Many times theheadlights of a car seem to be dull or dirty which is “yellowing” that occursfor a number of reasons. Like the sound from your car radio or in–dash navigationscreen the headlights can degrade over time too. Chemicals used for cleaningthe car can sometimes cause this effect on a headlamp and other times it is theweather. Acidic rain or just unrelenting sun can cause yellowing along with the“salt” used to deice roads is also huge reason for yellowing headlights. Just like the Giants beating the Packers...the cold can always be a factor. Many times the effect isso bad on a headlight that the unit must be replaced.
When replacing a headlight it is not always necessary toreplace all the bulbs at the same time. HID bulbs are pretty expensive and mostof the time will still work perfectly fine in a new assembly. Unlikeconventional bulbs they do not dull over time since they are gas powered not filamentilluminated. The part of changing these bulbs is to purchase the correctheadlight housing for your application. While the same year, make and modelheadlights may “fit” in your car it is not always the same part if those lightsdid not have HID.
The first step to taking apart the old headlight unit thatwas in the vehicle, which requires removal of the old unit. With the unit removedfrom the car remove the clips or screws holding on the dust cover and pull thebulb out of the assembly. Be sure not to touch the bulb at all on the glass, theoil from your finger will cause the bulb to shatter once it heats up. Next removethe ballast for the HID unit and inspect both the bulb and ballast for damage.
For the install part of this process, place the bulb in thenew assembly and secure with clips or screws depending on the application. Now attachthe ballast to the headlamp and reassemble all the other parts of the light.Attach the power source to the headlight to check that all bulbs and signalsare working. Once the proper operation is certain, install the unit and checkfor proper “Gaping” around the unit. Gaping is the space around the unit tothe body panels which should all be even. With the headlight in place test theunit once more. If everything checks out the install process is complete.
