2006 Gs300: Aftermarket Ballast?
05-22-12 | 04:29 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Tx
2006 Gs300: Aftermarket Ballast?
Hey guys, My driver side ballast finally decide to die 3 days ago 
.. Dealership quoted $1100 to fix the issue. I notice that current 06-and later Lexus models come with the ballast built inside and I don't feel like taking my headlights apart... So, my question is...can we run aftermarket ballast with d4s adapter (will it work)? What Wattage? Will it throw a code?
Try searching on the forums for solution and how-to...no luck.
Help me....
.. Dealership quoted $1100 to fix the issue. I notice that current 06-and later Lexus models come with the ballast built inside and I don't feel like taking my headlights apart... So, my question is...can we run aftermarket ballast with d4s adapter (will it work)? What Wattage? Will it throw a code?Try searching on the forums for solution and how-to...no luck.
Help me....
05-22-12 | 06:14 PM
#2
Hey guys, My driver side ballast finally decide to die 3 days ago .. Dealership quoted $1100 to fix the issue. I notice that current 06-and later Lexus models come with the ballast built inside and I don't feel like taking my headlights apart... So, my question is...can we run aftermarket ballast with d4s adapter (will it work)? What Wattage? Will it throw a code?
Try searching on the forums for solution and how-to...no luck. Help me....
.. Dealership quoted $1100 to fix the issue. I notice that current 06-and later Lexus models come with the ballast built inside and I don't feel like taking my headlights apart... So, my question is...can we run aftermarket ballast with d4s adapter (will it work)? What Wattage? Will it throw a code?Try searching on the forums for solution and how-to...no luck.
Help me....
05-22-12 | 09:36 PM
#3
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 59
From: FL
why not go aftermarket bigblack? there's no harm in that (besides cutting and splicing wires LOL). Someone on here's done that already and he's been happy ever since 
As for me, like bigblack said, get an O.E. ballast, save yourself the headache and replace your 35w bulb with a 35w bulb, the headlight gets piping hot already as it is, imagine a 55w+ bulb in there, you're bound ot melt plastic.
As for me, like bigblack said, get an O.E. ballast, save yourself the headache and replace your 35w bulb with a 35w bulb, the headlight gets piping hot already as it is, imagine a 55w+ bulb in there, you're bound ot melt plastic.
05-22-12 | 10:20 PM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Ca
How's it going? New to CL, long time technician. Although it might not be the "preferred" route, and may be shunned upon by some, as a matter of cost effectiveness, there is nothing wrong with going with aftermarket. Also, you shouldn't have to cut or splice anything as long as you find the correct kit/harness. I have had lots of "baller" customers with luxury cars have ballasts go bad, without the luxury income to repair it properly. And @GoKoU, most aftermarket HID kits are 35w, 55w is usually the "option" and in the case of HID's that increased wattage isn't necessarily that large of a temp increase. Remember, HID's are not incandescent bulbs, they don't rely on a filament to generate resistance high enough to glow like a *****. Back to the point, it'll work fine, don't know if it'll throw a code or not, but it hasn't done it to me on other cars with the ability to give you the lamp warning.
05-23-12 | 12:33 AM
#5
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 59
From: FL
it won't so long as it has a current flowing fine. I don't even remember our GS's having a light warning, mine's didn't when my bulbs went out. I don't know why I keep hearing about it =\.
And thanks for the quick education JJgsSFP I've always felt like the higher the wattage the more heat is produced.
And thanks for the quick education JJgsSFP
I've always felt like the higher the wattage the more heat is produced.
05-23-12 | 02:26 AM
#6
I retrofitted aftermarket ballasts and it works perfectly well. Did it on the IS350 almost 8 months ago and have no issues yet and just did it on my GS couple of weeks ago, no issues.
Did a write up on it not hope it helps.
http://www.flawlessfitment.com/2012/...-retrofit.html
Did a write up on it not hope it helps.
http://www.flawlessfitment.com/2012/...-retrofit.html
Trending Topics
05-23-12 | 05:20 AM
#8
why not go aftermarket bigblack? there's no harm in that (besides cutting and splicing wires LOL). Someone on here's done that already and he's been happy ever since
As for me, like bigblack said, get an O.E. ballast, save yourself the headache and replace your 35w bulb with a 35w bulb, the headlight gets piping hot already as it is, imagine a 55w+ bulb in there, you're bound ot melt plastic.
As for me, like bigblack said, get an O.E. ballast, save yourself the headache and replace your 35w bulb with a 35w bulb, the headlight gets piping hot already as it is, imagine a 55w+ bulb in there, you're bound ot melt plastic.
I try...
05-23-12 | 11:42 PM
#11
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 59
From: FL
05-24-12 | 01:13 AM
#12
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
What's the symptoms of your problem? If the bulb lights for a few minutes and then goes out, but will re-light again if you flick the switch, the problem is almost certainly the bulb, not the ballast - it's a well known issue.
05-28-12 | 10:07 PM
#13
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Ca
Don't get it too twisted, yes, more Wattage equals more heat. The difference is the amount of heat generated by the different types of bulbs. Remember, Wattage is defined as the rate of energy (in Joules) transferred in 1 second. Heat is generated through resistance (why filament bulbs get so hot). There's a WHOLE lot of science behind explaining this correctly, without leaving out bits and pieces, so I'm just going to avoid going that far into detail.
05-29-12 | 06:51 AM
#14
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 59
From: FL
Don't get it too twisted, yes, more Wattage equals more heat. The difference is the amount of heat generated by the different types of bulbs. Remember, Wattage is defined as the rate of energy (in Joules) transferred in 1 second. Heat is generated through resistance (why filament bulbs get so hot). There's a WHOLE lot of science behind explaining this correctly, without leaving out bits and pieces, so I'm just going to avoid going that far into detail.
I still feel and stand by my statement that 55w HID bulb burn hotter than 35w, and with the 35w already as it is, the intensity of 55w will in doubt most likely melt hte housing at a faster rate.
Maybe i'm mistaken and our O.E. housing's suck?
05-29-12 | 07:53 AM
#15