Another HID problem thread. Sorry guys.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
Another HID problem thread. Sorry guys.
I'm sure people are sick of seeing threads about almost the same thing, but I did search and couldn't come up with my exact problem.
So here's the deal..
Went to install my HID kit today (35W kit, no pop ups, I have Spectre Werkes C5R lights) and I ran into a slight problem. I installed the driver side, turned the key to the ON position and it fired up properly. Passenger side still had the regular bulb and it worked fine as well. I thought "perfect, now I'll do the other side."
Next I installed the passenger side. Turned the key to the ON position, and the driver side lit up properly, but nothing on the passenger side. I figured it might not be getting enough juice, so I started the car. Once I did that, both sides were not working.
To rule out that the HID kit was the problem, I installed the entire passenger side HID assembly back on the driver side. It fired up properly with key in the ON position.
Not sure why only one side would work with the car off, and then neither side work with it on?
Thank you for any help you guys could give me!
So here's the deal..
Went to install my HID kit today (35W kit, no pop ups, I have Spectre Werkes C5R lights) and I ran into a slight problem. I installed the driver side, turned the key to the ON position and it fired up properly. Passenger side still had the regular bulb and it worked fine as well. I thought "perfect, now I'll do the other side."
Next I installed the passenger side. Turned the key to the ON position, and the driver side lit up properly, but nothing on the passenger side. I figured it might not be getting enough juice, so I started the car. Once I did that, both sides were not working.
To rule out that the HID kit was the problem, I installed the entire passenger side HID assembly back on the driver side. It fired up properly with key in the ON position.
Not sure why only one side would work with the car off, and then neither side work with it on?
Thank you for any help you guys could give me!
Last edited by doublec4; Feb 24, 2011 at 05:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 6
From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
Make sure you clean the factory connector with "electric cleaner" or with a brush so that you have a good contact. Also, look at your wire harness for the HID and test it to see if current is going from thestock wire harness to the ballast and from the ballast to the HID bulb.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
Make sure you clean the factory connector with "electric cleaner" or with a brush so that you have a good contact. Also, look at your wire harness for the HID and test it to see if current is going from thestock wire harness to the ballast and from the ballast to the HID bulb.
Only thing that strikes me as strange is that why would the regular bulbs work then? The HID lights shouldn't draw anymore power? And if at least one works with the engine off, why would nothing work with the engine on?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
If my battery is low, wouldn't the alternator take care of the problem when I turn the engine on? I also have a trickle charger on the car right now too. But I guess its possible? hmm
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 896
From: Republic of Texas
If the battery was low or there was uncommon resistance in the circuit, the passenger side would light and not the drivers. The passenger is closer to the fuse box and therefore the path of lesser resistance.
I would check the connection to the passenger side to make sure the polarity is correct on the connection to the ballast. Most HID ballasts have the polarity reversed to the GM connectors.
I would check the connection to the passenger side to make sure the polarity is correct on the connection to the ballast. Most HID ballasts have the polarity reversed to the GM connectors.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
I'll give that a try as well.
I did read in another thread that the polarity can be mixed up but I figured if the one worked, and I did it the same on the other one, it should be fine. I'll reverse it on the one tomorrow.
If that fixes the lighting issue on the passenger side, any idea why it turned the driver's side off when I turned the ignition on? I'm stumped.
I did read in another thread that the polarity can be mixed up but I figured if the one worked, and I did it the same on the other one, it should be fine. I'll reverse it on the one tomorrow.
If that fixes the lighting issue on the passenger side, any idea why it turned the driver's side off when I turned the ignition on? I'm stumped.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 896
From: Republic of Texas
I'll give that a try as well.
I did read in another thread that the polarity can be mixed up but I figured if the one worked, and I did it the same on the other one, it should be fine. I'll reverse it on the one tomorrow.
If that fixes the lighting issue on the passenger side, any idea why it turned the driver's side off when I turned the ignition on? I'm stumped.
I did read in another thread that the polarity can be mixed up but I figured if the one worked, and I did it the same on the other one, it should be fine. I'll reverse it on the one tomorrow.
If that fixes the lighting issue on the passenger side, any idea why it turned the driver's side off when I turned the ignition on? I'm stumped.
Try testing each side again but with the opposite side unplugged.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
I'll give that a try tomorrow as well.
See if the passenger side fires up without the driver side ballast plugged in...
If theres one thing I hate troubleshooting, its electrical systems!
Thanks to everyone for all of the help so far. Hopefully get this rectified soon
See if the passenger side fires up without the driver side ballast plugged in...
If theres one thing I hate troubleshooting, its electrical systems!
Thanks to everyone for all of the help so far. Hopefully get this rectified soon
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Check your ballast and wires. A lot of the HID light kits have the positive and negatives reversed.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 896
From: Republic of Texas
It's the corvette headlight wires. For some reason they are reversed. The stock lights are halogen so they don't care. I thought it was just a GM thing, but my father's 07 Silverado has the correct polarity.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
So maybe it has to do with model year ? My jeep and vette are 2001.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
Thanks for all of the help guys!
Problem solved. It was the polarity issue. Turns out that only the polarity was backwards on the passenger side plug. Driver's side was correct.
Works with the engine on now too. Glad it wasn't anything that required more $$
Nice crisp 6000K light now:
Problem solved. It was the polarity issue. Turns out that only the polarity was backwards on the passenger side plug. Driver's side was correct.
Works with the engine on now too. Glad it wasn't anything that required more $$
Nice crisp 6000K light now:
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
I figured that's what it was when it worked before you unplugged to try the other side.
You got be carefull when buying some of this electrical stuff to be sure that the connectors are correct.
You got be carefull when buying some of this electrical stuff to be sure that the connectors are correct.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
Yeah, I guess you gotta be careful to assume whoever built these things, built them right. The HID kit was wired properly, but I believe it was the spectre werkes harness that had the plug on backwards on the passenger side only.
Either way, glad to have it working properly
Either way, glad to have it working properly
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 896
From: Republic of Texas
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 61
From: Toronto
Alright thanks 
I'll give it a try in a few weeks when it gets a bit warmer outside!
By the way, I have to give you credit for all of the nice products you come out with. And on a side note, do you sell LED tail lights without the halo?
I'll give it a try in a few weeks when it gets a bit warmer outside!
By the way, I have to give you credit for all of the nice products you come out with. And on a side note, do you sell LED tail lights without the halo?
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 896
From: Republic of Texas
The only LED tail lights I sell have the halo.