Hello:
I have a '99 SLS with non-HID headlights, and they're pitted and foggy inside to boot.
Has anyone out there put fog lights (factory STS-model) into the blank spaces below the bumper?
Is it a big job, involving brackets, etc. in addition to the lamp housings themselves? what about the wiring?

I'm sick of having such low light levels during night driving, but replacing the headlight assemblies appears pretty costly.
Ideally I guess one would replace the headlight assemblies with HID models, but what does that involve?? ballasts?? heavier wiring???

I love my car but HATE it at night; help !!!

Thanks for any suggestions. Rick.

P.S. btw, what causes that fogging up & resulting scum on the inside of these headlights, that I see on cars fairly often, especially these caddys?? aren't they supposed to be sealed?? and whose bright idea (pun intended) was it to stop making headlamp lenses out of glass and switch to plastic?? stupid !!!

Yes, they are sealed, but vented. Any bullseye stone chips? If not, check the seams. There is a crack or a hole somewhere.

Bean counters are probably responsible for the switch from glass to plastic.

There are special brackets, the foglights themselves, and a special insert for the bumper on STS models. It would actually probably be less work to wait for the HID assemblies to appear on ebay, and swap the non HID assemblies with them. They usually include the ballasts and HID bulbs already on the assemblies in the auctions. Im waiting for one of these assemblies to appear on Ebay as its the only mod Im going to do to my 98 STS, so youll be bidding against me :D

Your supposed to upgrade the wiring, but alot of people never do and it works fine.

btw, does switching to HID headlights make that big a difference? I have no idea, I only assume it helps.

In fact I have been watching headlight assembly listings on ebay, and the last two HID models that I watched end, went for LESS than the standard ones; can't recall whether they included the ballasts and/or bulbs.

Thanks for the suggestions so far, guys.

Anyone out there who's done either of these modifications?

How are the driving lights on an STS wired? to a separate switch, or to a special one combined with the main "cluster", on the bottom-left side of dash?

btw, does switching to HID headlights make that big a difference? I have no idea, I only assume it helps.

I just went from a '97 Deville with Halogen to an '02 SLS with HID. I am having trouble seeing any difference.

Ranger, was your SLS upgraded to HID aftermarket? The SLS did not have High Intensity Discharge lights standard or as an option in any configuration ever. Only the STS with the Luxury Performance package had HID headlights from 01 to 03 in the U.S. (04 in Canada).

Xenon HID headlamps are one of the few automotive upgrades that are almost a must have for me. Part of my reasoning for purchasing the STS to begin with was because it was one of the few cars I could get cheaply that I could upgrade with factory OEM parts to true HID.

No, I do not believe they are aftermarket. The following link shows them as optional on the SLS under "Exterior Lighting". http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/spec_Exterior.aspx?year=2002&make=Cadillac&model=Seville&trimid=-1&src=VIP&tab=2&sub=4

btw, does switching to HID headlights make that big a difference? I have no idea, I only assume it helps.

I think it's personal preference. I don't like HID lights, both on the car I'm driving and on oncoming traffic, and it's because they're so bright.

But how could I dislike a bright light?

Because HIDs are so bright, they're required to keep the aim relatively low to keep from blinding oncoming drivers. And the upper cutoff is marked...unlike halogens which gradually fade up. So it turns out that you don't get much (if any) benefit seeing long distances.

And I probably don't have to explain why I don't like them on oncoming cars (was that the friggin' SUN that just passed us?). :cookoo:

The one thing I do like about HIDs is their lower energy used.

Actually, I shouldn't say that I don't like HIDs. I should say that I don't like the projector-style HID that is used so much today. I really like the headlights on the previous generation Acura TL and CL cars. I think they're HID (they're really bright and really white), but they almost act like halogens because there's not an intense light pattern in any one area...it's spilled over a wide area like halogens do. If they'd make HIDs like that today, I'd be more enthused about their use.

No, I do not believe they are aftermarket. The following link shows them as optional on the SLS under "Exterior Lighting". http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/spec_Exterior.aspx?year=2002&make=Cadillac&model=Seville&trimid=-1&src=VIP&tab=2&sub=4
Strange, my sales brochure shows them not available for the SLS. For the STS, it shows them as an option, with a "A+" next to it. The "A+" reads Only available in Option Group. The only Option Group I can find, is the Premium Performance Package. That consists of: Wood trim package; 6 disc CD changer; 17" wheels; HID headlights; DVD navigation; phone integration kit; and tire pressure monitor. Are you sure you have HID's?

Don

I'm guessing if I do ever add fog lamps to my SLS or attempt it, people would be very interested in a howto document? ;)

Strange, my sales brochure shows them not available for the SLS. For the STS, it shows them as an option, with a "A+" next to it. The "A+" reads Only available in Option Group. The only Option Group I can find, is the Premium Performance Package. That consists of: Wood trim package; 6 disc CD changer; 17" wheels; HID headlights; DVD navigation; phone integration kit; and tire pressure monitor. Are you sure you have HID's?
Don

Don is correct, I didnt get a chance to look at the link Ranger, but its got to be a misprint. HIDs were only available in Luxury Performance on STS. Again Canadian cars tend to be different (the 300C in Canada has HIDs standard, they are an option on U.S. 300Cs).

Ok, I looked at the link... I find all of these internet auto sites to be a little inaccurate on options like this historically...

Edmunds for example doesnt show it for the SLS in 02' under optional equipment BUT shows Leather and Wood on the Steering wheel, and power tilt and telescope as options which is odd:



Add Optional Equipment
AM/FM/Cassette/CD Changer Audio System
Chrome Wheels
Compact Disc Changer
Leather and Wood Steering Wheel Trim
Navigation System
Power Driver Seat w/Memory
Power Moonroof
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
Satellite Radio System
Special Factory Paint

Perhaps instead of "HID", Edmunds meant to say "Projector Beam Headlamps", which is what all '98+ Sevilles have, HID or not.

Of course, there should be an easy answer. What's the RPO code for HID headlights? There should be a specific RPO code for it, no?

I think it's personal preference. I don't like HID lights, both on the car I'm driving and on oncoming traffic, and it's because they're so bright.
But how could I dislike a bright light?
Because HIDs are so bright, they're required to keep the aim relatively low to keep from blinding oncoming drivers. And the upper cutoff is marked...unlike halogens which gradually fade up. So it turns out that you don't get much (if any) benefit seeing long distances.
And I probably don't have to explain why I don't like them on oncoming cars (was that the friggin' SUN that just passed us?). :cookoo:
The one thing I do like about HIDs is their lower energy used.
Actually, I shouldn't say that I don't like HIDs. I should say that I don't like the projector-style HID that is used so much today. I really like the headlights on the previous generation Acura TL and CL cars. I think they're HID (they're really bright and really white), but they almost act like halogens because there's not an intense light pattern in any one area...it's spilled over a wide area like halogens do. If they'd make HIDs like that today, I'd be more enthused about their use.

I see what your saying, although some reflective setups are pretty bad too. The factory Escalade HIDs are the worst Ive ever seen and they are reflective rather than projector based.

Perhaps instead of "HID", Edmunds meant to say "Projector Beam Headlamps", which is what all '98+ Sevilles have, HID or not.
Of course, there should be an easy answer. What's the RPO code for HID headlights? There should be a specific RPO code for it, no?
Checking the RPO codes will be the most accurate way of knowing for sure. Although sales brochures are not always accurate, the usually are. I was reading the brochure, when I last replied. I do believe Ranger doesn't see a difference between halogen abd HID, because he has halogens. When I first bought my car, I was unsure if I had HID's or not. Looking at the headlamp itself, you would conclude it does. Not until I pulled out a bulb, did I find out I had halogens. I upgraded to an aftermarket HID system, and the difference is amazing. My Seville, with the stock halogens (and Silver Stars) was probably the worst car I have ever owned for lighting. I compare it to the old sealed beams that used to be in cars.

Don

Checking the RPO codes will be the most accurate way of knowing for sure. Although sales brochures are not always accurate, the usually are. I was reading the brochure, when I last replied. I do believe Ranger doesn't see a difference between halogen abd HID, because he has halogens. When I first bought my car, I was unsure if I had HID's or not. Looking at the headlamp itself, you would conclude it does. Not until I pulled out a bulb, did I find out I had halogens. I upgraded to an aftermarket HID system, and the difference is amazing. My Seville, with the stock halogens (and Silver Stars) was probably the worst car I have ever owned for lighting. I compare it to the old sealed beams that used to be in cars.
Don

Yea its pretty bad. A big part of the reason I bought the 98 and not 97 or prior STS in the first place was because I knew I would be swapping the factory Halogen assemblies with factory HID assemblies as soon as they popped up on Ebay.

Well, now I'm confused. They ARE projector type, so I thought that made them HID. If you can have Halogen projector, then perhaps that is what I have. If anyone has the RPO code for HID's, I'll check to be sure.