Headlight bulb replacement question
Headlight bulb replacement question
Driving home last night my driver side headlight went out. But when i got home i turned the lights off and turned them back on and it worked just fine. Is my bulb going out or is this a bigger issue than just replacing the bulb? Also any suggestions on some bright replacement bulbs. I know Ebay has all kinds to choose from. Thanks for your help!
It is probably the bulb, but it could be the ballast.
If it is happening consistently, you can swap bulbs left and right and see if the problem follows the bulb, if it does, it's the bulb, if it doesn't it's the ballast.
INSPECT DISCHARGE HEADLIGHT BULB
Confirm the following items before replacing a discharge headlight bulb. If a malfunction is discovered and repaired, perform the inspection again to confirm the repair.
HINT: Even if a bulb seems to turn on normally, it may not be normal. Perform all the following steps in order because an abnormal condition might otherwise not be easy to duplicate.
Prepare the vehicle: Before performing the following inspection procedure, turn off the discharge headlight bulbs for more than 10 minutes to allow them to cool down sufficiently.
HINT: Since it is necessary to find the cause of a malfunction that causes a discharge headlight bulb not to turn on, the discharge headlight bulbs should be inspected starting from a cooled off state.
Jeff
If it is happening consistently, you can swap bulbs left and right and see if the problem follows the bulb, if it does, it's the bulb, if it doesn't it's the ballast.
Originally Posted by Lexus HID inspection procedure (from Repair Manual)
INSPECT DISCHARGE HEADLIGHT BULB
Confirm the following items before replacing a discharge headlight bulb. If a malfunction is discovered and repaired, perform the inspection again to confirm the repair.
- Make sure that the high voltage socket of the light control ECU and discharge headlight bulb are connected normally.
- Make sure that there is no damage to the high voltage socket of the light control ECU or discharge headlight bulb connector.
HINT: Even if a bulb seems to turn on normally, it may not be normal. Perform all the following steps in order because an abnormal condition might otherwise not be easy to duplicate.
Prepare the vehicle: Before performing the following inspection procedure, turn off the discharge headlight bulbs for more than 10 minutes to allow them to cool down sufficiently.
HINT: Since it is necessary to find the cause of a malfunction that causes a discharge headlight bulb not to turn on, the discharge headlight bulbs should be inspected starting from a cooled off state.
- Turn on the discharge headlights for more than 25 minutes, and check that the bulbs illuminate normally when they are turned on.
HINT:- Leave the headlights on for more than 25 minutes to stabilize the discharge headlight bulb arc tube voltage.
- A discharge headlight bulb that has almost reached the end of its life may turn off due to a headlight control ECU fail-safe function because the arc tube voltage is high.
- Repeatedly turn the discharge headlights off for 15 seconds and on for 15 seconds (5 times for each). Check that the bulbs illuminate normally.
HINT: This inspection confirms the ability of the bulbs to start when hot.
- Turn off the discharge headlights for 3 minutes, and then turn on the discharge headlights for 3 minutes. Check that the bulbs illuminate normally when they are turned on.
HINT:- A characteristic of discharge headlight bulbs is that their starting voltage is highest when 3 minutes have elapsed after being turned off. This is the most difficult situation for discharge bulbs to start in.
- This inspection is further confirmation of the ability of the bulbs to start when hot.
Standard: The discharge headlight bulbs illuminate normally in all steps.
- Remove the discharge headlight bulb and perform a visual inspection of the arc tube.
Standard: The inside of the arc tube is not bulging or deformed and is not clouded. However, a dull brown coloration inside the arc tube is normal.
Text in Illustration
- *A Normal Discharge Headlight Bulb
- *B Discharge Headlight Bulb at End of Usable Life
- *1 Arc Tube
Inside of Arc Tube
Distortion / Clouded Area
Last edited by Jeff Lange; Apr 6, 2012 at 08:51 AM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 34
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From: NYC
Hey guys, I had the same problem. I swap bulbs left to right and notice the problem followed the bulbs. I also noticed that the Bulb had some brown discoloration.
Now where should i purchases replacement bulbs from?
Should i order these or get a pair from ddm tuning(they usually take forever to shipped though)?
Now where should i purchases replacement bulbs from?
Should i order these or get a pair from ddm tuning(they usually take forever to shipped though)?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: NYC
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Chances are both bulbs start to go at roughly the same time, mine did.
I got OE Philips from Amazon, $50 each. Worked a treat.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 34
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From: NYC
I just order from Hidextra. I remember ordering from them a few year ago and i didn't have any problems. They had a 30% discount easter weekend sale. So I ended up getting both bulbs for $65.
Here the link http://www.hidextra.com/d4s-6000k-hid-bulb-1158
discount code is spring30
Here the link http://www.hidextra.com/d4s-6000k-hid-bulb-1158
discount code is spring30
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 705
Likes: 3
From: CA
I just order from Hidextra. I remember ordering from them a few year ago and i didn't have any problems. They had a 30% discount easter weekend sale. So I ended up getting both bulbs for $65.
Here the link http://www.hidextra.com/d4s-6000k-hid-bulb-1158
discount code is spring30
Here the link http://www.hidextra.com/d4s-6000k-hid-bulb-1158
discount code is spring30
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Yes, here the link of the bulbs size you need. Today is a good day I just update my Navigation to 11.1 on my is250. Now all i need is my hid bulbs to come in and to waxs the car.
http://www.hidextra.com/Lexus-HID-Ki...907d62a7bc7ddf
http://www.hidextra.com/Lexus-HID-Ki...907d62a7bc7ddf
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 705
Likes: 3
From: CA
Yes, here the link of the bulbs size you need. Today is a good day I just update my Navigation to 11.1 on my is250. Now all i need is my hid bulbs to come in and to waxs the car.
http://www.hidextra.com/Lexus-HID-Ki...907d62a7bc7ddf
http://www.hidextra.com/Lexus-HID-Ki...907d62a7bc7ddf
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