HID flicker - noob question
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 291
From: Allyn WA
[QUOTE=Bluefire;1579577452]
I have ran 6000K HID's low and fog for four years now. Never a passenger flash or a word from John Law.
Same here! Its the FOG HIDs only driving at night they do not go for!
I have ran 6000K HID's low and fog for four years now. Never a passenger flash or a word from John Law.
Same here! Its the FOG HIDs only driving at night they do not go for!
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 564
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver British Columbia
I have ran 6000K HID's low and fog for four years now. Never a passenger flash or a word from John Law.
FWIW - It isn't a matter of a miracle/luck whether the relay harness or resistors work or don't. The OEM system expects to read the current going through a 55 ohm/watt OEM bulb. Aftermarket ballasts offer 35 ohms to the system. The system freaks and either doesn't light them or they won't close. The relay harness (through the relays coil resistance) or a (fixed 55 ohm resistor) shows the system 55 ohms it requires to beleive the system is functioning properly. No magic.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 291
From: Allyn WA
Thats a 6 million dollar question! Z,s are different? Mine is a stock 98 C5 and had the problem when I went to HI beam HIDs would be interesting to see if there is a pattern between years and types.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,867
Likes: 252
From: Hillsboro OR
Then again, we can't truly rule out voodoo.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
Yep! your lucky!
TNX Zora has a good point about load, by taking away the usual load (lamps) and placing the relay as the load (hardly any due the harness providing power on a different circuit) , the current is different and the onboard computer can get confused. By adding the resistor you are essentually putting back the sensed load!
Course one install on a vette does not really add credance to "many installed". When installing mine, I was also lucky, untill I added HI beam HIDs, then I had interesting things happen with my headlights going down, installed the resistor, no more issues. Having been in a group "Sun Guns how to install" with over 20 various C5's our install forum showed an unbelieaved variance in problems related to the headlamps motor (vary interesting and broad). I was one of those lucky guys and bragged about how mine worked well (right).
Those "dedicated vendors" are not corvette dedicated! Check out JW Motoring for the resistor, its cheap, easy to install and solves the problem!
I never mentioned any "dedicated vendors". My term was using a dedicated wiring harness. I understand that using resistors works for many and that is great. But many have never needed resistors on any of their HID installs, I am one. Also, I have installed HIDs on several C5s, not just one. My point was simply that using a dedicated battery based relay harness with larger size wires should always be a positive on any lighting install. But as always "different strokes for different folks"
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
I have ran 6000K HID's low and fog for four years now. Never a passenger flash or a word from John Law.
FWIW - It isn't a matter of a miracle/luck whether the relay harness or resistors work or don't. The OEM system expects to read the current going through a 55 ohm/watt OEM bulb. Aftermarket ballasts offer 35 ohms to the system. The system freaks and either doesn't light them or they won't close. The relay harness (through the relays coil resistance) or a (fixed 55 ohm resistor) shows the system 55 ohms it requires to beleive the system is functioning properly. No magic.
I have also run 6000K HID's lows and fogs since 07 and never had an issue with other drivers or LEOs.
And your comment on how the relay's coil resistance makes good sense to me.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Aldie VA
I got my HID fog light setup from autoilumnation who uses Japanese ballasts, and although I was able to use the stock circuitry, I added a relay for additional security. You probably need a relay fitted with 16 gauge wire to power up your ballasts, which I am betting will correct the problem. See this post: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ight-woes.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 291
From: Allyn WA
Just to clear a few things up..........
I never mentioned any "dedicated vendors". My term was using a dedicated wiring harness. I understand that using resistors works for many and that is great. But many have never needed resistors on any of their HID installs, I am one. Also, I have installed HIDs on several C5s, not just one. My point was simply that using a dedicated battery based relay harness with larger size wires should always be a positive on any lighting install. But as always "different strokes for different folks"
I never mentioned any "dedicated vendors". My term was using a dedicated wiring harness. I understand that using resistors works for many and that is great. But many have never needed resistors on any of their HID installs, I am one. Also, I have installed HIDs on several C5s, not just one. My point was simply that using a dedicated battery based relay harness with larger size wires should always be a positive on any lighting install. But as always "different strokes for different folks"
must of been still sleeping!Think this is a
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
I got my HID fog light setup from autoilumnation who uses Japanese ballasts, and although I was able to use the stock circuitry, I added a relay for additional security. You probably need a relay fitted with 16 gauge wire to power up your ballasts, which I am betting will correct the problem. See this post: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ight-woes.html
Good info there, thanks!
