View Full Version : Interesting HID situation
MattL
10-02-2012, 10:00 PM
Anyone know what's happening here?
In the video I am standing at my steering wheel turning the light knob from off, to auto, to dashboard, to fully on and back again a few times. Mixing it up a bit here and there. There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to why the lights come on, which side comes on and why the other one doesn't. It's either the drivers side only on, the passenger side only on, or both on. Never both off (which is good). The video doesn't show only the passenger side turning on, you can see it in the pictures though, but it comes on with the same frequency as when only the drivers side. 2012 mazda3 GS - H11 6000k HID DTR's.
Everything else works properly as it should with no issues (turn signals, high beams, etc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=so4_IeW1Q9I
http://imgur.com/a/XgrRa
Any ideas as to why this may be?
O1Kanoby
10-02-2012, 10:13 PM
hey by chance did u get ur hids installed by "Kelvin"?
MattL
10-02-2012, 10:20 PM
hey by chance did u get ur hids installed by "Kelvin"?
Yeah. Are you having the same problem?
DDUKI
10-02-2012, 10:35 PM
Why does light seem have different colour...
MattL
10-02-2012, 10:37 PM
Ugh.. the album didn't post. Here it is guys, sorry.
Why does light seem have different colour...
I don't think I follow you? Can you rephrase the question?
DDUKI
10-02-2012, 10:41 PM
At 0:42, the right one seems more green/yellowish..? Maybe camera...
MattL
10-02-2012, 10:52 PM
http://imgur.com/a/XgrRa
MattL
10-02-2012, 10:53 PM
At 0:42, the right one seems more green/yellowish..? Maybe camera...
You're right it does look more greenish. Maybe the camera, I'm not sure. When they're both on, and I'm standing in front of the car using my eyes only, they seem similar.
I'm having it checked out tomorrow though.
i would talk to kelvin for a replacement ballast. as for the difference in output between the two at start up, it is common with cheap kits to take time to warm up; once done though they should be the same if not similar.
MattL
10-02-2012, 11:37 PM
Take time to warm up as in every single time, or time to warm up as in a one time, several days of settling?
Hyperion
10-02-2012, 11:49 PM
Every time.
Zuluwun
10-03-2012, 12:03 AM
Not even only cheap kits necessarily. My OEMs are bluish until they warm up to their 4300K colour. As to your temperamental HIDs, get in touch with Kelvin if you got them from him. He's usually really good with sorting his customers out when they have issues
EDIT: Oh, you meant left/right colour difference. yeah, that tends to only happen with the cheaper kits.
Kiyomi
10-03-2012, 12:25 AM
lmao!!! this happened to me a few months ago. but it turned out that the bulb was dying, and there was condensation within the housing. the difference in colour just means that the passenger side is going. replace just the bulb and c what happens before u buy new balasts and/or a new kit. before i got it fixed, i would have to constantly change between night, day, auto before the passenger would come on.
sp3GT
10-03-2012, 08:18 AM
^Thanks for the tip. Never seen this issue before where the bulbs would alternate turning on and off.
MattL
10-03-2012, 10:10 AM
lmao!!! this happened to me a few months ago. but it turned out that the bulb was dying, and there was condensation within the housing. the difference in colour just means that the passenger side is going. replace just the bulb and c what happens before u buy new balasts and/or a new kit. before i got it fixed, i would have to constantly change between night, day, auto before the passenger would come on.
They're brand new installed Sunday morning. So unless I was given used units, which I doubt, it's just bad luck that they're defective out of the box :/
^Thanks for the tip. Never seen this issue before where the bulbs would alternate turning on and off.
They both turned on right away this morning, no noticeable problems. Both seemed bright, clean and the same colour. I'm about to step out of the office and flip them on and check. Going to do that a few times today. If they both come on consistantly every time I check today, did you want to keep our appointment anyways?
MattL
10-03-2012, 10:36 AM
They both turned on right away this morning, no noticeable problems. Both seemed bright, clean and the same colour. I'm about to step out of the office and flip them on and check. Going to do that a few times today. If they both come on consistantly every time I check today, did you want to keep our appointment anyways?
Just kidding. I went out to check and the drivers side doesn't come on until I play with the knob a few times. Siiiiigh
RedRaptor
10-03-2012, 11:03 AM
i would talk to kelvin for a replacement ballast. as for the difference in output between the two at start up, it is common with cheap kits to take time to warm up; once done though they should be the same if not similar.
This.
Budget kits will change colour with one bulb being more yellow, blue, green or even purple.
This is different than a higher quality kit or OEM HIDs where they start off blue and end off a white/sunlight colour.
electricf3el
10-03-2012, 11:08 AM
nice song choice... "i turn the lightss downn babbyyy"
MattL
10-03-2012, 01:23 PM
nice song choice... "i turn the lightss downn babbyyy"
Yeah was the radio. z103.5. Didn't like their remix of Lights at first, but it's really grown on me.
DDUKI
10-03-2012, 02:05 PM
maybe now I need to reconsider getting $75 HID from Kelvin...? and go with higher value kid...??
cwp_sedan
10-03-2012, 02:12 PM
Just because you might pay more doesn't mean the kit is better. So do your homework if you are looking to spend more money.
Was your car running when you were turning the lights on and off?
MattL
10-03-2012, 03:25 PM
Just because you might pay more doesn't mean the kit is better. So do your homework if you are looking to spend more money.
Was your car running when you were turning the lights on and off?
Yes it was. I think you can hear it running in the video (if you are able to watch the video with sound where ever you are now) if I recall. Also I've been out twice today during work and flipped them on and off and on etc while the car is off. Produces the same results, except I can't get just the drivers side to come on now. It's either only the passenger side, or both on.
:bang
kenghk
10-03-2012, 04:36 PM
are you using a wiring harness?
Just because you might pay more doesn't mean the kit is better. So do your homework if you are looking to spend more money.
Was your car running when you were turning the lights on and off?
That is true amongst most made in china kits, but there are a few OEM grade options available like denso and matsushita (panasonic) for not much more, relatively speaking, if you wait for the right sale. Even the morimoto kit from theretrofitsource is a solid buy.
leecheefoto
10-03-2012, 06:59 PM
Stop turning them on and off so fast. Wait a few seconds in between turning them on or off.
Check your connections and see if the contacts are clean
The Wolf
10-03-2012, 07:11 PM
I had the same issue with a ballast that was originally bought from Kelvin (second hand). The previous owner had either fried the ballast apparently. Although he couldn't offer me a complimentary replacement, he did offer me a new kit at cost, and I haven't had any problems since I installed it, almost two years now. I'm very happy with Kelvin's product and service.
It's definitely a ballast issue, nothing serious... just a bad ballast. Get it replaced and you'll be good to go.
dietsprite
10-03-2012, 07:37 PM
This issue make me reconsider the GB HID kit, maybe it is worthwhile to invest more $ and get higher quality HID kit..
kenghk
10-03-2012, 07:46 PM
This issue make me reconsider the GB HID kit, maybe it is worthwhile to invest more $ and get higher quality HID kit..
Go to hidplanet.com and educate yourself on automotive lighting. Then, either buy OEM parts and make your own kit or go to the retrofitsource.com and get a kit from morimoto. HID are a costly option on cars for a reason.....if HID kits were legal and easy to install with proper results then the dealership/auto parts stores and walmart would sell HID Kits.
The Wolf
10-03-2012, 08:24 PM
Go to hidplanet.com and educate yourself on automotive lighting. Then, either buy OEM parts and make your own kit or go to the retrofitsource.com and get a kit from morimoto. HID are a costly option on cars for a reason.....if HID kits were legal and easy to install with proper results then the dealership/auto parts stores and walmart would sell HID Kits.
What do you say to those of us who spent under a hundred dollars and have a properly functioning lighting system?
kenghk
10-03-2012, 08:43 PM
What do you say to those of us who spent under a hundred dollars and have a properly functioning lighting system?
I would say you are in the minority or lucky but you're still a blinder.....that's a whole nuther topic.
What do you say to those of us who spent under a hundred dollars and have a properly functioning lighting system?
adequate, sure. proper no. you need clear lenses or complete ds2 retrofit for that.
RedRaptor
10-03-2012, 10:16 PM
There is a happy medium between the under $100 HID "budget" set up and the upwards of $2000+ "proper" retrofit.
Buy a solid aftermarket quality HID kit (Hella, Philips based, Morimoto, etc) and get the TRS Clear Lenses retrofitted.
For my next car, I will be buying the OEM HID factory option. Going through the trouble of installing an aftermarket HID kit is just not worth it.
sp3GT
10-03-2012, 11:27 PM
Haha, we do offer OEM Grade Phillips Slim Digital Ballast if anyone is interested. lol
They are ridiculously expensive though
Nooby31
10-04-2012, 12:22 PM
Look into the ollo hid kits at garage16. I've had them for about a year with no issues and I believe the cost was $65 for the kit.
MattL
10-04-2012, 12:35 PM
Look into the ollo hid kits at garage16. I've had them for about a year with no issues and I believe the cost was $65 for the kit.
Well, it's already bought, paid for and installed. Today I haven't had any problems. I can't wrap my head around what might be happening.
Nooby31
10-04-2012, 03:31 PM
Well, it's already bought, paid for and installed. Today I haven't had any problems. I can't wrap my head around what might be happening.
Oh I am sorry I did not know this was the brand you are having problems with. As others have suggested it is probably the ballast.
Good luck!!
kenghk
10-04-2012, 04:22 PM
Well, it's already bought, paid for and installed. Today I haven't had any problems. I can't wrap my head around what might be happening.
are you running a harness?
MattL
10-04-2012, 09:25 PM
are you running a harness?
You would definitely have to ask sp3GT about that, as I don't have a clue about lighting. Which is probably part of my problem lol.
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/member.php?3458-sp3GT
sp3GT
10-04-2012, 09:38 PM
^No relay harness, he has a 2012.
kenghk
10-04-2012, 10:40 PM
It doesn't matter what year or car you have, you should run a harness. Anyone without HIDs?.....park infront of a wall with your lights on and turn your steering wheel....your lights dim, don't they......when the compressor kicks in, the lights dim.....
Chinajunk HID kits are todays faux vents, washer nossle leds and 3 spoke rims. If 6000k or 8000k was so awesome, GM would have stuck it on the escalade and called it the rice edition....I'm on a role.....I heard in a song once that "the whole world's a imitating" no kidding.
sp3GT
10-04-2012, 11:12 PM
With the MZ3s, there hasn't been a major issue with wiring due to HID's. Would a relay help, perhaps but Matt has a bad kit to begin with which we are replacing.
And if you run a poll, 9 out of 10 members are not using relays. The ones that do are probably ones that have to because they need to disable DRL or change their DRL to highbeam.
Unfortunately, consumers are no longer willing to pay an extra 15 - 20 bucks for a relay and put in the added installation effort when they see that everyone else has gone by with "plug and play".
In contrast, the OEM Quality Phillips Ballast we still have that no one buys. Each ballast is not only expensive but requires it's own wiring to battery, you couldn't plug and play even if you wanted.
The Wolf
10-04-2012, 11:12 PM
thread sucks. Needs moar pro-rice peepz. I'm "on a role"
FML
sp3GT
10-04-2012, 11:34 PM
^Lolol, add some stickers for more HP
kenghk
10-04-2012, 11:58 PM
People do spend money on proper 4k, OEM quality HID kits so they can improve their lighting performance.
MattL
10-05-2012, 08:34 AM
^Lolol, add some stickers for more HP
Is that a thing? Do you sell those? I want to bump my car up another few hp! :chuckle
RedRaptor
10-05-2012, 11:06 AM
With the MZ3s, there hasn't been a major issue with wiring due to HID's. Would a relay help, perhaps but Matt has a bad kit to begin with which we are replacing.
And if you run a poll, 9 out of 10 members are not using relays. The ones that do are probably ones that have to because they need to disable DRL or change their DRL to highbeam.
Unfortunately, consumers are no longer willing to pay an extra 15 - 20 bucks for a relay and put in the added installation effort when they see that everyone else has gone by with "plug and play".
In contrast, the OEM Quality Phillips Ballast we still have that no one buys. Each ballast is not only expensive but requires it's own wiring to battery, you couldn't plug and play even if you wanted.
Its not your fault that your customers want things for cheap. I don't blame you for not mandating HID installs with a relay wire harness. At the end of the day, people just want things cheap.
A proper HID install should always use relay wire harness that draws power directly from the battery and not from the stock wiring. The stock wiring is only use to trigger the relays.
Most of the public aren't educated about HIDs. They think by installing the china kits, they will have OEM S2K performance and cutoff.
The Wolf
10-05-2012, 11:18 AM
Most of the public aren't educated about HIDs. They think by installing the china kits, they will have OEM S2K performance and cutoff.
I don't think that's true. Most of us just think "good" is "good enough".
MattL
10-05-2012, 02:26 PM
Its not your fault that your customers want things for cheap. I don't blame you for not mandating HID installs with a relay wire harness. At the end of the day, people just want things cheap.
A proper HID install should always use relay wire harness that draws power directly from the battery and not from the stock wiring. The stock wiring is only use to trigger the relays.
Most of the public aren't educated about HIDs. They think by installing the china kits, they will have OEM S2K performance and cutoff.
I don't think that's true. Most of us just think "good" is "good enough".
Some of us can only afford "good" and deal with "good enough" because we take what we can get at what we can afford and enjoy it.
The Wolf
10-05-2012, 02:51 PM
Some of us can only afford "good" and deal with "good enough" because we take what we can get at what we can afford and enjoy it.
Exactly my point. I'm sure you or I could easily afford OEM quality HID kits if it were that important to us, but it's not too high on the list of priorities (for me anyway)
leecheefoto
10-05-2012, 03:10 PM
Exactly my point. I'm sure you or I could easily afford OEM quality HID kits if it were that important to us, but it's not too high on the list of priorities (for me anyway)
If the popo don't catch me for "cheap china lights" when I'm behind them, then I won't buy OEM quality.
I know there's some auto lighting enthusiasts, and I respect for suggesting retrofitting / swapping clear lenses.
Some simple statements the majority would say:
1. A projector lens housing with aftermarket HID is good enough for them to drive over stock halogen.
2. If a ballast / bulb breaks, they'll buy a replacement or have it covered under warranty.
3. If they could spend upwards of $2000, they would have gotten a set of wheels instead
kenghk
10-05-2012, 07:51 PM
i usually draw attention to HID kits by pulling over, getting behind them with my highbeams on...I'm thinking of getting some 8000k's and sticking them in some Hella spotlights for this very purpose. Put them behind the grill and hitting oncoming smurfs or tailgaters. If you can't beat em, join em?
The Wolf
10-05-2012, 08:09 PM
Cool story dad.
kenghk
10-05-2012, 08:31 PM
Cool story dad.
How'd you know? My wife's gonna pot the second one out any day now!
RedRaptor
10-05-2012, 09:40 PM
How'd you know? My wife's gonna pot the second one out any day now!
Stop being a Dick Peter.
kenghk
10-05-2012, 09:54 PM
How'd you know? My wife's gonna pot the second one out any day now!
it's true, I'll be a dad again any day now. I have a 4 year old boy and a girl on the way.
MattL
10-09-2012, 12:48 PM
Replaced the ballast, problem solved.
Thanks Kelvin!
js593
10-09-2012, 01:02 PM
adequate, sure. proper no. you need clear lenses or complete ds2 retrofit for that.
qft. Big difference when you use the proper lens.
srxnick
10-10-2012, 12:32 PM
i usually draw attention to HID kits by pulling over, getting behind them with my highbeams on...I'm thinking of getting some 8000k's and sticking them in some Hella spotlights for this very purpose. Put them behind the grill and hitting oncoming smurfs or tailgaters. If you can't beat em, join em?
This would be so fun.
Really though most people throw HID kits into reflector headlights and it pisses the hell out of everyone. Thanks to anyone who put some effort into their HID system.
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