I have a 2003 sedan (that my daughter drives, so it's not here). Left HID Xenon low beam is out. Purchased 6000K Philips replacement on Ebay (it looks genuine complete with box though I understand there are counterfeits and I know it's not 4300K). Installed cleanly, but when I twisted on the igniter, it seems to have gone on slightly ****-eyed and I can't remove it. Bulb does not light. Here's my question. I'm afraid I might damage things if I try to force it. I can take the car to a mechanic. He will charge me to remove the igniter and I'd have him get the bulb lit. It's possible that it needs a new ballast anyway. Or, I could purchase a new ballast/igniter for about $90(?) and just replace everything myself. (Is there a good place to buy a ballast/igniter?)

How big a job is it to replace ballast? If I replace ballast, igniter and bulb, is it gonna work? Is there a separate fuse for the left low beam? If yes, you can just say yes without reminding me how much of an idiot I am for not first checking the fuse.

I found the youtube video on bulb replacement but not ballast. And I also searched the forum for answers without much luck.

Thanks.

 

Changing the ballast is relatively easy. If it's failed you can generally pick up a replacement off of ebay fairly cheap. The igniter doesn't usually need replacement unless it's been damaged in some way. Before you do anything else remove the igniter and bulb from the side that's working and install them on the side that's not. If the bulb lights your ballast's fine.

Since you'll have the igniter and bulb from the left side off see if you can gently get them unstuck. Then re-install the bulb and igniter and hook them up to the ballast to see if the bulb would light. If all goes well then you don't have to buy a thing, however I wouldn't recommend running a 4300K bulb on one side and a 6000K on the other.

If you have to replace the ballast, they are on the bottom of the headlight assembly. Take off the plastic undertray (with it's myriad of bolts) and you can access from them underneath the car. The dealership will charge you an arm and a leg because they will remove the lights completely which isn't necessary. I believe the ballast is held in by 3 or 4 small screws, can't remember exactly.

 

Just what I needed.

 

No worries that's why we're here.