ACA Headlight Install Instructions
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Killeen Texas
ACA Headlight Install Instructions
does anyone have the ACA headlight install instructions? I seem to have been shipped mine without them and although I can figure out how to get the housings mounted, I have no clue on how to get the wires connected and routed. Ive never been any good at wiring stuff. Help please from those that have installed a set! 
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
does anyone have the ACA headlight install instructions? I seem to have been shipped mine without them and although I can figure out how to get the housings mounted, I have no clue on how to get the wires connected and routed. Ive never been any good at wiring stuff. Help please from those that have installed a set!
My email is ajg5@aol.com
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Killeen Texas
Well, it seems that my kit came without one harness. Its the one that bridges the hi and lo beams. I have no way of connecting both lamps at the same time because all the plugs use the high beam plug.
I understand that there is a harness that goes over to the battery with a relay on it. That then plugs into the ballast and in turn to the HID light. Then there is a green wire off that harness that I dont have anything to plug into since I am missing the next harness which connects the high beams up that has the other connectors coming off of it.
I am trying to figure out if I still have enough to hook it up. Not sure yet, been experimenting around. But I will definitely be talking to the guy I got it from to see whats up. I figured that I can just hook the high beams up normally and then hook up the HID just like a kit you would buy to put in the stock housing. May have to post some pics later to clarify things.
I understand that there is a harness that goes over to the battery with a relay on it. That then plugs into the ballast and in turn to the HID light. Then there is a green wire off that harness that I dont have anything to plug into since I am missing the next harness which connects the high beams up that has the other connectors coming off of it.
I am trying to figure out if I still have enough to hook it up. Not sure yet, been experimenting around. But I will definitely be talking to the guy I got it from to see whats up. I figured that I can just hook the high beams up normally and then hook up the HID just like a kit you would buy to put in the stock housing. May have to post some pics later to clarify things.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Well, it seems that my kit came without one harness. Its the one that bridges the hi and lo beams. I have no way of connecting both lamps at the same time because all the plugs use the high beam plug.
I understand that there is a harness that goes over to the battery with a relay on it. That then plugs into the ballast and in turn to the HID light. Then there is a green wire off that harness that I dont have anything to plug into since I am missing the next harness which connects the high beams up that has the other connectors coming off of it.
I am trying to figure out if I still have enough to hook it up. Not sure yet, been experimenting around. But I will definitely be talking to the guy I got it from to see whats up. I figured that I can just hook the high beams up normally and then hook up the HID just like a kit you would buy to put in the stock housing. May have to post some pics later to clarify things.
I understand that there is a harness that goes over to the battery with a relay on it. That then plugs into the ballast and in turn to the HID light. Then there is a green wire off that harness that I dont have anything to plug into since I am missing the next harness which connects the high beams up that has the other connectors coming off of it.
I am trying to figure out if I still have enough to hook it up. Not sure yet, been experimenting around. But I will definitely be talking to the guy I got it from to see whats up. I figured that I can just hook the high beams up normally and then hook up the HID just like a kit you would buy to put in the stock housing. May have to post some pics later to clarify things.
He used a better harness where both your low beams and high beams stay on thus increasing your visibility.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Killeen Texas
I figured it out. Positive and negative wires going into the ballast were wired wrong. I just tried cutting and splicing in the opposite order and everything popped on as it should.
However, I still don't know how the harness that keeps the low on with the high works. Im sure its correct, I just dont know where the green wire goes since the harness short harness isnt correct.
I can always figure it out later. Important thing right now is getting everything installed and working properly. That relay harness is a little more of a luxury.
Two pictures of the two harnesses I got. Found the little white wire going nowhere to be a little suspicious. I inspected the relay harness and that seems to be in order.
However, I still don't know how the harness that keeps the low on with the high works. Im sure its correct, I just dont know where the green wire goes since the harness short harness isnt correct.
I can always figure it out later. Important thing right now is getting everything installed and working properly. That relay harness is a little more of a luxury.
Two pictures of the two harnesses I got. Found the little white wire going nowhere to be a little suspicious. I inspected the relay harness and that seems to be in order.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Killeen Texas
Yeah that does help. Apparently the female connector that has the white wire is for the high beam plug, but on mine, the other end of that harness is the plug that goes into the ballast. I can make it fit on the low beam plug, but its a tight squeeze and not right.
So as I figured all along, that white wire should connect to the green wire to switch the relay. Thats not hard, I just need to find a couple sockets since I seem to be missing some to make the fix right.
I need one female low beam plugs to send power from the stock plug to the relay as well as one male high beam plug to complete the high beam harness that has the white wire going to the green wire. I also need to put the ballast connector on the end of the relay harness. Please correct me if I have that mixed up.
Any sources on where to get these plugs? Maybe in car parts stores?
Thanks for all your help guys. Its almost more fun this way trying to figure it out. Plug and play is sometimes too easy...
So as I figured all along, that white wire should connect to the green wire to switch the relay. Thats not hard, I just need to find a couple sockets since I seem to be missing some to make the fix right.
I need one female low beam plugs to send power from the stock plug to the relay as well as one male high beam plug to complete the high beam harness that has the white wire going to the green wire. I also need to put the ballast connector on the end of the relay harness. Please correct me if I have that mixed up.
Any sources on where to get these plugs? Maybe in car parts stores?
Thanks for all your help guys. Its almost more fun this way trying to figure it out. Plug and play is sometimes too easy...
Last edited by WBHighwind; Nov 28, 2007 at 12:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Killeen Texas
Just an update for everyone, I got my harnesses modded and working. I think everything should be cleared up tomarrow.
I was surprised by one thing. After I had modded my relay harness so mimmick what was posted above, I turned the lights on and both highs and lows came on no matter what. I was kind of perplexed for a minute, then decided to study the pictures again. I figured out that the switched wire that comes off the low beam socket to the relay was supplying power to the high beam lamp as well since I had just spliced the wires together. What I noticed in the pictures above, is that there is a bulge in the wire right where the white wire meets the green wire. Appears that I need a diode in the circuit so when the lows are on its not powering the high beams. Ill mess with that tomorrow. Tonight I am going to finish getting everything mounted and ready to go.
What diode do I need? I am dumber then a box of nails when it comes to electrical stuff. Please tell me I can get it at Radio Shack too because I need this done since Im taking a road trip this week end.
I was surprised by one thing. After I had modded my relay harness so mimmick what was posted above, I turned the lights on and both highs and lows came on no matter what. I was kind of perplexed for a minute, then decided to study the pictures again. I figured out that the switched wire that comes off the low beam socket to the relay was supplying power to the high beam lamp as well since I had just spliced the wires together. What I noticed in the pictures above, is that there is a bulge in the wire right where the white wire meets the green wire. Appears that I need a diode in the circuit so when the lows are on its not powering the high beams. Ill mess with that tomorrow. Tonight I am going to finish getting everything mounted and ready to go.
What diode do I need? I am dumber then a box of nails when it comes to electrical stuff. Please tell me I can get it at Radio Shack too because I need this done since Im taking a road trip this week end.
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,699
Likes: 4,542
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
here it is: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=diode
there's a lot of info regarding the diodes in that thread. they already had the diode in question, but you may be able to PM some of them and ask them which one it is.
this thread has good info too.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=diode
there's a lot of info regarding the diodes in that thread. they already had the diode in question, but you may be able to PM some of them and ask them which one it is.
this thread has good info too.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=diode
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Killeen Texas
Thanks jdmvette! I had been looking at those threads earlier today at word but I guess I missed the diode discussion. I just need to find the correct diode to splice into the system.
For now I got the lights installed and hooked up. However since I am missing the diode, the high beams are hooked up to the stock harness which means they dont trigger the relay to keep the low beams on at the same time. Not a big deal since I dont use the high beams that much. This will last until I get the diode. Which diode do I need exactly? Im guessing it should be able to handle a 12V system but how many amps? Any other specs to look for?
I also still need one of those male plugs that is pictured above with the one wire coming out of it. Wasnt able to find any of them in the local parts stores so Im going to have to order it online.
BTW, I was going to take some mission accomplished pictures, but it appears that my camera just took a dump on me. The flash card got wiped for some reason and its not recognizing it.
For now I got the lights installed and hooked up. However since I am missing the diode, the high beams are hooked up to the stock harness which means they dont trigger the relay to keep the low beams on at the same time. Not a big deal since I dont use the high beams that much. This will last until I get the diode. Which diode do I need exactly? Im guessing it should be able to handle a 12V system but how many amps? Any other specs to look for?
I also still need one of those male plugs that is pictured above with the one wire coming out of it. Wasnt able to find any of them in the local parts stores so Im going to have to order it online.
BTW, I was going to take some mission accomplished pictures, but it appears that my camera just took a dump on me. The flash card got wiped for some reason and its not recognizing it.
Last edited by WBHighwind; Nov 29, 2007 at 01:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Killeen Texas
Well I got everything settled in tonight. I had to go by 2 Radio Shacks to find the right diodes but I finally got them and soldiered them in place. Everything works like a champ! I can definately see a difference. I think Ill notice it more out on the highway where theres no street lights. I also got the lights adjusted so they don't blind oncoming traffic. They were too high when I went for a test drive and I got flashed several times. Good thing my dad has a BMW with the same setup so I just lined em up against the garage doors to do a little comparison and adjust.
Thanks for everyones help. Im now an expert at the inner workings of these things so if anyone else gets one of these in the future and needs help, I should be able to square them away!
I'm also going to call the company I got these from to let them know to check the kits they have. Im sure they all have the same problem.
This thread was basically to pad my post count, BTW...
Thanks for everyones help. Im now an expert at the inner workings of these things so if anyone else gets one of these in the future and needs help, I should be able to square them away!
I'm also going to call the company I got these from to let them know to check the kits they have. Im sure they all have the same problem.
This thread was basically to pad my post count, BTW...
Night Owl for life
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 24,699
Likes: 4,542
From: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Well I got everything settled in tonight. I had to go by 2 Radio Shacks to find the right diodes but I finally got them and soldiered them in place. Everything works like a champ! I can definately see a difference. I think Ill notice it more out on the highway where theres no street lights. I also got the lights adjusted so they don't blind oncoming traffic. They were too high when I went for a test drive and I got flashed several times. Good thing my dad has a BMW with the same setup so I just lined em up against the garage doors to do a little comparison and adjust.
Thanks for everyones help. Im now an expert at the inner workings of these things so if anyone else gets one of these in the future and needs help, I should be able to square them away!
I'm also going to call the company I got these from to let them know to check the kits they have. Im sure they all have the same problem.
Thanks for everyones help. Im now an expert at the inner workings of these things so if anyone else gets one of these in the future and needs help, I should be able to square them away!
I'm also going to call the company I got these from to let them know to check the kits they have. Im sure they all have the same problem.
This thread was basically to pad my post count, BTW...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 817
Likes: 1
From: Killeen Texas
