When I turn on the head lights, both lights would light up as they should but after a minute the driver side would flicker for 2-3 seconds then shut off every time and I'm not sure if the problem is with the HID bulb or the ballast(07 with stock system) and there's a bulb sign showing on the instrument panel as to tell me to replace the bulb but shouldn't the light be off all the time if the bulb gave up?
If anyone been through or know the solution, I would really appreciate it.

Thank you

 

This was a common issue with aftermarket bulbs on the driver side. So my question is are they OEM or have them been replaced by yourself or maybe a previous owner if there was one.

If they are OEM and your under warranty time for a quick visit to the dealer. If not I would start with the bulbs and switch them from one side to the other. Make sure both bulbs are in when you turn the lights on.

 

just fixed mine just get new bulb and it's not the ballast!! a lot of people will tell you that!! and do exactly what passnu2 says!!!

 

My GS had aftermarket bulbs from previous owner and it seems like the ballast plug melted on the passenger side. I just ordered a new ballast from ebay to fix this.

 

I was told it could be a ballast problem too when my driver side would go off. In for recall work, the dealer replaced the driver side lamp and I was charged over $200 for that. When my passenger side started going off, I searched for a replacement lamp. The neighborhood Autozone wanted $175 but I found it on Ebay $65. It took some time to figure out how to get at the lamp and how to release the wire clip spring but it was worth the savings to do it yourself.

 

I had the exact same problem. I have 07 GS 350, and the headlights have been driving me crazy for almost a year. I absolutely refuse to pay Lexus a grand per headlight to replace ballast, etc. Finally I woke up and remembered my Bud Chris Rado has his own shop in Torrance Ca. called World Racing where he builds his world class Scions under Toyotas sponsorship.

Anyway these guys build their own stuff and think outside of the box. So, I went over and talked to Rob Cardona who is the general manager and a really cool guy. After explaining the symptoms, he suggested it might be a combination of things, so they tore the front end off of my Lexus, examined it and told me first of all the bulbs weren't right, and they noticed the grounding of the headlight assembly was poorly designed, and all the symptoms fit an intermittent badly grounded system too. So they ordered all the right factory bulbs and inexpensive after market ballasts, and reworked the grounding, and installed.

My lights come with a snap, they are bright clear, and no more flicker. If you're in Southern California I'd go by and see them. If not give them a call and mention that "DOC" posted it on the Lexus Forum. Those guys are all young, into racing and Motorsports, and very cool and will talk to you if nothing else.

I have never been happier and they solved the problem. Someone suggested that Lexus wants to sell you the whole thing so they don't have to admit they had a poor ground design among other things. Or as Robbie said, "I bet if you go to Lexus and have them do it, if you tear it down afterwards you'll find they "fixed" the ground defect, but they won't tell you that." Had lunch with Robbie today. Give him a call, tell him "Doc" told you. My lights are kicking *** now.

Hope this helps

Rob Cordona
World Racing
2170 W. 190th St.
Torrance CA 90504
(310) 533-1751

 

Thanks for all your helps, guys. Problem fixed with new after market bulbs.
Happy now.
Thanks again.

 

Awesome

 

I think every case of people complaining about headlights not turning on or turning off randomly with these cars have been resolved by new bulbs. I had the issue too on one side I replaced with new OEM bulbs on both sides and all has been fine since for over a year.

 

had this start happening to me a little less than a week ago. i followed other members' advice and just swapped the bulbs from side to side. so far, so good. no need to buy new bulbs or ballast. i'm starting to think that it's just a connection that gets loose over time so when we unplug and re-plug the bulbs the metals contact new surfaces. and i'm using the philips xeneco bulbs, no aftermarket bulbs.

 

Every now and then, my passenger side hid flickers or goes off. I had a shop check the connection with the bulb and socket and the said it was tight. When it goes off, turning the headlamps off and then on again cures the problem for awhile. What say you all on the problem?

Also, another question.... My brother in law has a 2007 ES350. His headlights are so much better than my 2006 GS300. His are brighter and whiter. Don't they both use the same bulbs?

 

I think lexus bulb supplier(philips bulbs) have had higher failure rate recently. I have a 2006 SC430. my passager HID did the same thing. brought replacement bulb at lexus for $140 bulb and fix the problem. then 6 months later my driver side started to go out also. decided change both to garax 6000k bulbs for $90 pair. best decision I have made. love the higher K color. If you have one bulb going out, may be a good time to change both..

 

the same as every other thread. the bulb is bad, you need new bulbs.

as far as your brother in law, the ES have better projectors which give a crisper cut off line and a brighter white. nothing you can do about that.


if they just recently started to go out, thats not too bad given the year of the car. bulbs are designed to last forever. sounds like you could have avoided the driver side going out if you swapped both out at the same time. i agree though, i had the garax 6000k bulbs and i loved them.

 

I am having the same problem, and already replaced the bulbs. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but how much did Rob charge you? I am interested in calling him up.

 

Truthfully I don't remember as that was about a year ago. What I do know is it wasn't a lot, like the cost of new bulbs and labor, and they fixed the ground that was really poorly designed.. They showed me the grounds with the front end off the car, and even I could see it wasn't good. Bottom line call Robbie and talk to him. They're real good and they are car guys not just mechanics. Wait til you see all the neat racing stuff when you go into the shop. Really cool place to hang out in Torrance. Robbie will give a once over for you. Call them Monday afternoon cause racing season started to day and they were all out at the track up north running the new car. Let me know what happens, and don't forget to tell them "Doc"*sent you.*They will take care of you and won't break the bank..


Rob Cordona
World Racing
2170 W. 190th St.
Torrance CA 90504
(310) 533-1751