sw2oboi

iTrader: (12)

i got the ballest itself off of the headlight but how to you get the connector that plugs in the back of the light bulb out of that tightly compact headlight? my stock headlights has afs

rookieIS

iTrader: (8)

I don't have HID but judging from the pictures looks like you have to snake the female wire connector from the ballast under the headlight cover

sw2oboi

iTrader: (12)

i dont know what you mean by that

sw2oboi

iTrader: (12)

Came to conclusion that i must crack open the headlights to remove the ballest. my 2008 model has afs and i can see that the afs motor was in the way of removing the bulb connector. the 2012 led xenon headlight doesnt have afs.
So for those of you doing the 2012 led headlight conversion and planned to swap over bulbs and ballast like me to save money, you will only be able to swap the bulbs. maybe the people without afs can remove the ballast without cracking the headlights open.

Jeff Lange

iTrader: (1)

Everyone with HID and no LED's has AFS. There's a reason Lexus doesn't sell the ballast separately on the 06-10 HID headlights.

Jeff

sw2oboi

iTrader: (12)

makes lotta sense, i wished i knew that before attempting to remove my ballast. thanks

monet33

iTrader: (1)

Sick told me he just cut the plug and reattached it. I guess you have to decide if you want to cut it or crack open the headlight

dorkacho

iTrader: (5)

I might just need to do this in the near future, too :-/

sw2oboi

iTrader: (12)

i thought of that also. but i didnt wanna risk ruining an expensive ballast. i ended up buying another set of used ones. im loving my new led headlights

my07is350

iTrader: (8)

No!!! Don't crack open the housing or cut the ballast connector wire either. All you have to do is remove the metal cover of the ballast connector, pry out the two small plugs inside that's it. Then you'll be able to pull the wire out and reattach them the same way but in reverse. Tools needed: a pair of small needle nose pliers and a flat head screw. It's much easier than it sounds. Remember to put everything back the way you took them out (specially the small wire plugs)

monet33

iTrader: (1)

you didn't have any problem trying to remove the plug with the afs motor in the way? This video shows the guy opening up the headlight (around 3min) what is the metal cover you're referring to?
Thanks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88_gCBHdJoo

my07is350

iTrader: (8)

If you pay attention carefully , you'll see when the guy pulled out the connector of the ballast, there is a cover (or shroud) that is in silver metal encasing the black plastic connector. That's what you need to remove first before you can remove the two small plugs. I'd try to avoid by all cost to use a hot gun to seperate the lens and housing like in the video, if you don't know what you are doing, you might down the road have a condensation on the inside that will lead to more problems.

sw2oboi

iTrader: (12)

ive opened up the ballast. i didnt think those connections were removable. i was afraid of breaking it since they plugs are small like you said and having probs sodering later on. Nice to know for anyone else doing the led headlight conversion. too bad i already purchase another set of ballast and finished the swap.

ive cracked open headlights with headgun and ovens before and its alot harder then it looks. especially putting it back together correctly CLEAN.

sick

iTrader: (1)

I also opened up the ballast and it didn't seem removable to me either. I ended up cutting the wires and just re-attaching it. Hoepfully it dosn't cause an issue down road.

How much was the new ballast? Maybe i should get ones? Anyone know if i'll have any problems down the road with me cutting the wire?

my07is350

iTrader: (8)

Oh well, it's too late now but anyway, just FYI, the small plugs that I mentioned are push in type (just pry them out with a small flat tip screw driver) not soldered to the connector side, do not touch the ballast side. Ebay has the ballasts on sale for $69 a piece used and $89 new if I remember it correctly. Hopefully it will be helpful information to the guys who haven't done this swapping yet.