I did something stupid with my headlights. Help!

[vacoupe]

Hello all,

I'm a beginner when it comes to cars and I did something pretty dumb. I replaced the HID headlights in my 2008 coupe with Halogen lights. Once I realized my mistake it was kind've too late, so I just wired the fog lights into the main headlight. If I have the fogs on the headlights work.

Obviously this is not legit and I can't get the car inspected. The shop is telling me I need a headlight control module for each light ($500 ea.) and labor, totalling 1400$.

What kind of "control module" would I need? I feel like he is talking about the HID Ballast thing but I don't need that anymore, right? Can't I just convert the existing wiring to work with the incandescent bulbs? If so, how would I do that?

[seldomseen]

Can you explain clearly the type of damage that occured or even post pics? This will aide in providing you guidance.

[vacoupe]

No damage occurred. I took out the entire HID headlight assembly and put in halogen ones. Since the low beam wires from the battery were for HID I could not use them. I routed the fog light bulb/wires up into the low beams. So if I turn on my fog lights it lights up the low beams. High beams and turn signals work as normal. They wanted to charge me 1400 to re-do everything back to HID.

[vacoupe]

Basically what I'm asking is how to downgrade from the factory HID lights to regular halogen lights.

[telcoman]

Basically what I'm asking is how to downgrade from the factory HID lights to regular halogen lights.

Why?
Have you read the FSM?

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Altima/2008/exl.pdf

Page EXL 8, 38

XENON HEADLAMP
" Power consumption is approximately 25 percent
less than halogen headlamps, reducing battery load"

"System Description
INFOID:0000000001830343
Control of the headlamp system oper
ation is dependent upon the position of
the lighting switch (combination
switch). When the lighting switch is placed in the 2nd
position, the BCM (body control module) receives input
requesting the headlamps and park lamps to illuminate. Th
is input is communicated to the IPDM E/R (intelli-
gent power distribution module engine room) across t
he CAN communication lines. The CPU (central pro-
cessing unit) of the IPDM E/R controls the headl
amp high and headlamp low relay coils. When energized,
these relays direct power to the res
pective headlamps, which then illuminate"

"System Description
INFOID:0000000001830351
• BCM (Body Control Module) controls auto light operati
on according to signals from optical sensor, lighting
switch and ignition switch.
• IPDM E/R (Intelligent Power Distribution Module Engine R
oom) operates parking, license plate, tail, front fog
lamps and headlamps according to CAN communication signals from BCM.
• Optical sensor detects ambient brightness of 800 to 2,500
lux. And optical sensor converts light (lux) to volt-
age, then sends the optical sensor signal to BCM"

I have no idea if you caused damage to either the BCM and or the IPDM module or both?

One of the things that I learned a very long time ago is

NEVER TRY TO FIX ANYTHING THAT ISN'T BROKE

Use a voltmeter to check for blown fuses

You may end up requiring a trip to a dealer for a proper diagnosis and repair?

Good luck

Telcoman

[vacoupe]

Why?

The factory HID headlights were yellowed and look like s***. I put the new halogen ones in and was able to make them work with the fog light bulbs and wire so I just went with that. I don't know, I guess I'll just have to fork over 1.5k for this dumb mistake.

[vacoupe]

I guess im just going to ebay some used Xenons. They're going to be used but seems to be my only affordable option.

[seldomseen]

Why?

The factory HID headlights were yellowed and look like s***. I put the new halogen ones in and was able to make them work with the fog light bulbs and wire so I just went with that. I don't know, I guess I'll just have to fork over 1.5k for this dumb mistake.

That's bizarre....you should've just switched the OEM 4300k bulbs to 5k or 6k xenon bulbs if you wanted to change color of the light.

See if you can find a used set on Ebay, or just install an aftermarket HID kit for a fraction of the price.