Page 1 of 1

Pathfinder HID headlamp wiring?

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 6:21 am
by XPLORx4
Hi all,

I just joined this forum, and I hope someone might be able to help me find information about wiring HID headlamps on my 1997 Pathfinder. I visited a 4x4 wrecking yard while on holiday in New Zealand, and I got a great bargain on a pair of HID/Xenon headlamps to replace the original halogen headlamps. But there is an additional 6-connector wiring harness for the HID lamps that I don't know how to connect.

Can anyone help me find information about how to wire up the lamps, or perhaps there is another forum you can send me to.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 8:18 pm
by Ingenious-Eng
Did you get the 2 starter/ballast units with your lights, because if you didn't your lights are worthless without them. I have a hi/low beam set up in my GU and they are totally awesome.
Cheers

ballasts

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 7:10 am
by XPLORx4
Yes, I have the entire lamp assembly, ballasts and all. Last night I figured out the purpose of the 6-connector harness. It's the headlamp-leveling mechanism. I suppose the only thing I need now is the switch that adjusts them.

Thanks!

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 10:15 pm
by Ingenious-Eng
You will be very happy with them I'm sure of it! By the way I think your post said your in good ol USA somewhere, if so wouldn't new HID conversion kits be cheap as, everything else is a bargain over there.
Cheers

HID conversion kits

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 3:22 am
by XPLORx4
Alas, I wish your statement were true! The Pathfinder, unfortunately, isn't the most popular vehicle for modifying here in the States. Parts, if available, are usually more expensive than stuff for Toyota or American makes. It's actually rather difficult to build up a Pathfinder!

The kits you speak of do not feature HID projector assemblies. For the most part, they simply replace the original halogen bulb with a single HID bulb. In doing this, the HID beam pattern is no more effective than the original lens. All that is achieved is a brighter, bluer light that causes more glare to oncoming drivers. In part, that's why they're cheaper. Because of the increased glare, HID conversion kits are illegal in the US.

In fact, the HID headlamps I bought in NZ are not legal for street-use in the US, but I'm hoping that this won't ever be checked out as long as the lamps are correctly aimed.

Retrofitting the headlamps has required a bit of sheetmetal cutting/grinding. The halogen lamp opening is a smaller, diifferent shape than the HID lamp, so I've had some cutting to do...

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 8:00 pm
by Ingenious-Eng
The HID kits would be illegal here in OZ to but I managed to find a supplier here who sells a kit in which the bulb is moved forward and back by a soliniod with a metal shield that stops ALL the glare on low beam, this system also means that you have HID for both low & high beams unlike most others that use Halogen bulbs for high beam. These are so good I've been able to remove spot lights alltogether. The biggest advantage is it looks totally stock standard so no probs with getting sprung, also only takes about 5mins to convert back to halogen so no probs to go thru machinery inspection if required. They are very expensive kits thou, so out of most 4x4er's price range in OZ I'm affraid but thought same kit might be really cheap in USA. (For off road racing purposes of course)
Cheers