HELP! '99 GMC Envoy HID!

[sawlight]

I have been beating my head on this for the last two days, my parents have a '99, according to the VIN it's a '98, Envoy that came with the optional HID headlights. I knew this would suck, but I had no idea how bad!
NO ONE I have contacted can find an aftermarket replacement bulb. It's housed in a metal box that has three wires and a heavy sheilding coming into it.
I have twisted, pried, beaten and cried, but the bulb does not come out! The back of the box is potted, completly full.
Now, with a lot of research and even more sticker shock! The bulbs are dealer only, and $472 each, these have the exciter on the back, everything I read says to replace both bulbs AND the ballast at the same time, an additional $700.
Now all of this seems ignorant to my father and myself, there has to be a better way!
I've read of guys changing the wiring harness out with that of an S-10 and using the headlights for this. Problem is they don't look as clean.
Anyone come across this mess yet? Ideas, suggestions?

 

[-Virgil-]

It may be easier than you fear to get a replacement bulb. Can you post some good, clear, sharp pictures of the original bulb?

 

[sawlight]

I will try tomorrow, but it's a cast alum. box roughly 2.5" square with a thin metal cover on the back, then the wires and shielding come in from the bottom. I know it's a 110v bulb, but I can't get the damn thing out!

 

[-Virgil-]

It's not a 110v bulb. It may be a D1S bulb, see here. If I recall correctly, that Envoy was one of the first (or maybe the first) to use the then-new Philips D1-series HID bulb with built-on ignitor box and separate ballast. It's possible some early-production Envoy headlights used a Delphi or a differently-shaped Philips ignitor box. Even if so, very likely the burner (the actual "bulb") is the same as one or another current-production item, so even if you can't get the exact precise replacement bulb, it should not be difficult or expensive to safely and effectively use a standard current-production bulb.

(Note that while most reflector-type HID headlights use "R" bulbs, D1R, D2R, D3R or D4R, a few early American ones like your Envoy use "S" bulbs.)

 

[sawlight]

It does look like that, but the box is deeper, and there is no conector on it, just a pigtail that plugs into the ballast.
What about changing these in pairs? Everybody is so damn flaky about them thinking if you don't change the pair and the ballast you may create even more problems?

And thank you for the help so far!

 

[-Virgil-]

You may want to replace the bulbs in pairs (a new one and an old one will burn with different colors) but there is no functional reason you have to change the bulb and the ballast if only one or the other is faulty. You may wind up changing the bulbs and ballasts anyhow just so as to be able to use standard D1 bulbs (it's easy and inexpensive to find standard D1 ballasts and connector cables).

Let's have some sharp, clear photos of the bulb you're working with, from multiple angles.

 

[sawlight]

I just called my mom, I will have them tomorrow around noon CST.
Cheaper is better for sure, right now my dad is so pissed he's ready to trade it in!

 

[sawlight]

My dad opted to convert it back to Halogen. Really an easy process once you figure it out and dive in. I don't know where everyone came up with the notion you need to change out the harness, you don't.
Thanks for all the help and ideas!

 

[Vikas Sontakke]

Your (Dad's) vehicle is a perfect candidate for $30 HID kit. Google ddmtuning.

- Vikas

 

[-Virgil-]

"HID kits" in halogen-bulb headlamps (any kit, any headlamp, any vehicle) do not work safely or effectively, which is why they are illegal. See here.

 

[John_Galt]

"HID kits" in halogen-bulb headlamps (any kit, any headlamp, any vehicle) do not work safely or effectively, which is why they are illegal. See here.

This.

+

If you keep the original set up, the "HID Kit" bulb may not work correctly with it (I admit to having little knowledge of HID lighting, but it is a cause for concern).

 

[sawlight]

I looked at the aftermarket HID kits as well, but we were both told (different sources) that you had to change out the headlight harness to convert it back to Halogen bulbs, $50 harness at a salvage, plus two new/used light housings.
So it was already expensive without adding the $160 kit.

 

[toddbailey]

I looked at the aftermarket HID kits as well, but we were both told (different sources) that you had to change out the headlight harness to convert it back to Halogen bulbs, $50 harness at a salvage, plus two new/used light housings.
So it was already expensive without adding the $160 kit.

So what did you finally wind up doing to fix the problem?

I have the same issue except with a 2000 gmc envoy and appears to use the same equipment.
I called GMC and they said it could be a $500 light bulb assy, a $700 ballast assy or both.

At my age and night driving issues driving at night with one working headlight is pretty scary.
Being unemployed doesn't give me the spare coin to do OEM replacement.

Not that I'd pay that much regardless.

How does one test if the bulb or ballast has failed?

Finally, I'm finding many HID conversion kits on the market that allow you to convert halogen/xeon lighting to HID.
Couldn't I buy and install one of these $50 to $100 kits? But which one there are several from h1 to ....

 

[-Virgil-]

How does one test if the bulb or ballast has failed?

Swap bulbs left/right and see if the problem stays on the same side (ballast) or moves (bulb).

Finally, I'm finding many HID conversion kits on the market that allow you to convert halogen/xeon lighting to HID. Couldn't I buy and install one of these $50 to $100 kits?

NO, very dangerous and illegal. See post #10 in this thread.

 

[toddbailey]

Swap bulbs left/right and see if the problem stays on the same side (ballast) or moves (bulb).
NO, very dangerous and illegal. See post #10 in this thread.

Allow me to restate question, It there a way to test bulb and ballast that doesn't require excessive disassembly?
Perhaps with a volt meter or ?

Next question, why would it be very dangerous and illegal to replace a failed HID lighting system with another HID system ?
This is of course assuming the after-market lamp and mounting could even be fitted to the existing lens.

Finally, can someone tell me where the ballasts are mounted on a 2000 gmc envoy?
The wiring disappears behind the battery and other items making finding the item in question very difficult, and sadly I don't have any service documentation.

 

[-Virgil-]

Allow me to restate question, It there a way to test bulb and ballast that doesn't require excessive disassembly?

No.

Next question, why would it be very dangerous and illegal to replace a failed HID lighting system with another HID system?

It would be OK if you are able to install legitimate HID components (standard D1S or D2S bulbs and ballasts from one of the few reputable makers) such that the arc placement within the headlamp is identical to original and bulb-to-lamp sealing is maintained, then that would be OK. I don't have specifics on the unique-to-GMC HID bulb and igniter box, so I'm not sure if the focal length ("light center length") is the same as standard bulbs.
Otherwise, wrong bulb for the optic. The eyeglasses analogy is useful: you break your glasses, you borrow someone else's. You might be able to make them look nice on your face, but you won't see properly because the lenses are for somebody else's eyes.

Also all the rest of the problems with non-legitimate "HID kit" types of products. EMI/RFI, etc.

I think your best way forward is probably to install a pair of the factory halogen headlamp assemblies.