Eddie_Brock

Greetings, I currently have an eBay HID Kit installed in my '05 cobalt. It was one of the kits that comes with the entire headlight assembly, wiring, bulbs and ballasts.

After a few months, one of my headlights stopped working, and soon after, the 2nd one failed as well. I have pretty well determined that its caused by inferior ballasts. I am currently looking to replace them with something a bit higher quality. What my question is, is since I am going to do this, should I buy a HID Relay as well, and install that first? What kind of HID relay would I be looking for? I have noticed that some are generic "HID Relay's" where others are specific for the type of bulb used (9004, 9006, etc). What would I need? Where would one look, keeping in mind I am .

Thanks for all feedback and suggestions!

Nighthawk243

For the relay harness, go with whatever size your bulb sockets are. Since you have the projector headlight assembly, you'll need that to be either H1 or H7 depending on which style you have (I think the prewired ones were the first style, so it should be H1).

camaromanss1992

iTrader: (1)

just get a whole new kit. Mkruley sells whole kits that are are great, as well as pretty cheap, not sure if he ships to CA tho.

Eddie_Brock

And you all recommend installing a relay?

Nighthawk243

I personally do as it avoids any flickering issues that may arise out of using the stock wires.

Eddie_Brock

Next Question;

My headlight assembly indicates on the side: 12v 55w H1 bulb.
I was under the assumption that my ballasts were 35w, although not 100%. If I am to be replacing them, should I try to find 55 watt ballasts? (I pulled the bulbs to confirm, but they do not have a wattage rating on them anywhere that I could find)

DaBuzzard

The 12v 55w H1 is for the standard halogen bulb that would normally come with the light.

You can get 55w ballasts for the hid's but I would ask why....the hid's put out more than enough light at 35 watts, something like 2 to 3 times as much as the halogens do at 55 watts

And yes, I would do the relay kit as well, prevent a lot of potential problems down the road.

Nighthawk243

You can use 35W ballasts... they're the most common.

If you want more output with some sacrifice in color temp (55W is roughly 1000K lower than its rating whenever warmed up), then 55W HID ballasts are a choice.

Eddie_Brock

Great news! Thanks for the all the help guys.

My relay arrived today, if all goes well, I should have my problem diagnosed and a solution in sight soon. Thanks again.