C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

HID Lighting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 12:50 PM
  #1  
Camaroguy22's Avatar
Camaroguy22
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Gambrills Maryland
Default HID Lighting

A few months back when I purchased my 99 Coupe the passenger side highbeam was out. I was told I need a new high beam ballast. Could anybody please explain HID lighting to me, what is a ballast? Do I need any specific one? I am clueless about this whole topic.


Keven
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 02:00 PM
  #2  
Nick1's Avatar
Nick1
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 753
Likes: 2
From: Denville NJ
Default

I had all kinds of guesses on my recently purchase 04-C5. Came with HID with the driver side out. I used a voltmeter after thinking it may be a bulb, and found no voltage to the balast. To make a long story short I am going to go over the wiring and re-wire the system myself, but the problem was that one of the ground connections at the battery fell off. That was an easy fix, but now the relay (which resembles a horn relay) is acting up....there's no end it
If you are handy,the system is easy to figure out otherwise you will need the help of a friend with a voltmeter and some simple electrical know how.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 02:19 PM
  #3  
Camaroguy22's Avatar
Camaroguy22
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Gambrills Maryland
Default

Thank you, but I am more looking for help finding the part I need to replace or just general information about HID lighting.

Thanks
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 02:34 PM
  #4  
SpeedyZ's Avatar
SpeedyZ
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
Default

Here is some good background info on HID lights and what it takes to make them work.

http://members.misty.com/don/d2.html
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 03:24 PM
  #5  
Camaroguy22's Avatar
Camaroguy22
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Gambrills Maryland
Default

After looking it apears that it is a X-TEC ballast. Is there anyway I can put in a regular halogen bulb to pass inspection? That is all I am trying to do, I am having a very hard time finding the part I need to replace to make the system work.

Last edited by Camaroguy22; Sep 11, 2006 at 03:26 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 03:35 PM
  #6  
Camaroguy22's Avatar
Camaroguy22
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Gambrills Maryland
Default

Also does each light bulb have its own individual ballast. From looking online it appears each kit comes with two ballasts. Every light works except the drivers side high beam. I was told I need a new ballast, but if the ballast was bad for that side wouldn't the low beam not work either? Could it be just a bulb?
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 04:15 PM
  #7  
RPOZ4Z's Avatar
RPOZ4Z
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
Likes: 156
From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Default

if it has factory plastic headlight housings then the aftermarket HID kit installed on the car is only on the low beams, the high beams are still a regular halogen bulb.

one ballast for each HID bulb, so you would have 2 ballasts, one for the left low beam and one for the right low beam.

if the car had the euro glass housing in it then you would only have HID low beams, and no high beams.
good luck finding parts for the HID kit.



Last edited by RPOZ4Z; Sep 11, 2006 at 04:17 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 04:22 PM
  #8  
BQuicksilver's Avatar
BQuicksilver
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Default

Pictures of your lighting setup would help us out a lot here.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 04:36 PM
  #9  
cjs27410's Avatar
cjs27410
Pro
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Default

rev-extreme sells them

http://www.revxtreme.com/
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 07:38 PM
  #10  
ajg1915's Avatar
ajg1915
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

If your low beam are working, then its not a ballast. The ballast are only for the HID bulbs in the low beam sockets.

I would pull bulb out of socket that is not working and put it into the one that is working. If the bulb lights up, you have a wiring problem, elsewise get a new bulb.

Good luck.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2006 | 11:17 PM
  #11  
DPG's Avatar
DPG
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Default

this may help you too. I used this to install my HIDs

https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=225&TopicID=1
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To HID Lighting





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:45 AM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE