HID Lights intermittent problem
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 173
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HID Lights intermittent problem
Hey guys,
I have a 97 C5, installed HID lights in with the ballasts etc. I want to know why when its cold, they sometimes are hard starts, for instance if I put my running lights on first and then turn the headlights on, they work on cold days, but if I flick the lights on without first going to running lights, sometimes one won't start and I need to retry starting.
When it is warm outside, they work fine, they start up right away.
Also, on the off side....
When I turn them off the headlights unpredictably remain open, some nights it never happens, some nights I need to try a couple of times to get them to go down. I understand that the motors rely on a que from the headlights going off to start the downward motion but I don't know how to alleiviate this problem given the lower load of the HIDs.
I got my kit from c5racer.com, so if anyone is familiar with these problems please let me know. Thanks.
I have a 97 C5, installed HID lights in with the ballasts etc. I want to know why when its cold, they sometimes are hard starts, for instance if I put my running lights on first and then turn the headlights on, they work on cold days, but if I flick the lights on without first going to running lights, sometimes one won't start and I need to retry starting.
When it is warm outside, they work fine, they start up right away.
Also, on the off side....
When I turn them off the headlights unpredictably remain open, some nights it never happens, some nights I need to try a couple of times to get them to go down. I understand that the motors rely on a que from the headlights going off to start the downward motion but I don't know how to alleiviate this problem given the lower load of the HIDs.
I got my kit from c5racer.com, so if anyone is familiar with these problems please let me know. Thanks.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 55
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From: wake forest nc
I just installed a similar kit on my 2003 C5. The kit I installed has the digital/slim ballast. I was confused when the headlight motors would not go down at all. The only wiring that changed was the headlight connection so I knew it was isolated here so to lower the headlights try switching on the high beams. My headlights immediately went down. Its kinda silly to have to do but it worked for me.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Your head light control module is CURRENT SENSING and uses the current draw from the motors to turn on and send the motor the correct polarity for UP-DOWN. The HID lights use less current so the module isnt see the current necessary for proper operation. I dont have HIDs but some people wire in wire wound resistores to simulate the correct current draw. Be careful if you do the resistor mod... They will get HOT.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
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From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Option #2: Pickup a side marker light (non LED) and install it under the hood to come one when the headlights are on. Wire it in to the stock headlight wiring side of the ballast. NOT the high voltage side.
It adds enough of a load that the lights will close correctly. @ $4.00
I did #2 and the side marker light lays down by the brake duct and can't be seen.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
I just installed a similar kit on my 2003 C5. The kit I installed has the digital/slim ballast. I was confused when the headlight motors would not go down at all. The only wiring that changed was the headlight connection so I knew it was isolated here so to lower the headlights try switching on the high beams. My headlights immediately went down. Its kinda silly to have to do but it worked for me.
