Hi all, just feel like sharing my method of converting halogen to OEM Xenon HID headlights for 4th gen. I have done this with my other 3rd gen, so I just learnt from past....
In Canada, our Altimas don't get OEM HID unlike the states do except the 3.5SE Coupe with Leather Package. So have to look south to get my self a set of lights. I got lucky and brought a set of brand new lights on ebay for around $450, you CAN get this for much cheaper used and since I am in Canada, that 450 includes a lot of postage fee. So is not that bad actually considering you saved yourself over getting that Technology whatever package charged by Nissan dealers.
I know people will swear by kits, but this is completely different story here. I want that clean OEM look, and also for practicality. This is done on a CANADIAN MODEL 3.5SE. Is the same for all the USA models without HID as standard. If you get a used pair, get one from the same vehicle because each bulb on different cars might be used differently, hence, the colour(color) will be different.
anyways...enough personal opinions...
DISCLAIMER: I am NOT responsible for any of your injuries or damages to yourself, to others, to any properties as this is just a basic guide for modding your car. I am not liable for any thing here!!!
What you need:
- -Pair of OEM Altima headlight. Part number: 26060-JA10A and 26010-JA10A
- Relay harness to protect your fuse and your car's electrical circuit. Is a cheap insurance anyways. I know ppl will say they don't need it, but this item will come in useful later as you will see why....
- OEM piggy wires that goes into the ballasts (to be solder with the relay)
- tools, whatever suitable for the situation
- time, I did this in 5 hours because I am very picky, you can do this in less than 2 hours.
- a friend maybe to help you hold the bumper, give you some drink and food once in a while I guess? I didn't have any around thought...
- electric tape, you can use shrink wrap for better seal, strongly recommended
- zip ties
a pair of headlights, zip ties, relay, tape (notice the bracket below the headlight, is there for security purposes, you don't have that in the halogen version)
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8327.jpg
showing the back
Making your relay harness
Got this off from ebay, but even though it said H11 wire, the connector is actually a 9006 or something. So you have to buy this :
Once you got both, strip the wires from both the piggy wires and the relay wires and solder them together
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/P4195491.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/P4195495.jpg
you will have something like this:
[url]http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c66/wai_jai268/P4195494.jpg[url]
Do this for both sides of the headlight, and these will be used to plug into the ballast for the new headlights.
Explanation for relay installation:
Some of you have been pm me and asking me how to do a relay and whats it for, here is a picture. I hope it helps. For more information on headlight and other related item if you want to read more, go to
http://faqlight.carpassion.info/ and
www.hidplanet.com .Tons of INFO!
Pretty much self explanatory. So the relay get a signal from the low beam connector signalling a need to draw power from the battery, the relay only takes 0.1amps or less to trigger it. Then the relay draws the current from the battery to supply the two ballasts. How do you want to run the wires depending on you, I ran the wire under the bumper away from sight.
Procedure for installation:
1. Park your car on a flat surface with lots of room around and open your hood. Mark your headlight cutoff so later you will match the original cutoff line later after installation.
2. Disconnect your battery, notice how I tape the negative cable wire so to prevent accidentally touching the battery terminal
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8339.jpg
3. Taking off the bumper. Many of you will know this so I am going to keep it simple. Pop those clips on top of the grill
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8332.jpg
4. Pop those clips at the bottom of the bumper
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8334.jpg
5. Unscrew these for each side of the bumper.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8337.jpg
6. Drop the bumper, remember to remove the fog light wires if you have them.
7.Remove the headlight by unscrewing 4 screws for each headlight. 3 on top, and one on the side.
8.Remove this harness at the bottom of the light.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8341.jpg
9. There some clips holding on to the driver side headlight, if you try to pull the light, you will feel something holding the light, you might need to reach your hand at the back to unclip it. For me i just snapped it. For the passenger side, you don't need to unsnap it.
10. Remove light, unplug everything.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8343.jpg
11. Install relay.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8355.jpg
12. This step take a little observation to understand. Find your low beam plug. Remember the relay I made earlier, you have to use the signal wire from the relay and plug them into the H11 connector from the car. Follow the pictires. This method does not need to splice your car's wire!!!! No clipping and splicing. Use tape to cover the connection. or use shrink wrap.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8344.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8345.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8347.jpg
See this perfect connection, no splicing and clipping:
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8357.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8359.jpg
12. install light. Do the above with the other side of the headlight. Don't forget to screw this little security bracket as well under the light.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...8/DSCF8364.jpg
13. Test out the light if they work or not. Connect the relay power if you haven't already done so.
14. Adjust your beam, the adjustment screw is on top of the light.
15. Reinstall bumper and everything.
16. This step is not neccessary but might be needed. It is common for the Altima to have problems with auto-up window or airbag light turning on after disconnecting the battery. For the window problem:
1. turn your key to "ignition on" position (you know what i mean, push the push button to ignition on
)
2. depress the driver side window to a bit below half open, then hold the driver side window until its fully closed, and continue to hold for 5 seconds.
3. open fully and test the auto-up function to see if it works.
4. do this for other side of the window.
I don't know how to solve the airbag issue though...so.
This is my own write-up. I am not a first notch instruction writer, so please forgive my crappiness.
thanks. good luck on your project!!!
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