[2016T&C LP]

Hi all,

I would like to replace my HID lamps with regular Halogen lamp assembly.

After almost yearly replacements of the HID Bulbs now one of my ballast is not working. I did order and receive the new ballast but I am hesitant to install them. I will forever curse Chrysler for making these HID lamps so damn difficult to work on. No one should have to remove the bumper to access a wear part (ballast). One of the absolute worst design flaws with these vans IMO.

So, if I am going to remove the bumper, I would like to change out the lamp assemblies and go to regular halogen design and not have to ever take the bumper again (hopefully).

As far as I can tell, the halogen assembly is the exact same size and should bolt right up. ???

What I need to know, and am hoping one of you fine folks will know is; what do I need to do to make the plugs work? I am thinking there will be some cutting and splicing involved.?? Part #'s or links for the plug would be wonderful. Will the other lights (side marker/ DRL-high beam) attach to the new lamp assembly the same way as existing? Any concerns with the voltage change?

Thank you!

 

[Sienile]

All you need to do is change the connector from the ballast type to an H11 connector. That's it. Just toss on the halogen assemblies and everything else plugs in just like it did with your HIDs.

 

[Michalb]

You will likely need programming to make them work when you swap to halogen. I swapped from halogen to HID, and the HID's wouldn't turn on until I re-programmed the van for low beam "HID" instead of halogen. You will likely have to do the same, just go from HID to halogen. A dealer flash can do this for you, or a application such as alfaOBD and you can do it yourself.

I've had mine for half a year now and enjoy them, trouble free. Ballasts are original to the housings, which were made in 2010 by HELLA, I had a spare set of lightly used bulbs which I now use. Did you buy genuine ballasts, or aftermarket? I find aftermarket components, especially exposed to the elements to either outlast the original part, or more often to fail a year or 2 after installation.

 

[Sienile]

Only reason you'd want to do any programming is to get the halogen bulb check signal back. If you plan on running LEDs in them, you don't want that setting anyway. If you don't, all you're missing by not doing it is the bulb out warning on the dash. If you already have AlfaOBD, you can do it, but I wouldn't buy it just to disable HIDs.

Michalb seems to be forgetting he went from single dual filament bulbs to quad headlights during his swap to HID, that adds a bit of necessary programming. For 2011+ going from HID to halogen shouldn't require any, but halogen to HID would (regardless of year).

 

[Michalb]

Only reason you'd want to do any programming is to get the halogen bulb check signal back. If you plan on running LEDs in them, you don't want that setting anyway. If you don't, all you're missing by not doing it is the bulb out warning on the dash. If you already have AlfaOBD, you can do it, but I wouldn't buy it just to disable HIDs.

Michalb seems to be forgetting he went from single dual filament bulbs to quad headlights during his swap to HID, that adds a bit of necessary programming. For 2011+ going from HID to halogen shouldn't require any, but halogen to HID would (regardless of year).

Good info! I didn't forget, I just wasn't sure, thanks for clarifying! And yeah I forgot people enable HID to add LED's and stop the flicker plus the halogen check, been a long day.

 

[2016T&C LP]

I will take some pics of the wire connectors. I think currently the power connector goes to the ballast and then there is wiring to the bulb where it connects to the bulb. I thought I read somewhere in here that one of the wires from the ballast (maybe not from the ballast itself but power distribution from here to the marker) also powered the side marker lamp... but I could be wrong.

 

[2016T&C LP]

You will likely need programming to make them work when you swap to halogen. I swapped from halogen to HID, and the HID's wouldn't turn on until I re-programmed the van for low beam "HID" instead of halogen. You will likely have to do the same, just go from HID to halogen. A dealer flash can do this for you, or a application such as alfaOBD and you can do it yourself.

I've had mine for half a year now and enjoy them, trouble free. Ballasts are original to the housings, which were made in 2010 by HELLA, I had a spare set of lightly used bulbs which I now use. Did you buy genuine ballasts, or aftermarket? I find aftermarket components, especially exposed to the elements to either outlast the original part, or more often to fail a year or 2 after installation.

The failing one is one of the original ballast, I've never had to change them. The replacements I just got are from Amazon (hopefully they will get returned) I just think if they had put the ballast on top of the assembly it would have made life so much easier.

I like the HIDs, but they are not really any brighter IMO. Especially compared to some LEDS. Also I like the look of the newer blackedout? lamps. I think they will look nice.

Something like these:
AKKON - For 2008-2016 Chrysler Town & Country | 11-20 Dodge Grand Caravan Black Headlights Headlamps Left + Right (amazon.com)

And two H11 connectors!

 

[Sienile]

The wire you need to cut is the one that plugs directly into the housing near the turn signal. That connector is what the internal ballast harness connects to. Just replace the connector end with a standard H11 bulb connector.

 

[2016T&C LP]

The wire you need to cut is the one that plugs directly into the housing near the turn signal. That connector is what the internal ballast harness connects to. Just replace the connector end with a standard H11 bulb connector.

Perfect! Thank you!

 

[Michalb]

The 2 things I like about HID's is 1) the wide spread off to the sides, and 2) the actual cutoff as to not blind other drivers. I compared LEDs to HIDs, on the low beam lights only;

Compared to HID's;

The comparison wasn't very fair though, the HID bulbs were weak and the lenses were weathered, my halogen housings were clear and had brand new LED bulbs.

 

[Sienile]

That example shows LEDs casting at least 20 feet further and HIDs making the opposing lane super bright... Pretty much the reason I don't like my HIDs. They don't show me enough while blinding people. With LEDs I can light up the borders of road signs a 1/4 mile away, but with HIDs I struggle to see more than a car length and get people flashing me to dim my lights constantly. Boy do they get a surprise when I flash my high beam LEDs.

If I had the money to spare, I'd be grabbing a set of the blacked halogens too.

 

[2016T&C LP]

One question before I hit the checkout button on Amazon... I believe so but want to confirm: Does the halogen assembly take 4 H11s? I want to order all new bulbs at the same time.

With my van having the White/ Black Storm Trooper look I think the blacked lamps will match nicely., and hopefully be an upgrade.

 

[YotoWerks]

One question before I hit the checkout button on Amazon... I believe so but want to confirm: Does the halogen assembly take 4 H11s? I want to order all new bulbs at the same time.

With my van having the White/ Black Storm Trooper look I think the blacked lamps will match nicely., and hopefully be an upgrade.

Yes H11 on everything even the FOG lamps.

One thing to note, any aftermarket halogen lamp is made from copied reflectors and as you can imagine they do not do well with LED bulbs you get some streaks and some dark spots and the cutoff is quite uneven. However, OEM lamps work extremely well with LED bulbs and I would suggest going that route.
I know because i had the aftermarket lamps on mine when I got it, I sourced some black assemblies from Ebay which were OEM and with clean lenses and thats what I have in there now along with some GTR Lighting Ultra 2 bulbs which are automtoive grade bulbs with very pricise LED placement which mimics the oem light pattern perfectly.

I also have HID lamps (aftermarket ones) but the projectors there are not that great and I am in the process of upgrading the projectors before I attempt to reinstall in the van. LED will always be much brighter than HID, the concentration of light is so nice that it makes every other car I have seem horrible in terms of front lighting.
I do not get flashed at, my lights are aimed properly and if you want to have insane high beams, LED bulbs there do amazing.


This is my ride at the moment.

No glare at all.

I had HIDs prior and this is what I am working on to improve.

 

[2016T&C LP]

Thank you!

Your looks great!

 

[ATOMANT]

I only drove our 2015 hid auto dim once at night but was super impressed with the hid. I have hid in most of my other vehicles. Yes the ballasts are a pita. I always order 2 sets. Any bulb problems were minor usually a weld inside the bulb would break. Ya taking a bumper facia off to get at a headlight is crazy. Back in the 1980s we used to charge .50 cents per screw to replace headlights. 90% were all sealed beams. You needed a good quality Phillips to get the rusty screws off the retainer ring.

 

[2016T&C LP]

Woohooo!! Got it done and I think it looks great.
Happy St Paddy's!!!

Now I can go out tonight and not worry about that light being out. YEA!!!!

Also glad I will never have to buy another HID light or ballast for this van.

Thanks to all for your help on this one.

 

[Westphal]

And you have a green battery top for St. Patrick's Day!