Really Weird Headlight/HID install issue...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
Really Weird Headlight/HID install issue...
I tried installing some "plug and play" 9006 HID's today. The problem that I encountered was that my lights would not go up and down correctly after installiing the HID's. They'd either go down part way and stop, as if there was something blocking the mechanism. I checked and tripled checked to make sure that the wiring and ballasts were positioned correctly. I also thought that I messed something up by manully raising/lowering the headlights and then cycling the switch.
I finally gave up thinking that I fried my pop-up motors and was going to take the car to the dealer and "play dumb" and just let the extended warranty pay to fix the headlight motors... Well, while I was removing the HID bulbs and ballasts, and after I reinstalled the factory 9006 bulbs, the headlight motors began working again.
Now, I have one HID and one OEM halogen bulb. The lights go up and down just fine. I'm guessing that there is a voltage issue with the HID ballasts powering up and not sending the correct signal to the headlight motors. Has anyone else had this issue? Any suggestions? I'd like to get the other HID working...
Thank you in advance,
John
I finally gave up thinking that I fried my pop-up motors and was going to take the car to the dealer and "play dumb" and just let the extended warranty pay to fix the headlight motors... Well, while I was removing the HID bulbs and ballasts, and after I reinstalled the factory 9006 bulbs, the headlight motors began working again.
Now, I have one HID and one OEM halogen bulb. The lights go up and down just fine. I'm guessing that there is a voltage issue with the HID ballasts powering up and not sending the correct signal to the headlight motors. Has anyone else had this issue? Any suggestions? I'd like to get the other HID working...
Thank you in advance,
John
Last edited by jpandes; Feb 6, 2007 at 03:53 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
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From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Curious for an answer also. These sorts of things are why I've never raised mine manually when working on them. Seems to darn near always cause some sort of issue?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Houston, TX www.djmotorsportaccessories.com Specializing in C5 & C6 Accessories. DJ Motorsport Accessories.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I just read from an earlier post that you got them off e-Bay for $130. You really get what you pay for these days. NTRBL33 is a supporting vendor here and has a great set for $299. He worked with the manf. to come up with best ballast with relays built in and bulbs that fit the socket better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
Likes: 156
From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
you're right, you do get what you pay for.........
and here's what you get:
wether you spent $130.00 or $299.00, you get light that goes everywhere except down the road, where you need it, blinding oncoming traffic and not to mention the fact that they're illegal and won't pass state inspection (if you're state requires one).
and the HID bulb swap kit in the pic is in the "better" glass euro headlight housings, the glare will be worse with the stock plastic housings.
and here's what it should look like.........
and here's what you get:
wether you spent $130.00 or $299.00, you get light that goes everywhere except down the road, where you need it, blinding oncoming traffic and not to mention the fact that they're illegal and won't pass state inspection (if you're state requires one).
and the HID bulb swap kit in the pic is in the "better" glass euro headlight housings, the glare will be worse with the stock plastic housings.
and here's what it should look like.........
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,977
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From: Houston, TX www.djmotorsportaccessories.com Specializing in C5 & C6 Accessories. DJ Motorsport Accessories.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
My HID (bulb swap) looks just as the stockers light pattern - except more white and further down the road and if aligned correct NO one flashes that its a problem.
Stock bulbs..
HID bulbs..
To me I wouldn't pay more than $300 for them anyway. But we all have opinions.
Stock bulbs..
HID bulbs..
To me I wouldn't pay more than $300 for them anyway. But we all have opinions.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
I didn't know that this was a "common problem." I have purchased two other HID kits for ~$300 bucks for my previous car, RX7 with pop-ups and had no issues at all. One thing that I need to try is to reinstall the other HID and try raising or lower the lights with the engine running. Maybe the additional voltage from the alt. will help out. Otherwise I will have to add a 30 AMP relay into the mix.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 9
From: Houston, TX www.djmotorsportaccessories.com Specializing in C5 & C6 Accessories. DJ Motorsport Accessories.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I didn't know that this was a "common problem." I have purchased two other HID kits for ~$300 bucks for my previous car, RX7 with pop-ups and had no issues at all. One thing that I need to try is to reinstall the other HID and try raising or lower the lights with the engine running. Maybe the additional voltage from the alt. will help out. Otherwise I will have to add a 30 AMP relay into the mix.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
I have never heard of any "common problem' either. I don't really understand why motor isn't working correctly. Your only using the car bulb power plug right? and the HID should only draw 3.5v to start up compared to like 11v of reg bulbs. I wouldn't do any changes with the car on..disconnect the battery for sure or you might blow a ballast.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
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From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 9
From: Houston, TX www.djmotorsportaccessories.com Specializing in C5 & C6 Accessories. DJ Motorsport Accessories.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
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www.partsforyourcar.com were selling some old wiring harnesses that did that.
Insist on a free replacement that works. Speak with Brian Marks there -- he knows about the issue.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
Correct, common problem. It's the wiring harness.
www.partsforyourcar.com were selling some old wiring harnesses that did that.
Insist on a free replacement that works. Speak with Brian Marks there -- he knows about the issue.
www.partsforyourcar.com were selling some old wiring harnesses that did that.
Insist on a free replacement that works. Speak with Brian Marks there -- he knows about the issue.
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite TX
You need to power the ballast from the battery through a relay, instead of just plugging the headlamp plug to the ballast. Then use the headlamp plug to control the activation of the relay, the light will pop up and go back down as normal.
This site may help explain. The wiring diagram about halfway down the page is the one that I've used, but it's a good idea to read most the writeup. It will help make since of why it should be wired this way. http://faqlight.carpassion.info/headlamp-harness.html
This site may help explain. The wiring diagram about halfway down the page is the one that I've used, but it's a good idea to read most the writeup. It will help make since of why it should be wired this way. http://faqlight.carpassion.info/headlamp-harness.html
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 690
Likes: 202
From: Hoffman Estates, IL
This is exactly how I wired my setup, and I still occassionally get the "no-down" problem. To me, it's not worth troubleshooting any further, and I just do as others here have recommended. Flick the brights on, and the lamps go down!
You need to power the ballast from the battery through a relay, instead of just plugging the headlamp plug to the ballast. Then use the headlamp plug to control the activation of the relay, the light will pop up and go back down as normal.
This site may help explain. The wiring diagram about halfway down the page is the one that I've used, but it's a good idea to read most the writeup. It will help make since of why it should be wired this way. http://faqlight.carpassion.info/headlamp-harness.html
This site may help explain. The wiring diagram about halfway down the page is the one that I've used, but it's a good idea to read most the writeup. It will help make since of why it should be wired this way. http://faqlight.carpassion.info/headlamp-harness.html