Headlight-igniter-ballast (ECU) HELP...

[greggk]

Had the "low beam failure" message on SID. Took it to my mechanic and he said he tried a new bulb and igniter and it didn't work. So he said it has to be the ECU (ballast?) Cost of about $450 for the part and labor to remove the bumper Total $650-ish and while in there replace the bulb at $200 so now about $900. Does that sound right to you all. Is it something I could find (parts) and do myself? Whats the actual part called?

Thanks,

2004 9-3 ARC

[remmyman]

Originally Posted by greggk

Had the "low beam failure" message on SID. Took it to my mechanic and he said he tried a new bulb and igniter and it didn't work. So he said it has to be the ECU (ballast?) Cost of about $450 for the part and labor to remove the bumper Total $650-ish and while in there replace the bulb at $200 so now about $900. Does that sound right to you all. Is it something I could find (parts) and do myself? Whats the actual part called?

Thanks,

2004 9-3 ARC

I just bought a used ballast off ebay for $97.00 including shipping. It took about 45- 1 hr total. Headlight assembly had to come out. This is for a 03 9-3 Linear. I assume it is the same for you. Don't buy a new bulb untill you need one as they are simple to change. You can get a new one for approx. $65.00 from rock auto and I'm sure other places. There are plenty of writeups on this subject in this forum.

[greggk]

Confused
http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/PartD...px?id=12790587

Is this the igniter behind the headlite or is this the ballast under the headlite in the bumper?

Thanks

[Matt1488]

900 dollars sounds like alot of money for something you can do yourself in about 30min. And that part seems pretty pricey.

What kind of headlights do you have. The bi xenon or the halogen.

[greggk]

http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/PartD...px?id=12790592

Yea thats what a lot of others are saying too, also wait til the lite burns out completely then change it, but in the mean time I need to change the ECU. Are there any areas of the forum you all know of on how the process of removale of bumber and changing out the ECU exist...?
Thanks

[greggk]

Little Confused...

THREE PARTS TO THIS
1. BULB
2. BALLAST/IGNIGHTER (BEHIND BULB)
http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/PartD...px?id=12790587
3. HEADLIGHT CONTROL UNIT (UNDER LIGHT)
http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/PartD...px?id=12790592

Is that right so far?

Some on here say the Control Unit is the leveler and when its replaced you need to get it re-calibrated by a mechanic with the proper computer and others say its a easy and quick job? Which is it. Remove the bumper unplug and unscrew and replace or a big headache and begging for a computer tech tool...

[remmyman]

What is confusing is the components are called different names by different suppliers. What you need is the ballast that attaches to the headlamp assembly. I just did mine simple job and does not need to be reprogrammed. New close to 3 hundred. Ebay 97.00 with shipping. You can buy 3 used ones for the price of one new one.

[remmyman]

Originally Posted by greggk

Confused
http://www.eeuroparts.com/Main/PartD...px?id=12790587

Is this the igniter behind the headlite or is this the ballast under the headlite in the bumper?

Thanks

what they are showing you is the ignition transformer which some call the igniter. The bulb goes into that.