Help with headlight issue!!

[mjbll]

I just purchased an 03 M45 and both low beam headlights dont work.Ive never had a car with HID headlights so Im not sure how this system works.I have a service manual CD on the way.Ive checked all underhood fuses for headlights and they r ok.I hear a clicking noise from front of car when I turn on low beams.I have a meter so I can take voltage readings.I have removed pass side asembly.Do I just need bulbs?Ive read about a ballast somewhere....HELP!!

[SteveTheTech]

Do not go poking around the bulbs with a multimeter. The output from the ballasts is more than enough to hurt your and destroy your equipment.

If you hear the click of the relay engage you are probably getting power to the ballasts. You can check positive and ground at the two wire plugs on the bottom of the outside of the ballasts.

If there is 12V there you will need to replace the headlight bulbs and see what happens. Testing the high current power system is not recommended.

Your M takes 35 Watt D2R bulbs.
If it does end up needing bulbs be extremely careful to not let any oil from your skin touch any part of the light that goes inside the headlight housing.

[mjbll]

Where are the ballasts located and how do they look?

[SteveTheTech]

Small aluminum boxes mounted to the back side of the headlights.

[mjbll]

Ok I found it I believe I have a least one bad ballast.I had 12v going in but nothing at the socket.the output is 85v AC current so I set the meter as such.Its seems that I can buy an whole aftermarket kit with bulbs for both lights cheaper than one OEM ballast.I understand how the wiring/system works now,just never had a vehicle with one.Is the Yamaha brand kit on ebay for $30 for both lights any good?I can get it with 6000k/d2r bulbs.What aftermarkets kits should I stay away from?

[SteveTheTech]

Glad to see you were able to perform the inspection correctly. The main concern when diagnosing the Hids on this car is the initial firing voltage spike. If you start the inspection live or have higher quality equipment you can usually withstand the momentary 20Kv spike that typically occurs.

I actually just replaced the lights in my Mazda with a set of Kenshun 8000Ks from Amazon with Prime shipping I got them for about $80. This is my second set of these. The last set lasted about 3.5 years. I inherited them from a client who did not like them I installed them in my J30 than moved them to my 6 two years ago.

You can get really cheap parts out there but there are some noticeable differences in quality. I think there are really one 3 or 4 manufacturers out there but they are packaged and sold differently at many different price points. I do not think the cheapest option is the best in the case but I am sure you can find something within your price point.

[Ilya]

Best HID's are sold by TheRetrofitSource. I have Morimoto's and they are awesome.

I used to use DDM Tuning (which are similar to the 'cheap' ones Steve is talking about). Never again. Not to mention TRS has great customer service, unlike DDM which suck balls.

[SteveTheTech]

Best HID's are sold by TheRetrofitSource..

Hmm where was that a month ago...
But now I think I might end up scrapping my other headlight project. Hmm. Is a sacrifice in lumens worth a better looking color?

unlike DDM which suck balls.

Ha but that is the exact opposite thing their website says.