HID Mod - headlight problem
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 21
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HID Mod - headlight problem
First let me say my HID fog and headlights that I received from JW Motoring are beautiful. I LOVE the color and the intensity. Great customer service also. 
and although I installed them several weeks ago my corvette has been sitting in the garage almost exclusely since. Its been raining in Florida and ever time I drove it, it was daytime.
But last night was my first time driving at night....oh soooo nice...but then.
When I arrived home my headlights didn't retract. I had to turn them on and off several times before they closed. Could this be caused by the HID mod or are my headlight motors going and this is simply coincidental timing.
I also noticed my headlights need to be re-aimed. Anyone have a link to how to do this?
thanks,
zbon
and although I installed them several weeks ago my corvette has been sitting in the garage almost exclusely since. Its been raining in Florida and ever time I drove it, it was daytime.
But last night was my first time driving at night....oh soooo nice...but then.
When I arrived home my headlights didn't retract. I had to turn them on and off several times before they closed. Could this be caused by the HID mod or are my headlight motors going and this is simply coincidental timing.
I also noticed my headlights need to be re-aimed. Anyone have a link to how to do this?
thanks,
zbon
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
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From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
You need a resistor inline with your HID's in order to close the headlamp buckets. Your vendor should have made you aware of this. 
The other option is to flash the brights to close them.
The other option is to flash the brights to close them.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Boston MA
Banned Scam/Spammer
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
PM me and I will show you where to get one.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
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No I'm not implying I wasn't aware that a resistor was available, I didn't realize what affect it did or didn't have. Several people say it wasn't necessary for them and I didn't realize what would happen if I didn't have one.
Now I know, and now I need a couple resistors. No big deal.
Now I know, and now I need a couple resistors. No big deal.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
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From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
If you're using a plug and play kit, some people have had luck upgrading their headlight fuses from a 10amp to 15amp. The startup current for firing an HID arc is as high as 8.5 amps over a few thousands of a second. Sometimes the 10amp fuse just can't take the surge of power.
As far as aiming goes, there isn't really a good "official" way to aim your HID headlights since the oem housing was never designed to effectively use that much output.
This being said, I would reccomend aiming the top of the hotspot no higher than 22" and directly in front (transverse) of each respective headlight. The C5's headlight is centered at the legal limit for headlights (24") and keeping the hotspot at or lower than 22" will give you maximum distance vision without excessive glare or blinding oncoming traffic.
As far as aiming goes, there isn't really a good "official" way to aim your HID headlights since the oem housing was never designed to effectively use that much output.
This being said, I would reccomend aiming the top of the hotspot no higher than 22" and directly in front (transverse) of each respective headlight. The C5's headlight is centered at the legal limit for headlights (24") and keeping the hotspot at or lower than 22" will give you maximum distance vision without excessive glare or blinding oncoming traffic.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: 1000 Oaks CA
St. Jude Donor '08
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 21
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This being said, I would reccomend aiming the top of the hotspot no higher than 22" and directly in front (transverse) of each respective headlight. The C5's headlight is centered at the legal limit for headlights (24") and keeping the hotspot at or lower than 22" will give you maximum distance vision without excessive glare or blinding oncoming traffic.
Where are the adjustment screws? I'm asking without the car in front of me and it may be glaringly obvious.
and when I make the 22" measurement, how far off the front of the car do I measure the "hotspot" to the ground. I guess another way to ask, if I project the headlights on my garage door to adjust, how far away from the garage door should the car be?
-zbon
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks and now forgive my ignorance but
Where are the adjustment screws? I'm asking without the car in front of me and it may be glaringly obvious.
and when I make the 22" measurement, how far off the front of the car do I measure the "hotspot" to the ground. I guess another way to ask, if I project the headlights on my garage door to adjust, how far away from the garage door should the car be?
-zbon
Where are the adjustment screws? I'm asking without the car in front of me and it may be glaringly obvious.
and when I make the 22" measurement, how far off the front of the car do I measure the "hotspot" to the ground. I guess another way to ask, if I project the headlights on my garage door to adjust, how far away from the garage door should the car be?
-zbon
You should be 20-25 feet away from the wall when adjusting your lights. I use painters tape on a garage door to do my alignments.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 5
From: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Thanks and now forgive my ignorance but
Where are the adjustment screws? I'm asking without the car in front of me and it may be glaringly obvious.
and when I make the 22" measurement, how far off the front of the car do I measure the "hotspot" to the ground. I guess another way to ask, if I project the headlights on my garage door to adjust, how far away from the garage door should the car be?
-zbon
Where are the adjustment screws? I'm asking without the car in front of me and it may be glaringly obvious.
and when I make the 22" measurement, how far off the front of the car do I measure the "hotspot" to the ground. I guess another way to ask, if I project the headlights on my garage door to adjust, how far away from the garage door should the car be?
-zbon
http://www.coolbulbs.com/HID-VISUAL-...-PROCEDURE.pdf
