[g2morrow]

my 2006 mazda 3 hatch with hid lighting needs the lens covered replaced - I've sanded and shined them several times and they just need replacing - I was thinking about replacing the assemblies all together and getting rid of the HID (they were never very good anyways) has anyone ever done this? I wouldn't mind getting a totally new LED assembly but i'm sure I would have to do some wiring modifications - any guidance would be appreciated.

 

[g2morrow]

alright - i decided to bite the bullet and figure it out myself - I've gone ahead and ordered a halogen headlight assembly and will figure out the wiring - can't be too hard right?

 

[g2morrow]

alright, i did it - wasn't too bad - I'm not gonna do a write up but will give a few tips and tricks. This is for anyone that doesn't want to buy new housing assemblies for their HID equipment mazda 3 1st gen. Each HID housing is around $400, so $800 to do both. And truth be told, the original HID lighting wasn't all that great to begin with. I had reconditioned the faded plastic a few times and it was time to do it again, plus one of the levelers had stopped working - I didn't want to spend $800 for new HID housings when the halogen housings are around $200. So the cost - you'll need two halogen housings $200 - two adaptors $10 - two lamp sockets $20 - two dust covers $10 and two halogen light bulbs $10 so grand total - $250, not bad - saves over $550!

two halogen housings $200 - whatever fits your year/style

two adaptors $10 - dorman 84790 headlight socket - needed to splice into power - this has 3 wires, you only need red and black. These splice into the plug in for the old ballast (which only has two wires) I did black to black and red to orange but considering this is going directly to a lightbulb, it doesn't really matter.

two lamp sockets $20 - dorman 645-540 - the H7 light socket you need for your lowbeam - your bulb plugs into this and it plugs into the adaptor above

two dust covers $10 - you need these for the lowbeams, you reuse the high beam from your old unit - here is the one i used https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HSVN475/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
you also reuse a couple of nut retainers from the old housings, so don't throw it away until you're done

two halogen light bulbs $10 - pick your poison, these are cheap

IF you want LED lights you'll need a spacer for the LED bulb, this is the one i used

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074ZN6XBP/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

IF you get LED turn signals (front and back) - you'll need to add a resister - I added LED turn signals in front and back, I was able to just add resisters to the back turn signals, none were needed up front. no hyperflash woot!


Well, there you go, its possible and done on the cheap (realatively)