98 Head Light - Low Beam HID

N

Neilster

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The passenger left lowbeam headlight just started acting up. It comes on for about 2 minutes then goes out. I assumed it was related to heat so I took the headlamp assy. out to inspect things. I discovered that the bulb looked very suspicious. Now for the interesting part. The bulb and ballast look very much like one unit. I'm not sure how they come appart. This assy. seems different from the one Leo describes for the 1997 as there are no wires separating the two components.

http://www.mark8.org/ontario/images/98-hid-lowbeam.jpg

The bulb F8LZ-13466-AA can be ordered separately - for about CDN$240. That's about US$140 I think. The ballast, is about CDN$600.

Has anyone separated these two pieces before?
http://www.mark8.org/ontario/images/98-hid-lowbeam2.jpg

I really don't want to damage the ballast. It's going to hurt enough just getting the bulb. Any and all suggestions are welcome.
 
RE: 98 Head Light - Low Beam HID

Neil, that part on the bulb is not the ballast, the ballast is about the size of a brick and is located far from the bulb assembly. The picture you show is the bulb itself. If you follw the wires out of the headlamp assembly you will find a connection that you can unplug (earlier 97's you have to splice) the wires from that connector lead down to the ballast,
 
RE: 98 Head Light - Low Beam HID

Thanks Leo. Now I get it. I really appreciate the fast response.
 
RE: 98 Head Light - Low Beam HID

Did you have to get the headlight at a Lincoln dealer or could it be purchased at an aftermarket auto parts store?
 
RE: 98 Head Light - Low Beam HID

Did you have to get the headlight at a Lincoln dealer or could it be purchased at an aftermarket auto parts store?
Click to expand...

You can ONLY get them from Ford only... thats why they can charge us $150 per bulb!
 
RE: 98 Head Light - Low Beam HID

Okay. I bought the bulb. Now what?? I looked at the way the bulb is currently installed. How the heck do I get the old one out? There seems to be a battery and three tube assemblies in the way. Do I have to remove the entire front section of the car? Or just find someone with smaller hands to do the work?
 
RE: 98 Head Light - Low Beam HID

Thanks!! I've just printed it out. It looks simple enough. The splicing will be easy because the replacement has the same color wires.
 
RE: 98 Head Light - Low Beam HID

Can anyone explain why there are two different types of HID ballasts?

If you look at this FPN page. . .

http://www.fordpartsnetwork.com/catalog/Lincoln/Mark_8/Lights/

. . . they've got prices for "97-98 Dual HID Ballast", along with the normal left and right SINGLE ballasts. Do some cars have only one ballast and other come with two or what?

By the way, I just ordered two bulbs from Max for $156.45 each. One of mine's on the way out, and I figured I might as well have a spare. Anyway, I could have sworn I saw them on the FPN page above for $120 just a few weeks ago. Prices seem to be climbing through the roof on everything. Don't even ask me what I was quoted for a multi-function switch.
 
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