B5 Models Please discuss all 1996 - 2001 B5 A4 topics here...

Halogen or HID?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 09-03-2009 | 10:07 PM
spector's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 25
Default Halogen or HID?

So I recently bought my 2003 a4 (It's a b6, I know, but this board is much busier!) and I can't tell if it has halogens or HIDs. How can I tell?
 
  #2  
Old 09-03-2009 | 10:23 PM
CCA4's Avatar
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 7,588
From: NW PA
Default

HID's have ballasts, halogens do not.
 
  #3  
Old 09-03-2009 | 10:37 PM
Mr. Phil's Avatar
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,374
From: Alabama
Default

take a night pic and show us if u cant locate the ballast or dont know what they look like
 
  #4  
Old 09-03-2009 | 10:43 PM
ImTheDevil's Avatar
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,670
From: Binghamton, NY
Default

When you turn them off, do they fade out or turn out instantly? When you turn them on, do they flash and then warm up to full intensity over 4-5 seconds? HIDs have the warmup time andvshut off in the blink of an eye.
 
  #5  
Old 09-03-2009 | 11:03 PM
ghost6303's Avatar
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,158
From: CT
Default

HIDs also have a very clear side cutoffs, you will see clear edges to the light. halogens have a bright spot in the center that gradually fades to nothing as you move out to the edges.
 
  #6  
Old 09-03-2009 | 11:16 PM
kriptonik's Avatar
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,291
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

Like ImTheDevil said, the easiest way to tell would be to watch the lights as you turn them on. Xenons usually take sometime to warm up and color will change from blue-ish/purple to pure white (as stock Xenons are 4300K; closest to daytime).
 
  #7  
Old 09-04-2009 | 12:41 AM
spector's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 25
Default

Hm, I can't notice any color change when I turn them on. They do like somewhat whiter than normal car lights, though. I can check for ballasts tomorrow when there's more light. Here are the night pics, if it helps:





One is without flash, one is with.
 
  #8  
Old 09-04-2009 | 12:55 AM
kriptonik's Avatar
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,291
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

How about check out the headlight housing. If you have Xenon, there should be a warning sign with a huge exclamation point (should be yellow). This should be on the cover of the back part (you need to pop your hood).

Also you could just pop open the cover and see what kind of bulb you have.

^That's a halogen H7 bulb
 
  #9  
Old 09-04-2009 | 01:06 AM
spector's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 25
Default

Ok, I'm pretty sure I've got halogens. I found a blue sticker (no yellow warning label) on the far side of my housing (hidden by the frame) that says Valeo and has "h7" written in several places.

H7s it is. Any good DIY for the Xenons? Is it worth getting them?
 
  #10  
Old 09-04-2009 | 02:21 AM
kriptonik's Avatar
Administrator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,291
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

I've got factory Xenons so it came with the whole setup and the housing (D2S).

If you want to go that route and replace the whole housings with OEM Xenon, it will probably cost you some penny unless you can source some used parts.

However, you can just buy an aftermarket HID kit. Most pople go this route since it's cheaper. I believe it's pretty much plug and play but you might have to drill a little hole on the cover for the cable/plug to go through.

Many here have purchased kits from VVME but recently I've been hearing good things about DDM - which is a local company unlike VVME that's based oversea (China I believe).

http://www.ddmtuning.com/

Best of luck.
 



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:50 PM.