GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

Headlight Problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-16-06, 06:07 PM
  #1  
robpat143
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
robpat143's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Headlight Problem

I have a 99 GS400 with factory HID and the passenger headlight sometimes doesn't turn on.

if the car sits for awhile, they usually both turn on. but if I try to turn the headlights off and on.. the driverside sometimes doesn't turn on or vice versa or even both.

the local mechanic thinks its the headlight switch.

anyone else encounter with this problem?
Old 02-16-06, 06:14 PM
  #2  
Kharizma
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (6)
 
Kharizma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

mine did that and then they finally just blew out and so i had to get them replaced, which is like 400 per bulb good luck
Old 02-16-06, 06:26 PM
  #3  
robpat143
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
robpat143's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Kharizma
mine did that and then they finally just blew out and so i had to get them replaced, which is like 400 per bulb good luck
was it the hid bulbs? or the ballasts?
Old 02-16-06, 06:27 PM
  #4  
robpat143
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
robpat143's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I don't think its the bulbs or the ballasts on mine since they stay on for hours without turning off
Old 02-16-06, 06:37 PM
  #5  
GS3.0
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
GS3.0's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

One thing you don't wanna do is turn on the HID's on and off erraticly. You'll damage the bulbs and ballasts that way. If its the passenger side thats frequently not turning on, it might be the ballast on that side. I had that problem on my driver's side, and the ballast eventually died...but i think it may have been due to aftermarket 8000K HID bulbs i used....im not really sure. They are running fine now since i replaced the ballast and i've had no problems ever since. Hope that helps.
Old 02-16-06, 07:05 PM
  #6  
gain
Rookie
 
gain's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default headlight problem

Have the same problem, more severe on my drivers side. Several people think it's the ballasts. Time to order a new one because the Drivers side rarely comes on now.

Last edited by gain; 02-17-06 at 12:20 PM.
Old 02-16-06, 08:41 PM
  #7  
robpat143
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
robpat143's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

so it's not the headlight switch?? thats what a mechanic told me..

is the stock ballasts mounted on the headlight assembly?? can u just replace them with an aftermarket one or is it better to get a whole new set of aftermarket hid kit?
Old 02-16-06, 08:47 PM
  #8  
Chpsk8
Pole Position
 
Chpsk8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: MN/WI
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

If it's only one light ,then it's not the headlight switch. All the switrch does is put power to both lights. If one light is out then it's the ballast or the bulb. I would lean towards the ballast before the bulb.
Old 02-16-06, 08:56 PM
  #9  
robpat143
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
robpat143's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Chpsk8
If it's only one light ,then it's not the headlight switch. All the switrch does is put power to both lights. If one light is out then it's the ballast or the bulb. I would lean towards the ballast before the bulb.
its vice versa.. most of the time passenger side but sometimes the driver side also.

if I try to turn it off and on couple of times, they both don't turn on..
Old 02-16-06, 09:09 PM
  #10  
salimshah
Moderator
 
salimshah's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 15,472
Received 1,046 Likes on 944 Posts
Default

If it is one side, why not swap the bulbs. If the problem stays on the side, then ballast and if it moves with the bulb, it is the bulb.

Salim
Old 02-16-06, 09:25 PM
  #11  
robpat143
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
robpat143's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by salimshah
If it is one side, why not swap the bulbs. If the problem stays on the side, then ballast and if it moves with the bulb, it is the bulb.

Salim
it's not just one side.. sometimes both don't turn on if I turn them off/on
Old 02-16-06, 10:38 PM
  #12  
FunGuy
Lexus Test Driver
 
FunGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 881
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

i HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. tHE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT FAULTY, IT WAS MY GROUND WIRES. ONCE I REPLACED THEM, PROBLEM WENT AWAY. ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR NOW AND NO PROBS....YET.
Old 02-17-06, 12:18 PM
  #13  
gain
Rookie
 
gain's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default re: Ground Wires

How was the ground wire problem fixed? Ground wire from light harness? ground for ballast unit?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Xtremeflyr
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
9
12-10-21 08:58 AM
duffer649
ES - 5th Gen (2007-2012)
16
10-26-12 03:40 AM
dchan419
Lighting
6
02-20-11 07:55 PM
baydriver
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
2
08-18-10 11:40 AM
TPSTulane
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
2
01-30-09 09:42 PM



Quick Reply: Headlight Problem



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:52 PM.