headlight bulb

[TimmyTimmz]

Hi all,

One of my lights are out on my 04 GT and upon changing them, i noticed that i couldn't pull out the existing busted bulb to change it with the new one I've purchased and noticed that the existing bulb looks connected with the rest of the wiring. Does anyone know if what i have is what comes factory with 04 GT's or do is this aftermarket and if so, how do i change the bulb?
I've attached pics

Regards,
Tim

[TimmyTimmz]

pics

[BillyCorgi]

It is not a standard bulb, it is a HID bulb

[HyRax]

Yep, aftermarket 35w H7 HID 6000K globes. You can buy replacements from FleaBay, Jaycar, etc.

Bear in mind that the globe might not be bust - the ballast (the silver box) might be dead instead. Unplug the globe and test it on the other ballast. If it works, then you need to replace the ballast, but in my experience, you may as well replace both as the other one is probably not far behind from failing. Full globe and ballast kits are cheap.

[TimmyTimmz]

Yep, aftermarket 35w H7 HID 6000K globes. You can buy replacements from FleaBay, Jaycar, etc.

Bear in mind that the globe might not be bust - the ballast (the silver box) might be dead instead. Unplug the globe and test it on the other ballast. If it works, then you need to replace the ballast, but in my experience, you may as well replace both as the other one is probably not far behind from failing. Full globe and ballast kits are cheap.

Thanks so much for that mate! life saver!

would you also know if I'm just limited to getting a 35w 6000k h7 kit or could i put in a 55w h7 10,000k kit too?

[HyRax]

55w will require new wiring and is very much illegal, especially since you don't have the auto-levelling motors normally required for HID headlights, so you will dazzle oncoming drivers much more than you would otherwise because it looks like you have high beam on all the time.

If you are concerned about the headlights not being bright enough, invest in some "proper" HID projectors and reflectors which will direct more light forward than halogen projectors and reflectors which is what you've got right now, and look much brighter as a result.

Also look at adjusting the level of the headlights so that the upper horizon sits just above the rear bumper of the car in front of you. More light will be directed forward, but not be so high that when you go over a crest that you dazzle oncoming drivers.

[TimmyTimmz]

55w will require new wiring and is very much illegal, especially since you don't have the auto-levelling motors normally required for HID headlights, so you will dazzle oncoming drivers much more than you would otherwise because it looks like you have high beam on all the time.

If you are concerned about the headlights not being bright enough, invest in some "proper" HID projectors and reflectors which will direct more light forward than halogen projectors and reflectors which is what you've got right now, and look much brighter as a result.

Also look at adjusting the level of the headlights so that the upper horizon sits just above the rear bumper of the car in front of you. More light will be directed forward, but not be so high that when you go over a crest that you dazzle oncoming drivers.

oh i see... reason why i was asking is because its the most popular result that came up when i typed in h7 HID kits onto ebay

[HyRax]

Just go with a 35w kit. Buy 5000K if you want pure white light with slightly more useable lumens than 6000K, which has a slightly bluer hue to it without being obvious.

You can put 55w in if you like but you run the very real risk of melting the wiring with prolonged use, hence the need for new wiring to handle it. They are intended for off road use, not regular road use. Expect other drivers to flash you, thinking you are using high beam.

[fedaykin]

Previous owner put cheap ebay hid kit in, which, surprise surprise, don't last long.
Either put in some halogen bulbs (e.g. Narva Blue Plus 110) and be able to see in the rain, or buy the cheap 4300K-5000K bulbs. Any high Kelvin (temperature) rating is stupid/dangerous.

I suggest grabbing some OEM HID headlights (which you may be able to find locally, if not, on yahoo auctions japan and bring them in via Jesse Streeter/Import Monster/the like), or doing a retrofit.

Don't even think about 55W kits. You'll just burn the bulbs out quicker and blind oncoming traffic more.

*edit* don't expect ebay bulbs to be identical. One time, I bought a 4300K kit with two different coloured 4300k bulbs. Got two more replacements from the seller, all different colours!
I've spent $500+ on 'aftermarket' bulbs/kits. Best bulbs? Blue Plus 90 for halogen (they were named that back then, seems like Narva re-branded/improved it). Xenon = genuine Philips 85122 (D2S) or Osram. Ebay have lots of fakes as well, including Philips branded ones. Don't be fooled.

I know it's a lot to take in for simply 'changing blown bulbs', but your car has been modified. Knowledge is power my friend.

[HyRax]

Previous owner put cheap ebay hid kit in, which, surprise surprise, don't last long.

Not all eBay kits are bad. You can equally get bad kits from reputable local bricks and mortar stores like Jaycar.

Just buy from an Australian reseller (including those on eBay). Yes, you'll pay slightly more but you'll have your full statutory consumer rights right behind you to protect you from dodgy sales.

[fedaykin]

Previous owner put cheap ebay hid kit in, which, surprise surprise, don't last long.

Not all eBay kits are bad. You can equally get bad kits from reputable local bricks and mortar stores like Jaycar.

Just buy from an Australian reseller (including those on eBay). Yes, you'll pay slightly more but you'll have your full statutory consumer rights right behind you to protect you from dodgy sales.

I know, hence why I said "cheap". I have a 'fast start' kit that costed me $200 delivered from USA (only seller on Ebay that had them). It's still going strong in my GT-R 3 years later (didn't use the bulbs, got Philips ones), and fires up slightly faster than the OEM ones in the Liberty. All the $50-100 kits from China die after a few months (ballasts die quicker than bulbs), so better off buying from an Aussie seller!