Weird head light flicker problem.

[zakman]

Alright so i got a weird thing going on that just started.

so when i change lanes if i put the turn signal on all the way, not holding it, and then hit it back to off during that quick second of it clicking, literally a mila-secound, my headlights flicker off and on. it just started and i have no idea what it is. any clue?

i run 8000k hids on my fogs and lows and have for the life of my car. dont no if they have anything to do with it but i have never, in 3 years, had problems.

anyways if anyone has any thoughts or insight that would be great thanks. just wanna make sure its not gonna some how cut out on me one time

[TheMAN]

sounds like a grounding issue

[McGuyver_3]

a little more insight would be nice.
how are they hooked up?
relay?
capaciter?
straight hook up?
how old is the kit?

[zakman]

a little more insight would be nice.
how are they hooked up?
relay?
capaciter?
straight hook up?
how old is the kit?

So the fogs are only 1 month old and the run off the relay harness. And the low beams are about 2 and a half years old and run off a relay harness. Both with the original harness that was supplied. My car is an 2008 so no compaciter needed to stop the flicker of drl.

[McGuyver_3]

does this only happen while driving or does it happen while stationary aswell? If only while driving it could be a loose wire like stated above. If it happens while driving and stationary i would swap out the relay. Check the fuse aswell as some of the kits have shotty fuse holders and end up melting the fuse over time from the poor connections.

[zakman]

does this only happen while driving or does it happen while stationary aswell? If only while driving it could be a loose wire like stated above. If it happens while driving and stationary i would swap out the relay. Check the fuse aswell as some of the kits have shotty fuse holders and end up melting the fuse over time from the poor connections.

I will check the relays and such. It happens when I'm driving only. What I'm wondering now is why would this happen when I put the signal on? How is this connected to the lights?

[yearoftherat]

IIRC, the signal wire for the HID kits tap the signal wire. Check the connection.

[McGuyver_3]

IIRC, the signal wire for the HID kits tap the signal wire. Check the connection.

Op claims to have an 08 so I would assume he hooked up the signal wire to the stock socket. But thank you for pointing that out. I did not consider that option because its an 08. If the lights are on and then when he uses the signathen they start flickering I doubt it would be hooked to the turn signals. Reasoning behind that is because the signals only come on when you turn them on meaning the hids would only flash on and off when you turn on the signals but this is not the case from my understanding.

For OP you do not need a relay harness as you would be fine without one

[notoriousb]

flickering if not from a connection issue or DRL issue, is usually a ballast one.

[zakman]

Alrite so atleast for the head lights I could remove the relay and have no problems. This would, if it's a problem with the relay, get rid of my flicker problem when turning the signal off... Hopefully. I'll play around with this all after work and see what's. Thanks.

[McGuyver_3]

flickering if not from a connection issue or DRL issue, is usually a ballast one.

again I go back to my theory that it only happens when the turn signals are turned on. Could be a ballast but in this case i do not beleive so

[zakman]

so its been well crazying snowing up here in barrie so havent had time to do more then just look at the fuse and change it. it had a little corrosion on it but not much so dont think that was the problem. but after i changed it it hasnt done it every time i signal like before. still weird because the head lights arent linked to the signal at all. i dunno ...im gonna remove the relay harness this weekend and see if that changes anything. thanks again for all the pointers so far and ill keep this posted.

[mEtH]

I actually have the same issue. I have had the HIDs hooked up since just after I got the car. My car is a 2008 as well with low beams and fogs. It is weird that it just started this year and it does not happen all the time. The problem will happen off and on but after happening about twice or so it stops, I am guessing because the ballast has warmed up.

[zakman]

I actually have the same issue. I have had the HIDs hooked up since just after I got the car. My car is a 2008 as well with low beams and fogs. It is weird that it just started this year and it does not happen all the time. The problem will happen off and on but after happening about twice or so it stops, I am guessing because the ballast has warmed up.

ya thats exactly what is happening now that i changed the fuse. dont think its because of the fuse but same thing. its really wierd. i still have no idea why its happening with the signal tho. they arent even connected.

[RedRaptor]

Bring this back a little.

I've had this problem for about two years now but its started to get worse at the beginning of this winter. It used to happen once or twice during a 30 min drive, but now its more of 5-6 times.

Googling educated me that it could be the combination light stalk that needs replacing.

[instict911]

well i have a flicker on my hid's until i turn them on physically, i do this all the time so my hid fog's work also but it gives the hid's more power and they dont flicker.

[McGuyver_3]

Instict911-to me this sounds like your HID's are hooked straight in to the OEM connector. If this is the case you will need a relay.

RedRaptor- Rob I may have a switch kicking around somewhere that we could test your theory with. I will have to dig it out

[m3rk]

I'm having the same problem as the op but this only occurs when it's cold. I don't recall it happening in the summer time. This is the kit I have and bought it from Kelvin @ imports-tuning.
:http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?43909-85-Slim-Hid-Kits-w-18-month-warranty-Relay-Rubber-piece-spacer.

It happens randomly weather or not the ballast is warmed up. Out of the 18month warranty. When it flickers it's both the headlights and fogs.

[Booter22]

I'm having the same problem as the op but this only occurs when it's cold. I don't recall it happening in the summer time. This is the kit I have and bought it from Kelvin @ imports-tuning.
:http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?43909-85-Slim-Hid-Kits-w-18-month-warranty-Relay-Rubber-piece-spacer.

It happens randomly weather or not the ballast is warmed up. Out of the 18month warranty. When it flickers it's both the headlights and fogs.

do you have the relay for it? i think the first gens needs it. otherwise if they flick random and go out. prolly time for a new ballast. i have replacement mine a time or two. some last more then others. just the way it goes. they dont last forever.

[m3rk]

do you have the relay for it? i think the first gens needs it. otherwise if they flick random and go out. prolly time for a new ballast. i have replacement mine a time or two. some last more then others. just the way it goes. they dont last forever.

Nope. Don't think I bought one at the time. Bought it two years ago. I've noticed the problem worsen this year/season.

[Booter22]

Nope. Don't think I bought one at the time. Bought it two years ago. I've noticed the problem worsen this year/season.

sounds like its time for new ballasts or bulbs. no big deal just pick up another set and replace them, ask him if you should have the relays or not.

[RedRaptor]

I don't think this is related to bulbs/ballasts. I've had this issue for a couple of years now. I only notice it in the winter (extreme cold) as well.

[citrus]

I think it is the ballasts, triggered by a weak battery. Even since I upgraded to an AGM battery this problem went away. I ditched the stock battery immediately.

[m3rk]

Update: I tried signalling without having the switch locked in. I just held it for a few seconds until I was in the next lane and released it - no problem. Tried a few times of having it locked in and releasing after changing lanes or having it automatically release upon turn completion and now and then it flickers. I think I ruled out a ballast or bulb problem. I have no clue about electrical stuff about our cars, but could it be the switch or something?

But I still find it odd, that it happens mainly during the winter as RedRaptor indicated.

[m3rk]

.. Bringing it back again. I've noticed the flickering now and then regardless of the temperature. Tonight wasn't cold but I still had it. Had them flicker when turning from a stop but I also tested them on the street to my house - flickered two times out of like 10 signals tests. I also hear a sound when they flicker coming from the passenger side like the fusebox.

Any ideas?

[bestknightmare]

do you have the relay for it? i think the first gens needs it. otherwise if they flick random and go out. prolly time for a new ballast. i have replacement mine a time or two. some last more then others. just the way it goes. they dont last forever.

Does the second gen need relays?

[McGuyver_3]

NO