2008 GT/CS headlights
 

I have a 08 California special with HID headlamps that are terribly scratched. I want to retrofit to halogen mainly due to cost. Can I just replace the headlamps with halogen lamps and bulbs, remove ballasts and wiring, plug up to factory harness?

You can, Raxion makes some good ones. Don't go cheap though. I can't help with the wiring. You'll most likely need a new harness that can be grafted onto the factory one meaning you'll need to cut the factory connector off and add the aftermarket one on.

I have an '08 with factory HID and they had started to turn yellow from the factory UV coating coming off. Rather than replace them, I restored them. Took a lot of wet sanding, polishing, and a hit with Duplicolor UV clear for headlights to get them back to a factory look. You're right though, the price of a new HID headlight is outrageous! (600+). Aftermarket used is around 400 or 500 but then you're dealing with scratches or busted tabs....

Thanks for the advice. I'll check it out

You will need to buy two H13/9008 harnesses:
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/mustang...67d4ef48b2.jpg





The way the Halogens work, the LO beam filament is off when HI beam is on.

The wiring is different with the HIDs.

This is the Halogen Wiring Schematic:
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/mustang...f50c362863.png


You will need to test voltages at the headlamp harnesses, and splice in the H11 connectors for
halogens. I am pretty sure there is more to it, the wiring is different for HIDs.

I can't find anything om the HID or how they work, if it's one bulb with a shutter for lo beam,
or pull-back for HI beam, or what...

So, it needs researching, but the wiring would be easy once that's determined.

It's one bulb. A Philips D3R that uses an OSRAM Ballast model 35XT5 (DS1/D3S)

Then, one wire powers the light, one wire powers the shutter, or whatever they are
using to control the brightness. However, that means the light is always on, brightness
controlled by the shutter. The other wire is ground.

I can't find a HID schematic, and the Chilton manual doesn't have it either.... I saw one
before, but I can't find it now.

I may be able help you do it, but I need to see the schematic for the HID system.

Here it is.

Covers HID and NonHID

btw, this site is pretty cool. THought you might like it.
http://www.bbbind.com/tsb-wiring-diagrams/

You have to sign up but it's 100% free for the TSB and wiring diagrams section.

Still doesn't designate D,E,F and G.

Two of those, like E and F would be the shutters, since D and G are the same wire for the lo-beam side.
Bulb brightness does not change with HIDs, they need shutters to open up for full lighting. Or, they pull
back from a shield for more lighting.

SO, buy the two harnesses.

Pull the HID components, and SPLICE in the bought harnesses:

Pin 1 -> HI beam lead
Pin 2 -> Ground
Pin 3 -> LO beam lead
On each side.

Test functionality before putting everything back into the car, so you can put the
HIDs back in just in case. If everything works, then you can cut off or tape up and
seal the HID Harness stuff.

That's why I suggest splicing into the existing wires, to keep the HID harnesses, just
in case. IF you want to cut them off AFTER you verified everything works, then you're
good to go, but I would find a way to SEAL them up good, just in case you want to go
back, or you sell it and THEY want to go back.

Then if it does not work, tie off and seal up the H11 harnesses for further study....

And thanks for the DIAGRAM information, it helped...

Got the headlamps replaced with ease. Found wiring adapter harnesses at dtmotoring. Replaced headlamps with halogen lamps and adapter harnesses. All work great

I could not find this post quick enough, there is a new set of Halogen housings on Facebook Marketplace
for $30.00