I have a 2006 SL. The HID headlights are dim and once so dim that I could only see a foot in front of me. I don't know if the problem is the bulb, ballast, or projector. OEM or even local auto parts store are expensive. Amazon parts are much cheaper but don't last long for Nissans according to some reviews that I've read. I'd also rather not have to buy each part to figure out which part is bad. Plus the headlights are also a bit cloudy. I'd rather replace the headlight unit with a halogen unit and use LED bulbs. It seems to be a much simpler and cheaper system. I'm willing to sacrifice some light output for that. Has anyone downgraded to halogen unit? I'm assuming that the electrical socket may not match since halogens don't have a ballast. Is this the only issue?

I've gone through the forum and there was a person that asked this but no one answered so I thought I'd ask again.

 

I had a similar issue. Even after I purchased new HID bulbs (osram cbi) they still didn't seem as bright as they should be. Someone on the forum recommended I get the Morimoto EvoX-r 2.0 projectors. It was an easy install and it made an enormous difference.

Old HIDs will grow dim with time but they usually have a life expectancy of around 10 years. If the bulbs in your car have never been replaced then that is probably part of the issue.

I don't believe ballast will have anything to do with overall brightness. From what I understand they either work or they don't.
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LEDs would probably work best in a projector housing instead of reflector halogen housing, but good LED lights should be about 5 or 6,000 lumens each and have a good cut off. I've found Hikari Ultra to be very good. You don't want to get blue hue light because it's fatiguing to a driver's eyes and less of the lumens are actually usable. The light won't project down the road as far. Pure white is a good balance of appearance and functionality.

Overall I would say it's a mix of everything going on. Cloudy headlights, old hid bulbs, and stock e55 projectors.

If your headlight is cloudy with oxidation you really need to do a restore on them. even if you can only afford to use toothpaste it will help a lot. Mothers has a kit that is very good, and I've even just purchased sandpaper and wet sanded with various roughness and then with rubbing compound, polishing compound and a buffing wheel.

I'm kind of obessed with lighting. I've done a lot of reading on it. On my headlights I have the morimoto Evo x-r 2.0 projectors, osram xenarc cbi hid, 10k lumen (pair) LED fog lights, LED cornering bulbs, LED drl/turn signals with 6 ohm anti-flicker resistors and have removed the oxidation.

 

Thank you for the information.

Doesn't this require baking the headlight and removing the cover to replace the projector? For someone who has never done this before it does no t sound simple. I do not think I can get the cover off without destroying the housing.

I'm also under a time crunch due to the holidays season and not having a garage to work out of (cold climate). That is why I would rather get a new halogen assembly. I've seen them for around $200 for the pair, where HID would cost $800. I just need to know if all the mount points are the same and if the electrical difference are just bypassing the ballast and connector change.

If I had more time and a better work area I might attempt a projector replacement. I'd like to practice on a some junk yard headlights first though.

 

Replacing the projectors requires taking the bumper off to remove the headlight, removing the headlight, taking the bulb out, unplugging the connector for the high beam shield and removing the 4 screws that hold the projector in place. The new projector should have the holes pre-drilled and it will literally drop right in and you put the screws back in, reconnect the high beam shield and put everything else back together.

I believe you have to get new electrical connectors if you install halogens, plus new bulbs, and the headlight assembly. Since you already bought new HID bulbs, I'd recommend getting the projectors to go with them. You will likely have to wire up new halogen bulb sockets unless the new headlights comes with them, then there is the matter of the headlight wiring harness plug

 

you should just keep this simple and find some cost effect direct replacement HID bulbs. and then
uncloud the headlights w some simple kits you can get at auto stores, or this one (kit link)