D2S instead of D2R
D2S instead of D2R
My 01 QX4 has D2S low beams instead of D2R's. Is this a problem? Smart thing to do? Where can I find replacement bulbs?
Re: D2S instead of D2R
There are supposed to be design differences between d2s and d2r - I seen it said d2s will cause more glare to oncoming drivers when installed in the wrong headlights. Don't know for sure.
Real world - if you have a nice clean light line when you drive up close to your garage, and drivers aren't flashing their lights at you, you are probably ok.
I bought a pair of d2r's from seller hightechaccessory on ebay three years ago for 28.00. They are 6000k ( somewhat whiter than stock 4300k). They are working fine. I see that you can now get them for 18.99 starting bid, so prices have dropped. Some sellers have them for 9.95 a pair - just don't know those sellers.
Been real happy with em.
Real world - if you have a nice clean light line when you drive up close to your garage, and drivers aren't flashing their lights at you, you are probably ok.
I bought a pair of d2r's from seller hightechaccessory on ebay three years ago for 28.00. They are 6000k ( somewhat whiter than stock 4300k). They are working fine. I see that you can now get them for 18.99 starting bid, so prices have dropped. Some sellers have them for 9.95 a pair - just don't know those sellers.
Been real happy with em.
Re: D2S instead of D2R
It does not seem to be a normal D2S bulb. The tag shows D2S/RW-OE-071511-HCD. I would up-load a pic but don't know how to. The bulb looks normal but has 2 approximately 6" wires coming from the base (one red, one black) with a male and female connector. The igniter is not attached to anything. The wires run out of the medium sized grommet and plugs into what looks like factory connectors. Don't know yet but maybe someone used an aftermarket kit??? First time with HID lights. Thinking about going back with D2R's. Tell me if this is correct. D2R goes in the housing, the igniter attaches to the back of the bulb and I saw a grounding wire with two lugs. Looks like one lug attached to the igniter and I saw another tab on the light housing. Does the other ground lug attach to it?
Re: D2S instead of D2R
Well, I can't post pics either. But go to ebay, search qx4 "igniter". Use the quotes or ebay gives you a bunch of ignition stuff. Scroll down a few listings till you see a buy it now price of 174.95 (seller is als auto parts). That is a complete stock wiring kit for a 2001.
Zoom on the pic - notice the ballast has two plugs and a ground wire. 2003 ballasts have one gray plug. The black harness coming off the ballast is the high beam. The orange loom is the low (HID). The round silver connector is just a fancy bulb socket. The small silver rectangular box with the gray wiring loom attached to the socket is the igniter. It sounds like your wiring is stock to me, altho you may not be able to see the igniter.
As to the bulb, it sounds like a universal replacement. If the wires on the bulb are not needed on your vehicle they can be ignored.
If you search d2c autoarmour-auctions you should see a listing for d2c bulbs - scroll down in his ad and you will see a very good picture of the base of d2r, d2s, and d2c bulbs. They are each a little different.
D2r's are stock - thats what advance auto or oreillys will spec for your qx4. They do get dimmer over time, so new ones may be a little brighter depending on how old yours are. Or you may want to try 6k, 8k, or 10k. The ads give you examples of how those different bulbs look at night.
I honestly cannot remember where that little pigtail ground wire goes. Sounds like you have it figured out.
Zoom on the pic - notice the ballast has two plugs and a ground wire. 2003 ballasts have one gray plug. The black harness coming off the ballast is the high beam. The orange loom is the low (HID). The round silver connector is just a fancy bulb socket. The small silver rectangular box with the gray wiring loom attached to the socket is the igniter. It sounds like your wiring is stock to me, altho you may not be able to see the igniter.
As to the bulb, it sounds like a universal replacement. If the wires on the bulb are not needed on your vehicle they can be ignored.
If you search d2c autoarmour-auctions you should see a listing for d2c bulbs - scroll down in his ad and you will see a very good picture of the base of d2r, d2s, and d2c bulbs. They are each a little different.
D2r's are stock - thats what advance auto or oreillys will spec for your qx4. They do get dimmer over time, so new ones may be a little brighter depending on how old yours are. Or you may want to try 6k, 8k, or 10k. The ads give you examples of how those different bulbs look at night.
I honestly cannot remember where that little pigtail ground wire goes. Sounds like you have it figured out.
Re: D2S instead of D2R
I traced the wires from the bulb and found a Xentec ballast. I bought my QX4 used and looks like the previous owner installed a cheap HID kit. Why is the question, why would someone install a HID kit on a SUV that has factory HID? To save money on bulb replacement maybe? I plan on reversing the process. Do you think it is as simple as buying D2R's and attaching the stock igniter and ground wires or do I need to un-install the HID kit? There probably is a link somewhere on this site for the procedure, but kinda new here. Any ideas?
Re: D2S instead of D2R
He would have gone aftermarket because the stock ballasts were waaaaaayyyyyy expensive. Search some of the old posts here and you'll see prices referred to.
I don't think the factory stock ballasts are available anymore.
I don't think the factory stock ballasts are available anymore.