OEM HID Xenons failing, want to convert to aftermarket HID

[anon995]

First off ... YES I HAVE SEARCHED (quite a bit), but still have not found an answer to my question.

I currently have OEM HID Xenons on my 2003 QX4, the driver's side xenon keeps turning off after about 1 min. I read the forum quite a bit and found out the relays often fail so I went a head and replaced both sides with new relays ... still turns off.

I am beginning to suspect the actual ballast itself has failed. I can turn off the lights for 5-10 secs then turn them back on and it will fire up again but then turn off again in 30seconds to 1 min. It appears the drivers ballast fails as it gets above a certain temp. No other electrical issues / gremlins at all just this one ....

Is it possible to just convert over to an aftermarket HID kit (as the stock one is ridiculously pricey to replace I'm sure and good aftermarket ones can be had for $50 or less.

My main question is what is the OEM xenon bulb type, is it also H4 like the halogen headlights or is it a DS2 etc? I notice the late model QX4 headlights have two portions of the headlight, the lower being for high beam use of course. Does the actual housing split the two portions or is it attacted to the bulb (essentially I'm asking do I need HI/LO kit, or do I get a single beam but just put it in the OEM Xenon housing?

Thanks for your help in advance.

[Empty V]

Read this all the way through. You need to troubleshoot before you buy anything. Son of a $@^&%!

[asnorton44]

Did you look into replacing the switch on the steering column? My drivers side headlight on my 01 QX4 would turn off and it turned out to be my switch.

[anon995]

I have not replaced the switch, but to me it doesn't appear to be the switch b/c the xenons will turn on again if I turn them off and on... then they will go off again. My switch is on the steering column stalk.

To me it seems more like a ballast (or in empty Vs case) a bulb issue). This is why I started thinking about just replacing the whole OEM kit with an aftermarket one.

I just need to know exactly what type of kit to get. anyone know if a hi/lo kit is necessary or if I can just us a standard single beam in the OEM Xenon housing (which may already have a divider built in).

any help is appreciated. thanks.

[Empty V]

I have not replaced the switch, but to me it doesn't appear to be the switch b/c the xenons will turn on again if I turn them off and on... then they will go off again. My switch is on the steering column stalk.

To me it seems more like a ballast (or in empty Vs case) a bulb issue). This is why I started thinking about just replacing the whole OEM kit with an aftermarket one.

I just need to know exactly what type of kit to get. anyone know if a hi/lo kit is necessary or if I can just us a standard single beam in the OEM Xenon housing (which may already have a divider built in).

any help is appreciated. thanks.

Dude read through the thread I linked, every post. EDIT: Having a functioning OEM system is 1000x better then putting in chinese aftermarket junk.

[asnorton44]

I have not replaced the switch, but to me it doesn't appear to be the switch b/c the xenons will turn on again if I turn them off and on... then they will go off again. My switch is on the steering column stalk.

Yeah I had the same problem, they would turn off and if I turned them on and off a few times I could get the drivers side to turn on for a short time.

[miamiheat3332]

if your looking to convert to aftermarket HID's check out my thread

post5782233.html?hilit=miamiheat3332#p5782233

[KyooX4]

Not convert, downgrade.

[fueler]

you guys just jump on bandwagons but have no idea what you writing about

if the HID bulb is going to be in an HID housing then how can you say that replacing the failing OEM ballast with a decent chinese ballast is a downgrade????? None of you would be able to tell the difference when the bulb is lit.... now putting an HID bulb in a halogen housing is another story but we're not talking about that



My opinion - you need to test if its the ballast or the bulb. switch bulbs from left to right and see what happens.

And to answer the bulb question, you will have a standard HID bulb like D2S or D2R check your manual, mines even printed on the glass of the headlight but mines JDM so it could be different than yours.

[anon995]

Thank you fueler.

I agree most people don't understand what I am asking, they are assuming I am trying to convert a non HID headlight into HID... that's NOT what I am doing. I figured it was just a standard D2S or D2R bulb as it is an OEM xenon housing. Also, the new ballast are super thin and the size of a credit card and I can assure you they do not suck and are not of poor quality.

In fact I would argue most of the newer thin ballasts made in 2010 are far superior than a technologically ancient ballast from 2002 (back when xenons were in their infancy).

Fueler, since the kits are so unbelievably inexpensive and include both bulbs & ballasts ... to me it doesn't really matter to me which it is as long as its either bulbs or ballasts. I'll just replace both sides with something completely new and be done with the old hardware all together b/c eventually the other side will fail as well, and since I already replaced relays I know its not that ... process of elimination seems to make it seem that its bulb/ballasts

I am thinking about going with 5000k or 6000k DDM, I've used theirs many times before with great success and they have awesome HIDs for the price and now they are only $35-55, where as back in the day they were $120+. What color are stock HIDs? They appear it be 5000k but not 100% sure, they appear more blue than 4300K so I would assume 5000k. Anyone know for sure?

Now, the only other question I have is, what kind of plug goes into the OEM ballast, is it a standard H4 plug or is it some other kind of plug (D2S D2R etc)? I just want to make sure I don't have to cut/splice anything.

[Empty V]

if the HID bulb is going to be in an HID housing then how can you say that replacing the failing OEM ballast with a decent chinese ballast is a downgrade????? None of you would be able to tell the difference when the bulb is lit.... now putting an HID bulb in a halogen housing is another story but we're not talking about that

If dude actually read the very first reply and went through the same trouble shooting process that I did (which is in the thread I linked) and saw that my issue was the same EXACT symptoms he has then we wouldn't even be talking about this. I still have my original ballasts and just replaced my original lamps @ 220,000 miles. Nothing beats the EOM stuff when it comes to quality of circuitry and bulb life.

[fueler]

what do you mean by "lamp", empty? you changed the whole headlamp & ballast assembly or do you mean you changed just the bulb inside the headlamp?

I didn't want to come off as a d!ck but i just thought this whole thread got sidetracked.... if you want to retrofit an aftermarket kit to work in the stock housing, of course its possible.... it'll probably require basic electronic skills, splice three or four wires and mount the ballasts.... maybe you can even "plug n play" it..... nothing compared to cutting up the radiator support and fitting JDM headlamps, and wiring everything to work (xenon high beam, HID low beam, and city lights) cause if i can do all that while smoking and drinking, then I know you can definitely simply retrofit a ballast to work in a USDM headlight while sober!!!!

And since a whole kit (single beam, which is what you need) costs about $60 with lifetime warranty, it's not a dumb idea

[Empty V]

I didn't think you were being a d!ck. When I say lamp I mean globe or bulb.

[fueler]

nice thats what i assumed.

Also, i believe stock bulbs are 4300k.

[Empty V]

Also, i believe stock bulbs are 4300k.

You are correct sir. When I light up my 5k aux lights they're much bluer than my driving lights. 4300k will yield the highest light output and quality of light.

[anon995]

If you replace with the exact same type of bulb as the OEM version, there is no way for it to be inferior in any way. The stock OEM hardware is from ages ago when xenon technology was far inferior and far less reliable. Also, dunno what cheap hardware you got but it may have been YOUR specific brand you purchased. don't blame all non OEM products based on one specific brand

Thanks Fueler for the info. Checked the owners manual but it does not provide the bulb specs for HID. After more research it appears all infiniti's use D2R except for FX35/FX45 which use D2S ... I'll be ordering D2R set soon. Just want to make sure if the plugs going into it should be a universal standard among DSR systems (much like H4 etc). ?

The 5000k or 6000k D2R kit is only $50 shipped w/ lifetime warranty and comes with bulbs & ballasts & full harness etc. The 35watt kids appear to be more blue than the higher 55watt kits, so 5000 35watt should have roughly the same color as a 55watt 6000k (although obviously less lumens light output of course). That hardly seems like a bad deal.

[anon995]

stock OEM xenons design are from 2000, they are an antiquated OLD first generation xenon, they are complete crap and went the way of the dinosaur years ago for a legitimate reason.

(thanks again fueler, got my questions answered elsewhere).

[carnal_c30]

Factory HID from the early 2000s is wayyyy better than the stuff you get now, I know I sell HIDs and I say we have good quality kits but honestly the factory ballasts/bulbs are the best, ofcourse at the price they sell for they might as well be golden. Overall quality of HIDs has come down, simply because as cost goes down so has quality. The market is so messed up right now that even when you 'think' you are buying quality $250 a kit for some 'japanese' kit its the same kit as the one that sells for $50 just with Japanese characters on the box. My aftermarket HIDs from 2001 ($600) are still working to this day, Hella and Panasonic. My factory HIDs on my Qx4. one bad bulb everything great. My factory HIDs on my Q45 worked great.

Truth is the HIDs I sell have components from Japan, USA, and Germany but in no means will I claim they are GERMAN hid kits, or anything like that. Even Philips, the OEM manufacturer (they do NOT make aftermarket kits) makes HIDs in China (they are the source behind the explosion in cheap kits because everyone copied their factory in China)


If you decide to swap to an aftermarket ballast I have everything you need for a very reasonable price! Its not garbage like on ebay but the factory ballasts are really good so don't just dismiss them as junk, its been 10 years!

[fueler]

i can vouch for carnal c30 good guy lots of great info on the board over the years

[TheReplay]

Same EXACT problem as the original poster... gonna spend the next few hours switching ballasts (if i can find some instruction) and report back.

[Empty V]

Same EXACT problem as the original poster... gonna spend the next few hours switching ballasts (if i can find some instruction) and report back.

I removed the center grill first hen I was able to access the ballasts. All it takes is a 10mm and I think an 8mm socket. If you need some help let me know, I've been through it enough times. Again, I suggest reading all the way through this thread - Son of a $@^&%!

[TheReplay]

reporting back... my problem was the ballasts, i switched left to right and sure enough the problem replicated itself on the opposite side.

Empty V --- I should have checked this post before i started... it would have saved me a few minutes of searching for some operations to remove the head lights.. but anyways i couldnt find any instruction online so...

I took off the grille, and didnt need to remove the passenger headlight but did need to remove the drivers headlight to get to the ballasts...

To add... I have the rectangle ballasts with two plugs, I cant find anything OEM for a reasonable price. All the ones im finding are the square ones with one plug...

So as the OP asked any aftermarket plug and play ballasts out there?

[Empty V]

reporting back... my problem was the ballasts, i switched left to right and sure enough the problem replicated itself on the opposite side.

Empty V --- I should have checked this post before i started... it would have saved me a few minutes of searching for some operations to remove the head lights.. but anyways i couldnt find any instruction online so...

I took off the grille, and didnt need to remove the passenger headlight but did need to remove the drivers headlight to get to the ballasts...

To add... I have the rectangle ballasts with two plugs, I cant find anything OEM for a reasonable price. All the ones im finding are the square ones with one plug...

So as the OP asked any aftermarket plug and play ballasts out there?

It takes a lot of searching and some time but it's possible to locate OEM ballasts. I called every pick-your-part style junkyard in Los Angeles and eventually found two one of which was defective and sent back. It set me back about $100 but was well worth it. My issue ended up being a lamp(bulb) so now I've got a spare. I was positive it was the ballast because of my trouble shooting process but they turned out to be more resilient then gave them credit for. If you've got a good amount of miles on yours chances are the lamps are already somewhat dim so you might as well replace those and see if it solves your issue. I'll say it 100x, the stock QX4 headlamps are better then any aftermarket kit you can get despite what some uneducated new members think.

[carnal_c30]

You can use aftermarket ballasts but you need a power wire adapter for the replacement ballast to factory connection.

my first post was a bit garbled =p hehehe but OEM ballasts are the best, aftermarket ballasts are a cheap replacement but don't expect them to last like the originals.

And whatever you do, don't listen to those claims of 'lifetime warranty' you see on ebay... after 60 days try contacting them and ask how to honor the warranty and basically you just pay for a new kit!

[BulldogJorge]

Hello to all:

First Post!

Question for Annon995, Empty Vee and anyone else who would like to answer,

I have read all the post and the recommend links. I appreciate everyone’s input and time spent with this issue.
I also have the situation that the light (one the passenger side) turns off after 1-2 minutes on. I replaced the Bulb
With a 2DR Lamp.

This did not solve the problem.

The Question is for anyone that has replaced the Stock HID with an aftermarket HID kit, what kit did you use?
And how is the kit working?

For those that did not replace the stock HID's where did you buy a replacement to the Stock Ballast.
I also called the Dealer parts and got a quote of $400 (no way!)

Any links to site that sell these parts is greatly appreciated, also specific models and prices are also appreciated.

I spoke to a rep from:
http://www.carhidkits.com/infiniti-81/qx-hid-kit-583/

He said that you can not use after market kit if you have stock HID.
When I asked why not he said because it would not work.

I am still confused why an aftermarket HID kit would not work (not to say that
An after market HID kit would be better or worse)

This location sell what they say is a replacement
2DR/2DS ballast http://www.carhidkits.com/hid-ballasts- ... t-190.html
For $100.

I also have the same questions as Annon

Why pay $100 for one ballast when you can buy a Kit with 2 Ballast, and lights for $130?



I really appreciate anyone’s specific advice.

Have a great Halloween!