HID problem, anyone help me troubleshoot?

[7anshin8r]

I installed my hid kit about three months ago, love them. I can see so much better at night. Anyway...

When first installed they both turned right on with the headlight switch right away. Yesterday though I noticed my drivers side headlight was not lighting up.

I tried it again when I got home. If I turn the lights on real quick the passenger side headlight works, but not the drivers. If I turn the parking lights on and wait a second or two then turn the lights on the passengers side light comes on and then the drivers about a second or two later.

I installed the kit with a 40amp relay on both sides, I'm hoping it is only a bad relay and will test that later when I finally get some time. I would love to hear any (non-negative please) feedback or ideas. Let me know if you have had this problem and what it turned out to be, I'll let you know what I can figure out with the volt meter.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

I'm just hoping it is not a ballast going out already.

[laxands13]

Have you tried replacing the headlight stalk? Might be a long shot, but maybe worth trying.

[7anshin8r]

No, I'm going to check out the other stuff today then see what I can figure out. I'm thinking it is probably more a problem in either the relay or the ballast.

Thanks for the input though, if all else fails and the power is not reaching the wiring from the car side then I will consider replacing that.

[got chub]

what kind of HID kit are you running? it sounds like a cheap ebay kit. those cheap one tend to be lesser quality (get what you pay for) and go out more often or dont work out side of some temp ranges. try to find some higher quality balast(buy in pairs)

[7anshin8r]

It is a cheap eBay kit but has worked great so far. I plan to get a better kit once I have squeezed the life out of these. Hopefully I can solve the problem and not have to spend the cash to get a new set right now, I just got more medical bills so money is going to the hospital.

Anyway... I checked everything I could think of before it started raining again...

The power is getting all the way to the bulb. The bulb is on/off random regardless of how fast or slow I turn the switch now. Then I noticed one difference, the bulb that is giving me problems does not have the rubber boot that is usually sealing off the headlights, been missing since I bought the car. It's been really wet and rainy here in Florida for the past month or so, I wonder if that could have caused any negative side effects with the bulb?

I pulled the bulb and had my wife turn the lights on and off for me, and I watched the bulb.



So watching the bulb as she turned the lights on and off I noticed something. On the times the bulb lights everything sounds/looks fine. On the times the bulb doesn't light it does this, starts to light in center of bulb for a split second then goes out with a humming/buzzing sound coming from the area circled in green on the picture. To be exact it sounds like it is coming from the area where the metal enters the glass of the bulb. The humming/buzzing sound goes away as soon as the bulb stops trying to light. When it lights up no buzzing is heard.

Any ideas? Nothing looks wet, everything seems dry.

[numbnuts240]

Any ideas?

yes

It is a cheap eBay kit

[7anshin8r]

Thank you that was very helpful...

The kit was free to me as it was a gift. I understand eBay and eBay parts and that you get what you pay for. I've been dealing with this car for enough years to understand that. K?

As soon as the rain stops I will continue to troubleshoot. I'm going to switch the bulbs and see if it is still happening. If the "good" bulb from the passenger's side does the same thing when placed into the drivers side I know it is the ballast, will order new/better ones when money is available.

We will see. I'm still open to any helpful ideas if anyone wants to share.

[ILoveMyRHS13]

My HIDs do something similar.

When I first turn them on, they both turn on but the driver's side turns off. The passenger one fires up normally. Then once the passenger side is completely on, I turn the lights off, then flip them back on and the other one fires.

I'm about to install a relay kit. If that doesn't fix it, I'll be returning the ballast.

[motoman399]

if your bulb doesnt work when you switch it then yes you have a bad ballast (assuming the wiring is good) if thats the case, just get another ebay kit. i got my last kit for 30.50 shipped. works perfect.

you can buy an oem hid kit and mod the bulbs to fit for like 200+ or you can buy a dozen ebay kits... (well not actually a dozen, but you get the idea) i would choose the ebay kits. ebay ftw

[nightsauce]

i only read the beginning and i say its the headlight stalk. I had the same issue with switching them fast. They wouldnt work until a few times of switching them on and off...notice any other lights out?

[7anshin8r]

I'm about to install a relay kit. If that doesn't fix it, I'll be returning the ballast.

Good luck! I have a 40amp relay on each ballast, that is not the problem for me.

just get another ebay kit. i got my last kit for 30.50 shipped. works perfect.

Can you PM me the name of the seller? (or just list it here) as I don't have the cash to put down on a expensive kit, medical bills are taking everything I have. Just in case it is the ballast.

notice any other lights out?

No, actually all the other lights are working fine. If I had anything going on other than the headlight problem then I would consider that.

Trust me though, I'm not ruling anything out yet! If all goes well I should be able to take the lights off tomorrow and switch the bulbs. That should tell me a lot.

[motoman399]

just get another ebay kit. i got my last kit for 30.50 shipped. works perfect.

Can you PM me the name of the seller? (or just list it here) as I don't have the cash to put down on a expensive kit, medical bills are taking everything I have. Just in case it is the ballast.

the name is hootoodeals and here is my auction i got

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWNX%3AIT

it was $35 obo and i offered 30.50 and the took the bait lol you know you can also buy just replacement bulbs/ballasts? they are cheaper than the complete kits.

notice any other lights out?

it is not as common for the s14 headlight switch to go out as it is with the s13. i have only seen one since 2006. and it was on the turn indicator circuit. friends car was smoking on the inside and his flasher was clicking lol. was crazy.