HID - shadow in light pattern *solved*

[Voodoo]

I dont know if this subject discussed already, but i just fixed my HID so i think i just share my experience with all.
HID bulbs with the small stick line up with the tab of the base will cause a shadow in light pattern. What i did to solve this problem is cutting another tab on the opposite side so that i can turn the bulb 180 degree and still have it sit properly. the shadow gone after the fix (actually it stays above the cutoff)

This bulb with the small stick line up with the tab will cause...
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7816/dsc00045tt8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

...this kind of shadow
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8906/img5342jm2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

p.s. the 2nd pic is from someone on m3f, i think his cutoff is messed up because the bulbs arent sit properly. but the shadow is from the stick, you get the idea.

[WeatherB]

Interesting. I will have to keep an eye on mine tonight.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Do you have a before and after shot?

[Voodoo]

b4 the fix my light beam looks like the pic above.
after the fix it looks just pefect
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/9553/dsc00048vk4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[MattC]

wow.

big diff, Im definately interested in doing this mod,

think you might be interested in writing up a slightly more detailed how-to? possibly with some more explanitory pics?

im still abit fuzzy about what you did exactly to the bulbs

thanks man, looks good!

[Voodoo]

the right bulb for mazda3 causes no shadow
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/9445/rightbulbip4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the wrong bulb for mazda3 causes shadow
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6513/wrongbulbph2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

the fix - make another tab and use the new tab to sit the bulb into the headlight housing
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6700/fixtabmf4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Jeff-TheBiz]

:bana:bana:bana


Nice find!!!

[MattC]

ah nice man, thanks alot for the pics!

[Gizzmo_jr]

Oh man, I thought I wasn't effected until I looked at some pic's when I installed my HID's. Thanks for the solution.

:bang (thinks about those retaining clips again)

[Voodoo]

Oh man, I thought I wasn't effected until I looked at some pic's when I installed my HID's. Thanks for the solution.

:bang (thinks about those retaining clips again)after reinstalled my bulbs few times, those clips seem to be softer than the first time i installed my HID. the last 2 times it took 5mins to re-install the bulbs (compare to 4 hrs the first time grrr)

edit: when you make the new tab, dont use cutters, the plastic base is very easy to break. I used a sand metal tool (dont know correct name) to sand down the base and make the new tab

[thrasher]

Has anyone been doing this mod? or just using the HIDs as they come out of the box?

Has anyone bought a kit recently without this problem?

[cwp_sedan]

Has anyone been doing this mod? or just using the HIDs as they come out of the box?

Has anyone bought a kit recently without this problem?

I think there is still the issue but the problem with modifying the bulb is that you will lose the warranty coverage.

[thrasher]

Does anyone know if you get this issue when you are putting HIDs in a reflector housing like a honda civic?

Or are the HID bulbs that have the post and tab made for reflector housing which is why they do not look proper in projectors?