Couple weeks ago I hit a deer. Here's a picture of the damage that was incurred.




I used one of my insurance company's recommended shops. It was a Chrysler/Jeep dealer who's body shop had an excellent reputation. I checked the car out and everything seemed to be in order. I go to leave my house the other night and this is what I see.




I just bought my Maxima (2003 SE) a couple months ago, so I'm still learning about the car. I made an appointment at the body shop on Wednesday to have them look at the car. What do I need to tell them is wrong? I want the passenger side light to match the drivers side HID. What is likely that they did?

 

they just screw up your lighting by putting a halogen one... Does the housing look alike? Call you insurance company and complain BIG TIME.. they might have even used not OEM parts in your car.... you NEED and appointment to discuss this with the place manager and your insurance...

 

Here's the scenario: They likely used an aftermarket headlamp, instead of OEM. Look on the new headlamp and see if it says "Depot" on it. Where as your original headlamp should say "NISSAN OEM". Go take a look and come back with a post here.

Lontar: No way, it's definitely not halogen. Don't scare the guy.

 

If the passenger side light is NOT HID, then complain. If it is HID, the bulb will color shift after a while or you can just swap in TWO new HID bulbs.

 

I did call the insurance company (USAA) and they said to talk to the shop first to try and work things out. If its not worked out to my liking then I have to call USAA back and will work out a solution with them.

What is the ideal solution to get things back to where I want?

 

I think thats whats wrong. I left the lights on for 15 mins while I was warming the car up. When I turned the high beams on, they appeared to be the same color as the replacement bulb.

 

I think n3985 nailed it. Color shift occurs on HID bulbs. I'm guessing you got a new HID bulb in the replaced headlight. Newer bulbs are more "yellow" looking than older HID bulbs.

 

Did you do what I asked you to do?

Also, you have one brand new HID bulb and one that is 3-4 years old. Different color outputs would be normal. Your driver's side HID is going bluer, which means it's fairly old and is losing output -- what you can do is switch it for a brand new 4300k bulb.

 

I will check that out tomorrow while on my lunchbreak. Its cold and snowing outside right now.

 

Screw it, I went outside and looked. The new headlight has an orange sticker that warns about electrical shock and that its a Xenon Headlight. It also says Nissan at the bottom. Both lights say Ichikoh on the black housing. Just the new one has the orange warning sticker.

 

so then it is a oem headlight. how about the bulb?

 

C-o-l-o-r-s-h-i-f-t

 

Serious Meta, I really dont get why this is so hard to accept. There is nothing wrong with what the shop did (with the headlights at least).

They actually make slightly higher color temp bulbs as replacements so they will match your older HID... Personally I would just get a new OE bulb... Unless of course you want to get some Ultinons. I love those bulbs.

 

Then everything is just fine. You just have one new bulb and one very old bulb. This is normal and the only way to fix it is to insert a new bulb into the housing that wasn't damaged.

 

not to beat the dead horse, but yes its colorshift. i got in the same accident, just on the other side, and now my drivers side headlight is more "yellow" than my passenger side one. its been over a year, they havent evened out, because the one bulb is a year old, the stock bulb is 5 or so years old. just like everyone said, but one new HID (soon) for your drivers side and get them to match up, or buy a new set and keep these as spares.

 

Hey wait... Did anyone ever consider the colorshift of the HID bulb with more hours on it?

Damn it Wattson, I think I've figured it out!

 

I think he should do as was mentioned before, swap out the old bulb for a new 4300K or go for some Philips Unltinons, I have them in my Max and I love them.

 

Colorshift or not, it its not to your satisfaction (and it wouldn't be to mine, 2 different color lights would drive me nuts), then you have every right to take it back. If they need to put a new bulb in the other headlight, then that should be a part of the total bill to the insurance company. A repair should be as close to factory as possible, and cars don't come with different color headlights. Or if you don't want another headache with the dealership and insurance company, those philips bulbs sound good...

 

See if the dealer will replace your old d2r with a new one like your passanger. It won't be as white as it is now, but enjoy the new road illumination.

 

No more 30,000K HID?

JK! Pics of the Philips bulbs please...

 

Here is a cool pic of my Ultinons... Tho I think you have prolly seen it before.


I love the color and the output.

 

That pic looks great....everytime I look at it.

 

Would those be a direct swap for the bulbs in my Maxima right now?

 

If you have factory HID, yes it is plug and play.

:Edit: Sorry, I didnt realize you were the one who started the thread. Just order the D2R bulbs and you will be good to go.

 

Damn that hurts my eyes just looking at it in a well lit computer room. Guess I'd go blind if I passed you on the road. hahaha

 

looks real nice.. especially with the fog. ahem. yes the fog.
not foglights. haha, although they look nice as well

 

Can anybody recommend a good source to buy from?

 

Where Is A Good Place To Order Blubs The Ones I Get Always Blow

 

Are you talking about your HID's "blowing"? If so, I would start looking for a fault in the electronics and stop replacing these expensive a$$ bulbs. They should last damn near the life of your car.

I got my Ultinons Herebut I bet you could find them a lot cheaper elsewhere. Maybe check ebay.

 

lawl!



but back to the thread, just omg, complain to get your hid back.. seeing the halogen makes me wonder what kind of housing they replaced into your car.

 

We have already established that it is not a halogen bulb, and that the housings are factory.... READ THE THREAD!

 

innocent mistake glancing through the thread quick.. can we say anger management?

 

Once again, if you read the thread you would know why your post sounded stupid.

Wasn't trying to be mean... Just wanted to make a point that you should read a thread before posting.

Ill go take my pill now

 

Alright. Here's whats up. I was at the body shop earlier today and here is what they told me. The body shop orders all their parts for Nissan vehicles from a local Nissan dealer. They got a whole new light setup at the tune of around $750. Everything there is OEM Nissan. It was the only bulb that they sell for my Maxima. They are going to look into getting a replacement bulb for the drivers side.