others are not. What a nightmare.

 

Most say that if there is a flicker, it is likely that a ballast has gone bad. If they do not turn on at all, it is likely a burnt bulb. What if they have neither flickered nor been burnt??
#katrinacar



I seem to be asking myself questions on these forums...

 

I had a problem with my lights. It was only the one. I would turn it on and sometimes it would work. But if I turned it off while it was working and turned it back on again it wouldn't work. I checked to see what the issue was and it ended up being a bad igniter. I ended up getting and aftermarket HID kit. I still have one working ballast and one working igniter.


There is a ballast and igniter. The igniter is separate. The igniter is actually the socket that the bulb sits in.

QUOTE-HEAVY_RL do you have 12v at the ballast?[/QUOTE]

He means did you check the connector that plugs into the ballast?
Just basically check for power and ground using a test light. If you wanna go into depth to make sure 12v is actually there, use a multimeter. I think checking for power and ground is sufficient.

Make sure, when you check for power at the ballast connector that the ignition switch is in the on position and the headlight switch is also on.

Further not, in order to remove the ballast, you must remove the whole headlight assembly.

If you have any more questions just ask

 

He means did you check the connector that plugs into the ballast?
Just basically check for power and ground using a test light. If you wanna go into depth to make sure 12v is actually there, use a multimeter. I think checking for power and ground is sufficient.

Make sure, when you check for power at the ballast connector that the ignition switch is in the on position and the headlight switch is also on.

Further not, in order to remove the ballast, you must remove the whole headlight assembly.

If you have any more questions just ask[/QUOTE]


After hours of wrenching and debating, I turned the lights back on, and the left exterior hid light would work, though the right would not. when I tried it again, the right this time, would work, though the left would not. Before, this never was the case, as both exterior HIDs would simply not work. What I am assuming is I have a bad headlight relay, located from under the steering wheel. Currently I have quit (until tomorrow) because I need an anti-theft screw (torc screw with the hole) to get to it. I have a feeling that hopefully this is the problem. If not, then I will be asking further questions regarding a bad ignitor like you explained above.
Your replying is greatly appreciated by the way.

 

No problemo
Good luck

 

When I turn my car on, the complete headlight assemby's on both sides will work (occasionally). If I turn em off and turn em back on, however, one will likely fail, or they will simply not work at all (HID projector lights only). Would you assume this is a bad headlight switch? ballast? ignitor?

 

sounds like a ballast.

 

 

I taked my tl to the dealer and they said that my ballast needs to be replaced ...i paid 55 dollars for the diagnostic and ...but i trid to replaced my own and nothing happen ...is weird everytime i unplug the ballast and the ignitor the lights works for a 30 seconds and now it seems that i need to play with the headlights switch so at least one of the headlights work .....please helpme lol sorry my english is not that good

 

So, did you ever figure it out?

 

My moms boyfriend was convinced that it was a bad headlight switch, so we went and ordered that. We installed it yesterday and come to find out, thats not the solution (what I figured). So, I will be ordering two new ballasts to hopefully solve this ridiculous issue.
After putting the steering wheel assembly back together however, I took it for a spin. While taking a subtle left onto a street, my front wheels began to lock up. It feels like more of a frightening "grinding." I would imagine this is my ABS wheel sensor that has been damaged. After taking a look at it by taking the front drivers side wheel off, I noticed that it seemed a bit loose.
Also, my rotors and brake pads are completely rusted/worn. At the moment, I am just replacing a bunch of parts to ride smooth for once. I am aware of all the electronic recalls for an 04 TL, and it seems like I am dealing with most of them lol.