Installing Backup HIDs in a 2004-2009 Sedan

[Noisy Crow]

I have the HID kit from Garage16:
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?61418-G16-HID-REVERSE-LIGHTS-are-here!!!

There seem to be a lot of differences between kits... many versions of the bulb holder and a few for the ballast as well. The version of the bulb holder in the Garage16 kit looks to be one of the better ones. It fits snugly and prevents the bulb from moving.

The only real tricky bit of the install is finding a way to secure the ballast. Here's how I did it:

Hardware required:

Bracket that comes with the ballast
Fender washers. I used 1 1/4" with 1/4" hole.
Pan or flat head bolts that small enough to be used with the ballast bracket with heads that don't fit through the hole in the fender washer. You need flat or panhead due to lack of clearance. About 3/4" long
Washers, lock washers, nuts to suit your bolts.
Some weather stripping or possibly electrical tape

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup HIDs/th_IMG_5916.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup HIDs/?action=view&current=IMG_5916.jpg)

Attach the bracket to the ballast using the provided nut and bolt. Add a fender washer, bolt, washer, lock washer, and nut to each end of the bracket. I also put a piece of weather stripping down each side of the ballast to provide a bit of protection to the paint inside the trunk.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup HIDs/th_IMG_5919.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup HIDs/?action=view&current=IMG_5919.jpg)

The bracket will attach to the inside of the trunk like this:
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup HIDs/th_IMG_5917.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup HIDs/?action=view&current=IMG_5917.jpg)

And look like this once in place:
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup HIDs/th_IMG_5922.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup HIDs/?action=view&current=IMG_5922.jpg)

I ended up using 3M tape to hold the ignitor in place, and I still have to add tie wraps etc. to tidy up the wiring (I already have split loom on the bulb wires).

BTW: It is really important the bolts can't pull through the fender washers... or you'll lose one inside the trunk lid!

And yes, the trunk liner does fit back over it all!

[Soyabean]

Very nice write up. So according to the 3rd pic, you are using the washer on the back and pinching it tight with the ballast in front correct?

[Noisy Crow]

Very nice write up. So according to the 3rd pic, you are using the washer on the back and pinching it tight with the ballast in front correct?

Exactly. I did attach the ballast before putting the assembly on the car... picture #3 was just to make visible how the washers catch on to the underside of the trunk lid.

[Soyabean]

Exactly. I did attach the ballast before putting the assembly on the car... picture #3 was just to make visible how the washers catch on to the underside of the trunk lid.

Smart Idea. Im guessing if people do not have weatherproofing stuff they should sub with doublesided tape as it provides more cushion than electrical tape but I know how I should do it.

Im kind of scared though because I have a habit of just slamming my trunk to make sure it is closed properly. I dunno how these ballasts will hold with all the impact as I use my trunk on a daily basis

[cwp_sedan]

:like

[djsebzilla]

Not bad at all ... What about the HID's ?

[Noisy Crow]

Im kind of scared though because I have a habit of just slamming my trunk to make sure it is closed properly. I dunno how these ballasts will hold with all the impact as I use my trunk on a daily basis
It's a mechanical connection to the trunk lid, so they are on there quite securely. It also helps that the ballasts are relatively near the hinge edge of the lid... less impact there when the lid is shut.


Not bad at all ... What about the HID's ?
Pics of the bulb & holder are next! :)

[djsebzilla]

It's a mechanical connection to the trunk lid, so they are on there quite securely. It also helps that the ballasts are relatively near the hinge edge of the lid... less impact there when the lid is shut.


Pics of the bulb & holder are next! :)

Nice :) ... Just waiting to see if I'm ordering some :)

[Rapster]

Seems like a neat idea. My only question is, wouldn't you have to wait a bit after putting the car in reverse for the bulbs to warm up and get the full effect/brightness of the HID's?

[Noisy Crow]

Seems like a neat idea. My only question is, wouldn't you have to wait a bit after putting the car in reverse for the bulbs to warm up and get the full effect/brightness of the HID's?

Well, it does a couple of seconds to get to full brightness. But even the initial output is a good bit brighter than the stock bulbs or even the projector LEDs.

[Noisy Crow]

As promised, some pictures of the bits the kit comes with.


Bulb & holders. Came with three different sizes; the largest one is the one you want for our cars. (Make sure you are careful with as you push and pull wires when fitting the to bulb into the holder... I managed to break one, which I have artfully disguised in these pictures:)) Also, note that the plastic shell of the connectors have to be put on after the bulbs are inserted into the holders. Not to difficult... just push the connectors into place. I had to tug the one with pin into place using a pair of needle nose pliers. Also, push one of the rubber sealing boots on the wire before attaching the connector. Make sure you the have each connector in the correct shell and that is turned around the right way.Looking at the ones already attached to the ballast will help with this.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/th_IMG_5931.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/?action=view&current=IMG_5931.jpg)

Bulb inserted into the holder. Once the bulb is in the holder (and the connector shells are on) assemble can be pushed into place in the lamp housing on the car. It's a tight fit... get one side started the work the rest of it in place. A flat screw driver can help, but make sure it is blunt enough that you don't tear a hole in the silicone holder.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/th_IMG_5940.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/?action=view&current=IMG_5940.jpg) http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/th_IMG_5906.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/?action=view&current=IMG_5906.jpg) http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/th_IMG_5907.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/?action=view&current=IMG_5907.jpg)

The Garage16 kit came with adapter cables for three different bulb types: 7440, 1157, and T10. One of the cable goes replaces the stock bulb, the other end plugs into the ballast. Double check that the wire poking out the bulb-socket connector is bent over the end correctly, you may need to move them. Also, if the HID does not fire try turning the connector 180 degrees to correct the polarity.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/th_IMG_5938.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/?action=view&current=IMG_5938.jpg)

Ballast is standard two piece ballast+ignitor. Some of the reverse HID kits come with G4 ballasts or smaller mini-ballasts. Since space isn't really a premium the full size ones are fine, and will likely last longer.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/th_IMG_5939.jpg (http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk71/NoisyCrow/Backup%20HIDs/?action=view&current=IMG_5939.jpg)

[LordSpawn]

so what exactly is point of this mod? just to have xenons for ur backup lights when u have car in reverse? cool mod but not work the price to do it.

[Noisy Crow]

Tints + dark places = hard to see when backing up.

[n00bMeiSter]

Tints + dark places = hard to see when backing up.

This.

[ski4life101]

does anyone have pics of these things installed in a 2010 hatch? looking for where the ballasts were attached.

[adubya]

i was trying to install on my 2010 sedan, but the bulbs will flicker, make an electric snapping noise, then stop flickering and won't come back on. I take the car out of reverse, put it in reverse and the process starts all over again. any ideas on how to fix this problem?

[Noisy Crow]

is this for both sides, or just one. You can try only connecting one side and see what happens

[adubya]

i was connecting one side at a time to test it out and each side had the same problem.

**edit** after testing the bulbs further, the noise and the flickering was the bulbs burning out.