Question about stock vs. HID lighting
11-29-05, 01:23 AM
#1
Question about stock vs. HID lighting
Hey guys
First, does anyone know if stock, when you have the low beams on then turn the high beams on, do the low beams turn off, or do they remain on as well? I spent a few minutes trying to figure it out (w/o taking anything apart
), and from the light pattern, it looks like both stay on, but from looking in the lens cover, it looks like they're two distinct bulbs, and only one is on at any given time.
The reason I'm asking is, so when you guys go HID (be it retrofitting HID to the stock lights, or going w/ a different HID headlight kit, such as a C-west or RE headlight kit):
1) When you have your low beams on, and toggle/turn on your high beams, do the low beams stay on, or do they turn off?
2) When the lights are off, and you pull the stick back to turn on just the high beams, do the high AND low beams come on, or just the high beams?
I know on some European cars, it's set so that if the lights (low beams) are off, turning on the high beams will turn on ONLY the high beams, and not your low beams as well (so HID stays off). And if the lights (low beams) are on, turning on the high beams will NOT turn off your low beams; both beams will be on together, again saving your HIDs from being turned on and off repeatedly.
So basically, I'm asking if the FD's wiring or the aftermarket headlight kits are wired to be HID-friendly, since from what I understand, it's very bad for the life of the HIDs to turn them on and off within a short period of time...
Any input would be appreciated
~Ramy
First, does anyone know if stock, when you have the low beams on then turn the high beams on, do the low beams turn off, or do they remain on as well? I spent a few minutes trying to figure it out (w/o taking anything apart
), and from the light pattern, it looks like both stay on, but from looking in the lens cover, it looks like they're two distinct bulbs, and only one is on at any given time.The reason I'm asking is, so when you guys go HID (be it retrofitting HID to the stock lights, or going w/ a different HID headlight kit, such as a C-west or RE headlight kit):
1) When you have your low beams on, and toggle/turn on your high beams, do the low beams stay on, or do they turn off?
2) When the lights are off, and you pull the stick back to turn on just the high beams, do the high AND low beams come on, or just the high beams?
I know on some European cars, it's set so that if the lights (low beams) are off, turning on the high beams will turn on ONLY the high beams, and not your low beams as well (so HID stays off). And if the lights (low beams) are on, turning on the high beams will NOT turn off your low beams; both beams will be on together, again saving your HIDs from being turned on and off repeatedly.
So basically, I'm asking if the FD's wiring or the aftermarket headlight kits are wired to be HID-friendly, since from what I understand, it's very bad for the life of the HIDs to turn them on and off within a short period of time...
Any input would be appreciated
~Ramy
Last edited by FDNewbie; 11-29-05 at 01:26 AM.
11-29-05, 10:25 AM
#3
I'm using the pre-auto light kit with a harness that just makes the stock connections that much more easy to install.
1. With the 2 headlights on, turning on the highbeam would turn on 2 more lights, for a total of 4 lights being on.
2. With the headlights off, turning the highbeam just does so independently- the primary headlights stay off.
These are H9 projectors, which I've seen modified to run HID lights.
To add, the TL which comes with HID's stock. When you use your highbeams, it just opens up a "shutter" on the existing HID headlight that disperses the light over a wider area. Which type of HID were you planning to retrofit?
1. With the 2 headlights on, turning on the highbeam would turn on 2 more lights, for a total of 4 lights being on.
2. With the headlights off, turning the highbeam just does so independently- the primary headlights stay off.
These are H9 projectors, which I've seen modified to run HID lights.
To add, the TL which comes with HID's stock. When you use your highbeams, it just opens up a "shutter" on the existing HID headlight that disperses the light over a wider area. Which type of HID were you planning to retrofit?
Last edited by Shinobi-X; 11-29-05 at 10:30 AM.
11-29-05, 03:44 PM
#4
Originally Posted by KaiFD3S
the low beams shut off when you turn the high beams on, that's why you have to put a relay when you convert to a headlight kit to keep both on...
Originally Posted by Shinobi-X
Which type of HID were you planning to retrofit?
~Ramy
There's a thought! lol. Thanks Kai.
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11-29-05, 07:24 PM
#8
Originally Posted by KaiFD3S
lol..Ramy...put those lights on already, I want to see them done since those where the original lights that I wanted......
They're badass lights, huh? Too bad the build quality sucks. It's real crappy haha. And fitment isn't exactly spot on (most headlight kits aren't). A LOT of hours will be going into these lights, adding fiberglass here, and shaving and sanding there... I want it to fit PERFECT so you don't see those nasty uneven gaps around the headlight and the hood, bumper, and fender.
<---- Fanatic
I am doing something new to my sleek lights too....
11-29-05, 07:47 PM
#9
Originally Posted by FDNewbie
Yea? Whatcha doin???
Car will probably be done by summer too since it is hybernating right now..lol...nothing big about the lights just a simple change to the high beams..it will be no more....
11-30-05, 12:28 PM
#12
Ramy...what I did with my Bi-Xenon's is what you want to do with yours.
For the low beam HID's, use a relay 'triggered' by the stock low beam output to power the ballasts directly from the battery. The stock wiring is NOT suitable for the HID's.
And for the lows to keep staying on when you hit the high's, you need to bridge two wires together under the steering column. Took me a couple minutes to do.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Btw, since my high's are actually just simple shields that move up with 12v, I just wired them directly to the stock high output. No relay needed.
For the low beam HID's, use a relay 'triggered' by the stock low beam output to power the ballasts directly from the battery. The stock wiring is NOT suitable for the HID's.
And for the lows to keep staying on when you hit the high's, you need to bridge two wires together under the steering column. Took me a couple minutes to do.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Btw, since my high's are actually just simple shields that move up with 12v, I just wired them directly to the stock high output. No relay needed.
11-30-05, 12:45 PM
#13
www.partsexpress.com
-1 Bosch Relay
-1 5-Pin relay socket- (for clean look)
-1 30amp fuse and holder
-2 15amp fuse and holder
-some 12awg and 14awg wire
-soldering supplies
-heat shrink
-electric tape
-wire covers
-round connectors for grounds and battery postive
-maybe male/female connectors for quick disconnect areas
-2 quick splices for the high beams
That should be enough for your HID harness. Let me know if you need a diagram.
-1 Bosch Relay
-1 5-Pin relay socket- (for clean look)
-1 30amp fuse and holder
-2 15amp fuse and holder
-some 12awg and 14awg wire
-soldering supplies
-heat shrink
-electric tape
-wire covers
-round connectors for grounds and battery postive
-maybe male/female connectors for quick disconnect areas
-2 quick splices for the high beams
That should be enough for your HID harness. Let me know if you need a diagram.
I got an extra Boeing sticker if you want one too 
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