axis77

What is the OEM brand for the HID ballast and has anyone had success replacing the actual ballast with wire and all WITHOUT needing to unglue the headlights? My original HID lights have been turning off so Im needing to turn them back on, replaced one of the headlights with the Morimtoto XB and still same issue so I think its due to bad ballasts.

IamLexus

The oem brand is made by Toyota. I have successfully change the ballast without taking the headlight apart. I unscrew the ballast and pry out the two wires and solder it onto the bew ballast. There's a guide on here that show you how to do it.

TopNotchIN

The OEM ballast is made by Denso. You can take apart the bulb socket by carefully prying it apart. Use a flathead screwdriver or other similar tool to take off the metal cap that covers the socket. There are a couple of tabs that snap onto the socket. Once the cover is off you can pry apart the actual socket. When completely apart, the wires just pry out of the socket. Tie some string to the original ballast wiring before taking it out of the headlight housing. You will need to untie the string and tie it up to the new ballast wiring. It will be infuriating trying to feed the new wiring back into the headlight if you don't do this. There is a video that details the process of disassembling the ballast socket somewhere on here. Sorry, I do not have the direct link.

IamLexus

Here's a DIY https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...headlight.html

axis77

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...sassembly.html

Found this one as well. I guess it all really comes down to one thing...do you think you need to replace other end which is inside the headlight, if you do then take apart the headlight right? if not then just replace ballast and keep existing wiring thats inside your headlights.

IamLexus

keep existing wires. I had the same issue, my right headlight was turning off like 2-5 minutes after turning them on. I would have to turn off my headlight and turn it back on. It wasn't my ballast, it was my bulb.

axis77

I guess you lucked out, I have replaced the stock bulb with new one and same behavior, meaning my light keeps turning off. so I got my IS brand new at end of 06 for the 07 model so 10 years is a good run i guess.

IamLexus

Even though I lucked out, I was gullible listening to my mechanic saying its the ballast. I replaced the ballast first like a idiot before changing the bulb.

Bichon

Guys, always swap the bulbs from one side to another before condemning the ballast. Replacing the bulb with a new one is only a good test if you are sure the new bulb is good -- which it might not be if you bought a cheap off-brand or a counterfeit one from eBay or Amazon.

Zynthe

iTrader: (5)

My left side does the same thing atm. I was thinking ballast too but will try switching the bulbs.

Is taking out the hid the same as changing the DRL's?

IamLexus

Pretty much, take the entire bumper off.

Bichon

To clarify; that's only to replace the ballast. Replacing or swapping the bulbs just requires removing the windshield washer fill hose and the airbox.

Deegee

iTrader: (1)

I purchased a brand new ballast and had some trouble soldering it like the DIY above. So Instead I spliced the wires from the new ballast to the wiring harness from the headlight and it would work for a few seconds then stop working. Turns out your not supposed to splice the wires and almost caused a fire a few times while I was putting things back together. Next time I'm going to have somebody solder it for me like the DIY above...

istarzan

iTrader: (8)

My passenger ballast just went out on my 07 is350. Do you guys recommend replacing the driver side too while I'm at it?

2013FSport

iTrader: (2)

Swap the bulbs first.
My 2013 lost a bulb at the 5 year mark / 50k mi. Swapped the bulbs and proved it was not the ballast.

Yes is the answer if one actually failed.