FAQ - Lighting, HID Upgrade Kits

[rogue]

This FAQ is currently in development. Please feel free to post suggestions and comments as I revise and add.

I recommend the following site to anyone looking to retrofit HID bulbs into their Halogen equipped 300.Thinking of converting to HID?

I also recommend checking the following HID retrofit lighting FAQ
Click here for more info

HID bulb retrofits into Halogen headlamps are not only illegal, but also dangerous to other drivers, and while emmiting more light is much less focused.

I have yet to see any pictures of successfull Chrysler 300 HID retrofit. It is hard to tell how the factory Halogen projector will respond to retrofit HID without having them professionally installed and aimed. They could turn out GREAT, or they could be downright dangerous.

Someone needs to take the plunge, have them installed and aimed properly, and show us pictures so we can get an idea of how the Halogen Projectors work with HID bulbs.


Some Halogen Headlamps respond well to HID retrofits, while others are dangerous.
Here is a list of database of OEM Halogen Headlights and how they respond to HID retrofits.
This is a picture of what the 2002 Chrysler 300m looks like with an HID retrofit kit installed to give you a visual idea.

Note the spare light on the left surrounding the flat beam. The "Halo" effect if you will, that light is what causes glare, blinding oncoming traffic. While the 300m OEM Halogen headlampst responds to HID retrofit kits somewhat well. 3-4 on a scale of 5 according to the FAQ, there is no way of knowing how well the 2005 Chrysler 300 halogen projectors will respond to HID kits.

Whomever is the first, we would all love to see some pictures taken like the above photo for reference.

Can I upgrade my Halogen lamps with HID bulbs?

Yes, you will need to find a 9006XS retrofit kit. Rumors have stated that 9006 will fit, but no one has yet to confirm that I have seen. You will have to splice into the Sidemarker lamp harness in order to get a 12 volt line. The factory low beam harness voltage fluctuates too much for the relays of any retrofit kit, causing a strobing effect when they are turned on.

What wiring harness are you talking about?

There is a small harness between the turn signal and highbeams. 3 wires in 5 out. 2 go to the side markers and the other 3 go to the turn signal. Tap into it upstream a little. What you want is the purple/white and the black. The other wire varies the voltage when you turn on the turn signal. Trace the wires to the harnesses leading to the side marker lamp. The side markers and turn signals share two wires. Use the white/purple and black wires, polarity does not matter.

How will this affect my parking lights and the automatic lighting?

The light stills work as usual but you will not have an independent light setting for parking lamps. In other words when you move the knob clockwise, Off is Off, in the middle position the parking lights AND the HIDS on, all the way over same as middle.

What Color temperature HID Kit should I go with?

Color tempurature is a gimmick created by the HID retrofit companies to give their kits that "OEM European" Look. Their intent is to mimick the blue light that European projectors emit from a distance. Its very important to understand a few things. ALL OEM HID kits use 4300k bulbs because they give off the most light. The HID projector lens is actually what gives that blue color, not the temperature of the bulb. Next time you see a BMW, Mercedes, or Audi with HID lamps, you will notice that from a distance they look bluish/purple, but up close super white. Those are 4300k bulbs in proper projectors.

Why would they sell higher color temperatures if they aren't as bright?

Because the Halogen headlight housings that are most likely being retrofitted, often lack ANY sort of projector, which means the light is dispersed all over the place. The HID kit manufacturers make higher temperature bulbs to mimick the look of an HID projector in a Halogen Housing. The higher the temperature, the more light you lose.

The 300c has factory halogen projectors. Won't this mean that we can use any retrofit HID kit and it will look the same as the OEM HID's?

We need someone to actually test this theory and provide the pictures. The proof is in the pudding. Who wants to be the guinea pig?

Aren't the halogen projectors the same as the HID projectors on the 300c ?

No, no manufacturer's use the same projectors. One is designed for HID and the other for halogen.

Can I replace my factory headlamps with OEM HID Units?

Yes. They cost $1000 a piece new, come with no wiring, and no bulbs. Used units occasionally pop up in Collision yards and parts suppliers at around $400 a piece. Once again, no wiring or bulbs.

What is the safest way to put HID headlamps in my 300?

Have the Halogen projector replaced with a projector intended for HID use. Some of the common projectors are Valeo (used in Chrysler OEM), Honda S2000 projectors, and Lexus 430 projectors. Then have a reputable Phillips or Hella Based HID 4300k retrofit kit installed into the new projectors.

Will any of these modifications void my warranty?

Yep, every single one of them

[slk320]

Thank you, this was very helpfull. I went through similar dilema with my Mercedes when I retrofitted an HID kit, but I still have one question, namely if I do the retorfit, will the system give me a "light out" warning light or is there a way of programming the system to recognize HIDs?

Thanks again.

[kidcoastal]

WOW!! Rogue, that was awesome.. Thank so much. I will wait for the guinue pig on this one..

[rogue]

Originally Posted by slk320

Will the system give me a "light out" warning light or is there a way of programming the system to recognize HIDs?

Unfortunately no. The only "Factory functionality" you will retain, is the ability to use the OEM switch to turn on the lights (even if it doesn't behave 100% like the OEM setup). This modification is basically a complete add on, tapping into the OEM wiring but retaining all the factory stuff. It could be removed upon return of a lease for instance, as long as the wiring/soldering was done cleanly and subtle.

Glad to help.

[Shmirgin44]

why in gods name do they offer HID on the damn Pacifica and not the 300C?!?!?!

[HaTaX]

Shmirgin, they offer HIDs on the 300C just not on any of the lesser 300 models.. And you cannot put a 300C OEM headlamp on a lesser model becuase of the fact the housings are different and they will not fit on a standard 300's front facia

[Shmirgin44]

allright then...is there a PN for the HID ballast/housing?

[rogue]

Originally Posted by Shmirgin44

allright then...is there a PN for the HID ballast/housing?

The headlamps are sold as entire units not in parts. $1000 each $400 each from a collision place. If you read the entire FAQ you would also know that its not as simple to just "plug in" the HID ballast into the factory wiring and drop in the projector.

[Shmirgin44]

ya, i did read the FAQ...very informative...thank you! I wonder if there is a wiring harness available...I should have the service manual in a day or so...so I'll check.

[slk320]

I, too, would be very interested in getting OEM HID in my non HID 300C. If anyone finds a source or a cheaper price for OEM retrofit, please let me know and I will experiment on my car. Perhaps a grop buy of some sorts would be in order?

Thanks.