A Job For Lightman

nbrowser wrote: »

SComp, at least it appears your changing the light housings to projector style, a big plus if converting to HID. Too many cars I see on the road and in my shop have had cheap conversions done with existing housings and the HID bulbs are more glaring and so very ineffective at night. Good on you for doing it right!

You know it! If you don't have the shutter blocking the top half of beam, there is no 180 degree top cutoff and you blind oncoming drivers. I do have projector Halogen but the HID are so much better.

It's a pricey upgrade going OEM, but some good deals and nice LKQ parts keep it reasonable. Factory list is $1300 per capsule! I snagged a new left for $225, LKQ right for $275. Underhood harness $125 my cost. Proper terminals for BCM and underhood harness connectors a few bucks each. Even have the proper Brown/Yellow trace wire on the way.

Do you do any GM programming at your shop? The dealer will nick me $140, one hour, to program BCM (Body Control Module). Some dealers won't program beyond factory equipped. I could send the BCM to the guy that programmed my nav radio, but would lose use of the car until I got it back. We must embrace that darn GM Global A Electrical Architecture Security.

With Halogen, low beam is the DRL. The BCM uses PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to reduce voltage for DRL (Daytime Running Lights). Terminals F9DA and F23DA. When headlights are turned on, PWM ceases and BCM supplies B+ to low beam. High beam is second bulb.

WIth HID, DRL is separate bulb. BCM sends B+ out of same terminals F9DA and F23DA (same as for halogen low beam) but must shut off when headlights turned on. BCM terminal X5 pin 13 must ground HID relay to power headlights.

I try and do right Brock! lol

That ark looks like lightman's beard!



I'll like the Blacked out look of the HID capsules too.

Thanks! 2015 'Bu, LTZ with 1LTZ, Silver Ice Metallic. OEM rear camera and OEM nav added. Focal component front, coaxial rear, 5 channel amp and sub. Chemical Guys dot com for the supplies and me the labor.

Bought it at one year old, low miles. Clay blocked entire car and glass, light machine polish to get the car wash swirls out, Chem Guys JetSeal and their 5050 Carnauba wax. Carnauba really makes em pop compared to full synthetic waxes. 3M Crystalline tint, 35% max legal here on sides and rear.

3M makes a clear protector mask that could be used for that cause wax or sealers won't help much with that. Check with a tint shop. They use that clear mask for the invisible bras on the front bumper covers.

A good friend turned me on to the Chemical Guys. Great products. Easy to spend money there.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/

nbrowser wrote: »

Unfortunately we don't program computers ourselves as we are an all makes/all models shop the cost for the occasional re-program of factory systems would be cost prohibitive equipment and software wise. We do have a guy though who is into complete electronic diagnosis and re-programming. It's his special interest so he's invested in the hardware, software and training on how to do it right, he's the first call if we need that odd and rare programming done.

I hear you. The gear is expensive enough but them subscriptions are costly. The only factory access programming we have here for the fleet is for the Mercedes Sprinter and Isuzu. We only have a few GM vans, so no GM programming.

I was looking into that GM MDI interface and a laptop. Pricey for personal use though. I was told you can't get all the programming software needed with a three day subscription if you supply the laptop.

Authentic Tech 2's are pricey and the Chinese knock offs are cheap, look good but don't function properly. A buddy bought one and he couldn't get it to cycle an ABS motor.

Got 'em installed Saturday! No more work for lightman, just get here and drink beer, burn stuff on the grill now!