Aftermarket Ballast in CTS?

[pottyscotty]

I have a ballast that went bad in my '03 CTS. Is there an aftermarket ballast I can buy to replace it? I have a stock one on the other side, is that OK.

If an aftermarket would work, what kind do I need? All the info you can give me would be helpful. I'm new to this whold HID stuff.

Thanks

[BishopRuger]

You maybe able to use a different OEM ballast but far as I know there isnt an "aftermarket" ballast that can match up with your D1S bulb. That's a new style bulb where the ignitor is mated to the bottom of the bulbs(its the little steel box that is connected to the bulbs). Most "aftermarket" HID kits use old gen ballasts where the ignitor is either inside the ballast itself or connected to it via wiring and the bulbs are completely separate. Soooooo unfortunately u maybe stuck needing the OEM valeo ballast or another OEM brand D1S type ballast which would be just as costly and/or hard to find as the Valeo ballast that came with ur car.

Even switching to an aftermarket kit all together wouldnt work because they're based on D2S or D2R bulbs and those wont fit in ur OEM projectors, again since those are made for D1S bulbs only. U probably could make them fit but not with out modding the bulb base or the projector base. Neither of which are easy.

Why havent u just gone to the dealership?? is ur car no longer under warrenty?

[pottyscotty]

Unfortunetly I'm not under warranty anymore. I think to get it done at the dealer, it will be about $350. I was just looking around on the internet to see what other options I had. I'm guess I just need to bite the bullet and take it in. The idea of paying $350 for a stupid headlight problem just kinda pisses me off. oh well....

[BishopRuger]

Yeah unfortunately HID's are expensive to fix if something goes wrong but that's the price we pay for superior lighting I guess. I think I may have posted this before but definitely check the for sale page of the HIDplanet forums... Might be able to save urself a few bucks.

[pmpott]

Originally Posted by pottyscotty

I think to get it done at the dealer, it will be about $350

you can buy a new set (both headlights) of aftermarket HID's for that much installed

[2004CTS]

Originally Posted by pottyscotty

Unfortunetly I'm not under warranty anymore. I think to get it done at the dealer, it will be about $350. I was just looking around on the internet to see what other options I had. I'm guess I just need to bite the bullet and take it in. The idea of paying $350 for a stupid headlight problem just kinda pisses me off. oh well....

While not ideal or preferred, it's always an option to downgrade to standard headlights if you don't want the ongoing expense of HIDs. I see the them frequently on ebay.