Headlight Thread #1,673

tnobori1 · 11-22-2009, 6:11 PM

Yep, another headlight thread. I'm 90% this is a new problem though. I have been having headlight problems for about 18 months now. Standard issues with the flickering and turning off of the lights. First the driver side light was out, but two months later the passenger side went out.

Initially, I replaced the bulbs, only to find out it was a different and much more expensive ballast problem. The lights (or just one) would come on for a few seconds, then turn off. If I flicked the switch on and off a few times at least one of the lights would turn on for the trip. They eventually both stopped working altogether and I drove with my high beams for like a week. Instead of spending $800 at the stealership, I bought two used ones on CL from some guy in TX. Installed them both and found that both were faulty, though after reinstalling one of my old ones, it was working on the passenger side (after some flickering of the switch).

I just bought another ballast from an Aziner and installed it today. Put it on, replaced both fuses and cleaned the contacts of the fuses and the relays then it fired right up... for 3 seconds. I then flickered the switch on and off and both lights stayed on.

WTF??!!!!!!!!!! The odds that all 3 were faulty is SUPER unlikely, plus the member I bought it from is a trusted guy on this site. Any advice? Should I replace the relays? Checked every single fuse in the car and everything is fine. SO FRUSTRATING!! Every common issue in our cars has some unusual variation in my car.

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tnobori1 · 11-22-2009, 8:30 PM

^ Bump! 6 views! I should have chosen a different title, but I really need some advice please.

zac · 11-22-2009, 8:35 PM

^ Yes, you got 6 views, or 8 or however many. Out of those views, I doubt they could give you accurate, helpful advice. Including me, sorry I know nothing about electrical.

tnobori1 · 11-22-2009, 8:46 PM

No, I just meant that there were so few views... I should have put "naked chicks" or "HELP" instead of getting cute with it. It was my fault, I wasn't pointing fingers.

zac · 11-22-2009, 9:15 PM

Haha, my bad. Yea see if a mod could add XXXPORNXXX to the title

friesm2000 · 11-22-2009, 9:31 PM

you can still get bad parts even if it was from the dealer

tnobori1 · 11-22-2009, 9:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by friesm2000

you can still get bad parts even if it was from the dealer

True, it's just unlikely that 3 consecutive used parts would be faulty, especially from trusted members. Besides, the part seems to be working, but why does it need to have the switch flickered on and off? Could it be a relay?

civicdrivr · 11-22-2009, 10:48 PM

Pick up one of those $60 HID kits from the Black Market and install those ballasts. See if that helps. Seeing as how these ballasts are notorious for these problems, I wouldnt be surprised if all 3 were fried.

Sidenote - Youre from the bay area, keep an eye on your car. There seems to be a theft ring there involving CLs.

richardparker · 11-22-2009, 11:01 PM

The one you got from me,Did that one work for you ?
That one was not faulty for sure. PM'n

BT5150 · 11-23-2009, 12:01 AM

I'd second what civicdrvr says, just get one of the aftermarket HID kits and put that in. You'll have new ballasts and bulbs. They have come down amazingly low in price, some places have them for $60. If you are concerned about reliability, some of the sites sell "name brand" gear like Philips for a little more, but from what I've read, even the cheaper kits are reliable.

civicdrivr · 11-23-2009, 12:45 AM

One of our vendors:

http://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=723872

$60 shipped gets you new ballasts and bulbs with a 2 year warranty.

MrFluffy · 11-23-2009, 9:06 AM

If you dont think its a balast issue I would pick up a volt meter and test the power going into the balast.

Also if you want to see if its a wiring problemcarfully touch the two leads of the balast directly to a battery and see if it flickers if it still flickers its a ballast issue if not it could be wiring issue but at least you will know

But I agree with civicdrivr pick up some after market balast

tnobori1 · 11-23-2009, 2:15 PM

Ok, I'll try the volt meter and wire check. Richard, it's not the ballast. Idk what else to try, but I guess I'll wait and see what the VM says. Thanks for the feedback.

As for after market ballasts, I have two Phillips ballasts, but I haven't felt like figuring out rewiring and rigging up a bracket. We'll see.

tnobori1 · 11-23-2009, 2:17 PM

Quote:

Sidenote - Youre from the bay area, keep an eye on your car. There seems to be a theft ring there involving CLs.

Yeah, I saw the other post. I just moved out to Discovery Bay... still Bay Area, but pretty far from the other thefts.

MrFluffy · 11-23-2009, 4:02 PM

If you got an after market ballast it would maybe take an extra 5 minutes to install as compared to OEM if you need instruction on how to do it there is a thread also you can IM me and I can help you out

Good luck

tnobori1 · 11-23-2009, 8:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFluffy

If you got an after market ballast it would maybe take an extra 5 minutes to install as compared to OEM if you need instruction on how to do it there is a thread also you can IM me and I can help you out

Good luck

I've seen the thread, just seemed like a lot more work... I know the next time one goes out for good, I will be doing the conversion. Fucking Acura ballasts!

MrFluffy · 11-23-2009, 9:01 PM

I really dont think that anyones ballast is perfected and to get 6
years out of one is pretty average , aftermarket or OEM

tnobori1 · 11-23-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrFluffy

I really dont think that anyones ballast is perfected and to get 6
years out of one is pretty average , aftermarket or OEM

Fair enough, but you would think waterproofing would be high on the list of desirables when designing electrical parts! Either way, I'm pissed at Acura for a 2 year navigation issue in my wife's MDX that they may or may not fix. Now every little issue is their fault!!

MrFluffy · 11-24-2009, 12:51 AM

I agree

11-22-2009, 8:30 PM	#2
tnobori1 CLS-6 Bay Area Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Discovery Bay, CA Age: 29 Posts: 394	^ Bump! 6 views! I should have chosen a different title, but I really need some advice please. __________________ 2003 CL-S 6 SPD AEM CAI,XS Power headers,Rotora slotted rotors, Unorthodox Racing underdrive crank pulley, 2007 TL Type S Shift Knob, Super Computer Pedals, 20% Tint on rears/35% Tint on fronts Car Domain Page

11-22-2009, 8:35 PM	#3
zac Out pops the cracker 2001 Acura CL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lancaster PA Age: 19 Posts: 447	^ Yes, you got 6 views, or 8 or however many. Out of those views, I doubt they could give you accurate, helpful advice. Including me, sorry I know nothing about electrical. __________________ '01 Acura CL-S SSM Progress RSB >< Moog Endlinks >< 35% Tint>< Tokico Illuminas>< Eibach Pro-Kit Springs>< 18" MS3 Wheels

11-22-2009, 8:46 PM	#4
tnobori1 CLS-6 Bay Area Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Discovery Bay, CA Age: 29 Posts: 394	No, I just meant that there were so few views... I should have put "naked chicks" or "HELP" instead of getting cute with it. It was my fault, I wasn't pointing fingers. __________________ 2003 CL-S 6 SPD AEM CAI,XS Power headers,Rotora slotted rotors, Unorthodox Racing underdrive crank pulley, 2007 TL Type S Shift Knob, Super Computer Pedals, 20% Tint on rears/35% Tint on fronts Car Domain Page

11-22-2009, 9:15 PM	#5
zac Out pops the cracker 2001 Acura CL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lancaster PA Age: 19 Posts: 447	Haha, my bad. Yea see if a mod could add XXXPORNXXX to the title __________________ '01 Acura CL-S SSM Progress RSB >< Moog Endlinks >< 35% Tint>< Tokico Illuminas>< Eibach Pro-Kit Springs>< 18" MS3 Wheels

11-22-2009, 9:31 PM	#6
friesm2000 Registered Member 2003 Acura TL Trader Rating: (3) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Colorado Age: 23 Posts: 3,224	you can still get bad parts even if it was from the dealer __________________ 2003 NBP TL-S, check garage for mods: Garage Link (signature is too long with my mods) and don't mind my spelling or grammar

11-22-2009, 10:48 PM	#8
civicdrivr LETSSSSSS PARTYYYY!!!!!!! 2003 Acura CL Trader Rating: (4) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: VA Age: 21 Posts: 5,249	Pick up one of those $60 HID kits from the Black Market and install those ballasts. See if that helps. Seeing as how these ballasts are notorious for these problems, I wouldnt be surprised if all 3 were fried. Sidenote - Youre from the bay area, keep an eye on your car. There seems to be a theft ring there involving CLs. __________________ FOR SALE- Brand New 01-03 CL ViS Carbon Fiber Hood - $400!!! Here My Build Thread Here

11-22-2009, 11:01 PM	#9
richardparker Registered Member 2001 Acura CL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,283	The one you got from me,Did that one work for you ? That one was not faulty for sure. PM'n

11-23-2009, 12:01 AM	#10
BT5150 Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Age: 36 Posts: 50	I'd second what civicdrvr says, just get one of the aftermarket HID kits and put that in. You'll have new ballasts and bulbs. They have come down amazingly low in price, some places have them for $60. If you are concerned about reliability, some of the sites sell "name brand" gear like Philips for a little more, but from what I've read, even the cheaper kits are reliable.

11-23-2009, 12:45 AM	#11
civicdrivr LETSSSSSS PARTYYYY!!!!!!! 2003 Acura CL Trader Rating: (4) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: VA Age: 21 Posts: 5,249	One of our vendors: http://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=723872 $60 shipped gets you new ballasts and bulbs with a 2 year warranty. __________________ FOR SALE- Brand New 01-03 CL ViS Carbon Fiber Hood - $400!!! Here My Build Thread Here

11-23-2009, 9:06 AM	#12
MrFluffy To many cars in my garage 1980 Pontiac Firebird My Garage Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kanata,Ontario,Canada Posts: 1,157	If you dont think its a balast issue I would pick up a volt meter and test the power going into the balast. Also if you want to see if its a wiring problemcarfully touch the two leads of the balast directly to a battery and see if it flickers if it still flickers its a ballast issue if not it could be wiring issue but at least you will know But I agree with civicdrivr pick up some after market balast __________________ PERFORMANCE-CAI,Mid Muffler,D/S rotors F/R,Option Racing Pulley,06 oddyssey Transmission INTERIOR-Full led conversion,Shifter Illumination,2 10"p2 RF,Blue and Pink ambient lighting LIGHTS-30'000K fogs,3000K headlights, 6000K high beams, tinted tail lights WHEELS-Winter -blacked out 17s with blizzaks, Summer - 18"Konig, Toyo Tires

11-23-2009, 2:15 PM	#13
tnobori1 CLS-6 Bay Area Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Discovery Bay, CA Age: 29 Posts: 394	Ok, I'll try the volt meter and wire check. Richard, it's not the ballast. Idk what else to try, but I guess I'll wait and see what the VM says. Thanks for the feedback. As for after market ballasts, I have two Phillips ballasts, but I haven't felt like figuring out rewiring and rigging up a bracket. We'll see. __________________ 2003 CL-S 6 SPD AEM CAI,XS Power headers,Rotora slotted rotors, Unorthodox Racing underdrive crank pulley, 2007 TL Type S Shift Knob, Super Computer Pedals, 20% Tint on rears/35% Tint on fronts Car Domain Page

11-23-2009, 4:02 PM	#15
MrFluffy To many cars in my garage 1980 Pontiac Firebird My Garage Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kanata,Ontario,Canada Posts: 1,157	If you got an after market ballast it would maybe take an extra 5 minutes to install as compared to OEM if you need instruction on how to do it there is a thread also you can IM me and I can help you out Good luck __________________ PERFORMANCE-CAI,Mid Muffler,D/S rotors F/R,Option Racing Pulley,06 oddyssey Transmission INTERIOR-Full led conversion,Shifter Illumination,2 10"p2 RF,Blue and Pink ambient lighting LIGHTS-30'000K fogs,3000K headlights, 6000K high beams, tinted tail lights WHEELS-Winter -blacked out 17s with blizzaks, Summer - 18"Konig, Toyo Tires

11-23-2009, 9:01 PM	#17
MrFluffy To many cars in my garage 1980 Pontiac Firebird My Garage Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kanata,Ontario,Canada Posts: 1,157	I really dont think that anyones ballast is perfected and to get 6 years out of one is pretty average , aftermarket or OEM __________________ PERFORMANCE-CAI,Mid Muffler,D/S rotors F/R,Option Racing Pulley,06 oddyssey Transmission INTERIOR-Full led conversion,Shifter Illumination,2 10"p2 RF,Blue and Pink ambient lighting LIGHTS-30'000K fogs,3000K headlights, 6000K high beams, tinted tail lights WHEELS-Winter -blacked out 17s with blizzaks, Summer - 18"Konig, Toyo Tires

11-24-2009, 12:51 AM	#19
MrFluffy To many cars in my garage 1980 Pontiac Firebird My Garage Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kanata,Ontario,Canada Posts: 1,157	I agree __________________ PERFORMANCE-CAI,Mid Muffler,D/S rotors F/R,Option Racing Pulley,06 oddyssey Transmission INTERIOR-Full led conversion,Shifter Illumination,2 10"p2 RF,Blue and Pink ambient lighting LIGHTS-30'000K fogs,3000K headlights, 6000K high beams, tinted tail lights WHEELS-Winter -blacked out 17s with blizzaks, Summer - 18"Konig, Toyo Tires