• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

HID Problems

T

That Guy

New member
Hey, I have a '98 Grand Prix that I recently bought from someone and it came with HID lights. Unfortunatly, the driver side light works intermittently and tends to flicker. Do the bulbs tend to go out? I was under the impression that HID was pretty stable. Or does it sound more like a loose connection somewhere?

Is there any tips and tricks someone might know about working with HIDs? I've never used them before.

Thanks
 


Sounds like something is loose, maybe a connector isn't locked in all the way. IDK but it shouldn't flicker, check the wiring and the ground.
 
That's a good idea, the lights came with the car so it is prob. the stock wiring harness.
I bet you are right and he needs a different harness.
 
Should I get a whole new HID kit? I think the kit was aftermarket and installed by the previous owner. It certainly doesn't look factory installed.
 


You might try a heavier wiring harness first because if you do need a new kit you will still need the upgraded harness, I'm pretty sure of that..maybe someone who knows for sure will post the answer.
 
I had a similar problem with my HID kit that was just connected to the stock headlight wiring. My driver's side bulb would flicker and then it would only work sometimes before it finally blew the bulb. Do you know if your kit is plugged into the stock wiring or if there is a wiring harness connected to the battery and running to the ballasts? I my case I got a new kit w/the wiring harness and have not had any problems so far and it took about an hour to install everything and run all the wires.
 
I drove my car last night and the headlights worked great. I didnt have any problems seeing or with them flickering.

I did find out though that I dont have a high beam with my HID's. When I turn them on the dash light turns on indicating that the high beams are on but my headlights actually turn off.

Am I supposed to have a high beam with HIDs? Thanks
 
That Guy said:
I drove my car last night and the headlights worked great. I didnt have any problems seeing or with them flickering.

I did find out though that I dont have a high beam with my HID's. When I turn them on the dash light turns on indicating that the high beams are on but my headlights actually turn off.

Am I supposed to have a high beam with HIDs? Thanks
Click to expand...

yeah 9007 are supost to have hi/lo beams
 


they probably just installed the kit that has no high beams, its cheaper. IMO you really dont need high beams with hid's, they are so damn bright anyways.
 
you gotta b careful as to the brand too if its a cheap generic kit from ebay it could be the kit itself...
 
OK, the next chance I get I'll take a picture of the setup and let you guys take a look. I honestly have don't know anything about HIDs other than they are nice headlights.
 
I'm willing to bet that your HID system plugs directly into your stock headlight wiring harness. HIDs can pull as much as 10 Amps per ballast on start-up and since the stock halogens only use between 4-5 Amps per bulb you can see the problem. I suggest getting a whole new HID kit and get a relay harness for the ballasts, this will ensure that the ballasts get the proper amperage on start-up.

Check out these guys:

custom HID conversions, HID kits, LED, CCFL specialists - retrosolutions

I bought my kit a year and a half ago for my Aurora and have just installed them on my 07 GXP and they still run great. As long as you install them correctly you get a life time warranty on bulbs and ballasts.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top