HID Install Problems
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 230
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From: Portland Oregon
HID Install Problems
Hi everyone so I had a couple questions just to clarify my problems. First off I installed an HID kit last weekend on my c5 corvette and I decided not to use a resistor or capacitor at the time because I did not have one. But the last couple days I found out even when the HID's where off they would drain my battery so I had to disconnect them.
My question is. does this happen because I have no resistor in the wiring? and I ordered the plug and play capacitors will those work if this is the issue thx any info helps.
My question is. does this happen because I have no resistor in the wiring? and I ordered the plug and play capacitors will those work if this is the issue thx any info helps.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
Seems to me you said in your first post on HID install a few weeks ago,that your resistor kept smoking,so you didn't use it...
Either way,if your resistor smoked,and now your battey is going dead without the headlights on,you've got something wired wrong.
Double check all your wiring -sounds like you've got some power going to the ballasts when it shouldn't be,although I have no idea how that can happen with a plug and play setup like HID's
Either way,if your resistor smoked,and now your battey is going dead without the headlights on,you've got something wired wrong.
Double check all your wiring -sounds like you've got some power going to the ballasts when it shouldn't be,although I have no idea how that can happen with a plug and play setup like HID's
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 230
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From: Portland Oregon
Well I believe that the resistor I used before was not a high enough ohm because I did not know what resistance it had which is why is probably smoked. I also did not change my low beam fuses to 20 amp either.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,429
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From: Northern CA
St. Jude Donor '10-'12, '25
I installed a HID front projector light kit from JW Motoring. It was a total plug-n-play setup with wire harness, ballasts, etc. Can you provide additional information regarding how it's wired? I agree with Carcass, if the battery drains with the lights off something is definitely wrong. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,850
Likes: 234
From: Hillsboro OR
I'm really not being a smart *** when I say this. If you are not complying with the full install recommendations (no resistor,no increased fuse size), why are you surprised there is smoke? I would disconnect everything and ensure you have it wired correctly. You have a serious power to ground short.
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Navigator
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Beaverton Oregon
Hey blue and jpizzle not trying to hijack this thread but I also live in the same area and have issues with my HID’s. I added a resistor and changed to a 20amp fuse and the fuse keeps popping I also lost my blinkers a day after and then a couple of months after that I lost my break lights. I don’t know much about electrical so the car has been sitting for 2 months and im having withdrawals. Hope you get your issue fixed, maybe if I can’t figure mine out one of you would be willing to take a look at it?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
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From: Portland Oregon
Hey 99_Vette did you buy the JW motoring resistor? If you have not done that I would because you might as well have the correct size resistor. Mine kept smoking because they where not the correct rating. Also ya after I get mine fixed I can help you with yours my dad is a Ford and Chevrolet master tech so he has been helping me with mine.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
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From: Portland Oregon
Update: So I charged the car last night after the battery problem and after I disconnected HID kit and now today I go out to drive car and car wont start. the car read a high 11 so I hooked a charger up to and and I am going to drive it in a little bit but If it happens again it may be possible that my battery is bad also and I will get it tested tomorrow.
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
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From: Beaverton Oregon
jpizzle- I did buy the JWM resistor but I bought the old one that had a warning that it may not fix the issue of the head light going up and down. I still need to buy the new correct resistor from him.
Keep me posted on how thing workout for you.
Keep me posted on how thing workout for you.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
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From: Portland Oregon
UPDATE! so I figured out what my problems where coming from and my battery was the problem it only had 120 cc amps. everything is running now with new battery I will hook up HIDS when resistor comes in I got fuses already
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,429
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From: Northern CA
St. Jude Donor '10-'12, '25
Hey blue and jpizzle not trying to hijack this thread but I also live in the same area and have issues with my HID’s. I added a resistor and changed to a 20amp fuse and the fuse keeps popping I also lost my blinkers a day after and then a couple of months after that I lost my break lights. I don’t know much about electrical so the car has been sitting for 2 months and im having withdrawals. Hope you get your issue fixed, maybe if I can’t figure mine out one of you would be willing to take a look at it?
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
Hey blue and jpizzle not trying to hijack this thread but I also live in the same area and have issues with my HID’s. I added a resistor and changed to a 20amp fuse and the fuse keeps popping I also lost my blinkers a day after and then a couple of months after that I lost my break lights. I don’t know much about electrical so the car has been sitting for 2 months and im having withdrawals. Hope you get your issue fixed, maybe if I can’t figure mine out one of you would be willing to take a look at it?
Order the current resistor which does work and check all of your fuses.
Once you replace those and add this one change the headlight fuses only to 20 amps and you'll be good to go.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
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From: Portland Oregon
Thx JW for the resistor I got it today. But I am still having a problem chime in and let me know what I can do.
Ok so before the resistor my passanger side light would flicker sometimes on start up and then it would either go away or the light would shut off. I installed the resistor on the passanger side and it fixed the headlights going up and down and I installed the 20 amp fuses.
I now only get the flickering sometimes on start up but like I said sometimes when it does happen it makes the light go out.
What is the solution to this? I previously ordered anti flicker capacitors but they where not here yet. Would that fix this problem just hooking this into each headlight circuit? thx
Ok so before the resistor my passanger side light would flicker sometimes on start up and then it would either go away or the light would shut off. I installed the resistor on the passanger side and it fixed the headlights going up and down and I installed the 20 amp fuses.
I now only get the flickering sometimes on start up but like I said sometimes when it does happen it makes the light go out.
What is the solution to this? I previously ordered anti flicker capacitors but they where not here yet. Would that fix this problem just hooking this into each headlight circuit? thx