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HID Problem

1521 Views 11 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  CJr605, 
CJr605
This is off topic for R6's but there is a lot of knowlegde on this forum so I figured I would ask. I have a BMW 330i which has aftermarket HID lights. I bought the car with the lights already installed so I have no idea where they were purchased or what brand they are. The ballasts are completely unmarked and so are the bulbs. Anyway my problem is this.

When I start the car at night and turn on the lights (The headlights are not automatic on and off) sometimes one side wont work. Usually it is the right side, but sometimes the left and sometimes both. If I turn the lights off for a second and turn them back on both lights will work and sometimes I have to turn them on and off several times to get them both to work. When I finally get both to work I will be driving down the road and one light will shut off, then I have to either try to turn the lights off and back on, or keep driving with one light on. What can cause this? I know the bulbs are good because they both work sometimes. What needs to be replaced? Or is this not enough information to tell? Thanks.
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hector113
Its either the ballist, relay, or ground. You need to see how its hooked up to try to trouble shoot it.
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CJr605
Can the ballast fail and work sometimes? I dont know what part the relay is.
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jmejiaa
you probably already did but go over to bimmerforums.com. It's a great place and I have been able to do pretty much everything to my 325i by posting questions there.
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L
You will need to connect a relay kit. Sometimes the ballast doesn't get enough power upon startup. If you use a relay kit, the HID lights will be power directly from the battery and your problem will be solved. :)


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LextacySC
Lite Eyes said:
You will need to connect a relay kit. Sometimes the ballast doesn't get enough power upon startup. If you use a relay kit, the HID lights will be power directly from the battery and your problem will be solved. :)


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Even when the vehicle is running and he resets it by turning the lights off and then back on? With the vehicle running, the alternator should be pushing out enough power (around 14.5 volts and 80-120 amps) in the system. I am just curious, Iam not too familiar with trouble shooting HID's.
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L
LextacySC said:
Even when the vehicle is running and he resets it by turning the lights off and then back on? With the vehicle running, the alternator should be pushing out enough power (around 14.5 volts and 80-120 amps) in the system. I am just curious, Iam not too familiar with trouble shooting HID's.
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Yes, if you notice, start the car with the HID's off, then turn the HID's on after about 1 minute. You'll notice they will stay on.

The reason isn't with the battery or alternator. It's just that the HID kit needs a certain amount of power for startup, and sometimes (just sometimes) the factory harness doesn't provide enough power. With the relay kit, you get a larger gauge wires, and a direct connection to the battery.
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CJr605
Lite Eyes said:
Yes, if you notice, start the car with the HID's off, then turn the HID's on after about 1 minute. You'll notice they will stay on.

The reason isn't with the battery or alternator. It's just that the HID kit needs a certain amount of power for startup, and sometimes (just sometimes) the factory harness doesn't provide enough power. With the relay kit, you get a larger gauge wires, and a direct connection to the battery.
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That isnt the problem. Even after 1 minute, or longer the bulb still wont turn on.
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T
No name HID kit. No markings. Probably knock off's pretty cheap. I would locate the bulb find the connection spot to the ballast igniter and find a name brand replacement with the same connection. Just buy one and swap it out for one of the ones acting up. If it solves the problem on that side buy another one and you are all set. I bought my first set of HID's for my RR and bought some knockoffs. They eventually failed. Just like yours are doing. T
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M
If it works sometimes and not others maybe its simple as just bulbs....
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L
CJr605 said:
That isnt the problem. Even after 1 minute, or longer the bulb still wont turn on.
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Oh, then if that's the case, it is most likely the HID kit. If you connect it directly to the battery, does it work without problems? You may need to replace the kit.
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CJr605
Lite Eyes said:
Oh, then if that's the case, it is most likely the HID kit. If you connect it directly to the battery, does it work without problems? You may need to replace the kit.
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Im thinking thats what I need to do.
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