OEM Xenon Controller Module: Old vs. New

DIGItonium · 04-14-2011, 08:13 AM

I removed one of my new headlights today to remove the wiring and bulbs and realized the headlight comes with a different ballast than the one in '09. I want to match up the ballasts used in my old headlights so I test fitted the old ballast, and it fits just fine. The harness for the bulb cable has a different bracket for the grounding strap, so it needs to go together with the new ballast. Also, the connector appears to have the same wiring configuration and uses the same connector.

The new ballast does not appear to be completely sealed either since a couple of screws is all it takes to remove the grounding plate and reveal the silicone gel covered PCB.

Red__Zed · 04-14-2011, 09:59 AM

interesting. curious as to the reason for the change.

DIGItonium · 04-14-2011, 10:40 AM

No idea... but perhaps that's why some owners experienced difficulties with certain bulbs. The ballasts are interchangeable and easy to install and plug. Routing the bulb cable in and out of the headlight assembly is a pain, but not impossible.

I'm going to play it safe and and use the "old" ballast to match it up with the new bulbs (5000K Morimoto). TRS did revise the bulbs to make them work with the new ballasts, though.

tsolin01 · 04-14-2011, 11:42 AM

I'm guessing these new ones are cheaper to make or perhaps different supplier.

SoCal 370Z · 04-14-2011, 11:54 AM

Dammit DIGI, please place the words "Old" and "New" in your bloody photographs at the respective places!

docaam · 04-14-2011, 11:58 AM

man your level of dissection is amazing as always

Though I have no clue about this

DIGItonium · 04-14-2011, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal 370Z

Dammit DIGI, please place the words "Old" and "New" in your bloody photographs at the respective places!

Ha! Fixed...

SoCal 370Z · 04-14-2011, 12:04 PM

Major rep points (as usual). Thanks for another very informative thread!

04-14-2011, 08:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	OEM Xenon Controller Module: Old vs. New I removed one of my new headlights today to remove the wiring and bulbs and realized the headlight comes with a different ballast than the one in '09. I want to match up the ballasts used in my old headlights so I test fitted the old ballast, and it fits just fine. The harness for the bulb cable has a different bracket for the grounding strap, so it needs to go together with the new ballast. Also, the connector appears to have the same wiring configuration and uses the same connector. The new ballast does not appear to be completely sealed either since a couple of screws is all it takes to remove the grounding plate and reveal the silicone gel covered PCB. __________________ Last edited by DIGItonium; 10-05-2011 at 11:17 PM.

04-14-2011, 10:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	No idea... but perhaps that's why some owners experienced difficulties with certain bulbs. The ballasts are interchangeable and easy to install and plug. Routing the bulb cable in and out of the headlight assembly is a pain, but not impossible. I'm going to play it safe and and use the "old" ballast to match it up with the new bulbs (5000K Morimoto). TRS did revise the bulbs to make them work with the new ballasts, though. __________________

04-14-2011, 11:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
tsolin01 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 657 Drives: 2010 370Z Rep Power: 16	I'm guessing these new ones are cheaper to make or perhaps different supplier. __________________ SOLD 12/30/2011 2010 370Z Coupe Monterey Blue 6MT/Touring/Sport/Nav F.I. CBE CF w/ 12" Res \| V1 \| SecondSkin \| Stillen G3 \| EVO-R CF B-Pillars \| Volk GT-S Ti Gunmetal 19x9.5 +30 F, 19x10.5 +8 R \| Swift Spec-R Springs

04-14-2011, 11:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	Dammit DIGI, please place the words "Old" and "New" in your bloody photographs at the respective places! __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

04-14-2011, 11:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
docaam A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Dubai Posts: 2,532 Drives: Z34/240z/Hakosuka Rep Power: 29	man your level of dissection is amazing as always Though I have no clue about this __________________ Old 370Z SOLD but not forgotten 370Z 40th, G37s, S30 RBZ, Hakosuka Skyline

04-14-2011, 09:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	interesting. curious as to the reason for the change.

04-14-2011, 12:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	Major rep points (as usual). Thanks for another very informative thread! __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

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