new twist on ballast replacement

[Craig4807]

Okay. I already know my ballast is bad. I have read all the threads on 3 different forums. I have a possible solution I'd like feedback on.

Doing my due diligence, it seems to me that the Valeo LAD5GL is also the stock ballast for many Jaguars, Volvos, VWs, Cadillacs and the Chrysler 300C. My Audi dealer wants $400+ for it. Chrysler wants $190. Mopar wants $110. If the part is the same OEM ballast, I'd rather give $110 to Mopar and stay OEM/street legal, etc. than give Audi $400 or use a kit. The Chrysler/Mopar part number is: 5139061AA. I would like your input. Can anyone confirm my conclusions? I'll pull the trigger today if possible. These are front and back pics of the OEM from Valeo.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

question is, are the connectors the same?

[Craig4807]

Right now, I'm guessing they are. The 300C that uses this ballast also uses the HID D1S bulb. I'm hoping someone here has access to that info for sure. A friend is waiting for his contacts at Chrysler to confirm, unless someone here can first.

[Digitaldub]

good info

[02quattrob6]

i know someone selling their used factory ballasts off their b6.. or why dnt yu just get a HID kit from an aftermarket company?

[Craig4807]

If the B6 ballasts are the same, and the price is right, that might work. I'd rather not use a kit. I stated that in my original post. And the D1S kits are scarce right now, and possibly NOT %100 street legal. If I can go brand new OEM for $97, I'll do it all day!

[IVRINGS]

If the B6 ballasts are the same, and the price is right, that might work. I'd rather not use a kit. I stated that in my original post. And the D1S kits are scarce right now, and possibly NOT %100 street legal. If I can go brand new OEM for $97, I'll do it all day!

I'm not sure on this, but how can this be not street legal? I must be missing something.

[doublezero30]

I'm not sure on this, but how can this be not street legal? I must be missing something.

they are not street legal because people put them in a halogen housing which has a projector designed to project halogen light. when you put the xenon kits into a projector meant for halogen bulbs you get scattered light beams that blind oncoming traffic.

[IVRINGS]

they are not street legal because people put them in a halogen housing which has a projector designed to project halogen light. when you put the xenon kits into a projector meant for halogen bulbs you get scattered light beams that blind oncoming traffic.

I can understand what you are saying, but GM still makes headlights that are HID's with no projector. The Older Jimmy/Enoy's and others still have this. I still say that you can put a HID in a projector headlight if you aim it right. The last car platform I worked on they installed shields into the housing while doing Joeymod type things to the headlights to make almost a perfect cutoff like we have. The law I think says if you car doesn't come with them and you install them they can ticket you, but if you have a xexon car you can't get a ticket for them.

[B6Lovin]

they are not street legal because people put them in a halogen housing which has a projector designed to project halogen light. when you put the xenon kits into a projector meant for halogen bulbs you get scattered light beams that blind oncoming traffic.

Speaking specifically on our audis - prove it. I dare you.

Because ive already proven several times that there's no difference in our projectors except for size

[ziggituning]

If the B6 ballasts are the same, and the price is right, that might work. I'd rather not use a kit. I stated that in my original post. And the D1S kits are scarce right now, and possibly NOT %100 street legal. If I can go brand new OEM for $97, I'll do it all day!

I can get the aftermarket D1S kits and they are not really that expensive PM me if you want.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^because aftermarket are junk and they do not fit the same way and connect to a D1S bulb. A D1S kit aftermarket is as much as an OEM unit, if the connectors and shape are the same you should be just fine, as they convert 55w to 35w so in essence they will both get the job done.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^if that were the case I would not run D2S bulbs in my D1S housings.

[UGwagen]

^^if that were the case I would not run D2S bulbs in my D1S housings.

The only difference between a D2S & a D1S is.... the D1S has the ignitor integrated onto the bulb.

Otherwise, the bulb itself is the same exact thing.

[AudiA4Turbo22]

The only difference between a D2S & a D1S is.... the D1S has the ignitor integrated onto the bulb.

Otherwise, the bulb itself is the same exact thing.

I know, I meant that if the D1S kit was $97 I would not run a D2s kit which costs $150 and modify it to fit, but most D1S kits run at about $350

[ivoryman50]

Do you have any pictures of the Chrysler/Mopar ones? Not sure if the pictures you provided were from Audi or not.

[Craig4807]

The pics are from my Audi. If I had the Chrysler pics, I wouldn't have started the post! The DDM and VVME sites both have disclaimers stating that their kits are only approved for 'off road' use. They themselves suggest checking with local law enforcement or DMVs to see if you can use their stuff where you live. Since I don't only drive where I live, I'd rather avoid the issue. Yes the odds of getting caught are slim. But why open myself up to tickets or civil suits if some attorney breaks my balls about questionable lights after an accident?
So, my original question still stands. Can anyone CONFIRM for me that the Chrysler ballast is the same?

[ziggituning]

The pics are from my Audi. If I had the Chrysler pics, I wouldn't have started the post! The DDM and VVME sites both have disclaimers stating that their kits are only approved for 'off road' use. They themselves suggest checking with local law enforcement or DMVs to see if you can use their stuff where you live. Since I don't only drive where I live, I'd rather avoid the issue. Yes the odds of getting caught are slim. But why open myself up to tickets or civil suits if some attorney breaks my balls about questionable lights after an accident?
So, my original question still stands. Can anyone CONFIRM for me that the Chrysler ballast is the same?

the disclaimer are mostly to cover them in the usual case where the ricers are running 12000K bulbs on their rice cooker and local police pull them over, running any aftermarket balast that can power your D1S will have no legal concequence whatsoever.

The bulb color and poorly aimed lights are always the issue there.

[Craig4807]

No kit means NO mods and NO consequences at all from anybody anywhere. The only difference seems to be some molding on the back side of the ballast. I'm going to try the Chrysler ballast. If it doesn't work perfectly, I will be the first to say so. If it does, then we can all go OEM for 25% of what the dealer asks!

[F16HTON]

Chrysler pic

[S4King]

Chrysler pic

They seem the same to me.

[JEENYUS]

Chrysler pic

just to compare the two better. everyone should rep this kid for the info he has brought to the forum.

[Garf]

Chrysler pic

I know this is a prehistoric post, but I need one of those instead of the Audi or cheap aftermarket versions. What is the Chrysler or Mopar part number for it?

[Ozone510]

I know this is a prehistoric post, but I need one of those instead of the Audi or cheap aftermarket versions. What is the Chrysler or Mopar part number for it?

LAD5GL

[VolodyaUr]

Regards , in 2022 this thread opened my eye and i buyed 2 OEM ballsat unit for my B5 2001.
Thank you for your work!

[ivoryman50]

Those Chrysler ones look exactly the same. I'd say go for it I guess. What are your thoughts Greg?

[CyberPMG]

Totally understand the legality of HIDs. I've seen some kits that are supposed to do a power conversion of 55W down to 35W to properly fire the bulbs, but the converter usually fails which will overdrive the bulb which causes the blinding of oncoming traffic. You then run the risk of melting the wire harness because of the overload.

To the OP: I'm looking forward to your post on Monday to see if the Chrysler part works.

[doublezero30]

Speaking specifically on our audis - prove it. I dare you.

Because ive already proven several times that there's no difference in our projectors except for size

so then tell me, what is the reason that a xenon bulb will not fit in a halogen projector?

like i said, i talked to the HELLA rep...a very well known company that deals mainly with headlights and bulbs. im not making this shit up, thats what the guy told me. maybe our audis may use close to the same...but i never said just our audis. im talking in general. i still wouldnt use an aftermarket kit in my own car because IF you do get in trouble for it, its a huge fine. plus in MA you wont pass state inspection with it unless you either go to a sketchy gas station or know someone.

[IVRINGS]

so then tell me, what is the reason that a xenon bulb will not fit in a halogen projector?

like i said, i talked to the HELLA rep...a very well known company that deals mainly with headlights and bulbs. im not making this shit up, thats what the guy told me. maybe our audis may use close to the same...but i never said just our audis. im talking in general. i still wouldnt use an aftermarket kit in my own car because IF you do get in trouble for it, its a huge fine. plus in MA you wont pass state inspection with it unless you either go to a sketchy gas station or know someone.

hmm I have xenon bulbs in my halogen projector right now. Where are you getting your info on headlights?

[Sales@RAI]

hmm I have xenon bulbs in my halogen projector right now. Where are you getting your info on headlights?

hes saying that xenon bulbs are not made to fit halogen projectors. Do aftermarket companies make them? Sure. But there are no OEM H7 HID bulbs

[JeffM03]

Just so you guys know, for anyone with a 12-port connector who needs to swap to a 4-port, but can't find a 4-port, you can cut the 12-port down into a 4-port and make it work.

Take the wires out of your 12-port using a pin or just destroy the plastic around them:


You can re-use the 4 ports where the wires were originally IF they're still intact. (mine weren't so I chose the other side of the connector):


Cut the switch in two, making sure you do not damage the 4 ports you want to use:


Now place the wires into the now-4-port connector making sure the wires go into the ballast in this pattern:


Plug everything back in and:


Hope this helps anyone who can't get a hold of a 4-port connector in time. I was on a very tight schedule and had no other way of doing it.

[Khloro36]

Newbee here but lets see if I can explain myself.

I have an



but I purchased



Can I just connect the wires into the 12 slot since only 2 are used


basically do the reverse of what was done up top?

[DoubleATO]

your half right.. you need to switch the wires like this.....

Just so you guys know, for anyone with a 12-port connector who needs to swap to a 4-port, but can't find a 4-port, you can cut the 12-port down into a 4-port and make it work.

Take the wires out of your 12-port using a pin or just destroy the plastic around them:


You can re-use the 4 ports where the wires were originally IF they're still intact. (mine weren't so I chose the other side of the connector):


Cut the switch in two, making sure you do not damage the 4 ports you want to use:


Now place the wires into the now-4-port connector making sure the wires go into the ballast in this pattern:


Plug everything back in and:


Hope this helps anyone who can't get a hold of a 4-port connector in time. I was on a very tight schedule and had no other way of doing it.

[BKLYNAUDI]

Just so you guys know, for anyone with a 12-port connector who needs to swap to a 4-port, but can't find a 4-port, you can cut the 12-port down into a 4-port and make it work.

Take the wires out of your 12-port using a pin or just destroy the plastic around them:


You can re-use the 4 ports where the wires were originally IF they're still intact. (mine weren't so I chose the other side of the connector):


Cut the switch in two, making sure you do not damage the 4 ports you want to use:


Now place the wires into the now-4-port connector making sure the wires go into the ballast in this pattern:


Plug everything back in and:


Hope this helps anyone who can't get a hold of a 4-port connector in time. I was on a very tight schedule and had no other way of doing it.

Did this^^^^^ works great thanks a lot...saved big $$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IVRINGS]

Well it is Monday! Update if you can today.

[Craig4807]

I just picked it up. It's the exact same ballast! It didn't come with a gasket, but I'll reuse the old one. The label is identical. I can't upload pics, but there is no need to. As soon as I get home I'm putting this puppy in.

[ivoryman50]

That's a very interesting find. I guess we know where to go now.

[O2VW1.8T]

nice job

[Burtonrider1002]

hmm... so how much would a full Xenon set up from chrystler cost? 400 instead of ovr 1K?

[Craig4807]

LOL. I didn't ask how much the full setup would cost. But, the ballast is in and working like a charm! We have a winner folks. Do your homework and save your$elf some money!!