Headlight help
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 13
From: Virginia
Headlight help
Spent a half dozen hours this weekend trying to change my low beam headlight. It was actually really hard and frustrating. When I finally got it done, the headlight STILL doesn't work?!
I checked the connections and there fuse is fine.
Anyone have any ideas??? I just bought a wiring diagram so I guess that's the next step?
I checked the connections and there fuse is fine.
Anyone have any ideas??? I just bought a wiring diagram so I guess that's the next step?
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 544
Likes: 239
From: Pennsylvania
Aren't the low beams 35W HID D2S Xenon Bulbs? There should be a ballast somewhere. Ballast output is 85V AC.
Also note the warning label on the ballast :
Warning Will shock, burn or cause death.
Also note the warning label on the ballast :
Warning Will shock, burn or cause death.
Last edited by FlopTop04; Aug 23, 2015 at 05:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 13
From: Virginia
Holy cow. Was touching that ballast all day today. Didn't realize was high voltage! Will be more careful and fully dissconnect battery. I guess checking the ballast for power is next, but being super careful
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 13
From: Virginia
Flickering Lights!
Just went outside and checked my lights. They are flickering! I guess that's good news because there must be a loose connection.
But where to start? I checked all visible connectors. Guess I will wait until my wiring diagram comes in the mail and go through each connection one by one? Should I also clean connections? Or spray dielectic grease??
But where to start? I checked all visible connectors. Guess I will wait until my wiring diagram comes in the mail and go through each connection one by one? Should I also clean connections? Or spray dielectic grease??
Brett - yes flickering HID's certainly could be a ballast problem. Is your problem with both? See what they look like with the motor running - you may have run the battery down somewhat.
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Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Virginia
Pit Crew
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From: Irondequoit New York
Brett, I had to have my passenger side headlight replaced in order to pass NY state inspection. My light went on and off speraticly, so my thinking was that it was the ballast. Not having the time to screw around with it myself, I told the mechanic this, and he checked it out. As it turned out he just needed to replace the bulb, it was shutting off as it warmed up. My SC430 is a 2007 so it may not be the same bulb as in your car.
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From: GA
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 13
From: Virginia
Brett, I had to have my passenger side headlight replaced in order to pass NY state inspection. My light went on and off speraticly, so my thinking was that it was the ballast. Not having the time to screw around with it myself, I told the mechanic this, and he checked it out. As it turned out he just needed to replace the bulb, it was shutting off as it warmed up. My SC430 is a 2007 so it may not be the same bulb as in your car.
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Joined: May 2012
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From: Florida
From what I read, about automotive HID at http://donklipstein.com/d2.html
"The usual ballasts supposedly produce starting pulse voltages like 18 kilo-volts minimum, 20 kilo-volts typical.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,076
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From: Virginia
BE CAREFUL! HID BALLAST OUTPUT VOLTAGE CAN KILL YOU.
From what I read, about automotive HID at http://donklipstein.com/d2.html
"The usual ballasts supposedly produce starting pulse voltages like 18 kilo-volts minimum, 20 kilo-volts typical.
From what I read, about automotive HID at http://donklipstein.com/d2.html
"The usual ballasts supposedly produce starting pulse voltages like 18 kilo-volts minimum, 20 kilo-volts typical.