Aftermarket headlight assembly installation issue?

ADAM DULLUM

MEMBER
2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE
V8
AUTOMATIC
250,000 MILES

I bought a new aftermarket headlight assembly and went to put it in but there's seems to be only plug ins for the ballast and nothing for the HID bulb? Is this normal? I spent $200 on the assembly and now I'm scared it's not the right one or I need to have it rewired.

7 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,352 POSTS

It sounds like it isn't the correct part. Do you have a link or picture of the replacement? It looks like there are 2 different designs for that year. I would compare what you got to the ones on the truck and what connections they each have. You likely cannot rewire either as the different units are set up in the options of the trucks and may not let the other version work.

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Tuesday, June 18th, 2024 AT 6:41 PM

ADAM DULLUM

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4 POSTS

https://www.ebay.com/itm/235556890898 this is what I bought. It says it's compatible for my Cadillac Escalade and says it takes a HID bulb and a ballast.

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Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 AT 5:51 AM

STEVE W.

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I suspect it's the wrong part. The listing shows it as a right-hand light, but the part numbers listed as GM are for the left-hand light. Are you replacing the factory light because of damage? Does the replacement have the same plug on it?

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Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 AT 6:34 AM

ADAM DULLUM

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4 POSTS

I am replacing because of the damage and moisture. I fits the passenger side just fine. The problem is the plug ins are for the ballast but I'm not seeing anything to plug the HID bulb itself in.

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Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 AT 6:50 AM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,352 POSTS

It might be the wrong part or defective. Hard to say without seeing the part. I know on the OE unit the lamp housing plugs in, and the ballast and bulb are internal.