Help: Driver Side Hid Not Working

[GS3.0]

Ever since installing a pair of aftermarket 8000K D2R HID bulbs on my GS3 i've had problems with my HID system. First, after having them installed by my mechanic the HID self-levelling warning light on the dash went off. I ignored this for a while until the driver side HID stopped working. I thought it was the HID bulb but im not sure anymore. I got it replaced under warranty and had my mechanic install them this evening but it still wasn't working? We thought it might be a fuse but that wasn't the case. Anyone have a similar problem with their HID system not working before i bring it to Lexus and end up having to fork an arm and a leg to diagnose this problem? Feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!

[bartkat]

This may sound silly, but have you tried putting the stock bulbs back in?

[GS3.0]

This may sound silly, but have you tried putting the stock bulbs back in?

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stock bulbs? do you mean the original HID D2R bulbs? my car comes with HID's from the factory but I haven't tried putting my original D2R bulbs back in b/c i figured if my passenger side is working why shouldn't the driver side too? my passenger side is working fine with the aftermarket HID bulbs so im not sure why the driver side isn't?

[bartkat]

This may sound silly, but have you tried putting the stock bulbs back in?

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stock bulbs? do you mean the original HID D2R bulbs? my car comes with HID's from the factory but I haven't tried putting my original D2R bulbs back in b/c i figured if my passenger side is working why shouldn't the driver side too? my passenger side is working fine with the aftermarket HID bulbs so im not sure why the driver side isn't?

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I find it's always better to look at the simpler fixes first.

It's worth a try, rather then to dig too deeply into a problem that may be a simple fix. Some of those aftermarket bulbs can be pretty flakey. Some even run at higher voltage than D2R's, and could even burn up your wiring.

And yes, I'm somwhat familiiar with HID as I drive an IS300.

PS. There are some really shady, crappy aftermarket HID bulbs out there. I wouldn't use anything that's not a name brand.

[GS3.0]

I find it's always better to look at the simpler fixes first.

It's worth a try, rather then to dig too deeply into a problem that may be a simple fix. Some of those aftermarket bulbs can be pretty flakey. Some even run at higher voltage than D2R's, and could even burn up your wiring.

And yes, I'm somwhat familiiar with HID as I drive an IS300.

PS. There are some really shady, crappy aftermarket HID bulbs out there. I wouldn't use anything that's not a name brand.

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Do u mean aftermarket HID D2R bulbs aren't good replacements? I grabbed these from www.HIDKING.com. They're the 8000K replacements. Apparently, these run at 35W just like the original. Maybe i should just go back to my stock bulbs?

[bartkat]

Do u mean aftermarket HID D2R bulbs aren't good replacements?  I grabbed these from www.HIDKING.com.  They're the 8000K replacements.  Apparently, these run at 35W just like the original.  Maybe i should just go back to my stock bulbs?

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Yes, I mean that no OEM manufacture even makes a 8000K D2R bulb. If you bought some made by someone else. they could be shoddy. The easiest way to find out is to put your stock bulbs back in and see. The two brands that I would stay with are Osram/Sylvaina and Phillips.

As a side not, some places sell bulbs that they say will fit both D2R (reflector) and D2S (projector) sockets. The D2R bulb has a loingitudinal stripe down the bulb, where the D2S does not. If you put D2S in a D2R system you will get lots of glare and a poorly focused beam because that little stripe is missing. All the marketer has done is modify D2S bases so the fit into a D2R system. It will fit, but the function may not be satisfactory.

[GS3.0]

Do u mean aftermarket HID D2R bulbs aren't good replacements?  I grabbed these from www.HIDKING.com.  They're the 8000K replacements.  Apparently, these run at 35W just like the original.  Maybe i should just go back to my stock bulbs?

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Yes, I mean that no OEM manufacture even makes a 8000K D2R bulb. If you bought some made by someone else. they could be shoddy. The easiest way to find out is to put your stock bulbs back in and see. The two brands that I would stay with are Osram/Sylvaina and Phillips.

As a side not, some places sell bulbs that they say will fit both D2R (reflector) and D2S (projector) sockets. The D2R bulb has a loingitudinal stripe down the bulb, where the D2S does not. If you put D2S in a D2R system you will get lots of glare and a poorly focused beam because that little stripe is missing. All the marketer has done is modify D2S bases so the fit into a D2R system. It will fit, but the function may not be satisfactory.

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Yes, I noticed that my aftermarket 8000K D2R bulbs don't have that longitudinal strip that runs down the spin of the bulb. However, the base looks exactly the same as my stock D2R bulb? Im bringing it to the dealer tomorrow morning and let them have a look at it. Im just hoping its nothing major or cost me an arm and a leg. :(

[SKperformance]

Both bases are the same for a d2r and d2s only a strip for a projector.

Their are cheap replacment bulbs which are painted and others which are a different spark level.

Phillips makes a good replacment for big money called a ulitron i think.

[GS3.0]

Both bases are the same for a d2r and d2s only a strip for a projector.

Their are cheap replacment bulbs which are painted and others which are a different spark level.

Phillips makes a good replacment for big money called a ulitron i think.

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You learn something new and interesting everyday. I really appreciate the little info on these HID bulbs from SK and Bartkat!!! Thx guys!!

Ok, so i bring in my car to the local dealer (don valley lexus) this morning hoping that its nothing serious. Knowing that the hourly labour rate at the dealer is CAD$107, and that my car is no longer under warranty, i made it sure with the service manager that they weren't going to charge more than an hr to diagnose the problem with my driver-side headlight. It took 2hrs to diagnose the problem but they were nice enough to charge me only 1/2 hr labour - around $65. The problem apparently was the "HEADLIGHT COMPUTER MODULE" on the driver-side which kept my HID light from working. You ask how much? CAD$593. Did i ask them to replace it? Hell no! So I ask if they could give me the part # and the service manager was hesistant (no names but this is apparently a guy who is "friends" with my mom). So then i go ask the guy at the parts desk if he could provide me with the part # and the guy just gave me the brush off saying something like "why should i give you the part #?"...kinda peeved i called another dealer and they were more than helpful and provided me with the part # and a service technician giving some help and info on what could have caused the problem...its definitely not a common occurance but he said that it might be the aftermarket bulbs im using. (note to self: stick to brandname stuff next time)

Solution? Im really peeved about the service at the Lexus dealership today and probably will be for a while. My friends dad is a "big guy" at Toyota Canada so i'll probably ask him for the part i need. BTW guys i got the [ part # 593859673001 ] My mechanic had a solution...he said it might be a break in the electrical points inside the module and he will try locating early next week and opening it (if possible) and see if he can resoder it back. I'll keep you guys posted on the progress! If not i'll have to get that damn computer module - but atleast it'll be at cost. :D

[bartkat]

I don't know about yours, but on the IS300 the computer module is part of the self leveling thing for the HID. I don't think it should prvent the bulb from working, because I doubt that the system would fail in that mode, leaving you with just one light on. Anyway, good luck. Perhaps it's just a loose connection.

[bartkat]

Both bases are the same for a d2r and d2s only a strip for a projector.

Their are cheap replacment bulbs which are painted and others which are a different spark level.

Phillips makes a good replacment for big money called a ulitron i think.

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The origninal bases are not the same. Some aftermarket people are using a universal base for D2S, so they fit D2R, but it's not recommende to use them in that application.

I believe the strip is for the reflector housing, not the projector housing.

The Philips Ultinon is a D2S with a 6000 K color temp, but again not good for reflector application.

To satisfy this market Philips introduced this higher colour temperature 6000K lamp whose dose contains indium iodide to create extra blue light.  Some 25% lumens are sacrificed which deters few end users, but does mean that the lamps are not street-legal in Europe or the USA.  Consequently they are intended primarily for sale to the Asian aftermarket.

[GS3.0]

The origninal bases are not the same.  Some aftermarket people are using a universal base for D2S, so they fit D2R, but it's not recommende to use them in that application.

I believe the strip is for the reflector housing, not the projector housing.

The Philips Ultinon is a D2S with a 6000 K color temp, but again not good for reflector application.

what would be the consequence of using a D2S application in a reflector housing?

[SKperformance]

It would blind oncoming drivers.

I agree the computer is for self leveling not to run the sytem.

Who was the advisor?

Starts with a H? He is usually really good to deal with.

The parts people at Dv are idiots always have been.

but the service is good

erin park has idiot service people but great techs also but their parts guys are good their.

If you are ever in mississauga let me know and i can take a look at it for you.

You can buy me dinner later if i fix it , no shop rate.

[bartkat]

The origninal bases are not the same.  Some aftermarket people are using a universal base for D2S, so they fit D2R, but it's not recommende to use them in that application.

I believe the strip is for the reflector housing, not the projector housing.

The Philips Ultinon is a D2S with a 6000 K color temp, but again not good for reflector application.

what would be the consequence of using a D2S application in a reflector housing?

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As mentioned before, the beam would not be focused, and light would scatter and as SK mentioned it would be blinding to oncoming drivers. The two different bulbs are made the way they are for the two different applicatiions.

[GS3.0]

It would blind oncoming drivers.

I agree the computer is for self leveling not to run the sytem.

Who was the advisor?

Starts with a H? He is usually really good to deal with.

The parts people at Dv are idiots always have been.

but the service is good

erin park has idiot service people but great techs also but their parts guys are good their.

If you are ever in mississauga let me know and i can take a look at it for you.

You can buy me dinner later if i fix it , no shop rate.

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Hey SK im gonna take you up on that offer! If my mechanic can't do a fix on it then im gonna head down to mississauga and let u take a look at it. BTW, you know a female friend of mine with a white IS300. =) Yea the parts ppl at DV are really not courteous...but i definitely have no beef with the service peeps there. I just hate it when dealers rip u off with no value added service. SK - PM me with how i can get in contact with you! Thx mang! :D

[SKperformance]

make another post GS and i can send you the info.

[GS3.0]

make another post GS and i can send you the info.

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What do mean? <---- Newbie

[bartkat]

make another post GS and i can send you the info.

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What do mean? <---- Newbie

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LOL. Congrats!!

[GS3.0]

OK this sucks...cheapest i can get this part is CAD$415 + taxes...ok i save like $178 from dealer price but i definitely don't wanna spend that money just to get my driver-side HID working again...thats just wasted money which can go to other mods. <_<

[Neo]

OK this sucks...cheapest i can get this part is CAD$415 + taxes...ok i save like $178 from dealer price but i definitely don't wanna spend that money just to get my driver-side HID working again...thats just wasted money which can go to other mods.  <_<

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I know how you feel on the mods but if your light is not working, it is not working. Maintaining the car should be first priority before mods. :)

[bartkat]

There are lots of places online where you can search for used parts. Proably less than half the price you quoted.

[GS3.0]

There are lots of places online where you can search for used parts.  Proably less than half the price you quoted.

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Bartkat, if you come across this part and its less than the price i can get it for definitey let me know! I'll try looking for it online...but meanwhile im gonna try some trial and error methods and see if it maybe the ballasts thats the root of the problem. Yes Neo you're right...maintenance b4 mods...just hate sunk costs in maintaining a car...always a downer.

[bartkat]

There are lots of places online where you can search for used parts.  Proably less than half the price you quoted.

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Bartkat, if you come across this part and its less than the price i can get it for definitey let me know! I'll try looking for it online...but meanwhile im gonna try some trial and error methods and see if it maybe the ballasts thats the root of the problem. Yes Neo you're right...maintenance b4 mods...just hate sunk costs in maintaining a car...always a downer.

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I'm not looking for that part, you are. I have bought used parts online though at a good price. Just try google for used auto parts and plug in your item and see if you can find it. Take the intiative here, it's your car and your safety.

[GS3.0]

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I'm not looking for that part, you are.  I have bought used parts online though at a good price.    Just try google for used auto parts  and plug in your item and see if you can find it.  Take the intiative here, it's your car and your safety.

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LOL...Bartkat, thats the same thing my uncle said today...anyway, i did take the initiative and sourced the part from a auto shop in the area and got it for CAD$150 :D I had a rush delivery on these and to my surprise they were BALLASTS! I must be lucky since this place was taking apart a 2000 GS400 and just so happens they had 2 of these "computer modules" which happened to be BALLASTS. All along i was thinking these were some type of computer module but apparently not. The part # that the dealer gave matches the serial # on the ballasts except the last 4 digits end in 0030 instead of 0031. Whats the diff? 0030 are original OEM non-refurbished ballasts where as the ballasts with the serial #'s ending in 0031 are refurbished ballasts from Toyota/Lexus. Im gonna meet up with SKperformance hopefully tomorrow afternoon and see if we can get my driver-side HID's back up.

[bartkat]

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I'm not looking for that part, you are.  I have bought used parts online though at a good price.    Just try google for used auto parts  and plug in your item and see if you can find it.  Take the intiative here, it's your car and your safety.

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LOL...Bartkat, thats the same thing my uncle said today...anyway, i did take the initiative and sourced the part from a auto shop in the area and got it for CAD$150 :D I had a rush delivery on these and to my surprise they were BALLASTS! I must be lucky since this place was taking apart a 2000 GS400 and just so happens they had 2 of these "computer modules" which happened to be BALLASTS. All along i was thinking these were some type of computer module but apparently not. The part # that the dealer gave matches the serial # on the ballasts except the last 4 digits end in 0030 instead of 0031. Whats the diff? 0030 are original OEM non-refurbished ballasts where as the ballasts with the serial #'s ending in 0031 are refurbished ballasts from Toyota/Lexus. Im gonna meet up with SKperformance hopefully tomorrow afternoon and see if we can get my driver-side HID's back up.

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Good deal. I'm sure SK can help you. :D