Xenon Headlight Goes Out After 2 Minutes

[Mike Floutier]

Hi,

I've just noticed that one of my xenon headlamp bulbs goes off after about 2 minutes driving.

If I switch the headlights off and on again it lights up again but goes off again after 2 minutes, and so on.

Any idea what's happening and how to fix it?

Thanks.

Mike

[JimsGX]

I would suspect that you have a bad ballast.

[Mike Floutier]

Thanks Jim,

I have heard of "Ballast" but can see no mention of it in the manual. Where is it located?

Thanks

Mike

[JimsGX]

On your year vehicle I'm not sure. I know the general concept of how all HID's systems work and have experienced this problem with other aftermarket HID's. There aren't too many components to consider. Two ballasts, one or two relays, the bulbs and the wiring harness. In my experience, a ballast malfunction is what made the light go out.

Jim

[Mike Floutier]

Hi Jim,

Looking at http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_E_2002_LEXU...EAGKW_8101.html it seems that in addition to the bulb there is thing called a "light control computer" (this ties up with the manual). I presume this includes all the gubbins - ie. ballast, relays etc - as it costs over 500 euros.

I think what I'll do first of all is switch the bulbs around to see if the problem moves over. If it does then it must be the bulb and I can just change it. If the problem remains on spite of switching then it is probably the light control computer.

Hopefully it's the bulb - it has done 186,000 miles and I always drive with the lights on so it may well just be the bulb.

Will post how I get on.

Thanks again.

Mike

[HankJ]

When this occured to my 2004 430LS, it was the bulb. I was happy that the computer wasn't the problem.

you can get a new bulb, or swap bulbs from side to side and se if the problem tracks, that is what I did.

bets of luck,

Hank

[curiousB]

Hi Jim,

Looking at http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_E_2002_LEXU...EAGKW_8101.html it seems that in addition to the bulb there is thing called a "light control computer" (this ties up with the manual). I presume this includes all the gubbins - ie. ballast, relays etc - as it costs over 500 euros.

I think what I'll do first of all is switch the bulbs around to see if the problem moves over. If it does then it must be the bulb and I can just change it. If the problem remains on spite of switching then it is probably the light control computer.

Hopefully it's the bulb - it has done 186,000 miles and I always drive with the lights on so it may well just be the bulb.

Will post how I get on.

Thanks again.

Mike

I'd try this first. Don't leave any oils from your finger on the bulb. If so wash fully with alcohol and clean cotton cloth. I suspect the bulb is near end of life and the ballast has an over-current and/or over-heat circuit to stop a runaway current situation. I suspect its doing exactly what is is supposed to do.

[synikal1022]

The same thing happened to my LS; at first the buld started flickering at start up then lit up normally then it would light for a couple of minutes then went dark...........I replaced the buld, end of story. I was glad it wasnt anything serious.

[Slvr99LS]

Mike, in the event it turns out that it is the ballast at fault rather than the bulb, on the 1998 - 2000 models with HID option the ballast is located directly underneath the entire headlamp assembly and is attached to the bottom. In order to gain access to it the whole lamp assembly has to be unbolted from the car, which doesn't look all that difficult. Due to the completely ridiculous OEM replacement costs, as an insulator against future 'wallet-shock' (and having never owned a vehicle previously with HID lamps), I bought a complete spare assembly with some cosmetic flaws on eBay not too long ago in case of an occurence just like you're currently experiencing. Curious how you make out with this particular issue since from what I've gathered it apparently isn't all that common for them to fail - please keep us posted.

[Mike Floutier]

Thanks everyone,

I think I'll just order a new bulb cos it's so old.

Will let you know how it goes.

THanks again

Mike

[Adam LS400]

Hello, my name is Adam. I have a 98 Lexus LS 400. When I turn on the headlights they go on for about 30 seconds and then turn off. I replaced the head light bulbs today, but I am still having the same problem. Any guidance through this issue will be greatly appreciated.

[Adam LS400]

On 8/28/2009 at 12:50 AM, Mike Floutier said:

Thanks Jim,

I have heard of "Ballast" but can see no mention of it in the manual. Where is it located?

Thanks

Mike

Hey, Mike. I'm curious to know how you fixed the issue you were having with your headlights?

[Adam LS400]

Hello, Lexus family. I have a 98 Lexus LS 400. When I turn the headlights on they both go on for about thirty seconds and shut off. When I turn the headlight control back off and on they will go back on but just for another thirty second. I replaced the headlight bulbs the light control relay and I checked the two fifteen amp fuses. Everything seems to be good. My question is, could it be both ballasts are shutting off both lights (low beams) from failure at the same time or is there something else I should look into? I thank you for your help in advance!