Headlight Issues
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Headlight Issues
I have a 2003 C5 and I recently installed HID Headlights. About a month after I installed the HID lights, I am having problems with the headlight doors closing. They open up instantly when I turn the headlights on, but when I turn them off, they fail to close. However, if the engine is running the doors will close. If the engine is off, I have to start the engine and rev it up a bit before the headlight doors close.
Anyone out there have this kind of issue???
Anyone out there have this kind of issue???
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
I have a 2003 C5 and I recently installed HID Headlights. About a month after I installed the HID lights, I am having problems with the headlight doors closing. They open up instantly when I turn the headlights on, but when I turn them off, they fail to close. However, if the engine is running the doors will close. If the engine is off, I have to start the engine and rev it up a bit before the headlight doors close.
Anyone out there have this kind of issue???
Anyone out there have this kind of issue???
Last edited by UM Rebel; Jun 2, 2016 at 08:01 PM. Reason: Add info
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 29
From: Fort Worth Texas
I don't know what hid you bought . If from corvette mods you need to hit the brights to lower them. That's what I bought first then went ACA BI Xeon lights from radio flyer inventions. Best thing I did was swap those out. What a difference of lighting. Hope that helps GL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
...after I installed the HID lights, I am having problems with the headlight doors closing. They open up instantly when I turn the headlights on, but when I turn them off, they fail to close. However, if the engine is running the doors will close. If the engine is off, I have to start the engine and rev it up a bit before the headlight doors close...
HIDs typically draw more current at startup and less once they stabilize. It seems your ballasts are borderline 55w.
When you turn them up they open because of the startup power draw, but they don't close with the engine off because:
A) voltage went down (alternator stopped supplying power), causing the lights to draw less power and
B) lights were already stable and consuming less power than the required minimum.
That's why flashing the high beams when closing usually does the trick.
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Headlight Issues
I don't know what hid you bought . If from corvette mods you need to hit the brights to lower them. That's what I bought first then went ACA BI Xeon lights from radio flyer inventions. Best thing I did was swap those out. What a difference of lighting. Hope that helps GL
Thanks for the info!!
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,541
Likes: 888
From: Republic of Texas
Aside from replacing your ballasts with a true 55w version, your best option is the high beam flash.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
I'm not going to split hairs with you discussing semantics, but that's what I said... just different wording.