After only 15 months of use, I have had a ballast fail on my XenonDepot.com 4300k HID kit. I have been informed that the ballast is out of warranty and I will have to buy a new one for $120.

It seems that there are others on this forum that have had similar ballast failures with an XD kit. How common of a problem is this? If you have had this problem, chime in on your experience and how it was resolved, good or bad. Thanks!

 

Most companies only give 1year warranty on the ballast. My McCulloh one went out after a month, and it was replaced for free. They even sent me a pre-paid box, so i didn't even pay for shipping.

It is what it is... They say 1year warranty, they only give you 1 year. Sorry to hear that you have to pay $120, but **** happens...

 

Unfortunately things happen.
Im sorry to hear about the ballast going out on you which is why I offered you a discounted price on a replacement component. MSRP on the part that you need is $150 + shipping.

Unfortunately my hands are tied once the product passes the one year in terms of replacing it for you under warranty.

 

exactly why i plan on getting a cheap ebay kit that has 2 ballasts,bulbs and all wiring for $120 shipped, that way if it breaks in a year who cares ill just buy another one!!!!

 

. ^same^

 

I say the same as both of you.

 

id be a little concerned about those ebay kits there is alot of power going thru them id be worried about fire !! i had a brande new kit and when i hooked it up to see if it worked it started smoking !! yea well it was a defective ballast and it was brand new so 15 months and 115 bux for a new man suck it up you DO drive a lexus correct and you want the best parts available

 

id rather pick up a used denso/matsu****a/other OEM ballast than a philips kit.

 

You guys have your opinions which I respect.
The point I am making is that it is not common for a Philips ballast to go out so quickly. Philips/Hella ballasts are used in most OEM HID applications. If it was common for them to go out after 15 months OE manufacturers would not be using the component.

When buying a Lexus you expect quality and reliability as thats what the car is known for. However, sometimes things happen.

There may be a couple of people on this board that have had a problem with a ballast however what does that mean when there are hundreds of people on this board that have not?

 

PureDrifter,

Philips Manufactures OEM components. Philips components are used in OEM HID applications.

You will have a hard time installing unmodified OEM components in a halogen designed headlight without completely blinding people.

 

true, i dont want to dwell on this. but personally, i prefer the denso ballasts (denso makes the Lexus/Toyota ballasts as im sure ur aware of) because they are built to Lexus warranty standards (meaning they rarely go out) whereas the philips are used more on euro-cars (bmw+mercedes) and we all know how their reliability has been in the past decade.

and for the record i have OEM H.I.D. and am in the market for a set of 3000k or 5000k fogs

PD-out.

 

I second this . I have had an expensive $800 HID philips kit for only the same thing to happen to me. One ballast went south due to a stressed cable.

I now have a Denso OEM retrofit and the difference is amazing. Even installing was easier since Lexus has the igniter built into the ballast.

Go 100% retrofit and forget it.