IS F (2008-2014) Discussion topics related to the IS F model

Headlight question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-27-16, 06:13 PM
  #1  
hahahaf
Advanced
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
hahahaf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: on
Posts: 729
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Default Headlight question

hello again
quick question...

I had my car in storage for the winter
pulled it out today.

the one headlamp was dimmer then the other. the other was operating fine.

the dim one went out after a few min.
I restarted the car and it came back on dim.

odd

is this a sign that the bulb is burning out?
or something else?
what is the usually lifespan on these bulbs?

thanks guys
Old 04-27-16, 09:15 PM
  #2  
lolfunxion
Lead Lap
iTrader: (25)
 
lolfunxion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 638
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Could be the bulb or the ballast. Swap the bulbs left side to right side headlights. If the dim / outtage follows the bulb, then it's the bulb and you need to replace it. If it stays out on the one side, it's probably the ballast and you need to replace that.

I'd recommend going aftermarket bulbs if it's that (Morimoto) crisper color and MUCH cheaper. Ballast you should stick to OEM.

Last edited by lolfunxion; 04-28-16 at 06:23 AM.
Old 04-27-16, 10:28 PM
  #3  
idoke1
Instructor
iTrader: (5)
 
idoke1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: California
Posts: 1,109
Received 50 Likes on 31 Posts
Default

I'm pretty sure it's the bulb. Best to replace both at the same time so that way, one isn't burning brighter than the other. Bulbs from Lexus dealerships are CRAZY! Go aftermarket and save yourself a ton of $$$.
Old 04-27-16, 10:30 PM
  #4  
MileHIFcar
Pole Position
 
MileHIFcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,672
Received 404 Likes on 256 Posts
Default

Curious are our bulbs D4S for low beams?
Old 04-27-16, 10:35 PM
  #5  
idoke1
Instructor
iTrader: (5)
 
idoke1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: California
Posts: 1,109
Received 50 Likes on 31 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MileHIFcar
Curious are our bulbs D4S for low beams?
I believe it is unless the 2012 and up headlights uses bi-xenon?
Old 04-27-16, 11:15 PM
  #6  
j3ff
Advanced
 
j3ff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: BC
Posts: 580
Received 28 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

MY12 is still d4s. My '11 with '12 headlamps (swapped under warranty)due to bubbling issue is D4S.
Old 04-27-16, 11:17 PM
  #7  
jlam86
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
 
jlam86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Canada
Posts: 202
Received 14 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

try switching the bulbs from one side to the other to figure out if it's the bulb or ballast issue.
Old 04-28-16, 04:10 AM
  #8  
hahahaf
Advanced
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
hahahaf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: on
Posts: 729
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

thanks guys.

I will look in to those crisper bulbs

Ive also read a bit and some had a grounding issue where this can occur.

am I correct in assuming that is it was a grounding issue that it would of happened right away and not to 3 years later?

I did the 2012 headlight swap a 2-3 years ago. haven't had a problem since.

what is the lifespan of our oem bulbs?
Old 04-29-16, 10:09 AM
  #9  
imp0rted1
Pole Position
 
imp0rted1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: IL
Posts: 268
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by hahahaf
thanks guys.

I will look in to those crisper bulbs

Ive also read a bit and some had a grounding issue where this can occur.

am I correct in assuming that is it was a grounding issue that it would of happened right away and not to 3 years later?

I did the 2012 headlight swap a 2-3 years ago. haven't had a problem since.

what is the lifespan of our oem bulbs?
everything i've seen on retrofit source lists d4s lifespans to be 2500 hrs
Old 04-29-16, 02:58 PM
  #10  
BLKLBL
Pole Position
 
BLKLBL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Edm Alberta
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

I had 1 headlight bulb working sometimes, sometimes it would go out after a new minutes, sometimes would come on dim.
Research lead me to believe its pretty common for these bulbs to do this when they are at the end of their life.
I replaced both with the Phillips bulbs I got off Amazon, and haven't had a single issue since.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jashtiani
ES - 1st to 4th Gen (1990-2006)
3
11-10-15 06:50 PM
allstock
ES - 5th Gen (2007-2012)
4
04-21-14 11:47 PM
tpjc1018
GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011)
7
11-11-13 02:33 PM
Mrd916
IS F (2008-2014)
7
01-19-13 08:12 AM
Smoothie22
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
17
12-18-07 08:49 PM



Quick Reply: Headlight question



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:37 PM.