Got back our 09 TL AWD after being repair from a wreck. Among the items replaced was the left headlight assembly, to include ignitor, bulbs and control unit...all with OEM. Right assembly was not affected and not replaced/changed/repaired. We noticed a few things with the headlights:

- the cut line of the left seems to not be as crisp as the right.
- there is some kind of obstruction in the lens that is preventing a straight cutline in the left. Improper seating of the light in the assembly?
- the bulb in the left is more yellow than the right, which is more of the blue/white we are all used to. (is this indicative of a regular projector light and not a xenon?)

Questions. Would new OEM lights be this different from the old? What could cause an obstruction in the lens? Nothing from the body is hanging over it, so I'm at a loss here.

It will go back to the body shop, but I want to get some answers first to prevent any 'well its supposed to be like that' and have the answers first to see how they respond.

 

pics here...couldn't get the edit in time:

Right headlight, looking normal



left headlight...looking a bit yellow



Showing obstruction in the cut line right below the garage door handle...it should be straight.

 

I'm just guessing based on previous trial and error but from what I remember, new bulbs/ballast require a burn in time. So your bulbs and ballast need to wear in, which is probably why you're noticing different or uneven color. Easiest way to avoid this issue is to replace both bulbs or ballast at the same time. Also, your cut off line seems ok but I can't really tell.

 

The cut line looms strange right where the garage door handle is...it angles down sharply on the right and then slowly slopes up as UT travels back to the left. I'll try to get a better picture tomorrow.

 

There is supposed to be a "step" in the cutoff. This is to help avoid blinding oncoming traffic.

 

its called bowling effect.. try adjusting the bulb.

 

When you say adjusting, are you talking about removing the bulb from the housing? How would you adjust it once removed?

 

how the bulb is seated on the headlight affects how it performs.. it may not be rotationally correct so you should take the bulb out from your headlights and put them back in. make sure its flat and also check both sides to see if the bulbs are the same brand and style.. it seems the color is way off for it to be just breaking in.

 

Thats what i thought too, the color is just too off....although I didn't know about a blub breaking period.

I'll put her on a lift this weekend and tear through the fenders with the trusty service manual and get to them. I also have the parts breakout and it looks like the HIDs are D2S made by Stanley. Will double check with the right side to see if they match up.

 

yea, take both of them out, check to see if they are matching.. since you got the repairs from a body shop, i wouldn't be surprised if they gave you second grade parts to save money.. like parts they had laying around that can be used for your car instead of forking out for new ones.

 

I would be ....annoyed if they did put in sub standard parts as they (according to the parts list that I have) called for OEM parts for everything. I'll be checking the headlight housing as well to ensure its OEM.

 

im sure the housing is OEM, but not sure if the ballast or the bulb is new as stated. They might have use OEM parts, but probably not new

 

Are all D2S bulbs 4300k?