How can you tell the difference between an HID and halogen headlamp in a 08 Mazda5

[maglito]

Besides the part number, obviously. Since both are projector style and seem to look the same to me from outside the car, how can I tell them apart?

I hit a guard rail in my 2008 Mazda5 Grand Touring on the front passenger side, and I'm trying to save money on the repair bill by at least acquiring the headlamp on the used market. Some people advertise having a halogen or HID RH headlight assembly, but how can I be sure I am getting the right thing?

Also, the light and the outer lens work and look fine. Supposedly, just the lowest part of the housing is cracked/damaged. If that is the case, could the housing be universal between the two and if I disassemble them could I just swap HID parts into a halogen outer housing?

I can post pics if that will help.

Thanks!

 

[njaremka]

do you have HID or Halogen headlights? the HID headlight housings will have a gaping hole in the bottom where the ballast would be mounted.

 

[Silentnoise713]

The HID headlights has a servo for leveling where the halogen projector would not.

 

[Wishmaster]

Also, if you remove the bulbs they look drastically different. HID bulbs have an additional filament (or whatever it is) running outside the typical glass bulb housing connecting the tip to the base. Do a couple google search (halogen vs HID bulb) and you'll see what I mean.

 

[maglito]

I have a grand touring so it has the OEM HIDs. So, when it is removed, you can tell by looking at the rear of the housing, but not from the front of the lamp (aka installed), correct?

Here are some I can't tell on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAZDA-5-RH-HEADLIGHT-08-09-10-USED-/360613515870
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CE50-51-0K0...MP-2008-2009-2010-RH-HEAD-LIGHT-/120915616798
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MAZDA-5-08-09-10-OEM-HEADLIGHT-RT-PASSENGER-SIDE-/380486276197

Do any of those look like they could be HID to you guys? Thanks for the tips!

 

[njaremka]

none of those are HID headlights. the HID headlights also had the black trim on the inside.

 

[maglito]

So this one (probably long gone as listed for sale in 2009), even though it's listed as touring is HID, as it has the black trim?
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...S-08-Mazda-5-Right-OEM-headlamp-NIB-(Touring)

 

[Secondtyme]

I would try to shop by part # rather than description, as E-bay can be hit or miss in regards to the photo you are looking at representing what you are actually buying. If you go solely on part # you should be less likely to end up with the wrong thing. You could also look at European market vehicles as I believe the HID option was more prevelant there.