OneMoreGlass

Hello,

(Acura TL, 2005)

The HID headlight on the driver side finally died after flickering for a few weeks. I took the car to a shop and they said it's the ballast, so "apparently" they've replaced those on both sides. I've put the quotes around "apparently" because today I took the battery out and took a look myself and the ballast doesn't look like a new part. Anyway, needless to say I paid a lot of money on the job. Then they said it's either the igniter or the bulb and gave me quote for a lot of money.

I didn't wanna deal with them anymore, so I took the car to the dealership. The idiots over there, charged me 150 CAD for an investigation at the end of which they said the problem is the ballast. I laughed and told them the ballasts should be new at which point they changed their minds and said the problem is either with the igniter or the bulb. The dealership gave me a quote for over 2000 CAD to change them. No, thank you!

I ordered two OSRAM D2S 6000k cool-blue bulbs from Amazon and changed them today after watching a few Youtube videos. I didn't have to remove the bumper, but I did have to take out the battery to change the one on the driver's side. (small hands really do a fine trick). First test, both lights came ON! Second test, the one on the driver's side stayed OFF. I flipped them on/off a few more times, and the one on the driver's would come ON now and then (although very rarely).

I've rechecked the wires, unplugged them all and put them back in. Some of them came off way to easily which made me hope that the issue was wiring. I've put everything back together and did another test. First test, both lights came ON, second test the driver light stayed OFF.

So, I'm thinking that it's the igniter, since the damn thing has a problem with turning ON rather than staying ON. I've looked online for replacements and I am debating which one to go with:

1) GenXenon - seems to have good reviews and customer service

• https://www.amazon.ca/Igniter-Inverter-Headlight-Starter-Module/dp/B01J4DLVY2/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_cp_0_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01J4DLVY2&pd_rd_r=02abda4c-e95c-4373-8e09-cb33aa61884b&pd_rd_w=FpECD&pd_rd_wg=yBUpi&psc=1&refRID=6VAAZ05DBA3JJSDHTFCK#customerReviews
  https://www.amazon.ca/Igniter-Inverter-Headlight-Starter-Module/dp/B01J4DLVY2/ref=pd_rhf_ee_s_cp_0_6?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01J4DLVY2&pd_rd_r=02abda4c-e95c-4373-8e09-cb33aa61884b&pd_rd_w=FpECD&pd_rd_wg=yBUpi&psc=1&refRID=6VAAZ05DBA3JJSDHTFCK#customerReviews
• 71.55 CAD

2) Doorman

• https://www.amazon.ca/Dorman-601-167-Intensity-Discharge-Headlight/dp/B01MS7MZVP/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Acura%7C58&Model=TL%7C749&Year=2005%7C2005&ie=UTF8&n=6948389011&newVehicle=1&s=automotive&vehicleId=1&vehicleType=automotive
  https://www.amazon.ca/Dorman-601-167-Intensity-Discharge-Headlight/dp/B01MS7MZVP/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Acura%7C58&Model=TL%7C749&Year=2005%7C2005&ie=UTF8&n=6948389011&newVehicle=1&s=automotive&vehicleId=1&vehicleType=automotive
• 88.27 CAD

3) OEM - kinda pricey

• https://www.acuraoemparts.com/oem-pa...dXRvbWF0aWM%3D
• 264.87 USD

4) Hidextra - only seems to sell a Kit

• I am not sure if the Kit includes an Igniter
• there seems to be a lot of options for a ballast type: my guess is that I need the 35w one, but am I right into understanding that the 55w will also work and be even better?
• https://www.hidextra.com/hidextra-55...bs-2-ballasts/
• 79.99 CAD

I am not convinced that the OEM part is really worth the money. I am inclined to go with the Hidextra KIT, just in case I have been conned and the first guys didn't really change the ballast, but I am not sure if the KIT includes the igniter. And, are the 35w and 55w ballasts interchangeable?

Thank you very much for your advice,
Lucy

Ossman14

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Agree! For a car this old, best bet is to find used OEM parts for cheap!

thoiboi

OEM is the best because it's the only one that'll seal to the assembly. Don't even bother with the rest as you'd have to splice wires.

csmeance

since the passenger side works, swap the igniters from left to right and see if the problem switches sides. Repeat with the ballast! Check car-part.com. ebay too and retrofitsource, sometimes they have cheap ballasts and igniters.