Headlight Issue & Fix 2004 LS430
#1
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Headlight Issue & Fix 2004 LS430
Three weeks ago my driver side headlight went out, I thought well that is odd b/c HID's usually go pink then die but then again it is a bulb and they can blow. So I bought a brand new pair of HID bulbs, waited for them to arrive then put them in and still not light! Next move I let my tech take a stab at it, after he trouble shooting it turns out to be the "Computer Light Controller" (Ballast) that the dealer wanted $290 for. I passed, asked for the part # (85967-50020) bought a used one online for $55 and once again another week of waiting. Today I finally had the ballast swapped out for the new/used one, while my tech was installing I asked him to put the new bulbs in since I already bought them. I will sell my old bulbs to someone who wants to a pair of 4300K. Ok what killed my ballast was H20, that's right it looked like someone dropped in a bucket of water or left it outside for a month!! My only guess was when the detail guy cleaned my engine bay sometime ago and he got a little crazy with the pressure washer, how else could water get to the ballast like that?
Now I have light! I hated driving around with one headlight but I was very impressed with how well the one projector covered the road, any way here are some pics of both ballast.
Old ballast
Front Cover & Inside
Major Corrosion
New Ballast Example
New HID Bulbs Bright!
Now I have light! I hated driving around with one headlight but I was very impressed with how well the one projector covered the road, any way here are some pics of both ballast.
Old ballast
Front Cover & Inside
Major Corrosion
New Ballast Example
New HID Bulbs Bright!
#3
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Last edited by Tee; 02-21-10 at 10:09 AM.
#5
That picture in the dark is just crazy, hot HID has no cast-off of light beyond the cut-off line. Good thing I don't drive in total dark much, because I've always thought what the heck if something is falling from the sky, I won't see it until it comes below the border.
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That picture in the dark is just crazy, hot HID has no cast-off of light beyond the cut-off line. Good thing I don't drive in total dark much, because I've always thought what the heck if something is falling from the sky, I won't see it until it comes below the border.
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#9
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Same as before OEM 4300K, but as the years go by the bulbs tend loose lumen output and coloration. My oringinal bulbs have been in the car since 07/04 (based on the cars date of birth) which makes them 5 yrs old so that is to be expected.
#11
I am having a similar problem but hopefully it is not the ballast. Every now and then when I turn on my headlights, the passenger side light does not turn on. I turn them off and back on and it will work. It has only happened 4-5 times in the past year. Could this be the bulbs going out or a ballast going out?
#12
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Tee - Great post and pictures thanks very much for making us aware of this potential problem. I will have to be more careful when I periodically clean and rinse the engine bay in the headlight area.