HID Headlamp Ballast Help

[TheFamilyMan]

Okay, apparently this one part is going to be my white whale. I've got a 2003 Infiniti Q45 that had a ballast go out on the driver's side HID headlamp assembly. I've changed the bulb and still no light. I've tested the ballast and it turned out dead.

My google-fu and other search abilities are coming up dead as well. Maybe someone on here can help.

I see many search results come back with ballasts that are described as 'compatable' but it appears to me the connector is different. Would I just be able to cut old wires and solder the new pigtail connector on for the new ballast as long as the ratings are the same?

I don't mind putting another after-market ballast on even if some cutting of wires and re-locating of the ballast is necessary.

 

[SSSnail]

Why don't you just go OEM?

 

[TheFamilyMan]

Aftermarket ballasts are around $100...OEM is $600.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://factoryxenon.com/shop/oem-02...st-igniter-hid-control-unit-module-ecu-box-2/

 

[nitrous9200]

There was an aftermarket ballast/control unit installed on my car when I bought it.

It was a cheap piece of garbage that required hacking up the factory wiring to work and it was mounted with a cable tie.
Even if you could do a better job installing it, I bet most of the aftermarket stuff isn't much better than what I had - I estimate it was installed for well under two years before it started to flake out, and it didn't work with the new OE bulbs I bought. A new ballast was only ~$250 for my car, so I bit the bullet and got one.

I would take a used OEM part like the one posted above any day of the week. Problem is these parts seem to have a limited lifespan, but I'm sure it would work better than the aftermarket stuff.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

A quality aftermarket ballast is only $100-200 for a pair.

 

[bruceb]

Check this site and see how the prices compare to your dealer.

http://www.oemxenonpart.com/Infiniti-Q45-OEM-Xenon-HID-HeadLight-Lamp-Ballast.htm

 

[Fenixgoon]

www.theretrofitsource.com

don't settle for anything less. seriously.