"mazda616" (mazda616)
08/26/2014 at 21:31 • Filed to: None
1
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"mazda616" (mazda616)
08/26/2014 at 21:31 • Filed to: None | 1
| 8 |
One time, I was in college. And I thought HIDs were cool. So I installed them in my car. My car has the same projector headlights as the Grand Touring Mazda3 (which came with factory HID lighting). So, installing HIDs was easy and doesn't blind people.
After three years of service, the lights are becoming very troublesome. I've replaced the ballast on the driver's side, and the ballasts and bulbs on the fog lights (I ended up going back to stock halogen lighting on those after continuing problems this year). Now, the driver's side low beam is flickering ever so faintly. I decided enough is enough and I'm over my college-age modifications, so tonight I bought regular halogen bulbs and attempted to take out the HID components I installed in 2011. Too bad the original OEM H7 bulb setup had an adapter/connector from the factory that makes the bulbs fit. It's the dumbest design ever. And I lost both of them. I've moved three times since the original install of my HIDs and somehow my OEM bulbs and their adapters are gone. In the end, after sweating and being eaten alive by mosquitos in my driveway, my friend and I had to hurriedly reconnect and reinstall my HIDs just to have some form of front lighting besides my high beams.
Now, I have two H7 size halogen bulbs that won't fit and a cheap old HID kit that's dying. Tomorrow, I have to call the dealer to see if they have the connector/adapter and what the price is. Going to check the local junkyard, too. Although I've only ever seen one Mazda3 there.
I'm beyond frustrated. It ticks me off when I set out to do a car-related job and can't finish it. And I'm OCD and really don't like the idea of something on my car not working right. Plus, we're going on atrip this weekend and we were going to take my car since it NEVER gets driven (it sits for days at a time and averages ~300 miles a month). But I'm not driving it across the state with a headlight about to go out. That's just an excuse for a state trooper to give me a ticket. Blahhhhhhh.
I know, it's a crazily minor problem and I'm being a big baby. Oh well.
Plus I have had a RAGING headache all day and no medicine is helping at all. Goodnight.
Mathias Rios
> mazda616
08/26/2014 at 21:36 |
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I would try my hand at fixing/ restoring your systems with parts from theretrofitsource.com instead of trashing the HID headlights entirely. If they work properly they are much superior to halogens. Good luck!
ShelbyRacer78-Fusion Modifier
> mazda616
08/26/2014 at 21:38 |
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I recommend these as replacement bulbs: Philips CrystalVision Ultra
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Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
> mazda616
08/26/2014 at 21:39 |
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I've found replacement bulb sockets and stuff at rockauto.com, maybe you could find a good deal on those adaptors there.
deekster_caddy
> mazda616
08/26/2014 at 21:41 |
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if you were really OCD your original connector would be in a labelled box on a shelf in alphabetical order!
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mazda616
> deekster_caddy
08/26/2014 at 21:44 |
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That is true. The problem arose when I moved to college and didn't have a garage. Some stuff got left in my grandparents' garage and some stuff got left in my friend's garage where the install was originally done. And sometime since then, a few things have been lost. It drives me crazy.
GTI MkVII
> Mathias Rios
08/26/2014 at 22:15 |
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Was just going to recommend their stuff as well. Ran their HID ballasts for years without any issues. Highly recommended.
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Mathias Rios
> GTI MkVII
08/26/2014 at 22:18 |
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Currently running Hella E55's and Morimoto 35W 6k's from them with no issues to report!
DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
> mazda616
08/27/2014 at 00:31 |
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This is why, when I did my retrofit, I used Honda OEM ballasts, Osram bulbs and Mazdaspeed3 projectors when I retrofitted into my Skyactiv's housing... The Honda ballasts plus Osram bulbs should give me OEM longevity..