HID headlight module change help?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 192
From: Northwestern Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '26
HID headlight module change help?
Hi, my low beam on the drivers side stopped working (only 10k miles on the car), I changed the bulb with a new $99 (ouch) unit, still doesn't work, so I'm guessing it is the HID module under the headlamp. I searched and searched and I'm wondering if anyone has a DIY on changing the ballast or ignitor module? I've read by some to pull a few fender bolts and take the headlight module out, but I saw another reference to doing it from under the car?
I'd love to do it without playing with the fenders and nose if anyone has instructions or pictures? If not, a run down on the other method would be helpful. thanks.
I'd love to do it without playing with the fenders and nose if anyone has instructions or pictures? If not, a run down on the other method would be helpful. thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
I don't have and haven't seen any pics but here is a word description that might help. Looks like you at least have to remove the inner fender lining. Good luck. 
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...y-flooded.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...y-flooded.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 38
From: A galaxy far, far away...
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Unless I’m misunderstanding your post, it's my understanding that the ballast is connected to the low beam bulb. Contact Jhonathan at www.jwmotoring.com (forum vendor) he knows all about the HID systems in these cars.
And while you’re at it, pick up one of his slim ballast fog HID kits, you won't be disappointed
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-hid-kits.html
And while you’re at it, pick up one of his slim ballast fog HID kits, you won't be disappointed
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-hid-kits.html
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 192
From: Northwestern Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '26
Darkside- there is a ballaster or starter or something right on the bulb, but the problem in this case I think is the box that feeds the bulb which is mounted to the bottom of the headlight assembly. (nice place to hide a service part GM!)
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
Likes: 178
From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
I want to say the hex screw is 7mm that hold the ballast to the housing. Use a flat screwdrive to gently pry the 2 plugs from the ballast and replace.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Here's a pic of the headlight assembly laying upside down.
The silver box in the center is the Ballast. The Igniter is the little square box attached to the D1S HID lamp.
The silver box in the center is the Ballast. The Igniter is the little square box attached to the D1S HID lamp.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 23
From: Santa Barbara CA
Hey Dan,
I remember you from Pro-Touring.com. I had that silver/black '67 Camaro with the magnacharged LS1, Morrison C6 clip, etc. I do miss that car, sold it last fall
But I got an LS3 C6 I'm playing with and I'm planning to get my '68 Camaro out of storage and get it going again some day. Some day.....
Andy
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 192
From: Northwestern Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '26
Andy- yep, we both got the vette bug! I remember that 67... I'm glad it was on the west coast or I may have sold my c5 to raise funds to buy it! My problem is I'm better at buying than selling cars... oh well, off to the garage to try this headlight fix! -Dan
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 192
From: Northwestern Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '26
thanks all for the help, it's an easy procedure, 5 torx screws on the inner fender, a couple quick pins at the top of the inner fender liner, and 4 or 5 hex screw on the bottom including the spoiler bolts on the outer section. Oh and one nut on the long stud, take that section of inner fender out and easy access. So I have working low beams at the moment, but when I turn them on there is a buzzing sound for a few seconds - anyone else ever notice this? I'm just wondering if the used module I got is ready to pop or if it's normal? I don't think I'd hear it over the motor running, it lasts maybe 3-4 seconds....
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
Likes: 178
From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
Glad it worked out for you. The buzzing, if it sounds like a camera flash strobe, is normal but should be coming from the HID bulb igniter and not the ballast. If it is the ballast you'll know soon enough.
thanks all for the help, it's an easy procedure, 5 torx screws on the inner fender, a couple quick pins at the top of the inner fender liner, and 4 or 5 hex screw on the bottom including the spoiler bolts on the outer section. Oh and one nut on the long stud, take that section of inner fender out and easy access. So I have working low beams at the moment, but when I turn them on there is a buzzing sound for a few seconds - anyone else ever notice this? I'm just wondering if the used module I got is ready to pop or if it's normal? I don't think I'd hear it over the motor running, it lasts maybe 3-4 seconds....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,702
Likes: 192
From: Northwestern Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '26
yes, camera flash sound, so hopefully we are ok. As you mentioned, I'll know soon enough, the days are getting shorter so the headlights will start getting used more. thanks! -Dan
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Hi, my low beam on the drivers side stopped working (only 10k miles on the car), I changed the bulb with a new $99 (ouch) unit, still doesn't work, so I'm guessing it is the HID module under the headlamp. I searched and searched and I'm wondering if anyone has a DIY on changing the ballast or ignitor module? I've read by some to pull a few fender bolts and take the headlight module out, but I saw another reference to doing it from under the car?
I'd love to do it without playing with the fenders and nose if anyone has instructions or pictures? If not, a run down on the other method would be helpful. thanks.
I'd love to do it without playing with the fenders and nose if anyone has instructions or pictures? If not, a run down on the other method would be helpful. thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Ballast for sure. Here's a recent thread on that:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...m-ballast.html
Don't know about the igniter.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...m-ballast.html
Don't know about the igniter.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 4,352
Likes: 32
From: Canton Michigan
Ballast for sure. Here's a recent thread on that:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...m-ballast.html
Don't know about the igniter.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...m-ballast.html
Don't know about the igniter.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11,367
Likes: 211
From: Edgewood Washington
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15
The igniter is the square box at the base of the D1S HID lamp.
The wiring/connection between the igniter and the lamp is a critical part of the circuit. By making the igniter part of the lamp assembly, the rest of the wiring harness can be simplified.
The connection between the ballast and the igniter-base/lamp is not mission-critical and this allows GM more freedom in locating the OEM ballast and in creating the wiring harness.
The wiring/connection between the igniter and the lamp is a critical part of the circuit. By making the igniter part of the lamp assembly, the rest of the wiring harness can be simplified.
The connection between the ballast and the igniter-base/lamp is not mission-critical and this allows GM more freedom in locating the OEM ballast and in creating the wiring harness.