i dont know what forum to put this in but a lot of you guys have hids.

anyways i washed my engine this afternoon and when i went to turn on the lights tonight only one of them worked.

i checked all the fuses and they seem to be all fine. then i checked the connectors from the ballasts and the bulbs and there was water in them. so i got it out as best i could and the one still doesnt work.

i hoping the water just needs to totally dry in order to work. but does anyone else have any ideas what to look for?

btw i have the phillips 4300 k kit

 

Check your fuses. I dont know what else to tell you other than that. Next time remove your HID system.

 

could it be a different fuse besides the headlight ones?

 

screwed up a balast? not sure. try switching the ballasts to the opposite side after it all dries, if the bad side travels with the ballast I'd say the ballast shorted out. if the side that is out doesn't change, check the bulb.

 

i tried to switch the ballasts but i think the bulb is directly connected to each ballast. i tried to "unplug" the wire that the bulb is connected to but it seems to be permenantly attached. i dont wanna go yanking **** if it doesnt disconnect.

does anyone know if you can switch the ballasts?


sorry if this doesnt make any sence, i havent slept in like 38hrs

 

Yes, you can switch the ballasts.

 

One of mine didn't turn on the other night. When I got home I shook the connection between the stock headlight plug and the plug-to-ballast pigtail and it came on. *phew* I was afraid the ballast was fried.

 

how u unplug them?

 

Ballasts should be insulated and self-contained to withstand weather. I don't see why you wouldn't be able to steam clean your Acura TL Type-S engine bay.

Check your fuses, check your wiring, and maybe, just maybe, check your bulbs. But I think the ballasts should be fine.

 

WTF? I hope he's kidding.

(JDM Acura parts, lol).

 

909...not suprised

 

God I hope this isnt Eric.

 

"Thank you for calling the California Speedway..."

 

This guy's still stuck in 5 years ago...

 

1. I never ever wash my engine out of fear of ******* up something important.

2. Stock headlamps own.

 

The stock headlamps are pretty good, for non-hid's.
I just washed my engine bay yesterday. The trick is to use plenty of simple green, and not too much high pressure water. A garden hose works fine, but spray a FINE MISTING SPRAY over the engine bay, don't direct full pressure at anything. Cover up any exposed, or aftermarket electronics w/ a plastic bag ahead of time. When your'e done cleaning, start the car and let it idle for a while (to dry all components).
For your HID issue, I would get this stuff called electical contact cleaner. You spray it on, and it dry's almost instantly, leaving no residue. This will clean your contacts, and remove any water that may be screwing up your connection. I would clean all wiring connections associated w/ the HID's. If that doesn't work, check the ballasts, as they may be wet. Take em out and let them dry compelely.
You should be able to find electical contact cleaner @ pep boys, or Autozone...

Nick (who's engine bay is blingin today)



[Modified by Philly_NBP_R, 9:19 AM 3/17/2003]

 

well i just checked them today and they work!

i guess it was just moisture related.

thanks for the help