So I've had HIDs in my C5Z since Aug '08. Just last weekend, I noticed that the right HID was out. I turned the HIDs off, lids still up, and turned them on again (I did all this while driving), and the right HID came back on...

After a while, the right side would go out again if I use the turn signals, or if I turned up the volume on my radio (aftermarket: Kenwood). I noticed it last night again after I put the car into reverse to back it up. but, the light doesn't go out immediately, there's a time delay of a few seconds.

I've tried cleaning the ground and also checking the harness connections and everything looks good. The only difference between the left and right is that the HID resistor is on the right side. I haven't tried removing it just yet to see if that's the issue. I was wondering if this has happened to anyone else, or you know of a cause for it?

 

ahh ****. Installed mine the other and have the resistor coming in today..

 

Swap ballasts to see if the issue changes sides.

 

Hopefully you'll be fine. This has only recently become an issue now.

 

I'll check that. Any other ideas if this is not the cause?

 

I just realized that on the radio when I switch from Brights to Hid low beams the radio has static ???

 

Do you still have the stock radio? Do you notice your dashlights flicker (either the instr. cluster or the AC unit)? I notice that mine have a slight flicker, but not easily noticeable.

I've been too busy to take a look at mine recently. I plan to get the battery and alternator tested first.

 

So yesterday (since it's a little after midnight now), I took a drive to AutoZone and picked up a few things. I got back to the vette, seat comes to the set position, and as I attempt to start the car, I heard a couple clicks and then nothing. Everything in the car went dead. At the point, I'm all . Then a remembered, AutoZone was only a few steps away. So, before doing the walk of shame and embarassment back into the store. I gave the key a couple more turns. This time, there was no clicking. Nothing at all.

Got into AutoZone and had them do a battery check. Strangely the battery was good, and so was the alternator. The dude even check the wire and asked if I had any aftermarket wiring setups, which I don't. He was kind enough to bring his own car over and see if it could be jumped. To my surprise, the Z started up with the jump, but she wasn't able to start on her own (which weird since the dude said the battery was ok ).

So the last time he jumped it, I decided to take her to my parents, since they were close, and figure it out there. My father looked at the car for two minutes and found the positive cable was loose (it some play in it as you could move it around; the ground cable was fine). It was screwed slightly into the battery, but didn't have full contact with the node. I backed the bolt out and screwed it back in. Tested to start and VROOM .

After that, I ran some more checks on the HID issue and I didn't notice any flickering in the dashlights while driving. The HID didn't shut off either. So far, everything looks good.

So, if you are having something like this, you may want to consider getting your battery checked and/or making sure your cables are actually making connect with the battery nodes.

 

If you reference the countless threads on no start issues, the first piece of advice given is to always check the battery cables for security. It's a common problem, and wreaks havoc on a C5 if they are loose.