how to install MY04 USDM STi HID's on a WRX?

skivvie · 10-19-2003, 01:15 PM

I picked up a set of '04 STi HID's from another board member and i wanna install them on my '04 WRX wagon. I've got the wiring diagrams and such, but i just thought i'd check and see if anyone has done this exact install... or the JDM new style HID's and could offer some help.

I know there's tons of info on the bug eye style HID's and kits and such, but i can't find anything on the OEM new style HID's. The leveling switch is the easy part since it's been gone over tons. I really need to know where i can get the connectors... specifically the HID male plug that goes into the HID socket show here:

and this socket:

which is the standard low beam socket.

Are these standard size connectors i could pick up at an auto shop? Thanks in advance for any light you guys could shine on the subject. If i get enough help i'll do a full write up similar to my headlight clearing how to. =]

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Jon [in CT] · 10-19-2003, 11:29 PM

It's difficult for me to imagine any circumstance that would prompt me to sell my US 04 STi HIDs to anyone. Does this other board member know you stole his headlights yet? Alternatively, I wonder who was the victim of this other board member?

skivvie · 10-20-2003, 01:46 AM

Actually, he's well aware. He bought some JDM style STI HID's so that he wouldn't have to clear his out, and i was the lucky first responder to his for sale thread... look it up if you doubt. He's a well known board member. =]

So.... no one's done this?!

pityr · 10-20-2003, 02:07 AM

Did you get the balasts too?

awdboxer · 10-20-2003, 12:56 PM

I'm also very curious on what is needed for this mod. Do the JDM HID's plug right up into the USDM STi??

skivvie · 10-20-2003, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Did you get the balasts too?

Yeap... they're screwed on to the bottom of the housing.

Quote:

Do the JDM HID's plug right up into the USDM STi??

Apparently so. The person i bought them from said the JDM's just plugged right in to his STi.

awdboxer · 10-21-2003, 12:05 PM

hmm, so would it be possible to get the USDM STi connectors or harness then find some diagram to splice them into the WRX and then just plug the HIDs right up?

FryRice · 10-21-2003, 05:00 PM

Can you buy the motor and the leveler separately and stick it on the non hid headlights? or they are differnet?

skivvie · 10-21-2003, 05:34 PM

Quote:

hmm, so would it be possible to get the USDM STi connectors or harness then find some diagram to splice them into the WRX and then just plug the HIDs right up?

You can buy the wiring harness but you're talking a lot of cash. I asked a local dealer off hand and he said at least a few hundred without checking the database. The wiring for the non-HID and the HID is a bit different... the HID wiring is actually way simpler. I've got the pdf's from techinfo.subaru.com.

Quote:

Can you buy the motor and the leveler separately and stick it on the non hid headlights? or they are differnet?

You can buy the leveler switch but i seriously doubt you can buy the motor seperately. In fact i'm almost positive you can't, but i don't have the parts diagram so i can't say 100%. From memory i think there's a spot for it on the standard light housing, but i'd have to compare them again to be sure. Looks like they use the same housing though.

D-I-Z-Z-L-E · 10-21-2003, 05:41 PM

a buddy of mine just said that there is a company or dealership that makes a 2002-2004 harness for the lights. i would assume that they can make or know what connectors need to go where and prolly have them. now i just have to google for it i guess.

FryRice · 10-22-2003, 04:35 AM

If they do fit and i can get them......... how do you hook the leveler up? got a link or something

skivvie · 10-22-2003, 12:46 PM

Check on scoobymods.com. there's a whole write up about it... it's for the '03- style lights but the setup is the same.

skivvie · 10-24-2003, 04:26 PM

So either no one on this board has done this... or i'm asking a really stupid question that's been answered a million times and no one wants to answer it again...

which is it???

awdboxer · 10-27-2003, 08:32 PM

i wish someone would help us out

skivvie · 10-29-2003, 02:46 PM

Ping.

SOMEONE must know where to get one of those HID male connectors. I guess we're stuck using spade connectors. =\

D-I-Z-Z-L-E · 10-29-2003, 09:15 PM

what about just getting an sti light harness? from a usdm sti?>

norseone · 10-29-2003, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skivvie
Ping.

SOMEONE must know where to get one of those HID male connectors. I guess we're stuck using spade connectors. =\

Which one are you looking for exactly? I assume you can get all the parts from teh dealership.

skivvie · 10-29-2003, 11:53 PM

I mentioned it above... the entire STi wiring harness apparently costs a few hundred dollars according to the parts guy i talked to, but i don't think he knew what he was talking about. I'm going to get more detailed info when i go pick up the leveling switch from another dealership tomorrow.

Oh, and to answer your question, i'd be looking for the male plug that fits into the HID socket in the picture above. I'll just end up using spade terminals like the '03's and earlier did.

I've got an idea of how i'm gonna do this. I guess i'll be doing another how-to soon. =]

awdboxer · 10-30-2003, 12:40 PM

awesome, keep us updated!

akillya · 11-22-2003, 02:41 PM

I have a 2004 STi which is a Canadian modeld so it does not have Hid lights like the US or JDM model. I ordered a set of JDM headlights and a six wire headlight leveling switch. I made a new harness using the US style connector to hook up the Hids but when I turn on the lights the 15 amp mini fuse under the hood pops. I looked at the manual and all Sti's no matter what spec of headlights have the same fuses in the under hood and behind the coin tray fues boxes 15amp per side. I am wondering if the US/ JDM model has a relay somewhere for the Hids. Does ayone have a wiring diagram of a US model or know what the problem is??

wagons_ho! · 02-07-2004, 11:22 AM

The gray connector isn't the same connector as used on the standard H1 low beam. Trust me. I've got 3000 of them and it's close but not the same.

The HID connector, I need to see to make sure, but I THINK I know what it is.

Spade lugs aren't weatherproof. Trust me on this one too.

Levellers- a breeze.

If you want to do this yourself, connectors cost 1700 for 200 shells, plus the rest of the parts needed, if you want to buy minimum quantities - 12000 terminals, 10000 seals. I can help with some of it, but I'd like to make a kit to work.

Ambros · 02-07-2004, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by akillya
I have a 2004 STi which is a Canadian modeld so it does not have Hid lights like the US or JDM model. I ordered a set of JDM headlights and a six wire headlight leveling switch. I made a new harness using the US style connector to hook up the Hids but when I turn on the lights the 15 amp mini fuse under the hood pops. I looked at the manual and all Sti's no matter what spec of headlights have the same fuses in the under hood and behind the coin tray fues boxes 15amp per side. I am wondering if the US/ JDM model has a relay somewhere for the Hids. Does ayone have a wiring diagram of a US model or know what the problem is??

Did you disable the DRL module? I did the exact same thing as you did and I blew the fuse as well. After unplugging the module I connected everything together and changed the 15amp to a 20amp fuse before getting it to work

This is what I used to connect my JDM HID's to my 04...The connection is only temporary but it works nonetheless.

winningham.2 · 02-07-2004, 01:34 PM

I asked some questions about the '04 HIDs for my '04 WRX wagon. jac04 was nice enough to write up his install of the lights....
Hope this helps

Quote:

Originally posted by jac04
I installed the STi HID headlights into my 2004 WRX a few weeks back. The installation is very easy. Sorry, but I did not take pictures of the install. It is very straight-forward. I assume that you know how to remove & replace the headlights, so I won't go into that. I also assume that you know how to use a soldering gun/heat shrink tubing, etc.

The standard disclaimer applies - This is what I did on my car. You should verify everything before performing this modification. I am not responsible for any damage or problems associated with this modification. Consult the service manual wiring diagrams WI-135 and WI-138.

By the way, the 2004 STi headlights are different from the standard WRX lights. The reflectors and bulb shields are different. I had a Catz HID kit on my car before switching to the STi lights. The Catz HIDs put out more light, but the beam pattern was not very good. The STi lights have an excellent beam pattern.

Here's what I did:

1) Disable the DRLs by disconnecting the DRL module behind the glove box. This is important.

2)On each headlight, there is a short pigtail lead that goes from the ballast to a black 2-prong plug. Remove these black plugs. You will then have one red and one black wire coming out of each ballast. The red are your positive leads and the black are the negative (ground) leads.

3) Solder a 18"-24" length of black wire onto each of the the existing black wires an put a ring terminal on the end of each.

4) LEFT HEADLIGHT (driver's side): Cut off the existing grey plug that plugged into your low beams and remove a few inches of the black protective tubing. You will have a yellow/red wire and a red/blue wire. Cap off the yellow/red wire - you will not be using it. Ensure that the red/blue wire is positive and is energized when the headlight switch is in the on position. Solder the red/blue wire to the red wire coming out of the ballast. Use heat shrink to weatherproof the connection. Take the black wire with the ring terminal on the end and attach it to the ground point next to the battery.

4) RIGHT HEADLIGHT (passenger's side): Cut off the existing grey plug that plugged into your low beams and remove a few inches of the black protective tubing. You will have a yellow/red wire and a blue/white wire. Cap off the yellow/red wire - you will not be using it. Ensure that the blue/white wire is positive and is energized when the headlight switch is in the on position. Solder the blue/white wire to the red wire coming out of the ballast. Use heat shrink to weatherproof the connection. Take the black wire with the ring terminal on the end and attach it to the ground point next to the air box.

5) Plug in the high beams and clearance/signal lights on both sides.

6) Properly aim the lights.

7) Enjoy your HID lights.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions

wagons_ho! · 02-07-2004, 02:23 PM

There's obviously two ways to do this... the cut and crimp and solder and vampire tap way, and the Plug-and-Play way.

I'll come up with a solution for those that want one.

This will allow you to unplug your STi HID lights and put the stock lights back in for any reason without cutting, crimping, soldering or vampire tapping the old stuff you threw away back on. An adapter harness should be just that - allow you to put "non-standard" stuff on and off with ease.

What if you take a stone in your HID and have to put in your stock lights because it's illegal to run around with only one headlight? You're hooped if you've cut everything off...

winningham.2 · 02-07-2004, 11:04 PM

Wagons,
The best thing that I feel could come out of this thread would be how much, and where do you get, those plug and play adapters.
I know when I first started out, I would still have bulked on this option because of the soldering that needs to take place, but I feel this route would be the best.
That being said, I will always love more pics of the install with more direction, so I say go for it.

10-19-2003, 01:15 PM	#1
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	how to install MY04 USDM STi HID's on a WRX? I picked up a set of '04 STi HID's from another board member and i wanna install them on my '04 WRX wagon. I've got the wiring diagrams and such, but i just thought i'd check and see if anyone has done this exact install... or the JDM new style HID's and could offer some help. I know there's tons of info on the bug eye style HID's and kits and such, but i can't find anything on the OEM new style HID's. The leveling switch is the easy part since it's been gone over tons. I really need to know where i can get the connectors... specifically the HID male plug that goes into the HID socket show here: and this socket: which is the standard low beam socket. Are these standard size connectors i could pick up at an auto shop? Thanks in advance for any light you guys could shine on the subject. If i get enough help i'll do a full write up similar to my headlight clearing how to. =] * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

02-07-2004, 02:23 PM	#24
wagons_ho! Scooby Specialist Member#: 16574 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC	Two ways to do this.. There's obviously two ways to do this... the cut and crimp and solder and vampire tap way, and the Plug-and-Play way. I'll come up with a solution for those that want one. This will allow you to unplug your STi HID lights and put the stock lights back in for any reason without cutting, crimping, soldering or vampire tapping the old stuff you threw away back on. An adapter harness should be just that - allow you to put "non-standard" stuff on and off with ease. What if you take a stone in your HID and have to put in your stock lights because it's illegal to run around with only one headlight? You're hooped if you've cut everything off...

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10-19-2003, 11:29 PM	#2
Jon [in CT] * Banned * Member#: 2992 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Connecticut, USA Vehicle: 02 WRX Sedan Silver	It's difficult for me to imagine any circumstance that would prompt me to sell my US 04 STi HIDs to anyone. Does this other board member know you stole his headlights yet? Alternatively, I wonder who was the victim of this other board member?

10-20-2003, 01:46 AM	#3
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	Actually, he's well aware. He bought some JDM style STI HID's so that he wouldn't have to clear his out, and i was the lucky first responder to his for sale thread... look it up if you doubt. He's a well known board member. =] So.... no one's done this?!

10-20-2003, 02:07 AM	#4
pityr Scooby Specialist Member#: 31719 Join Date: Jan 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Portland	Did you get the balasts too?

10-20-2003, 12:56 PM	#5
awdboxer Scooby Specialist Member#: 38425 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Orlando Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5dr Lightning Red	I'm also very curious on what is needed for this mod. Do the JDM HID's plug right up into the USDM STi??

10-21-2003, 12:05 PM	#7
awdboxer Scooby Specialist Member#: 38425 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Orlando Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5dr Lightning Red	hmm, so would it be possible to get the USDM STi connectors or harness then find some diagram to splice them into the WRX and then just plug the HIDs right up?

10-21-2003, 05:00 PM	#8
FryRice Scooby Specialist Member#: 38402 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Francisco Vehicle: 2004 WRX~vf34 SOLD EVO MR	Can you buy the motor and the leveler separately and stick it on the non hid headlights? or they are differnet?

10-21-2003, 05:41 PM	#10
D-I-Z-Z-L-E Scooby Specialist Member#: 37178 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: 37178 Dizzlebytes Vehicle: 1960 Stdbaker champ rust	a buddy of mine just said that there is a company or dealership that makes a 2002-2004 harness for the lights. i would assume that they can make or know what connectors need to go where and prolly have them. now i just have to google for it i guess.

10-22-2003, 04:35 AM	#11
FryRice Scooby Specialist Member#: 38402 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Francisco Vehicle: 2004 WRX~vf34 SOLD EVO MR	If they do fit and i can get them......... how do you hook the leveler up? got a link or something

10-22-2003, 12:46 PM	#12
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	Check on scoobymods.com. there's a whole write up about it... it's for the '03- style lights but the setup is the same.

10-24-2003, 04:26 PM	#13
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	So either no one on this board has done this... or i'm asking a really stupid question that's been answered a million times and no one wants to answer it again... which is it???

10-27-2003, 08:32 PM	#14
awdboxer Scooby Specialist Member#: 38425 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Orlando Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5dr Lightning Red	i wish someone would help us out

10-29-2003, 02:46 PM	#15
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	Ping. SOMEONE must know where to get one of those HID male connectors. I guess we're stuck using spade connectors. =\

10-29-2003, 09:15 PM	#16
D-I-Z-Z-L-E Scooby Specialist Member#: 37178 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: 37178 Dizzlebytes Vehicle: 1960 Stdbaker champ rust	what about just getting an sti light harness? from a usdm sti?>

10-29-2003, 11:53 PM	#18
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	I mentioned it above... the entire STi wiring harness apparently costs a few hundred dollars according to the parts guy i talked to, but i don't think he knew what he was talking about. I'm going to get more detailed info when i go pick up the leveling switch from another dealership tomorrow. Oh, and to answer your question, i'd be looking for the male plug that fits into the HID socket in the picture above. I'll just end up using spade terminals like the '03's and earlier did. I've got an idea of how i'm gonna do this. I guess i'll be doing another how-to soon. =]

10-30-2003, 12:40 PM	#19
awdboxer Scooby Specialist Member#: 38425 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Orlando Vehicle: 2011 WRX 5dr Lightning Red	awesome, keep us updated!

11-22-2003, 02:41 PM	#20
akillya Scooby Newbie Member#: 48359 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Winterpeg! Vehicle: 2004 WRX sti blue/gold	I have a 2004 STi which is a Canadian modeld so it does not have Hid lights like the US or JDM model. I ordered a set of JDM headlights and a six wire headlight leveling switch. I made a new harness using the US style connector to hook up the Hids but when I turn on the lights the 15 amp mini fuse under the hood pops. I looked at the manual and all Sti's no matter what spec of headlights have the same fuses in the under hood and behind the coin tray fues boxes 15amp per side. I am wondering if the US/ JDM model has a relay somewhere for the Hids. Does ayone have a wiring diagram of a US model or know what the problem is??

02-07-2004, 11:22 AM	#21
wagons_ho! Scooby Specialist Member#: 16574 Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Vancouver, BC	The gray connector isn't the same connector as used on the standard H1 low beam. Trust me. I've got 3000 of them and it's close but not the same. The HID connector, I need to see to make sure, but I THINK I know what it is. Spade lugs aren't weatherproof. Trust me on this one too. Levellers- a breeze. If you want to do this yourself, connectors cost 1700 for 200 shells, plus the rest of the parts needed, if you want to buy minimum quantities - 12000 terminals, 10000 seals. I can help with some of it, but I'd like to make a kit to work.

02-07-2004, 11:04 PM	#25
winningham.2 Scooby Newbie Member#: 43496 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: MidOhio Vehicle: 2004 WRX Silver	Wagons, The best thing that I feel could come out of this thread would be how much, and where do you get, those plug and play adapters. I know when I first started out, I would still have bulked on this option because of the soldering that needs to take place, but I feel this route would be the best. That being said, I will always love more pics of the install with more direction, so I say go for it.