Intermittent HID low beam failure (2011 GX) (2 Viewers)

[ZIOI]

I was pulled over recently for having a headlight out. After warning was issued, I showed the LEO that the lights were both on and he agreed they were both functioning.

Then I pulled in the garage a couple days later and noticed the passenger side LowBeam out. Yet the next day, it was back on.

This seems to me like it has to be a ballast issue, as they capsule is basically a binary device. It can't fail partway and it cannot heal itself. But the ballast (presumably having drive MOSFETs).

1) Do you agree it's almost certainly the ballast? These parts are too expensive to just fire up the parts cannon.
2) Are there aftermarket upgrades worth considering? Or should I replace with OEM? There's a lot of low-quality junk in aftermarket now, but if there's a good and reliable aftermarket option, I'm willing to consider.

 

[Acrad]

IMO.. probably the ballast. My experience with failing bulbs is they may come on but will turn off again after a short period but don’t come back on until next power cycle.

Perhaps a cheaper recycled part option?

Used / #Recycled Parts - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - Used / #Recycled Parts - It might help some looking for used parts to have some quick links Starting out with these links... https://www.tlsautorecycling.com/lexus/gx460.html https://www.benzeenautoparts.com/lexus/gx460-used-parts Hollander...

www.clublexus.com

 

[ZIOI]

IMO.. probably the ballast. My experience with failing bulbs is they may come on but will turn off again after a short period but don’t come back on until next power cycle.

Perhaps a cheaper recycled part option?

Used / #Recycled Parts - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

GX - 2nd Gen (2010-2023) - Used / #Recycled Parts - It might help some looking for used parts to have some quick links Starting out with these links... https://www.tlsautorecycling.com/lexus/gx460.html https://www.benzeenautoparts.com/lexus/gx460-used-parts Hollander...

www.clublexus.com

Yeah, now that I think about it, there’s quite a bit of high pitch whine from the HIDs, which strongly suggests ballast.

 

[rav8]

I was pulled over recently for having a headlight out. After warning was issued, I showed the LEO that the lights were both on and he agreed they were both functioning.

Then I pulled in the garage a couple days later and noticed the passenger side LowBeam out. Yet the next day, it was back on.

This seems to me like it has to be a ballast issue, as they capsule is basically a binary device. It can't fail partway and it cannot heal itself. But the ballast (presumably having drive MOSFETs).

1) Do you agree it's almost certainly the ballast? These parts are too expensive to just fire up the parts cannon.
2) Are there aftermarket upgrades worth considering? Or should I replace with OEM? There's a lot of low-quality junk in aftermarket now, but if there's a good and reliable aftermarket option, I'm willing to consider.

Changed my bulbs last year due to the passenger HID doing the same minus the noise. Turning off and back on randomly.

They have been burning fine since replacement (Philips). 14 years on the factory bulbs isn't a bad run. I did not replace the ballasts.