HID headlights in Mazda Atenza

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jrad

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#181228 7-Oct-2015 09:50

Hi,

Ive got a bit of a problem here.
The mazda6 in New Zealand and America has these H1 lights for the low beam but the imported Japanese atenzas have a self leveling HID system.
My low beam has stopped working and Mazda say that I should probably change out the HID system for the NZ units at a cost of $1,200.

With the amount of Atenzas I see on the roads here I figure that someone else has ran into this and come up with another way around.
Any advice?

Thanks John

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

Uber Geek

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#1401530 7-Oct-2015 09:54

That is probably the best option.

In order to keep it legal - the HID system needs to be changed altogether.

lxsw20

3552 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1401532 7-Oct-2015 10:00

Just to make this clear, you currently have an import Atenza with HIDs, one of them has stopped working and Mazda say you should change to Halogen light fittings and bulbs?

That sounds a bit crazy to me. What part are they saying is faulty? It will be the bulb or the ballast unit. If it's a bulb, then replace the bulb, if it's the ballast, then ring some second hand dealers and look for a ballast. A new Mazda unit will likely be in the thousands.

jrad

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1401533 7-Oct-2015 10:02

You dont think i should bother going down the breakers yard route?
I was hoping for the 'my mate works for joe blogs auto electrical and its an easy fix, they do it all the time and there never been an issue' post

That said, if its the way to go, it worth doing it now rather than making a mess first and then doing it

jrad

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1401539 7-Oct-2015 10:10

lxsw20: Just to make this clear, you currently have an import Atenza with HIDs, one of them has stopped working and Mazda say you should change to Halogen light fittings and bulbs?

Correct

lxsw20: That sounds a bit crazy to me. What part are they saying is faulty? It will be the bulb or the ballast unit. If it's a bulb, then replace the bulb, if it's the ballast, then ring some second hand dealers and look for a ballast. A new Mazda unit will likely be in the thousands.

They are not saying yet, in orderto diagnose they will have to take off the bumper, remove fitting etc etc so by the time you pay for that they kind of got ya.
I know you can get into the fitting from the wheel arch and was planning to change the bulb this weekend until i learned the japanese imports have HIDs instead.

lxsw20

3552 posts

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Subscriber

#1401540 7-Oct-2015 10:11

I personally would go down the road of fixing the current setup, but would be doing it DIY. You're right, it's probably going to get expensive paying someone to do it (and it sounds like you're using the actual Mazda dealership for some reason). I still think get a price for a ballast, even get a price for a complete replacement headlight with ballast and bulb included from a S/H dealer.

jrad

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1401573 7-Oct-2015 10:33

lxsw20: I personally would go down the road of fixing the current setup, but would be doing it DIY. You're right, it's probably going to get expensive paying someone to do it (and it sounds like you're using the actual Mazda dealership for some reason). I still think get a price for a ballast, even get a price for a complete replacement headlight with ballast and bulb included from a S/H dealer.

Yeah, WOF is 10 months away and i have no trips planned so Ive plenty of time to look at the options.
Its good to check with the dealer to get a feel for your worst case scenario, then work back.

Yep i think ill work on repairing the current set up but im nervous about the high voltage associated with HIDs.

Anyone know a good autoelectrical guy in Christchurch?

lxsw20

3552 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1401586 7-Oct-2015 10:43

It's only high voltage when it's on and it's extremely low current.

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jrad

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1401592 7-Oct-2015 10:45

lxsw20: It's only high voltage when it's on and it's extremely low current.

Might have a tinker and see if I can do it byself so.
Thanks for the advise

TonyR1973

199 posts

Master Geek

#1404918 13-Oct-2015 11:41

lxsw20: It's only high voltage when it's on and it's extremely low current.

As are tasers "low current" (~2mA IIRC). I wouldn't class 90VAC which is what HID usually operates at as being low voltage either, aside from the 20kV starting voltage.

In any case, Ohm's Law tells us current is proportional to voltage when applied across the same impedance.

TonyR1973

199 posts

Master Geek

#1404919 13-Oct-2015 11:43

nakedmolerat: That is probably the best option.

In order to keep it legal - the HID system needs to be changed altogether.

Not if it's factory HID or a complete HID replacement system. Sounds like it was complied with the HID system which would tend to indicate it meets the requirements.