HOW TO: HID installation and review for BA Astina (94-98) *56K warning*!!

CityEnd · 23-02-2005, 08:01 PM

ok, Even though I got HIDs in December, I finally got off my ass to finish up this installation guide and review on HIDs for the BA astina, hope you guys find it useful.

Tools needed

HID conversion kit

screw driver (only needed for the hardtop)
10mm socket wrench
stanly knife
nuts and bots(I used M5 x 20mm) or cable ties

Removing headlight
I recommend removing the headlight as it makes it easier to install the bulbs

1. remove parkerlight
this is only required for the hardtop, if you have a hatch skip to the next step

unscrew the parker where shown and then pull parker forward

2. disconnect headlight

unplug the headlights here

3. remove headlight
using the 10mm socket wrench unbolt the headlights where indicated

for the hardtop

the hatch

Removing globe

1. open socket
open socket by twisting it clockwise and then pull

2. disconnect globe

3. undo pin latches

4. remove globe

Installing hid globe

1. remove globe from casing
2. put into headlight housing
3. secure pin latches

Modifying socket
this is needed so that the wires of the hids fit through them

1. remove rubber grommet

2. cut hole large enough for socket to fit through it

3. feed big socket through then smaller socket

4. close socket

Mounting ballast

1. bolt ballast securely to car
find secure places to bolt the ballast

Wiring up

1. connect HID globe to ballast
2. connect ballast to headlight wires
3. connect headlight wires back to car

Reinstall headlight

1. reinstall headlight
2. reinstall parkerlight.

Adjusting headlight
once you have the HIDs install make sure you adjust your headlight so they are aligned properly, so that it doesn't irritate other drivers.

turn clockwise to tilt down
turn anticlockwise to tilt up

turn clockwise to tilt in
turn anticlockwise to tilt out

just a tip to remember which way to turn, just remember that clockwise will make them go down and in

Review

Awesome results, it dramatically improves visibility at night. At first they seems really blue, but I quickly got used to them and they just look white to me now, it was very obvious right before dust I had the headlights on and they just looked like natural light, which means they are easier on the eyes than the normal halogen globes.

Cost was an issue when i was thinking about getting the HIDs, they aren't cheap, and I'm sure a lot of you feel the same way, however what made me finally take the plunge was the fact that it was not just a rice mod, it actually improves the safety of night driving, and now that I have HIDs I will continue to get them in the future when I own other cars, I have seen the light and I can not go back to halogen.

some people have concerns about the annoyance factor on other drivers, I can say as long as you adjust the headlights properly and point them down, then it's not a problem. If you look at the picture below, as long as the line of the light is below eye level then it won't irritae any oncoming drivers.

pros
improves visibility at night
closer to daylight color, easier on the eyes
longer life span then normal globes
low wattage
looks cool

cons
price
a bit of modification to fit into astina

that concludes the review, I hope you found it useful =)
all comments welcome, and I'll try to answer any questions you have.

P.S. admins, would it be possible to upload the pics onto the astinagt server?

23-02-2005, 08:01 PM	#1
CityEnd Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Melbourne Car: . Posts: 915	*HOW TO: HID installation and review for BA Astina (94-98) 56K warning!!* ok, Even though I got HIDs in December, I finally got off my ass to finish up this installation guide and review on HIDs for the BA astina, hope you guys find it useful. Tools needed HID conversion kit screw driver (only needed for the hardtop) 10mm socket wrench stanly knife nuts and bots(I used M5 x 20mm) or cable ties Removing headlight I recommend removing the headlight as it makes it easier to install the bulbs 1. remove parkerlight this is only required for the hardtop, if you have a hatch skip to the next step unscrew the parker where shown and then pull parker forward 2. disconnect headlight unplug the headlights here 3. remove headlight using the 10mm socket wrench unbolt the headlights where indicated for the hardtop the hatch Removing globe 1. open socket open socket by twisting it clockwise and then pull 2. disconnect globe 3. undo pin latches 4. remove globe Installing hid globe 1. remove globe from casing 2. put into headlight housing 3. secure pin latches Modifying socket this is needed so that the wires of the hids fit through them 1. remove rubber grommet 2. cut hole large enough for socket to fit through it 3. feed big socket through then smaller socket 4. close socket Mounting ballast 1. bolt ballast securely to car find secure places to bolt the ballast Wiring up 1. connect HID globe to ballast 2. connect ballast to headlight wires 3. connect headlight wires back to car Reinstall headlight 1. reinstall headlight 2. reinstall parkerlight. Adjusting headlight once you have the HIDs install make sure you adjust your headlight so they are aligned properly, so that it doesn't irritate other drivers. turn clockwise to tilt down turn anticlockwise to tilt up turn clockwise to tilt in turn anticlockwise to tilt out just a tip to remember which way to turn, just remember that clockwise will make them go down and in Review Awesome results, it dramatically improves visibility at night. At first they seems really blue, but I quickly got used to them and they just look white to me now, it was very obvious right before dust I had the headlights on and they just looked like natural light, which means they are easier on the eyes than the normal halogen globes. Cost was an issue when i was thinking about getting the HIDs, they aren't cheap, and I'm sure a lot of you feel the same way, however what made me finally take the plunge was the fact that it was not just a rice mod, it actually improves the safety of night driving, and now that I have HIDs I will continue to get them in the future when I own other cars, I have seen the light and I can not go back to halogen. some people have concerns about the annoyance factor on other drivers, I can say as long as you adjust the headlights properly and point them down, then it's not a problem. If you look at the picture below, as long as the line of the light is below eye level then it won't irritae any oncoming drivers. pros improves visibility at night closer to daylight color, easier on the eyes longer life span then normal globes low wattage looks cool cons price a bit of modification to fit into astina that concludes the review, I hope you found it useful =) all comments welcome, and I'll try to answer any questions you have. P.S. admins, would it be possible to upload the pics onto the astinagt server? Last edited by CityEnd; 23-02-2005 at 08:39 PM.