How Can I Tell if My Ford Has Hid Headlights
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High Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlights
Copyright AA1Car
Those bright bluish headlamps that really lite upward the route are now being used on more and more than tardily model vehicles. For the 2005 model year, 95 vehicle models are at present factory-equipped with Xenon headlights, likewise known equally "High Intensity Discharge" (HID) headlamps. That's a 25% increase over the 75 models that offered these unique headlamps in 2004. Applications include Audi, BMW, Cadillac, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GMC, Honda, Jaguar, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen, Volvo.
HID headlamps were first introduced in the mid-1990s in Europe and Japan on a scattering of high end luxury cars. The kickoff domestic application was the 1995 Lincoln Marker VIII. The growth of this technology has been tiresome because of its high cost. Only the operation and condom advantages of this loftier tech lighting system are generating more consumer need for it on mid-level vehicles also as luxury and high-end vehicles (Nissan Altima as well as Nissan Maxima and various Infinity models, for example).
WHAT ARE HID HEADLAMPS?
Like the proper name implies, high intensity discharge lighting creates a very bright light that is ideal for dark time driving. Though the color of the calorie-free is often perceived equally having a bluish tint when viewed at night, most of the light that is produced by HID headlamps is actually very shut in color to natural noontime sunlight -- though some of the light produced is besides in the blueish and ultraviolet spectrum. Halogen headlamps, by comparison, are more yellowish in appearance but are brighter and whiter than older incandescent fashion headlamps.
Projector headlamps focus the calorie-free
to extend the range of the headlights.
The near-white light produced past HID headlamps improves visibility and makes information technology easier to see distant objects.
The color of light can be measured in "degrees Kelvin," which refers to the "temperature" (shade) of light. Natural sunlight at noon is 4870 degrees K. Light produced by a HID xenon bulb is 4100 degrees K. Light from a standard halogen bulb is 3200 degrees G, and that from an ordinary incandescent bulb is 2800 degrees M. The lower the temperature rating, the more yellowish the low-cal appears.
Blue-white light is better for visual perception, just yellowish light is actually somewhat better for reducing glare in fog, rain and snow (that'due south why fog lights are yellowish).
The xenon bulbs that are used in HID lighting systems besides produce three times the calorie-free output of standard halogen headlamps (3000 lumens versus 1000 lumens), and require less energy (35 to 42 watts versus 55 watts). This is possible because HID lighting systems work like a vapor-filled street calorie-free or metal halide lamp. HID bulbs typically produce 71 lumens of light per watt compared to xviii lumens of light per watt for standard halogen bulbs.
HOW HID HEADLAMPS OPERATE
HID lighting systems use a special quartz bulb that contains no filament and is filled with xenon gas and a small corporeality of mercury and other metal salts. Inside the seedling are two electrodes separated by a small gap (well-nigh four mm or 3/16th inch). When high voltage current is applied to the electrodes, it excites the gases inside the bulb and forms an electrical arc between the electrodes. The hot ionized gas produces a "plasma discharge" that generates an extremely intense, bluish-white low-cal.
CAUTION: Once ignited, the pressure level inside an HID bulb builds to over 30 atmospheres due to rut (upwardly to 1500 degrees F inside the bulb!). This creates a potential explosion chance then practice not attempt to power a HID bulb outside of the headlamp associates to "test" it. Also, the bulb must exist in a horizontal position when information technology is on, otherwise it may overheat and fail.
Similar street lamps and fluorescent bulbs, HID headlamps require a high voltage ignition source to start. It typically takes up to 25,000 volts to start a xenon bulb, but only about 80 to xc volts to proceed information technology operating in one case the initial arc has formed. The normal 12 volts DC from the vehicle's electrical system is stepped up and controlled by an igniter module and inverter (anchor), which also converts the voltage to Ac (alternate current) which is necessary to operate the HID headlamps.
The ballast adjusts the voltage and electric current frequency to operating requirements. The AC ballast frequency is usually in the 250 to 450 Hz range.
Power to the HID arrangement is usually routed through a relay and fused at the power distribution heart.
When HID headlamps are offset turned on, the calorie-free appears more than blue merely apace brightens as the bulbs warm up. On virtually applications, the HID headlamps are only used for low beams (conventional element of group vii loftier beams are used). But on some of the newest HID systems, the position of the shielding effectually the bulb changes position to provide both high and low beams.
The amp draw on the electric system by HID headlights is initially higher than that of a conventional halogen headlight arrangement (about vi.five amps during start up per HID bulb versus about iv.2 amps for a halogen bulb). Afterward a few seconds, the amp load drawn by each HID bulb will start to drop and eventually stabilize around 3.8 amps per bulb after fifteen to 30 seconds. Consequently, a HID headlight system will place less load on the electrical system and alternator.
Considering in that location is no brittle filament inside a xenon HID bulb to break or burn out, the headlamps typically concluding upwardly to three times longer than halogen headlamps (3000 hours versus 1000 hours of continuous operation, which is equivalent to 5 to 10 years of normal driving).
HID D2D headlamp.
HOW TO Place HID BULBS
One way to tell if a vehicle is equipped with HID headlamps is to look at the outer lens cover. If the headlamps are HID, the markings D1R, D1S, D2R or D2S will be displayed on the lens. These are the 4 basic types of HID bulbs that are used in HID lighting systems. The bulbs are long and narrow (ten mm in diameter) with an external supporting wire that connects to the tiptop electrode inside the seedling. The seedling as well has an inner tube where the arc is formed.
D1S and D1R bulbs take a large rectangular igniter module in the base of the lamp. D1R bulbs have black masking for headlamp systems that use reflectors to straight the axle. D1S bulbs are for headlamps systems that employ a light shield to straight the beam.
D2R and D2S bulbs do not have an igniter module in the base. D2R bulbs are for reflector systems and D2S bulbs are for shielded systems.
DON'T Confuse HID BULBS WITH BLUE-TINTED Halogen BULBS
In recent years, halogen bulbs take also been upgraded to produce better lighting functioning. Xenon gas has been added to the gas mixture inside some halogen bulbs to improve low-cal output, and the bulbs take been given a bluish tinted coating and so the light produced by the seedling will have a similar appearance to HID headlamps. These special halogen bulbs are a good upgrade for replacing conventional halogen bulbs, only they are still halogen bulbs with a standard filament that operate at 12 volts DC. These are not high intensity belch bulbs and exercise not produce the same intense bluish-white light that true HID headlamps produce. Nor do they provide the extended life or reduced current requirements of true HID headlamps.
Blue tinted halogen bulbs besides do not modify the beam blueprint of the headlamps. Truthful xenon HID headlamps, past comparison, typically provide significantly better foreground and side lighting considering the headlamp reflectors and lens are optimized for this type of lighting.
There are also aftermarket HID headlamp conversion kits that can be installed to replace standard headlamps. Such kits include the required igniters, ballasts and HID xenon bulbs. Simply some of these kits are not approved for highway use and are for off-route use just.
HID HEADLAMP BULB REPLACEMENT
If yous demand a replacement HID bulb, be warned that some of these bulbs cost upward to $200 or more each at a new car dealer! Many auto parts stores sell the exact same bulbs for much less, and take bulbs to fit most applications.
If a headlamp is not working, therefore, it is of import to make sure the problem is the seedling and not the igniter/ballast, power relay, wiring, fuse or headlamp switch. The igniter/ballast and relay can be replaced separately depending on the application. On vehicles that employ the D1S or D2S bulbs, the igniter is in the base of the seedling and the ballast is a dissever component.
Caution: HID headlamps operate at loftier voltage then circumspection must be used to avert electrical shock, burns or electrocution! Make sure the headlamps are off and never service the headlamps in wet conditions. Too, exercise not touch the anchor when the system is operating (the ballast gets hot!).
If you disconnect the battery (recommended) before working on the HID arrangement, use a 9 volt battery backup to preserve the PCM and other electronic memory settings.
Also, use the same precautions when treatment HID xenon bulbs as conventional halogen bulbs. Do not touch the quartz seedling because the oils in your pare can crusade the seedling to crack and fail almost immediately. Considering how expensive these bulbs are, that's one error nobody wants to make -- not fifty-fifty in one case. Wear gloves or handle the bulb past the base of operations merely.
What To Practise If Only One HID Headlight Is Working: Swap the "skillful" bulb that is working on the other side to the headlamp that is not working. If the headlight now works, you know the seedling yous removed was bad and needs to be replaced. If the headlight however does not work, try swapping the "good" ignitor module on the other side to the side that is not working. If the headlight at present works, the problem was a bad ignitor, non the bulb. You lot need to supercede only the ignitor and non the bulb. If the headlight yet does not work, you have a wiring fault such every bit a loose ground connexion, a bad wiring harness at the headlamp housing, or a corroded bulb socket.
For more information nearly diagnose headlamp problems, Click Here.
HID HEADLIGHT TECH TIPS
* If an HID bulb in a vehicle has failed prematurely, cheque for a possible vehicle manufacturer recall. Some 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII and 2003 Lincoln Navigators take been recalled for defective HID headlamps.
* If headlamps fail to illuminate, refer to a vehicle wiring diagram and bank check for bombardment voltage to the igniter/anchor module when the headlight is turned on. If there is no voltage or the voltage is less than 12 volts, cheque the bombardment, battery cables, wiring, headlamp switch circuit, fuses and relay in the ability distribution center.
* If you accidentally bear upon the drinking glass portion of the seedling, utilize rubbing alcohol to gently clean the bulb. Permit to the seedling to completely air dry earlier it is installed. There must exist no trace of skin oil on the bulb, otherwise it will scissure and fail when it gets hot.
* Brand sure replacement bulbs are properly installed and locked in place before reconnecting the wiring and turning the headlamps on. Accurate bulb placement is essential for proper beam focus and cooling.
* If a vehicle has a croaky or damaged headlamp lens encompass, the lens cover or headlamp associates should be replaced. Water leaks and/or grit may contaminate the HID bulb and cause it to fail.
* If a vehicle has collision damage and a HID headlamp associates is being replaced, carefully inspect the wiring before reconnecting the wiring or turning the headlamps on. A short could damage the igniter/ballast module.
December 4, 2017
Philips Warns Consumers Most Counterfeit Xenon HID Headlight Bulbs
The Philips Xenon HID Anti-Apocryphal Program is a multi-faceted effort intended to help protect consumers against false Xenon HID bulbs.
Xenon HID lighting has become one of the most counterfeited products in the automotive replacement lighting marketplace. Apocryphal Xenon HID bulbs often deliver poor illumination on the road and excessive glare for oncoming traffic, putting drivers and passengers in harms way. Apocryphal bulbs can too severely damage a vehicle'south headlamps or electronics.
The Philips Anti-Apocryphal Program allows consumers, retailers and distributors to rapidly and easily establish the actuality of a Philips Xenon HID product.
Philips OE replacement Xenon HID packages now feature a Philips Document of Authenticity with a holographic seal, label ID, security code and QR code. Distributors, retailers and consumers can check the authenticity of the product, either by scanning the QR code or by inbound the label ID and security code at www.phillips.com/original.
If the label ID and security lawmaking are valid, a confirmation message is received. If either the label ID or security code are invalid an alert message is received, and the individual can contact Philips product support to pursue the upshot.
In addition to the Certificate of Actuality, Philips OE replacement Xenon HID production packaging has been updated with tamper-evident seals that reveal subconscious graphics indicating the bundle has been opened. The Xenon HID shipping cartons too feature tamper-evident packing tape that reveals hidden text when the carton is opened.
NHTSA Warns Most Aftermarket HID Conversion Kits
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that some aftermarket HID conversion kits (converting a halogen system to HID) are not compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108. The noncompliant kits frequently include a HID bulb, a ballast, an igniter, a relay and wiring harness adapters. The NHTSA believes this equipment presents a safety risk to the public since the kits can be expected to produce excessive glare to oncoming motorists. In 1 investigation, the NHTSA found that an HID conversion headlamp exceeded the maximum commanded candlepower by over 800 per centum!
Under FMVSS No. 108 Section S7.7 (replaceable low-cal sources), each replaceable light source for headlamps must be designed to conform to the dimensions and electrical specifications for the headlamp source it is intended to replace. For example, if an HID kit is marketed as replacing an H1 light source, so information technology must lucifer the H1'southward wire coil filament size and location, the electrical connector size and location and the ballast design for apply with an H1 low-cal source (which is impossible since at that place is no ballast). Consequently, HID light sources (e.k., D1S, D1R, D2S, D2R, 9500, etc.) with incandescent light source bases (east.g., H1, H3, H7, H8, H9, H11, H13, HB1, HB2, HB3, HB4, HB5, etc.) may not conform to FMVSS No. 108.
NHTSA has too determined that a commonly used disclaimer "for off-road utilize merely" has no legal meaning since the bulb supplier has no command over how their products are used in one case they are sold. Any equipment offered for sale which is covered by FMVSS No. 108 (headlamps, taillamps, side markers, etc.) must comply with the standard.
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