MatterofTime

iTrader: (1)

Ok, so the dealer told me I have "Inverter faulty igniter wire has shorted and melted to the bulb". They want to charge $878 and told me I should replace my other side as well because it has a pinkish color for a total of $1700.

I took the lights off today and tested the ballasts and it looks like each ballast is working. So I'm assuming its just my inverter and bulb that need to be changed. I just want to know, is it possible that the ballast really is faulty and only works intermittently and/or caused a short in the igniter?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I've already ordered another bulb and ingniter to replace the current ones.

Thanks,

B.

ou sig

i have no help other than tell the dealer to $%^^& off for that price! you can ordre a whole new setup for so much less. good luck but you are right to check this site 1st. by FAR the best site for this car.

westhaventl

What made you bring the car to the dealer in the first place? What was the original problem?

MatterofTime

iTrader: (1)

The driver side headlight stopped working all of a sudden.

sammy95

I'm thinking the ballast didn't cause the problem.
Shorts happen when you have low resistance to ground somewhere, it's possible the high voltage between the igniter and the buld touched each other melting it then imploding.
You may still have problems with ballast though. (Never can tell when they will go out except flickering, pink, low light output or maybe no operation at all.

One other note. I say replace the other bulb at the same time, depending on how long you've had the car, and especially since you have pink color from the other light your bulb is going bad.

One way to tell is if the bulbs contain a high amount of sodium within the bulb. (the smaller oval shape bulb within the bulb, if it has a lot of powder or is a brownish color, replace it).

My car probably had the original bulbs when I got it. I replaced them and now I have way more light output.

01tl4tl

HID bulbs fade with age,, and change color too
pink at startup is age death

Always replace HID bulbs in pairs- the differance will be very noticable,
and the other will fail soon anyway,,deal with the labor once

Brake lights and turn signals should be done in pairs too, they get the same use!
and they fade with age,,10 years....

Do you have the `moisture inside the headlight lens` issues like many of us?
thats one way the problem starts, drips onto ballast underneath housing
eventually rust away at internal circuits = light failure, often takes out the capacitor as a result

best thing to do is replace the system with aftermarket = problem solved.
www.hidextra.com is one of our sponsors, 60 bucks american!! gets you 2 waterproof and small in comparison to stock- ballast, 2 connector wires to bulbs with capacitor in-line and 2 new bulbs, as good as osram or phillips
5000k color sugested for best white light on the roadway to see objects with
4300 was stock
I suggest adding 1- 16$ relay kit-handles both sides
not `required` for the TL, BUT bypasses potential areas with resistance differances from stock-avoids problem area,,
and provides direct power from batt to lights= work better

MatterofTime

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the advice! Also, is it possible to replace the actual HID bulb without taking off the bumper? I know that you have to remove the bumper to get to the ballasts but I cant remember if you can access the HID with the bumper on.

Thanks,

B.

mugenspire

iTrader: (4)

^ yes it is possible to get just the HID bulb by itself without removing the bumper but it might be a little tighter space. But it is definitely possible.

01tl4tl

in the diy section
have to remove the washer bottle for pass side, and may have to move some other stuff on driver side for better access

the worst part is getting the retainer arm clip off the bulb- and making sure the bulb is fully seated, then attach the arm again
working blind and backhanded--not fun to me

to replace the capacitor requires removal of housing

note for kit installers- you can leave the stock parts in place, to save time on install
Everthing mounts in a different place,,with tape and zip ties~