Not all HID Bulbs are created equal

Okay, I've ordered another bulb from Amazon, but this time, not from Xenon Corp, but "sold and shipped by Amazon" instead of fulfilled by Amazon. I'll update here when that one arrives, hopefully it's better. Otherwise, I'll have to find some other source and pay more than $42 ...

Thanks, I think I'd probably feel uneasy for 2 years if I used this bulb...

 

It's $42 for 1 bulb. I typed philips d4r into amazon and the default is "sold by Xenon Corp, fulfilled by Amazon," but you can choose different sellers, and "sold and shipped by Amazon" is a slightly more expensive choice. Is Amazon not a trusted retailer? I'm hoping my replacement has the COA sticker and I can verify it at chk.philips.com . If it doesn't have one, I'll go spend $100 somewhere else, because I've already wasted too much time on these stupid lights

 

the website you recommended, theretrofitsource, is selling the D2R bulbs for $90/pair:
Have the prices come down since this original post, or is no source sure to be reliable for authentic product?

 

You can try the Morimoto D2Rs. I've had good results with the Morimoto bulbs. At $50 a pair they are more reasonable and are much better quality than the cheap Chinese knock offs.

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/components/bulbs/morimoto-xb-d2r-bulbs.html#.Vqjw7tQrJaQ

 

I got a pair of D4Rs (that I later assumed to be fake) off ebay for like $60 and ended up not using them and sort of forgetting about them. I replaced a failed bulb with a Philips bulb off Amazon (sold by Amazon!) and it failed in like 3 months (to their credit, they did warranty the bulb). The one off Amazon had a COA code that authenticated off the Philips website too.

Edit: forgot to mention that I replaced the failed Philips bulb with one of the eBay bulbs and it's been going strong for 10 months now. I it really amusing that my cheap maybe-fake-and-arrived-in-bubble-wrap bulbs outlasted the supposedly genuine ones.

 

I did some more research and it seems there are a few Chinese sellers with the product code:

90981-20005 selling Philips bulbs in Toyota boxes. Are we to think these could be legit from Toyota dealers in china? That's just wishful thinking, they are definitely fake.

 

I currently got an issue with one HID shutting off after a while of driving, then coming back ON. Currently works most of the time but still shuts off sometimes.

The one thing I did notice was that one morning when it was still dark out, when I switched the headlights on the effected side was emitting light but very faintly. Is this the ballast or HID issue?

I did notice one of the bulbs has white salty residue inside the capsules when I originally fitted then about 4 months ago

LG-H901 ?

 

Switch the bulbs from one side to the other and see if the problem follows the bulbs or stays with the ballast.

FYI, all HID bulbs have metallic salts in them.

 

OK will do, I soldered them originally but no worries.

In regards to the salt , one of the bulbs was more salty ? Than the other when I bought them. Makes sense ? Lol.

LG-H901 ?

 

Hi 2k1Toaster — I have a question about fixing the headlights in my 2007 Prius. They have been failing for a long while now, but I have simply been switching them on and off whenever they flicker or die. In fact, I have gotten in the habit of switching them on and off every couple of minutes when I drive at night no matter what, just because I am never sure if one of them has gone out. After reading your piece, I now know that this is a terrible practice. Given the damage I have likely done to the system, do you recommend that I replace more than just the bulbs themselves? I would appreciate your recommendation on exactly what to order from which vendor. Thank you!

 

I am looking at theRetroFitSource for D4R bulbs for 2009 Prius. They show Philips for $95 for a two pack. Anybody have experience with or opinions as to their authenticity?

 

Wow very interesting and informative.

As there are many varying prices on the HID Bulb I found for the 2004 Prius I decided to call Phillips Auto Light division to ask for their direct distributors of their authentic bulb.

Answer as of today: Amazon (Main store), Wal-Mart (main store), Pep Boys, and Blanes (never heard of them so not sure on spelling)

I checked Amazon Main store (not stores selling through Amazon) and found this for 2004

I would put the link but not sure if it is allowed but it is from the main store sold at $58.96

I asked if TheRetrofitsource was a direct distributor and they said no

Their price is $85 hmmmmmm Nice profit Retro
A chat rep even tried to say they only sell in pairs and gave me a quote of $284!!

and I did say 2004 Prius.

I didn't check prices at the other main distributors yet

That certainly saved a lot of time. The article though did motivate me to call Phillips though

WalMart also has other stores selling through them as well so beware. I saw one as low as $17 but it wasn't the main store

I got quotes for replacing from $171 to $300

but found several youtube videos showing how to replace it without removing the whole assembly

One skilled tech from Luscious Garage in San Francisco replaced it in 3 minutes with one hand

From my research it is good to replace at the first sign of trouble where you have to flick the lights on and off and on to get them to ignite as that will put increase strain on the Balllast controllers that cost even more.

I was doing the flicking a long time though because I didn't have the money to replace but by the time I did I had to get 2 new ballasts and bulbs. $$$$$$$$

One Balast and bulb went out a year later but in warranty due to shop not using OEM parts but charging well above OEM prices.

I learned my lesson. Always get written verification of what parts you are getting

Even with the OEM it is a known issue of them going bad although mine didn't go bad until I think 2016 on a 2004 Prius. For about $100 I could saved them myself plus $500 for the Ballasts and labor

 

Amazon had the best price Walmart was 66.91 Pep Boys or Blains Farm and Fleet didn't have any of the HID Bulbs. Tried to see if I could buy directly from Phillips but redirected me to local retail search and none in my area and I imagine more expensive Amazon 58.96 Free Shipping Free Returns minus $10 if get Amazon Card