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Ballast replacement question

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Old Jun 18, 2012 | 02:28 PM
  #1  
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Default Ballast replacement question

Hi, i have read on other posts that in order to remove and replace the hid ballast, removal of the full front bumper is necessary. Is this really the case? Or is there a workaround to do it easier.. I just ordered new bulbs due to my driverside bulb turning off sometimes and I have to power on and off again to get it to re-illuminate..

I drive with my lights on all the time because i like the colortemp hue.. and it wouldnt suprise me if it is just the bulb.. ( a cheap 10kelvin D2R online replacement) just hit 200k miles this morning

I ordered new bulbs 6k just to try out the new color, but just in case i get the same driver side light malfunction, i will need to know how to access the ballast and get it swapped just in case this happens to occur again.. Any input would be appreciated.. Thx
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Old Jun 21, 2012 | 06:26 PM
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Really surprised nobody helped on this question.. After replacing my bulbs today I noticed u can replace the ballast right from the headlight itself and you do "not" have to remove the front bumper... Just unbolt headlight, pull out and replace... Just posted this in case anyone else searches this question....
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Old Jan 7, 2013 | 01:56 PM
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Dirtyd210, thanks for the info. I have to do same. Are there any special instructions for unbolting the headlight? Also, what ballast did you replace it with and did it fix the problem?
Thanks.
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Old Jan 7, 2013 | 02:36 PM
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My driver side headlight is doing the exact same thing.. im hoping its just the ballast. i gotta turn it on and off too stay on..
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Old Sep 6, 2013 | 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by warwickj
Dirtyd210, thanks for the info. I have to do same. Are there any special instructions for unbolting the headlight? Also, what ballast did you replace it with and did it fix the problem?
Thanks.
I have the same questions: I can't get the headlight to clear the bumper skin; and I need a new ballast.

Any special tips getting the headlight assy out of the car? What ballast did you replace? Where did you buy it? Did it fix your problem?
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Old Sep 7, 2013 | 08:44 AM
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Where did you order you 6K's from? I ordered a set but did not work ;(
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Old Sep 7, 2013 | 10:47 PM
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Remove a few screws/bolts/clips, which hold the wheel well in place. I didn't remove the whole wheel well, just the front portion/closest to the lamp unit. Move the wheel well outta the way, and loosen two bolts holding the bumper on. Bumper will be loose enough to give ya clearance, to remove the headlamp unit.

Bought a used OEM ballast on eBay $90.00
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Old Sep 16, 2013 | 01:17 PM
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I just had my bumper off this past weekend to fix a cracked bumper skin. The two bolts (nuts acutally) that you reference are the hardest part. Once those four (two each side) are out the rest of the removal and replacement is easy.

I was concerned about everything lining up after replacement but with some massaging it looks great.
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Old Sep 16, 2013 | 08:15 PM
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where did you get the 6k hid bulbs from?
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Old Sep 22, 2013 | 05:50 AM
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For me, the key was prying the bumper out of the way. No need to remove the bumper! The whole procedure to remove the headlight is:
- remove two 10mm screws
- push the headlight towards the radiator to disengage the slide-pin in the fender
- pry the bumper flange out of the way using a putty knife. No worries about little scratches, the headlight will hide them because it hangs over the bumper when it's reinstalled.
- remove the headlight by angling it up and towards the center.


Last edited by cyclehead; Sep 22, 2013 at 05:57 AM.
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Old Sep 25, 2013 | 02:26 PM
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Once you disengage that slide pin (brass colored pin on the right of my pic), the whole unit comes out easily. I needed to do this on the passenger side to replace the lower corner bulb. The computer will say TAILLAMP FAILURE if this bulb is dead.

It is possible to change that little bulb without removing the entire assembly - you need small and long arms to get at it.

May as well adjust your headlight aim while you have the assembly removed - https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...eup-w-pix.html
Attached Thumbnails Ballast replacement question-ls430-headlight-assembly.jpg  

Last edited by StanVanDam; Oct 29, 2014 at 02:38 PM.
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