headlights going out randomly
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
headlights going out randomly
Okay, so I have read a whole lot of threads concerning my issue but I still have a problem. My headlights would go out whenever they wanted to. Left side, right side, sometimes both at the same time. All I did was turn the lights off and then back on and they would stay on for a while. This has gone for quite some time (couple of years). In the past few months it has gotten much worse. I couldn't go 10 miles without one or both of the lights going out at least 10 times or more. Last Friday night, the passenger side light wouldn't stay on for more than 2 SECONDS. And on Saturday, it wouldn't come on at all.
So, after reading and reading and reading, I finally ordered new bulbs from ijdmtoyDOTcom. a pair of D4S bulbs for $53.xx and $17.xx for Fed Ex shipping. Well, I put the new bulbs in and I thought everything was great. They look good and shine good. Later in the evening when I actually needed the lights, the driver side light went out within 2 mins. Turned the lights off then on and everything was fine for a few minutes. About a 15 mile ride home, the driver's side light went out at least 20 times.
So, I know the bulbs are good. So I thought ok, maybe it's the ballast. But then I read, "Change the bulbs first. Ballasts don't fail to often." I also saw in another thread where changing the ballast looked to be a time consuming and maybe even a more skilled repair.
From what I described, does it sound like the ballast is bad? And if you say yes, then I ask, why would both lights go out before, but after changing the bulbs, why would only the driver's side go out now?
Sorry so long, but I wanted to give as much info as possible to get the most accurate remedy to this problem.
Sidney
2006 GS300
So, after reading and reading and reading, I finally ordered new bulbs from ijdmtoyDOTcom. a pair of D4S bulbs for $53.xx and $17.xx for Fed Ex shipping. Well, I put the new bulbs in and I thought everything was great. They look good and shine good. Later in the evening when I actually needed the lights, the driver side light went out within 2 mins. Turned the lights off then on and everything was fine for a few minutes. About a 15 mile ride home, the driver's side light went out at least 20 times.
So, I know the bulbs are good. So I thought ok, maybe it's the ballast. But then I read, "Change the bulbs first. Ballasts don't fail to often." I also saw in another thread where changing the ballast looked to be a time consuming and maybe even a more skilled repair.
From what I described, does it sound like the ballast is bad? And if you say yes, then I ask, why would both lights go out before, but after changing the bulbs, why would only the driver's side go out now?
Sorry so long, but I wanted to give as much info as possible to get the most accurate remedy to this problem.
Sidney
2006 GS300
#2
My drivers side bulb was doing the same thing so I orderd 2 replacement bulbs that were made by Harison Toshiba from Genuine Xenon. It appears that Harison Toshiba is the new OEM for Lexus and they were $119 shipped. One thing that I have heard is that there are many lesser quality and cheap counterfeit ones out there.
That being said, replacing the bulbs first is generally the best thing to try first. Try switching the passenger bulb to drivers and vice versa to see if it looks like it is the ballast. You can get ballasts on e-bay if you think you need one.
That being said, replacing the bulbs first is generally the best thing to try first. Try switching the passenger bulb to drivers and vice versa to see if it looks like it is the ballast. You can get ballasts on e-bay if you think you need one.
#3
I honestly think you'e purchased a bad batch of bulbs. It happens, I had one set go bad as soon as I popped them in.
Looking from the bulbs you purchased, it sounds like you didn't purchase too high of a quality style bulb.
i.e. sounds like you purchased generic bulbs, which, while most of the time they're good, sometimes you still get a bad batch.
If you have a buddy nearby you with a 06+ GS that can test the bulbs for you that'd be awesome...... Otherwise I'd opt to purchase higher quality bulbs like what AudioBob said..... $119 is a killer deal! I paid $100 shipped for my Garax bulbs, these are aftermarket.
Looking from the bulbs you purchased, it sounds like you didn't purchase too high of a quality style bulb.
i.e. sounds like you purchased generic bulbs, which, while most of the time they're good, sometimes you still get a bad batch.
If you have a buddy nearby you with a 06+ GS that can test the bulbs for you that'd be awesome...... Otherwise I'd opt to purchase higher quality bulbs like what AudioBob said..... $119 is a killer deal! I paid $100 shipped for my Garax bulbs, these are aftermarket.
#5
Highly doubt it, last person who thought that actually just purchased bad bulbs..... Hence why I said OP should try another set OR purchase a legitimate KNOWN TO WORK set of bulbs to use.
GL guys! I've ventured down this road many times, wasting my money buying cheap bulbs until I just bit the bullet and bought a decent set. After that I haven't worried about my bulbs since.
GL guys! I've ventured down this road many times, wasting my money buying cheap bulbs until I just bit the bullet and bought a decent set. After that I haven't worried about my bulbs since.
#6
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
ballast rarely go on these cars and yes they are a pain in the butt to change. im almost 100% positive its the bulbs. cheaper bulbs do not work well in these cars. there was just a thread on here about a month ago when someone insisted it was the ballast because they already changed the bulbs out. i told them to go with a better quality bulb like garax and it solved his issues. not sure why but the headlights dont like lesser quality bulbs.
Last edited by IXI187IXI; 12-16-13 at 06:54 AM.
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