Fix It

Car headlights are an essential part of safely running a vehicle. Since headlights are electrical fixtures powered by your cars electricity, they share all the problems associated with electrical fixtures.

Physical Issues

The most obvious issue that can affect your headlights is the bulbs. They can burn out like any other light bulb. Any damage to your cars front end can damage your bulb or its connections. You can check these; also check your fuses to see if one has blown.

Electrical Issues

Electrical issues can be thought as a line of electricity which begins at the battery, goes to the alternator, the fuse box, the light switch and finally ends at your headlights. Any lapse in this continuity can cause problems. Check each aspect sequentially. Begin by starting the car. If it starts, the battery isnt the problem. If the car idles, the alternator isnt the problem. If the fuse is good, you have ruled out everything up to the relay, light switch and bulb. If the bulbs are fine, the problem is most likely the switch.

An often-overlooked component of any automobile is the headlight system. There are two basic types of headlights: traditional incandescents, which can be found on most models manufactured before 2000; and HID lights, which can be found on many newer models and provide a stronger, more efficient beam. The HID light got its start in Europe, leading many to refer to this type of lighting as European styled, or French styled headlights. If you have an older model car you can still use these newer styled headlights by purchasing a do-it-yourself conversion kit.

Instructions

1

Pop the hood and locate the rear of the headlight assembly. Notice the wire entering the headlight. This is the wiring harness which delivers electricity to the light. Unplug this now.

2

Reach into the headlight interior. Depending on the size of your hand you may need to pull the headlight assembly out a couple inches to accomplish this. Once inside, grasp the bulb and turn it to the left to loosen and remove it.

3

Insert the new HID bulb and turn it to the right to secure it in place. Then attach the ballast to the rear of the headlight assembly with the double sided tape provided in the conversion kit.

4

Plug the wiring harness into the ballast and then connect the ballast to the headlight assembly with the connecting wire provided in the kit.

5

Repeat the above process with the other headlight to complete the conversion to French styled headlights.