HID Powering Up Problem.

[DJ Trance AZ]

OK, I just replaced my existing HID ballasts and bulbs with a new set 2 days ago. My car still has the daytime running light enabled and the HID comes on whenever the car starts.

So anyway, I noticed a very strange issue today. The HID doesn't come on when I start my car (whenever I don't have the handbrake pulled), even manually turning on the headlights will not turn on the HID.

What will make the HID work is make sure the handbrake is pulled before starting the car, then start the engine (while leaving the handbrake pulled), turn on the headlight manually, then release handbrake, start driving...

I never had this problem when I was using my Prolumen HID setup...

So what do you think it's wrong?

.Eric

[MP3_SKY]

Double check to see if the ballast, bulbs, relay are well connected, not loose out, or see if water damaged in case you put your ballast that water can easily get in.

[enforcerviper]

I don't know if this helps, but my car is factory wired so if I pull the handbrake, the headlights (including DRL) are turned off.

[cwb27]

DRL runs at a low voltage... is it possible that running the HID ballasts at a lower voltage cause them to fail.

[kleptodathief]

isnt it bad to have HIDS and DRLs together? i thought once u install an aftermarket HID kit, u have to disable the DRLs

[DJ Trance AZ]

Well let me try to disable the DRL today...and see if it will get better...I will also check to see if the connectors are tight and stuff.

I don't know why the new HID setup wouldn't work because I only took out the old ballasts and bulbs, then put the new set in...I didn't change any wires and stuff.

.Eric

[Pete_Coach]

isnt it bad to have HIDS and DRLs together? i thought once u install an aftermarket HID kit, u have to disable the DRLs

DRL's are the law. Don't disconnect them. They work when you have factory installed HID headlights. They should be a different circuit that is why they are on.
Check all your installation again. You probably missed something. You could have a problem with your wiring or replacement parts.

[ar_ken]

Does your car have foglights? If you do, try to see if you can wire the DRL so it uses the fogs instead of the HID...

[cwb27]

Well let me try to disable the DRL today...and see if it will get better...I will also check to see if the connectors are tight and stuff.

I don't know why the new HID setup wouldn't work because I only took out the old ballasts and bulbs, then put the new set in...I didn't change any wires and stuff.

.Eric

Pull your DRL fuse out from under your dash to see if that allows them to function properly when you turn on the headlights.


And yes, DRL laws in Canada are quite general, DRLS can be amber or white lights (Fog lights, head lights or marker lamps).

[DJ Trance AZ]

I dug up some guides on how to disable the DRL for my car and voila, my HID turns on whenever I want them to!!!!

This is kinda strange because my old HID setup worked very well even with DRL enabled...

Thanks for all your help!!

.e

[kleptodathief]

nice DJ... as for DRLs, ive beein driving my ricer for the last 2.5 years with NO DRLs, no p0p0 troubles

[Paolo]

Yes I can 100% confirm, the DRL circuit WILL give problems with MOST, probaly not all, but MOST HID Setups. The OEM Manufacturers typically move the DRL to the high beam or the turn / park lights instead to overcome this problem. Over at the Ontario Focus Owners Club, we had to remove our DRL relay to overcome this problem, I also discovered a way to re-locate the DRL to the Fog lights, thus the DRF modification.

check it out: www.ofoc.ca/hid

[Paolo]

DRL's are the law. Don't disconnect them. They work when you have factory installed HID headlights. They should be a different circuit that is why they are on.
Check all your installation again. You probably missed something. You could have a problem with your wiring or replacement parts.

DRL has to be "equipped" on all new cars, but NOT have to have them actually in use. Look at cops and other cars like ambulance, or fire trucks, tow trucks, snow plows, etc, no law in the Ontario Highway traffic act states you MUST HAVE drls, you can even import a car from the usa, install drls to certify them, then remove them. i see tons of us cars driving here just to visit with no drls and they do not get tickets, plus older cars before 1989 did not need drls, its not a LAW, but more of a misunderstanding.

[DJ Trance AZ]

Yes I can 100% confirm, the DRL circuit WILL give problems with MOST, probaly not all, but MOST HID Setups. The OEM Manufacturers typically move the DRL to the high beam or the turn / park lights instead to overcome this problem. Over at the Ontario Focus Owners Club, we had to remove our DRL relay to overcome this problem, I also discovered a way to re-locate the DRL to the Fog lights, thus the DRF modification.

check it out: www.ofoc.ca/hid

Hmm I guess I was lucky enough that my old HID setup worked well even with DRL enabled

.e

[Paolo]

Hmm I guess I was lucky enough that my old HID setup worked well even with DRL enabled

.e

LUCKY? you could have caused your ballasts to overheat and BURN over time. thats a Fire Hazard dude, NOT COOL!