cturboaddict

Hello everyone. Just purchased a used 2012 F150 Supercrew Ecoboost 4x4 XLT.
LOVE the truck. But have an issue....

Previous owner had begun to do some work to the truck (most likey with their own hands seeing what was done).

Mainly right now, they upgraded the headlights to some really bright ones. They shine with a slight blue tint, and give great clarity....

But when I bought the truck, the guy said the fog lights were upgraded as well and needed to get another bulb for them as it had blown. Said bulb is supposed to be in tomorrow, and he is dropping off at the dealership where I bought from. Anyhow, the fog lights dont work and the one side is disconnected.

But when I go to flick the high beams, the headlights shut off completely??? Leaving me with no lights at all.

There are small ballast boxes connected to the lights (seperate ballasts for regular lights and for fogs) with "plug and play" wires into the factory connectors.

Questions...
1. Why would the lights shut off completely?
2. Any idea on how to fix this?
3. I also heard that some HID kits offer No high beam? Is this true??

Not very familiar with HID lighting, but mechanically apt to fix with some direction. I don't know the brand of the kit installed yet.

Thanks for the help!!! I'll check the posts in this subcategory, but wanted to get active.

MGD

How aboot some pics?

If they are PnP's ( no aftermarket projectors in the housings ), I'd just rip it ALL out and go back to stock. You'll have NO end of headaches otherwise.

The no-highbeams issue could be one of two things:

1. not bi-xenon ( lowbeam only)

2. improper wiring harness - you need one that handles the switching arrangement in yer truck.

Here's a good one: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/com...l#.VQ79LfzF_m4

Here is the hookup: http://www.theretrofitsource.com/diy...ess-guide.html

Pics first - of everything - we can advise further from there depending upon what we are dealing with.

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Classroom time - some good baseline referential material in here - to address yer current knowledge gap w.r.t HID lighting:

https://www.f150forum.com/f38/spendi...4/#post4057751

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cturboaddict

Here are the photos. I hope this explains something.







Drivers Headlight Bulb





Side of Airbox Relay?





Ballast?

I'll read the link you shared as well. Thanks for the help man. I'm still loving the hell out of the truck!

MGD

Yep.

Cheap chinglish generic PnP HID conversion kit. Installed in yer factory halogen reflectors ( a huge No-No). Pure, unadulterated crappola.

( BTW - those boxes are ballasts )

I'd just rip it all out and chit-can it - it's 110% junk.

The links provided explain why.

Re-Install good quality 9008/H13 halogen bulbs (using the factory sockets/connectors) and you'll have low and highbeams again. And consider yerself lucky these things didn't burn down yer truck

EDIT: I can't believe that idjit mounted a ballast to yer air intake. LMFAO !!!

good luck
MGD

RLXXI

What he said ^

cturboaddict

Thank you guys!!! I'll make sure to swap them back until I get a better kit!!!!

jchargu3

This picture right here shows just how bad these are in stock headlights.

See that discoloration/what looks like a flame above the opening? That's burning from the heat of the HID capsule. Eventually the burning will get worse and you'll lose usable light output/lumens on the road

ALSO you should just barely be able to see the filament if that was an H13 bulb. With HID's the light making arc is much more forward, which re-focuses (well, it actually unfocuss) the light bouncing off the reflector and puts it more upward and outward.


Sylvania Silver stars and the equivalent are your best Halogen replacements. Save some money and get a retrofit done and you'll be much happier

cturboaddict

Thank you bud!!! I really do appreciate it. After reading MGDs response, the hazy burn mark on the reflector really stuck out to me. I only do minimal driving at dark in the morning on my way to work now. I'll get em swapped out asap! Thanks for all the help.

Out of curiosity, what do you guys recc for a headlight upgrade? I really do like the look of the newer vehicles with the halos.

jchargu3

If you wanted something with Halo's to really make the truck pop then there are a few retrofit guys around here that can hook you up with a sweet setup. Granted it'll be more money, but the end results and being able to see, are amazing.

In my opinion, You pay 30k+ for a truck, your lights shouldn't be 10 dollar lights! hah

Bilinvic, Raptor Retrofit, Yuke Retrofit and Projectoretrofits are common ones. Bilinvic is most sought after as he has multiple awards in model making and his work is outstanding. Dawson at Raptor Retrofit is a stand up and very helpful guy, Yuke is becoming more and more active and puts a lot of info out there for people as well.. His retro's seem to be more wild custom and cool. Joe with ProjectoRetrofits has added a TON of information to the forum and has helped a lot of people out as well.


Read up on each of them and communicate with each if you wish and see what gives you the best option. Be prepared to spend 1000 - 1500 or maybe a bit more for a GREAT pair of Retrofitted lights with LED Halo's in most cases.


If you wanted to skip halo's and still have HID's and still look awesome, you can get a complete drop in kit from theretrofitsource.com that includes factory HID Housings, Ballasts, Bulbs and a retrofit harness to power it all for around a grand.

If you have patience, and perseverance you can try your own retrofit too, there's tons of threads on that.

It's all going to depend on time, money and ability for you.

cturboaddict

Wow, that's a bit more than I would spend at the moment. Maybe down the road. For now it's just going to be some small things, and just enjoy the new truck. I'll put some regular Sylvania bulbs in there for the time being, probably get some of those nicer ones.

Thanks for the info tho, I'll do some research. Maybe I'll fall in love and just have to have it soon enough!