Retro fitting generic HID ballasts
 

I just wrote a whole description of the process and it all disappeared when I uploaded a photo.

So basically I have fitted generic ballasts instead of the expensive factory Hella ones. Pics

http://i61.tinypic.com/98gjtz.jpg
http://i61.tinypic.com/300b67l.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/2lm8l7p.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/6pxpi0.jpg

I've been wondering about this since I had to replace a factory ballast before.

Ended up getting a used one.

Can you tell us more about how you did this? Which wires need to be cut, connectors needed if any, etc?

I took the plug out of the bottom of the headlight that used to plug into the original ballast. Cut the brown and yellow wires which is the power for the ballast. Yellow being positive, brown the earth. Where the hole in the bottom now is, i glued a strip of foam rubber and cut a slit in it to feed the wires through.
Since the igniter is built in, take the igniter off the bulb and use a AMP/D2S plug, $15 ebay.
Also buy some standard 2 pin 9006 plugs for the power.
I bought Hyluxtek 50w CAN BUS ballasts and have no codes. They were $50 each

Ok, so if I understand you correctly:

The replacement ballast with built-in igniter has a 9006 input and an AMP output?

So you take the headlight harness from the car's electrical system, cut the yellow and brown wire, and splice in a 9006 connector that then plugs into the new ballast?

Then on the output side of the new ballast you use an AMP/D2S cable from ballast straight to D2S bulb?

Yep, that's exactly right.

Awesome, thanks! Finally, an option to OE ballasts or at least a way to get lights working using easy to find universal components while waiting for OE parts.

Great info. I'm having problems with my aftermarket hids. Hopefully it's not ballast but at least i know there are alternatives to the OEM ballasts.

Just for info, these are still working great with no issues.

Would it be possible to unpin the yellow and brown wire instead?

I don't like cutting wires......in my X5.

Nevertheless, Awesome retrofit!