Switching from HID headlights to Halogen?

[G-498787]

After a long and expensive struggle with my 12' GS I finally decided to give up and simply replace the HID assemblies with halogen. I ordered the TYC factory equivalent headlamps from Amazon; installation was fairly simple since fighting many bouts with the HID lights has made me quite adept at finding the various torx screws and 10mm bolts hiding here and there.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00T31P2TG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As described in other threads, the wiring connector does need to be turned about 2/3 rotation to align with the new plug but it clicks right in and works perfectly. The TYC assemblies already came with lamps but I've since swapped out the bulbs with Sylvania SilverStar Ultras which are a nice upgrade. I toyed around with replacing the amber turn signal bulbs with LED but the Sylvania bulbs available OTC cause 'fast flash' which is not easily cured as our cars do not use a flasher relay. Currently I'm just driving the car and enjoying having working headlights on BOTH sides of the car again.

View attachment 21318

Did you need any new wiring or ballasts?

 

[G-927634]

Did you need any new wiring or ballasts?

Nope, it was an easy conversion. I had gotten pretty skilled at removing/replacing the headlight assemblies trying to fix the leak so it only took about 1 hour overall.

 

[MichaelJ291]

Ok guys just an FYI, they are a direct fit, just plug and play.

Did your low beams work with the conversion?

 

[MelsRegal]

Did your low beams work with the conversion?

The person you are asking hasn't been here since September 2018.

 

[mitchflorida]

Did your low beams work with the conversion?

If you read the entire thread, the answer is of course yes. Did you read through it?

 

[MN Regal owner]

I wrote post #17 on this thread last year about this time. I converted my 2012 GS to halogen light assemblies in the spring of 2019. It's been almost two years of trouble-free driving with the TYC halogen light assemblies. I was a bit worried that the non-OEM parts would degrade more quickly but the good news is the light assemblies still look like new, the plastic is still clear and leak free through two harsh winters. The upgraded Sylvania Ultra bulbs H and L beams still provide a nice bright light pattern and have not burned out quickly as suggested in some of the Amazon reviews I read.

I did not need to change the wiring at all, the existing harness connector plug from the HID assemblies connected directly to the Halogen assemblies with no changes or new hardware required. The only slightly tricky part is you need to rotate the plug about 120 degrees to align with the plug on the Halogen lamps - the good news is the harness has enough slack to allow this change in orientation without modifying anything.

One thing that surprised me a little after the conversion was when switching on the High beams I get BOTH High and Low beams at the same time - this provides a really nice bright pattern out front of the car in pitch darkness.

 

[Levitys]

I wrote post #17 on this thread last year about this time. I converted my 2012 GS to halogen light assemblies in the spring of 2019. It's been almost two years of trouble-free driving with the TYC halogen light assemblies. I was a bit worried that the non-OEM parts would degrade more quickly but the good news is the light assemblies still look like new, the plastic is still clear and leak free through two harsh winters. The upgraded Sylvania Ultra bulbs H and L beams still provide a nice bright light pattern and have not burned out quickly as suggested in some of the Amazon reviews I read.

I did not need to change the wiring at all, the existing harness connector plug from the HID assemblies connected directly to the Halogen assemblies with no changes or new hardware required. The only slightly tricky part is you need to rotate the plug about 120 degrees to align with the plug on the Halogen lamps - the good news is the harness has enough slack to allow this change in orientation without modifying anything.

One thing that surprised me a little after the conversion was when switching on the High beams I get BOTH High and Low beams at the same time - this provides a really nice bright pattern out front of the car in pitch darkness.

I want to try this on my 2013 regal with hid headlights. Both seals broke due to manufacturer defect and are rusted/screwed. I have been without headlights for a year now. I just bought this pos not too long ago. I tell you what, buick should be ashamed of themselves. Not only did they create a defective and dangerous product they are charging 1500 for replacement of one headlight. That's beyond shady. Not only that they probably have something to do with no aftermarket options being available. Wheres the class action? I will go out of my way to stick it to these people. Disgusting.

 

[MN Regal owner]

I've come full circle on the frustration with the HID lights. What I think happened is the slight design change in 2014 orphaned the HID assembly part # for our cars (2012-2013) and I suppose GM decided our owner group could simply switch over to Halogen assemblies as the HID units began to fail - which of course they did. I converted my car quite some time ago with aftermarket TYC halogen lamp assemblies and have had zero issues since. The car is soldiering on towards 150K miles as my DD. I've kept up on oil changes and other than replacing wheel bearings (so far 3 out of 4 have failed) the car is trouble-free since dealing with the headlight problem. In the end my car has been on the road for a decade, every mile I get out of it at this point is good as far as I'm concerned. Glass 'half-full'.

 

[G-613978]

Yep, everything worked. The surgery lasted about an hour (since I had gotten pretty good at taking the faulty light assembly out) and the new setup works without any modifications. It's been almost six months now and though I miss the cool DRL 'eyebrows' I'm glad to have good working headlights again. As stated, I upgraded the standard halogen bulbs included in the new assemblies with Sylvania SilverStar Ultras and have been impressed with the overall light output of the setup. The light is not as white as the HID bulbs but I'm getting excellent illumination at night and when I hit the high-beams I get all four bulbs and can see for quite a long distance. The turn signals and DRL are yellow and each assembly has two of these bulbs - when using the turn signals both yellow bulbs flash. Though it's only been six months the headlight plastic is remain clear and still look like new. Very satisfied with the fix, MUCH cheaper than trying to keep the HID's.

I did not need to rewire anything, the existing harness connector is a little tricky to release, you need to insert a flat blade screwdriver and slightly twist to pop it loose. The connector needs to be rotated about 60 degrees to align with the new light assemblies but there is just enough slack in the harness to allow the alignment. I plugged it right in and everything worked perfectly.

What is the make and model of the headlights I'm having issues with my hid passenger side headlight

 

[MN Regal owner]

What is the make and model of the headlights I'm having issues with my hid passenger side headlight

TYC 20-9241-00-1 Compatible with Buick Regal Right Replacement Head Lamp​

 

[clawdaddy410]

Yep, everything worked. The surgery lasted about an hour (since I had gotten pretty good at taking the faulty light assembly out) and the new setup works without any modifications. It's been almost six months now and though I miss the cool DRL 'eyebrows' I'm glad to have good working headlights again. As stated, I upgraded the standard halogen bulbs included in the new assemblies with Sylvania SilverStar Ultras and have been impressed with the overall light output of the setup. The light is not as white as the HID bulbs but I'm getting excellent illumination at night and when I hit the high-beams I get all four bulbs and can see for quite a long distance. The turn signals and DRL are yellow and each assembly has two of these bulbs - when using the turn signals both yellow bulbs flash. Though it's only been six months the headlight plastic is remain clear and still look like new. Very satisfied with the fix, MUCH cheaper than trying to keep the HID's.

I did not need to rewire anything, the existing harness connector is a little tricky to release, you need to insert a flat blade screwdriver and slightly twist to pop it loose. The connector needs to be rotated about 60 degrees to align with the new light assemblies but there is just enough slack in the harness to allow the alignment. I plugged it right in and everything worked perfectly.

Hey... finally have the dreaded DS HID out with the condensation. So you're saying the lights purchased- both the HB and LB work with the existing wire harness without any rewire? Thanks Dan

 

[XgeneratesX]

I wrote post #17 on this thread last year about this time. I converted my 2012 GS to halogen light assemblies in the spring of 2019. It's been almost two years of trouble-free driving with the TYC halogen light assemblies. I was a bit worried that the non-OEM parts would degrade more quickly but the good news is the light assemblies still look like new, the plastic is still clear and leak free through two harsh winters. The upgraded Sylvania Ultra bulbs H and L beams still provide a nice bright light pattern and have not burned out quickly as suggested in some of the Amazon reviews I read.

I did not need to change the wiring at all, the existing harness connector plug from the HID assemblies connected directly to the Halogen assemblies with no changes or new hardware required. The only slightly tricky part is you need to rotate the plug about 120 degrees to align with the plug on the Halogen lamps - the good news is the harness has enough slack to allow this change in orientation without modifying anything.

One thing that surprised me a little after the conversion was when switching on the High beams I get BOTH High and Low beams at the same time - this provides a really nice bright pattern out front of the car in pitch darkness.

I have just purchased the "TYC 20924200SET " thru rockauto yet when the guy went to install for me he said they only had High beams working. how did you get both high and low to work??

 

[Shelbygt40]

I have just purchased the "TYC 20924200SET " thru rockauto yet when the guy went to install for me he said they only had High beams working. how did you get both high and low to work??

TYC 20-9241-00-1 Compatible with Buick Regal Right Replacement Head Lamp​

Mn regal owner - someone had done this plug and play sometime in the past to a customers car of mine. It was a post-recall 2012 regal with HID

I've come full circle on the frustration with the HID lights. What I think happened is the slight design change in 2014 orphaned the HID assembly part # for our cars (2012-2013) and I suppose GM decided our owner group could simply switch over to Halogen assemblies as the HID units began to fail - which of course they did. I converted my car quite some time ago with aftermarket TYC halogen lamp assemblies and have had zero issues since. The car is soldiering on towards 150K miles as my DD. I've kept up on oil changes and other than replacing wheel bearings (so far 3 out of 4 have failed) the car is trouble-free since dealing with the headlight problem. In the end my car has been on the road for a decade, every mile I get out of it at this point is good as far as I'm concerned. Glass 'half-

I've come full circle on the frustration with the HID lights. What I think happened is the slight design change in 2014 orphaned the HID assembly part # for our cars (2012-2013) and I suppose GM decided our owner group could simply switch over to Halogen assemblies as the HID units began to fail - which of course they did. I converted my car quite some time ago with aftermarket TYC halogen lamp assemblies and have had zero issues since. The car is soldiering on towards 150K miles as my DD. I've kept up on oil changes and other than replacing wheel bearings (so far 3 out of 4 have failed) the car is trouble-free since dealing with the headlight problem. In the end my car has been on the road for a decade, every mile I get out of it at this point is good as far as I'm concerned. Glass 'half-full'.

MN Regal - I have a customer of mine failing Massachusetts inspection with his 2012 regal to which someone did the plug and play HID to halogen conversion. The problem is the 3157 amber bulb parking / turn signal in the center of the lamps does not illuminate along with the parking lamps. It was missed on previous inspections and he got flagged this year which is when I discovered the conversion. The turn signal filament illuminates when commanded, but the parking lamp filament inside the bulb does not. There is power going all the way up to the lamp, but the lamp internals do not seem to send parking light power to that center Amber 3157 bulb. Someone else in this thread mentioned the wiring difference. Do you know which wires need to be spliced to correct this issue offhand? It’s both sides with the issue so it’s not like both aftermarket halogen assemblies failed at the same time, they just never worked from day 1 due to this wiring difference between the HID and Halogens.

 

[Shelbygt40]

Ok guys just an FYI, they are a direct fit, just plug and play.

The center Amber 3157 parking / Turn lamp in the halogen housing does not illuminate in “park” mode if you just plug and play, from what I am finding out.

 

[brmelland]

TYC 20-9241-00-1 Compatible with Buick Regal Right Replacement Head Lamp​

2013 Buick Regal GS 2.0 HID's DEAD!! Its been awhile since I've been on the site, This is what I did with my headlights which leaked and the ballast blow-out (Changed 4 times) the link to the headlight components :
Amazon : https://a.co/d/ax1ZbaT
Because they came with Halogen bulbs, which are to dim, I replaced them with
LED's on the high side and Low side
High side : https://a.co/d/c0NdUnM
Low side : https://a.co/d/h4kZGjo
Lastly,
I had to turn the pigtail upside down and 90 degrees

 

[brmelland]

Mn regal owner - someone had done this plug and play sometime in the past to a customers car of mine. It was a post-recall 2012 regal with HID

2013 Buick Regal GS 2.0 HID's DEAD!! Its been awhile since I've been on the site, This is what I did with my headlights which leaked and the ballast blow-out (Changed 4 times) the link to the headlight components :
Amazon : https://a.co/d/ax1ZbaT
Because they came with Halogen bulbs, which are to dim, I replaced them with
LED's on the high side and Low side
High side : https://a.co/d/c0NdUnM
Low side : https://a.co/d/h4kZGjo
Lastly,
I had to turn the pigtail upside down and 90 degrees

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[Paul Lipinski]

Has anyone done this before? My left headlight unit on my 2012 GS sprung a leak. Looks like the bulb and maybe ballast are fried now. Have checked Rockauto.com and the replacement light units for halogen lights are like $175 per side. The HID units are much higher priced (currently out of stock but I thought that they were $700 or something ridiculous). The ballast alone is $200 and the bulb is another $70. So my options now are to pull the bumper cover, try sealing the existing unit (of which success based upon other people who have posted on the subject is not guaranteed) and replace the ballast and bulb (about $300 total) or pull the bumper cover and buy a new left side HID unit (say $700) or pull the bumper cover and replace both light units with halogen units ($350).

Mechanically the halogen/HID units are the same, but I was wondering about the wiring side of the equation.

Thoughts?

Thanks
Tracy

The good news is that there are aftermarket headlight Assemblies that come with ballasts and bulbs. They run about $750 for the pair.

 

[brmelland]

The good news is that there are aftermarket headlight Assemblies that come with ballasts and bulbs. They run about $750 for the pair.

Hey Paul,
I didn't know if this will work for you, but here is my information on what I did with the headlights.
2013 Buick Regal GS 2.0 HID's DEAD!! Its been awhile since I've been on the site, This is what I did with my headlights which leaked and the ballast blow-out (Changed 4 times) the link to the headlight components :
Amazon : https://a.co/d/ax1ZbaT
Because they came with Halogen bulbs, which are to dim, I replaced them with
LED's on the high side and Low side
High side : https://a.co/d/c0NdUnM
Low side : https://a.co/d/h4kZGjo
Lastly,
I had to turn the pigtail upside down and 90 degrees

 

[Jgriffin]

The good news is that there are aftermarket headlight Assemblies that come with ballasts and bulbs. They run about $750 for the pair.

I haven't seen any aftermarket HID assemblies - where did you locate them for $750/pair?

EDIT: I have a 2013, that may be the issue... I have seen them for 2014 and newer.