LexBrett

Spent a half dozen hours this weekend trying to change my low beam headlight. It was actually really hard and frustrating. When I finally got it done, the headlight STILL doesn't work?!

I checked the connections and there fuse is fine.

Anyone have any ideas??? I just bought a wiring diagram so I guess that's the next step?

LexBrett

I guess I could use a test light on the connection to narrow down if the problem is with the bulb or the wires??

FlopTop04

Aren't the low beams 35W HID D2S Xenon Bulbs? There should be a ballast somewhere. Ballast output is 85V AC.
Also note the warning label on the ballast :
Warning Will shock, burn or cause death.

LexBrett

Holy cow. Was touching that ballast all day today. Didn't realize was high voltage! Will be more careful and fully dissconnect battery. I guess checking the ballast for power is next, but being super careful

LexBrett

Just went outside and checked my lights. They are flickering! I guess that's good news because there must be a loose connection.

But where to start? I checked all visible connectors. Guess I will wait until my wiring diagram comes in the mail and go through each connection one by one? Should I also clean connections? Or spray dielectic grease??

LexBrett

Read that my issue may be a ballast problem. Anyone have any ideas how to verify this before I just start throwing parts at the issue?

SlvBullet

iTrader: (8)

Brett - yes flickering HID's certainly could be a ballast problem. Is your problem with both? See what they look like with the motor running - you may have run the battery down somewhat.

LexBrett

Only on passenger side so I don't think it's the battery?

FlopTop04

Did you try just swapping the ballasts between the right and left sides?

LexBrett

As far as I understand ballasts are really hard to romove. Have to take out entire headlight! No?

Moonstruck

Brett, I had to have my passenger side headlight replaced in order to pass NY state inspection. My light went on and off speraticly, so my thinking was that it was the ballast. Not having the time to screw around with it myself, I told the mechanic this, and he checked it out. As it turned out he just needed to replace the bulb, it was shutting off as it warmed up. My SC430 is a 2007 so it may not be the same bulb as in your car.

mandyfig

Easier said than done. Ballasts are installed deep in the housing.

Normally you have to remove the bumper before you can get to the headlamp assembly.

LexBrett

I replaced the bulb this weekend. Going to check voltage on ballast. If that's good, then maybe I damaged bulb during the challenging install..

FLYCT

BE CAREFUL! HID BALLAST OUTPUT VOLTAGE CAN KILL YOU.

From what I read, about automotive HID at http://donklipstein.com/d2.html
"The usual ballasts supposedly produce starting pulse voltages like 18 kilo-volts minimum, 20 kilo-volts typical.

LexBrett

Club Lexus may have just saved my life! :-)