pfbaseball

Hi all,

Say, I had some questions... I have an 04 rx8, grand touring... and I think I have the xenon headlights. My drivers side one has stopped working and I don't know much about this technology.

When I turn the lights on, initially it comes on, then glows pinkish, then goes out. How do I find out if it's the bulb or ballast?

If either, is it something I can replace or is it a dealer thing.

Thanks in advance!

Paul

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Ballast. Search for a thread I started on how to replace it.

ASH8

OP, If you are not 100% certain PM me your VIN # and I can confirm what headlight type you have originally fitted.

The VIN is the JM---------------

pfbaseball

Thanks all... Well, I do have HID headlights... so I'm told it can cost between 200 and 1200 to replace the headlight (no typo, 1200.) The headlight assembly is 1040 from the dealer.

I guess I'm wondering what alternatives there are... I'm not attached to the HID lights either. Anyone have experience with this one. I'd even be open to putting halogen's in...

Thanks!

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

sounds like typical dealership price gouging.
don't go back to halogen, it's more work and it won't be much cheaper since the headlamp assembly is different for Halogen and you'd need new ones.

see below
on the bar towards the top, click search
advanced search
on the right, type in 9k's user name
click the drop down to search for threads started by

find his ballast thread and that should be a good start.

good luck.'

ASH8

I wish you guys would stop blaming Dealers for price gouging, particularly Parts.

Yeah, Service Departments charge a lot for their Labor, always have and always will, if they are a good dealer they also invest in very expensive Mazda tools which all adds to the price of their Labor rate.

A small shop or tuner or backyard type of Service guy or fixer does not have these expensive overheads or extremely high operational costs, so they can charge less.

OE Parts Departments work off a "set" price (list) which is determined by their Distributor MNAO.
The Dealer does not make massive mark ups on Genuine Parts (yes, the Distributor does).

Here on average around 40-50% gross mark up on parts for the Dealer.
Distributor is around the 300+% gross mark up.

So get mad at the Vehicle Distributors not their Retail Parts Dealers, and every other brand of car is the same.

ASH8

Anyway I would suggest you get proper diagnosis as ballast, globes etc are sold/available separately.

As I suggested a VIN number would make sure you are Priced with the correct parts.

These are the prices for 3 different headlamp for the US Series 1...plus installation.

FE01-51-0K0H RH Composite headlamp Composite headlamp, rx-8, w/o hid, right 2004 - 2008 $383.88

FE03-51-0K0H RH Composite headlamp Composite headlamp, rx-8, w/hid, right, w/o special tuned susp. 2004 - 2008 $815.09

FE81-51-0K0B RH Composite headlamp Composite headlamp, rx-8, w/hid, right, w/special tuned susp. 2004 - 2008 $799.93

This is a Mazda Dealer On-line Price for the headlamps each.

IF an owner gives the correct information like the VIN, then errors in pricing should not occur, If an owner does not give out correct info then in many cases you will get a min or max price or guess from some dealers.

A good Parts Dealer will ask for the VIN where it is needed...

Model Years (MY) don't always help.

SPHINX144

do you know if its possible to replace the whole factory kit with an aftermarket of the same specs? would still be plug and play? My driver's side ballast is giving me problems every now and then.