98-00, how to tell if it has Xenon Headlights
04-06-12, 07:47 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
98-00, how to tell if it has Xenon Headlights
I just bought a 96 ls400. I own a 2001 bmw 540i with HID headlights, which I love, but I am selling the bmw soon.
My brother is looking at a 2000 ls 400, and I can't tell by the pictures if it has Xenon lights. How do you tell?
On my bmw, you can see a ballast pack attached to the back of the headlight about the size of a deck of cards. Can you see this on the LS 400?
Also do the lenses look different? My guess is once on the light looks more blue or bright white as opposed to yellow, but that is hard to tell during the daytime.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you.
My brother is looking at a 2000 ls 400, and I can't tell by the pictures if it has Xenon lights. How do you tell?
On my bmw, you can see a ballast pack attached to the back of the headlight about the size of a deck of cards. Can you see this on the LS 400?
Also do the lenses look different? My guess is once on the light looks more blue or bright white as opposed to yellow, but that is hard to tell during the daytime.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you.
04-06-12, 09:13 AM
#2
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The ballasts on the LS400 are mounted under the headlight and are really hard to find unless you're feeling around with your hands blindly.
The easiest thing to do would be to turn the lights on with the engine off, and then turn the ignition to the on position, or start the car. If the car had HIDs, the beam pattern (that you see on a wall), would go down and then come back up since the HID models have automatic leveling.
The easiest thing to do would be to turn the lights on with the engine off, and then turn the ignition to the on position, or start the car. If the car had HIDs, the beam pattern (that you see on a wall), would go down and then come back up since the HID models have automatic leveling.
04-06-12, 02:04 PM
#6
The 540i is a sweet ride, why are you getting rid of it? The stance alone is enough to make me want one if I had the money.
Both cars (LS400 and 540i) have HID's, but the later uses projectors and the former reflective housings, so there will be a noticeable difference in beam pattern.
Both cars (LS400 and 540i) have HID's, but the later uses projectors and the former reflective housings, so there will be a noticeable difference in beam pattern.
04-06-12, 04:41 PM
#7
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
The 540i is a sweet ride, why are you getting rid of it? The stance alone is enough to make me want one if I had the money.
Both cars (LS400 and 540i) have HID's, but the later uses projectors and the former reflective housings, so there will be a noticeable difference in beam pattern.
Both cars (LS400 and 540i) have HID's, but the later uses projectors and the former reflective housings, so there will be a noticeable difference in beam pattern.
For now I want a car I can put the key in and not have to worry about $500 here, $1000 there, 20,000 miles, time for new tires, oh great another weekend spent fixing and replacing parts.
My BMW does the autoleveling sequence at startup so I will tell him what to look for when he goes to test drive it and buy it.
Thank you for your help.
Last edited by PureDrifter; 04-06-12 at 09:01 PM. Reason: sorry can't sell that here.
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04-06-12, 05:25 PM
#8
Lead Lap
I've never seen or heard of either a 99 or 00 LS400 without HID even though HID was an option (only $500) in all three (98, 99, 00) model years. The bulb type is inscribed at the bottom of each headlight lens - "D2R" for HID or "HB2" for halogen.
Last edited by Kansas; 04-06-12 at 05:29 PM.
11-11-15, 08:32 AM
#12
On HID equipped cars even without auto leveling you can usually tell -- when turning on there's a noticeable flash before the brightness increases over a few seconds. Do the '98-00 HID's do this as well? If so, I definitely don't have them. Seems like normal Halogen on mine.
11-11-15, 06:15 PM
#13
On HID equipped cars even without auto leveling you can usually tell -- when turning on there's a noticeable flash before the brightness increases over a few seconds. Do the '98-00 HID's do this as well? If so, I definitely don't have them. Seems like normal Halogen on mine.
FYI -
Bulb Type:
HID Warning Label:
