HID Headlight flickering
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: OH
HID Headlight flickering
I'm branbd new to Club Lexus and have used it alot to get informtation. I now have a problem that I hope to get help on.
I just bought a 2004 RX330 from a used car dealership I have since found was "non-respectable". I found the drivers side headlight had moister inside and asked the he replace it. He did with a used unit. I later found that the HID leadlight in teh repalced assembly was not functioning properlty it was "flickering". The passenger side worked fine.
I replaced the bulb with a OSRAM Xenon D2R. No difference - still "flickering". So obvioulsy the bulb was good. I have now noticed that the high beam is not working on the same side. Any thoughts? Was the Headlight installed incorrectly by the "crooked" dealer or something else.
Levi
I just bought a 2004 RX330 from a used car dealership I have since found was "non-respectable". I found the drivers side headlight had moister inside and asked the he replace it. He did with a used unit. I later found that the HID leadlight in teh repalced assembly was not functioning properlty it was "flickering". The passenger side worked fine.
I replaced the bulb with a OSRAM Xenon D2R. No difference - still "flickering". So obvioulsy the bulb was good. I have now noticed that the high beam is not working on the same side. Any thoughts? Was the Headlight installed incorrectly by the "crooked" dealer or something else.
Levi
Welcome to CL and the lighting forum.
First off I sorry to hear about your lighting woes. I also wanted to let you know that it is physically impossible to replace a D2S bulb with a D2R bulb like you said. So I believe you have a D2S bulb.
The answer to your problem is within your ballast, not your bulb. You will need to replace the ballast with a working unit, and that will solve your HID issues.
I hope this helps!
First off I sorry to hear about your lighting woes. I also wanted to let you know that it is physically impossible to replace a D2S bulb with a D2R bulb like you said. So I believe you have a D2S bulb.
The answer to your problem is within your ballast, not your bulb. You will need to replace the ballast with a working unit, and that will solve your HID issues.
I hope this helps!
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: OH
Thanks for the quick feedback. I did install a D2R bulb... is that not correct? It looks very similar to the bulb I took out.
I'm going to try to see if a can clean up the contact in the current ballast. The headlight had some moisture in it when I got it home and I cleared it using a blow dryer, so I'm thinking there may be some corrostion on the contact. If this doesn't work I'll buy a ballast.
Levi
I'm going to try to see if a can clean up the contact in the current ballast. The headlight had some moisture in it when I got it home and I cleared it using a blow dryer, so I'm thinking there may be some corrostion on the contact. If this doesn't work I'll buy a ballast.
Levi
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: OH
You guys were right, I checked the original, removed bulb and it is a D2S. The website I bought from sent me the wrong bulb! Just as info - it did fit, just didn't work. I'm returning the D2R and getting a D2S - hopefully that solves it.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: OH
Replaced with the correct bulb - still flickers, kind of like a flourescent bulb trying to fire up. We checked voltage to the light housing - checked good. We then pulled the connector to the bulb to do the same and when we turned on the light switch - a noticable continous spark was evident within the connector. So it is getting power to the connector... still think it's athe ballast that needs to be replaced or something else?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: OH
The replacement ballast fixed the problem. Not easy to get to it... removing the bumper and heel well covers, etc. The old ballast was very corroded, apparently from the moisture build up I noticed when I bought the RX330.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Cpartipilo
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
4
Jul 28, 2017 11:24 PM
