Quick sealed beam to Euro ellipsoid + HID question

[Gooch]

So I got some Apexcone HIDs from the group buy for Christmas. I bought Euro ellipsoids a couple months ago because I knew I wanted them and was eventually going to go to HIDs.

Now, my question is how do you go from sealed beams to HIDs? Do you follow the FAQs/DIY/writeups and install the Euro ellipsoids first and then follow the HID writeups? Is there anyone who went from sealed beams to Euro ellipsoids directly? I'd like to hear from you.

Thanks.

[Febi Guibo]

I'm assuming your HID kit = 2 bulbs with H1 bases, wires from the bulb to the ballast (and maybe separate ignitors), and the ballast takes a two wire 9006 plug.

If the above it correct, remove the sealed beam fixtures, install the euro ellipsoids.

The H4 style low-beam connector has one ground, and two hot wires. One wire is hot for the lowbeam, the other hot is for the high beam (on sealed beams, the dual filament H4 lamp stays lit when your highs are on).

You can cut the H4 connector off, and run the low-beam hot and ground to a female 9006 pigtail (available at most autozone, pep boys tpe stores). You can cap the hi beam hot with a wire nut, or, if you are feeling extra euro, run that to the city light, which will then be lit when your hi-beams are on.

Having said that, I am a big fan of not cutting up the car's wiring harness... so you might want to consider making a short H4 MALE --> 9006 female adapter out of some pigtail kits... that's just me. By doing an adaptor, you can solder the connections together OUT of the car (and inside, where it's warm) *and* not mess with your harness.

anyway, plug the 9006 connector into the HID ballast, connect the ballast (and ignitor if your kit has them) to the HID bulb, and carefully put the H1 based HID bulb into your low beam.

In the various HID writeups, some folks use a hole saw to cut a hole in the back of the low beam plastic cap. I had trouble with one of the kits I used to run getting the bulb *and* the cap back on, even with a hole cut through it.

The plastic cap isn't really required but prolly helps protect the fixture and HID bulb base.

all other usual caveats apply; disconnect the battery, solder if you can, crimp carefully, heat shrink or tape your butts / joints, don't touch the HID lamp quartz with your oily fingers, AIM YOUR NEW LIGHTS, and consider getting new headlight relays or new uprated units.

[Gooch]

Thanks again Febi. I got everything put together nicely today. I didn't finish the job, however, I don't know how I want to mount the ballasts yet.

I did notice that my drivers side light bumps around a little bit and I'm pretty sure it's because of the little metal clip that holds the bulb in, I couldn't get it to sit just right. Is there a better way to hold in the bulbs?

Also, both my city lights are bad. (I hope I wired everything up correctly...) Anyone know the best place to get new ones? Would any auto parts store have them?

Thanks in advance.

[brandondan1]

Sometimes you just have to work with that metal clip to get it to stay. Definitely want to handle it soon though.

You can get the bulbs at any autoparts store. I believe they're 164a, but just take your old ones up there to compare. Lol, I thought I wired mine up wrong as well, but it just turned out to be bad bulbs.

[Gooch]

After a few weeks, everything is good, I found the bulbs at Napa. I wasn't sure if they were a common thing or if they were hard to find since they were only on Euro cars.

My drivers side still jumps around a little bit, it's not the metal clip, that's holding fine. I think it's the actual headlight moving around, but I don't see how to make it stop.

[E30Driv3R]

Dont forget the little bulb grease packest they try and sell you!