My factory headlight low beams still seem to be going strong. But every now and then, the left side (drivers side) just goes out. What I usually do is flick the lights off and then switch em back on and usually it returns to normal. Do you guys think this could be the bulb or something more? The color of the low beams are the same light blueish, one is not colored differently than the other. Thinking of just replacing both bulbs and hoping that will do the trick. Also could I replace the bulbs with a more intense bulb for better lighting, or is it better to just replace them with the same intensity bulbs? Let me know what you guys think.

 

If I am correct and please correct me if I am wrong. Your issue is the ballast not the bulb. The bulb either good or damaged it will not behave as you hav described.
My guess is the ballast is defective and trips as a protection to the rest of the system, when you switch the light off and on you rest the system till it detects the err then trips.

 

My experience was exactly the same. I replaced both HID bulbs with OEM color and intensity and problem solved.

 

my s2000 did the same and replaced both hids and good to go.change both bulbs or swap them and see if the problem switches sides.
i would just replace them.

 

Yeah, was hoping it wasn't the ballast. I will most likely replace both HID bulbs as you suggested and hopefully it will resolve the problem. What bulbs did you buy if you don't mind me asking? Thanks guys!

 

4300K is OEM color. I bought Phillips brand.

 

THis happens in my LS430 every few years. Go to amazon.com and pick up a pair of MAXLUX HID Xenon Bulbs D2R 5000K for $30-40. My lights are always on, so I have to replace them every 60k miles or so. 4300K is more orange and 5000K are pure white.

 

That raises a question that I never got around to research or ask.
Hear we go.
The OEM is 4300k, can you use a deferent cooler without changing the ballast. Like a 5000k or 3000k?
If my bulbes need replacing I would like to go to 5000k but not willing to chand ballast to do so.

 

You do not need to change ballast for a different temperature bulb as long as they are rated for the same wattage. The LS430 ballast is rated for 35W.

 

Here is the OEM D2R HID Bulb by Philips. It is 35W and 4300K color.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-OEM-Philips-D2R-85126-35W-Xenon-BULB-HID-HEAD-LAMP-LIGHT-Headlight-/231328736968?hash=item35dc4466c8&vxp=mtr

 

Thanks for the replies guys, I ended up buying a pair of these, hopefully they last a while!

 

Yes, that's the correct one.

 

It's the bulb and not the ballast. This is the dying signature for Xenon bulbs. You should replace both around the same time for two reasons; the other should fail soon and the color temp will be slightly different if bulb ages are different.
On a related note, I heard that the market is flooded with knock off Philips bulbs, even on amazon. I only buy it from Lexus/Toyota dealers.

 

I got quoted $200 a bulb from my local Lexus dealer, figured it would be a little less at the Toyota dealer, so I just went with those Amazon philip bulbs. They got good reviews, so I am fairly certain they will be decent, if not, I only spent $70 for the pair.

 

Those Philips bulbs on Amazon are the real deal. That's what I bought 2+ years ago. I drive with my lights "on" (day and night).

There are a lot of fakes out there, but the price tells you - like $15/pair.