FYI - HID BALLAST PLACEMENT
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
FYI - HID BALLAST PLACEMENT
About a year ago I installed HIDs in the fogs of my Lexus. Everything was great up until a month later when both sides decided to stop turning on . . it turned out that the ballasts - held by 3M tape - flew off and took the bulbs and wiring with them.
Since that experience I vowed to never let my ballasts be held just by tape. I'd recommend that anyone who is installing aftermarket HIDs zip tie their ballasts to a flat surface.
PASSENGER SIDE
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/passengerhid1.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/passengerhid2.jpg)
DRIVER'S SIDE
* You have to pull back the wheel well plastic for this one. Once that's pulled back you will see a bar identical to the one above - that's where the HID is going. I tried getting to the bar from the top of the car but it's impossible. Once I placed the ballast I ran the wiring upwards. *
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/drivershid.jpg)
The error cancellor on the passenger side is 3M taped to a flat surface. The one on the driver's side is jammed between something.
I've had this setup for about 3 months now and I have yet to experience any problems. If anyone has any questions I am willing to help out
Since that experience I vowed to never let my ballasts be held just by tape. I'd recommend that anyone who is installing aftermarket HIDs zip tie their ballasts to a flat surface.
PASSENGER SIDE
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/passengerhid1.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/passengerhid2.jpg)
DRIVER'S SIDE
* You have to pull back the wheel well plastic for this one. Once that's pulled back you will see a bar identical to the one above - that's where the HID is going. I tried getting to the bar from the top of the car but it's impossible. Once I placed the ballast I ran the wiring upwards. *
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/drivershid.jpg)
The error cancellor on the passenger side is 3M taped to a flat surface. The one on the driver's side is jammed between something.
I've had this setup for about 3 months now and I have yet to experience any problems. If anyone has any questions I am willing to help out
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Last edited by alexlev; 11-19-2009 at 10:35 PM.
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
I just went to take a look and search for possible mounting spots.
The bar on the driver bar has a wire, I think the power for the headlights, and I can't move it.
Why does the driver side have to be so crowded?
The bar on the driver bar has a wire, I think the power for the headlights, and I can't move it.
Why does the driver side have to be so crowded?
![smash](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smashfreak.gif)
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2009 C350-Sold. Now, M3 Vert
did mine on the wheel wells..but used aero grade adhesive tape that works better when heated up..which was perfect. I check them occasionally and they haven't budged.
#7
About a year ago I installed HIDs in the fogs of my Lexus. Everything was great up until a month later when both sides decided to stop turning on . . it turned out that the ballasts - held by 3M tape - flew off and took the bulbs and wiring with them.
Since that experience I vowed to never let my ballasts be held just by tape. I'd recommend that anyone who is installing aftermarket HIDs zip tie their ballasts to a flat surface.
PASSENGER SIDE
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/passengerhid1.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/passengerhid2.jpg)
DRIVER'S SIDE
* You have to pull back the wheel well plastic for this one. Once that's pulled back you will see a bar identical to the one above - that's where the HID is going. I tried getting to the bar from the top of the car but it's impossible. Once I placed the ballast I ran the wiring upwards. *
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/drivershid.jpg)
The error cancellor on the passenger side is 3M taped to a flat surface. The one on the driver's side is jammed between something.
I've had this setup for about 3 months now and I have yet to experience any problems. If anyone has any questions I am willing to help out![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Since that experience I vowed to never let my ballasts be held just by tape. I'd recommend that anyone who is installing aftermarket HIDs zip tie their ballasts to a flat surface.
PASSENGER SIDE
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/passengerhid1.jpg)
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/passengerhid2.jpg)
DRIVER'S SIDE
* You have to pull back the wheel well plastic for this one. Once that's pulled back you will see a bar identical to the one above - that's where the HID is going. I tried getting to the bar from the top of the car but it's impossible. Once I placed the ballast I ran the wiring upwards. *
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v448/Solidious/HID/drivershid.jpg)
The error cancellor on the passenger side is 3M taped to a flat surface. The one on the driver's side is jammed between something.
I've had this setup for about 3 months now and I have yet to experience any problems. If anyone has any questions I am willing to help out
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
Hey, how much did you pay for your black grille?
For your HID kits, I just got some after two years of having this car
and I noticed you didn't drill a hole.
Exactly what did you do to avoid drilling a hole to install the HID kit?
I am planning on installing my HID kits at the end of this week.
Please let me know!
Did you install HID on your fogs too?
Trending Topics
#8
Super Member
Thread Starter
Hey, how much did you pay for your black grille?
For your HID kits, I just got some after two years of having this car
and I noticed you didn't drill a hole.
Exactly what did you do to avoid drilling a hole to install the HID kit?
I am planning on installing my HID kits at the end of this week.
Please let me know!
Did you install HID on your fogs too?
For your HID kits, I just got some after two years of having this car
and I noticed you didn't drill a hole.
Exactly what did you do to avoid drilling a hole to install the HID kit?
I am planning on installing my HID kits at the end of this week.
Please let me know!
Did you install HID on your fogs too?
Where exactly do you plan on drilling holes? If you're implying the cap - I chiseled an inch into the edge of the cap so that the wires can pass through.
I replaced my fog lights with yellow halogen bulbs.
Good luck
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
#9
![Smile](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif)
How long did it take you to paint your grille? Did you have to prime it?
When you tape over the chrome piece?
haha damn, i have so many questions. I guess I am just trying to find out
how people did things before I do it myself.
Are you doing anything else to your car?
#10
Super Member
Thread Starter
Did you use a special tool to chisel a hole or just some power tools?
How long did it take you to paint your grille? Did you have to prime it?
When you tape over the chrome piece?
haha damn, i have so many questions. I guess I am just trying to find out
how people did things before I do it myself.
Are you doing anything else to your car?
How long did it take you to paint your grille? Did you have to prime it?
When you tape over the chrome piece?
haha damn, i have so many questions. I guess I am just trying to find out
how people did things before I do it myself.
Are you doing anything else to your car?
In regards to the plastic cap, you can take scissors and just cut a one inch square off so that the wires can come through. The plastic is fairly soft so there is no need for power tools.
I'll probably be buying the Brabus replica grille and getting a new set of rims to have for the summer.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Inland Empire, CA
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C300, 330i, MDX
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2010 White C300 Sport
does anyone know how much does the dust cap cost?
i have a leased c300, so i dont know if i should drill a hole on the cap...
if its too expensive...then i might give up : (
i have a leased c300, so i dont know if i should drill a hole on the cap...
if its too expensive...then i might give up : (
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Inland Empire, CA
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
C300, 330i, MDX
did u buy your kit yet? if not, check this out...
https://mbworld.org/forums/mobile-el...ters-caps.html
(i don't know or endorse the OP, just passing info..)
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Bellevue, WA
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2010 White C300 Sport
did u buy your kit yet? if not, check this out...
https://mbworld.org/forums/mobile-el...ters-caps.html
(i don't know or endorse the OP, just passing info..)
https://mbworld.org/forums/mobile-el...ters-caps.html
(i don't know or endorse the OP, just passing info..)
just need the caps
thanks anyway
hope he can sell me the caps by itself