Non-HID SHO

[WarrenBoostit]

Hi all,
This my fault for not checking more thoroughly, but my headlights had been getting dim, and I foolishly assumed they were HIDs as most SHOs that were just old and yellowing. Got the bumper off, detached a headlight, and what do ya know, no ballast. I had bought LED conversion lights that needed to be tapped into the harness to the ballast for power. Obviously the D3S adapter that came with is now useless, and likely the whole LED itself, as I've heard it's not wise to use LEDs in place of halogens due to the bad beam pattern. So this leads me to a few questions I was wondering if you guys could help with:

1.) Is it common for SHOs to come with halogens? It seems I wrongly assumed they all come with HIDs, because I don't even see a detached harness for the ballast or anything hinting there used to be one (I'm the third owner)

2.) What's my best path forward now? I know this topic has been stomped to death, so my apologies, but I was really looking forward to have a higher lumen and cooler color light to modernize my SHO a bit, especially because the current lamps are so dim they almost aren't useful at night. I unfortunately need to put the car back together tomorrow, so while I could order a halogen conversion set of LEDs, it'd have to be done at a later date and the old ones put back in now.

3.) Are LED's even worth it at this point? Since it is seeming like I have projectors I know the beam pattern is capable of being quite garbage, so it may be wiser just to pony up the cash for some nice Phillips halogens.

Thanks guys I'm really scratching my head on this one.

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Black 2018 SHO Non-PP | GH e30/AO Tune | PPE Catted Downpipes | DG2 Trans Mount | M-12405-35T plugs at .026 | 170 Tstat | 3 bar | H&R Springs | XDI-35 | Badges removed | Chrome delete | Fuel-it Bluetooth ethanol analyzer | GH IC | EPP Gen2 CAI | Noisemaker delete | MSD coils | Ceramic coating | Window Tint | EPP Hot Pipes | Black AR924 w/ General GMAX AS 05 255/45r20 | MRT axle back w/black tips

 

[SHOdded]

HID should be standard on the SHO per brochure. did you buy brand new? could someone have downgraded to halogen?

HID and halogen bulbs are unmistakeably different. ballast usually mounts to the side of the headlamp assembly. i would look more closely.



there are plug n play hid to led conversions on amazon. i have had folks use dzg brand with success, but there may be newer options now.

 

[WarrenBoostit]

HID should be standard on the SHO per brochure. did you buy brand new? could someone have downgraded to halogen?

HID and halogen bulbs are unmistakeably different. ballast usually mounts to the side of the headlamp assembly. i would look more closely.

View attachment 92653

there are plug n play hid to led conversions on amazon. i have had folks use dzg brand with success, but there may be newer options now.

That's what's sorta confusing to me, pictured is my driverside headlight. When I'm back in the shop today I'll triple check for a unused HID harness hidden somewhere but so far it seems like it never had one. Since I'm the third owner I would've assumed a downgrade to halogens, but it's really starting to seem like this SHO never came with them. Is it possible to decline HIDs when purchasing?

 

[Texas Marauder]

Third owner? I suspect some substituted halogen for HID. Not the factory. Here is the wiring diagram for 2016 left headlamp. 2018 should be the same. Halogen vs HID.

 

[kryptto]

Third owner? I suspect some substituted halogen for HID. Not the factory. Here is the wiring diagram for 2016 left headlamp. 2018 should be the same. Halogen vs HID.

View attachment 92655

View attachment 92656

View attachment 92657

This has to be it.

 

[WarrenBoostit]

Interesting, I wonder why. Dust covers were ziptied too. I should've taken a picture, but it makes me wonder if the whole headlight module itself was changed, as if I'm looking at that diagram correctly it should mean that there should be a wire harness going to the ballast from the headlight module, right? I didn't see anything on mine that would indicate it had been removed.

EDIT: Never mind, I understand now

 

[Texas Marauder]

Zip ties on the rubber dust covers is factory.

Was the car ever wrecked? Do you have a Carfax?

 

[Mahu24]

Canadian SHO's do not have HID's. I am in Canada and mine didn't have HID's either, I put in Supernova V4 bulbs, I have them in 3 vehicles now and the beam pattern is great. You can use good LED bulbs in halogen housings, you only get the bad scatter when they're cheap bulbs in reflector housings, SHO's have projector housings. You'll be happy using the same bulbs as me or some other high quality LED bulbs

 

[kryptto]

Didn't think about from another country with different options package.

 

[Mahu24]

Didn't think about from another country with different options package.

Canada is dumb. Lots of cars were not equipped with HID's because we need daytime running lights, which are typically the high beam operating on 6v, and you cannot run an HID on 6v.

 

[kryptto]

Canada is dumb. Lots of cars were not equipped with HID's because we need daytime running lights, which are typically the high beam operating on 6v, and you cannot run an HID on 6v.

makes all the sense in the world!

 

[Junkyard_Mad-Scientist]

I was also going to suggest maybe a Canadian sold model since they require full time running lights (not just parking lamps) or perhaps the hid failed or the car was in an accident and a PO swapped to halogens for less cost of maintenance.

 

[YamahaRick]

My 2015 SHO is a recent purchase. The little driving I've done at night has left me unimpressed with the headlights. My 2012 Camry is much brighter and sharper.

What should I buy to upgrade my SHO?

 

[SHOrod]

My 2015 SHO is a recent purchase. The little driving I've done at night has left me unimpressed with the headlights. My 2012 Camry is much brighter and sharper.

What should I buy to upgrade my SHO?

Does your car have HIDs or just projector beam headlights? Are the beams quite white, or do they seem a bit more yellow? If yellowish, the bulbs may be aged and just replacing them may fix the issue. If rather white, then first check the aim, and if that's not the issue, then you may want to consider switching to LED bulbs. There are varieties that work with both HID as well as projectors.

-Rod

 

[YamahaRick]

HIDs. At least from the factory.

Since my car is ten years old and I am the third owner, I should verify what I have first.

I did find this interesting.

 

[kryptto]

HIDs. At least from the factory.

Since my car is ten years old and I am the third owner, I should verify what I have first.

I did find this interesting.

Thanks for sharing, this only confirms what a long time and respected member @Ta2dResqr of this forum has preached - Osram Nightbreakers for the win. Better brightness all the way around. Only keep HID for 5 years before replacing if it's a daily driver. HID are maintenance items.