1st Gen Q Owners - Headlight upgrade opinions?

[tkd_q45]

Our 92Q's driver's side headlight finally burned out. Any of you out there try any other 3rd party (better) bulbs?

[jefftrexler]

Well I know that the Sylvania Silverstar bulbs are good. My friend got them as soon as they came out and absolutly loves them. In the past he has had Piaa Xtreme bulbs and he finds that the light projected onto the road is far more superior with the Silverstars. I've used Catz Galaxy headlights on my '91 Q45 for comming up on 2 years now. Matter of fact, I havn't had to change them once nor had any wiring issues. I may have to get some Silverstars just to try them out. I eventually will go with a completely different headlight setup that includes a '99 Q45 headlight conversion with 2k2 Q45 HID modules. I know a guy that can do the headlight conversion for $300 plus the cost of the '99-Q headlights and 2k2-Q modules.

[tkd_q45]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll try 'em out. Please excuese my ignorace but are these bulbs both high and low beam? Or are high and low beam seperate bulbs?

[DAEDALUS]

They're separate bulbs. I think low-beam is 9006 and high beam is 9005. When changing bulbs wattage is always an issue to prevent meltdowns and burnouts. 55 watts low and 65 watts high are stock; don't go much higher than that.

[jefftrexler]

For your vehicle you would need to get 4 bulbs... two 9006 bulbs for low beams and two 9005 bulbs for high beams. You may just want to try out the low beam bulbs for a while and compare to what you used to have. If you end out liking them, then go ahead and get the high beam bulbs.

[maxnix]

I've done the Silver Star bulb conversion and find them somewhat brighter, and the color temperature definitely whiter 4000°K.

However, on the 94-96 Qs, your foglights will look yellow as there is no Silver Star H3 bulb.

The Sylvania Xenon 1010 look like a possible way to go for the later Generation 1 as they should fit in the foglight space.

[greg_atlanta]

Who sells the silver star bulbs?

I've found most auto parts shops and department stores only carry one brand (exclusivity contract, I guess).

I may replace low beams with those since I'm having more trouble seeing well in rain at night.

[greg_atlanta]

http://www.sylvania.com/auto/silverstar.htm

Looks like Autozone & Advance Auto! Now the trick is to find them in stock.....

[OLU40]

How much for the 2002 HID modules?

[jefftrexler]

I dunno yet...the shop thats gonna do the work is searching around for a good price. Oh...and I decided to go with the '99 Q45 headlights instead of the '97. I just love that black lens with the 2 round clear circles for the reflector lenses!!!

[Q45tech]

Owners don't realize how pitted and opaque their headlight lens get along with their windshields --- replacing both every 100,000 miles will shed much light and focus on the situation.Generating more light to pass through dirt and problems is not very effective in the rain. just like trying to keep windshield blades more than 3-6 months is a waste.People who buy new and trade every 60k don't run into this problem.

[reggiegsd]

In my 94 Q there is a relay just behind the passenger side headlight and in front of the battery. This relay make changing the H4 bulb a real exercise for anyone but the smallest hands.

What is the relay for?

I thought I would ask before relocating the relay.

[maxnix]

Scraped the hell out of my knuckles on it when replacing the low/high (9003) bulb.

Try http://www.autobarn.com for the Silver Stars. Be sure to get the rebate coupon.

[OLU40]

Reggie join the club. I think Nissan played a cruel joke on those who plan on changing their bulbs. Need to be plastic man!:bandit

[jefftrexler]

I just installed a set of 9003ST Sylvania SilverStar bulbs in my mom's '98 Chevy Prism and there is a HUGE difference from the stock bulbs! No more ugly yellow lights, a much increased light range and easier to see the road in wet conditions at night. These are truely awesome bulbs for the price. I paid $47 for the 2 -pack of bulbs at G.I. Joes. :ylsuper

[DenverQ]

When I changed my bulbes the whole headlight assembly comes out and its really easy. There is a screw behind the turn signal assembly that should release it

[marty]

i dont understand how to get to the 9003 lobeams on my 96Q to change them out. The retarded dealer told me that this model year may have to have the bumper taken off to get to the lobeams, but i dont believe this. i successfully did the hibeams, but i couldnt get to the lows. can anyone help?

[EWT]

i dont understand how to get to the 9003 lobeams on my 96Q to change them out. The retarded dealer told me that this model year may have to have the bumper taken off to get to the lobeams, but i dont believe this. i successfully did the hibeams, but i couldnt get to the lows. can anyone help?

Just take the whole assembly out. There are 2 bolts on the inside of the light that are obvious and 2 nuts behind the turn signal. Takes about 2 minutes to remove the light, and taking the bulbs off is easy at that point.

If you really want more light on a 94-96, get higher wattage H4 bulbs and a harness with relays rather than paying for overpriced colored bulbs. I recently got some for my 95 from suvlights.com. The headlights are very good and work well with upgraded bulbs (good cutoff so oncoming traffic isn't blinded) unlike a lot of other US spec headlights. The only problem is that the harness makes the car think the headlights are burned out and you'll get a message on the trip odometer. However, putting the high beams on, then turning the lights off fools it into thinking all is well, and the message disappears until you put the lights on again.

Higher wattage bulbs for 90-93s aren't a good idea since 9006 bulbs aren't designed for higher wattages (very small contacts).