Hello -

I have an 05 Acura TL with tech package and roughly 125k miles. Last October I noticed that my passenger side headlight would not turn on 100% of the time. If I flipped it off and back on it would usually turn on.

I ordered this Philips bulb from Amazon in November and as soon as I replaced it, the light would turn on 100% of the time. For about 2 weeks.... and then back to the old flip off, flip back on again to get it to turn on.

As time went by, I would have to flicker it on and off more often to get it to turn on. Now the passenger headlight will not turn on no matter how often I turn on and off.

What could it be now? Should I try another bulb?

This is driving me crazy

 

Your ballasts may have reached the end of their lifecycle.

 

What is the difference between the ballast and igniter? Anyway to troubleshoot which part I need? Thank you!

 

Same difference. Technically, yes - it's the ignitor, hence why you have to cycle multiple iterations before they stay on. The ballast is what sustains the voltage once the ignitor has lit the bulb. Unfortunately, they are one unit.

Typically one would switch ballasts in a case such as this, but looks like both of yours are shot. If you're going replacement, I don't recommend anything other than Morimoto or Denso. It's real tempting to go with DDE (that's nothing more then a rebranded Xenartec...or Xentec, some BS pseudo-technical smokescreen of a branding), which are utter shit.

Friends don't let friends use DDE.

 

Thank you for the help! I noticed some on eBay that say Mitsubishi - are those OEM or good quality?

 

Most people know Mitsubishi only as an automotive supplier - they are far, far from that.

Mistubishi Electric is the OEM supplier for the TL, I believe, so you're making a fine choice should you choose that brand.

 

Thank you all for the help! I finally did this project over the weekend - replaced both the ignitor and ballast. Bought OEM refurbs on eBay for around $100 - project took roughly 3 hours. I ran into a few issues with stuck bolts at the bottom of the bumper but got them off eventually with liquid wrench. Much appreciate the encouragement through this forum!