Navigator HID question

[Jay_1]

Hey guys,
Cross posted from the electrical sub but thought I might get a better response from here.
Got a 2003 navigator over in the UK and from what I can tell, the previous owner switched out the HID for standard halogen. The problem with this set up is that the headlight is not designed for the halogen bulbs and it means that the fog lights throw out more light than the dipped beam. I'm thinking of just buying 2 ballasts and 2 35 or 55w hid bulbs and fitting them.

My only concern is that I'm uncertain whether the car definitely came with hid originally......if it didn't, do I just need the ballast and bulb to have HID headlights? Or is there a chance that won't work?

Thanks

 

[Hamfisted]

Have you pulled the old low beam bulb out to see what it is currently ? If it's just a 9006 halogen then all you would need was one of the conversion kits you see on Amazon or eBay. Most people are going to LEDs now rather than HID, so you might take a look at that option as well. If the vehicle originally had the optional HIDs I can't think of a reason anyone would go back to a halogen on it.

 

[Jay_1]

The bulb in there is wrong. It's just wedged into the opening. The light fitting is designed to hold HID so anything other than that won't fit properly. I'm not sure whether the previous owner was just cheap and didn't want to pay for the right bulbs. The wiring has been modified for the halogen bulb but also left the old connection on it.
Would it work for me to just go ahead and get the bulbs and ballast?

 

[Hamfisted]

Hmmmm. Is the old ballast still attached to the bottom of the headlight assembly ? I wonder what went bad. The bulb, or the ballast? The ballast is discussed on page 3208 of the service manual. It should take a standard D1R HID bulb. You can find new ballasts on eBay for about $50 .


If you need a factory service manual you can download it free here : 2003 Expedition / Navigator Service Manual Download


Ford HID Ballasts on eBAy

 

[Jay_1]

No the Ballast has been removed. The lights have had a very poorly thought out modification to comply with UK MOT testing. They have drilled up into the light where the ballast used to be and have added a clear white 'side light' as we are not allowed the amber side lights. Personally, I'm planning on modifying the amber side light to be the indicator and then putting a clear bulb in the original indicator to use as the clear white 'side light'. Perhaps this is why the HID were removed in the first place but it makes absolutely no sense to me!

 

[Hamfisted]

Ok. How do the lens look? Are they still clear? You can take the lens off the assembly by heating it up in the oven to soften up the sealant that secures it to the housing. You can get a complete HID D1R kit on eBay for about $215 USD.

D1R HID Kit on eBay

 

[Jay_1]

I picked up a replacement ballast and bulb and hooked it up to the navi. Nothing. I tested the bulb on another car and it works. I can also hook up a halogen bulb to the original wiring and it works. I'm not able to test the ballast unless maybe I hook it up direct to the battery?

I tested the power at the factory harness bulb connector and I'm getting 11.4 v. Is that enough to power an hid bulb?

 

[Jay_1]

Update! For anyone interested in my Navi escapades, I got them working. Hooked it all up directly to the battery and the bulb lit up. With the engine running I tested the power at the headlight connector which was 12v ish, so then I put the headlight connector in the ballast purposefuly the wrong way around (effectively flipping the polarity) and the HID turned on. Not sure if this means the car was wired for halogen only or if I've bought a crappy ballast but at least I know they 'can' work.

Is it normal for a new ballast to smell quite strong? Almost a hot smell? Not sure if it's a new part and burning off dust or if maybe I should return it and get something else? I disconnected it anyway, just to be sure and will test the light output in the dark to make sure it is worth the expense of replacing the passenger side as well!

 

[GAINMOB]

i would buy new ballasts and HID bulbs...biggest question i have...oem or aftermarket

 

[AlecB]

Hmmmm. Is the old ballast still attached to the bottom of the headlight assembly ? I wonder what went bad. The bulb, or the ballast? The ballast is discussed on page 3208 of the service manual. It should take a standard D1R HID bulb. You can find new ballasts on eBay for about $50 .


If you need a factory service manual you can download it free here : 2003 Expedition / Navigator Service Manual Download


Ford HID Ballasts on eBAy

I had no idea I was going to happen across a manual for my expedition today (well, it's the '06, so I assume it's close). I use one of these for an old 70's restoration project and it's indispensable. Thank you!