| 12BlueX |
Like several of you, I have installed the El Cheapo HID Kit 6 months ago.
El Cheapo HID Kit Install
Now, my driver side HID light turns off intermittently.
The fix is turn off the light and then turn the light back on which always resolves the problem then. However, next day it will turn off again.
I've checked the wiring but nothing obvious that shows any loose connection.
The bulb appears fine.
Anyone can troubleshoot? |
|
|
| csmeance |
| problem with balast, this can happen if they get wet and are not waterproof or if the bulbs are mismacthed to the balast. |
|
|
| 12BlueX |
The ballast came with the bulb so unless the seller mismatched it, that should not be an issue.
I've installed the ballast behind the fog light. I see no sign of wet/rust (doens't mean that's not the cause) but everything seems water tight.
Another thought by the seller was unstable voltage where these ballast has automatic shutoff if unregular voltage comes through. However, if this is the case, wouldn't both lights go off?
The issue is always on the driver side.
Any other suggestion? |
|
|
| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by 12BlueX
The ballast came with the bulb so unless the seller mismatched it, that should not be an issue.
I've installed the ballast behind the fog light. I see no sign of wet/rust (doens't mean that's not the cause) but everything seems water tight.
Another thought by the seller was unstable voltage where these ballast has automatic shutoff if unregular voltage comes through. However, if this is the case, wouldn't both lights go off?
The issue is always on the driver side.
Any other suggestion?
Swap your ballasts and see if the problem follows. Let us know how the warranty process goes. |
|
|
| 12BlueX |
So I swapped the ballast and now the problem is gone????
Still wait and see...... |
|
|
| Simi_MDX |
| I have the same problem...with the driver side as well. However, it only happens when it is cold. The sellers suggests that I buy/install a dedicated wire harness. I personally think the ballast are of cheap quality and probably cannot handle voltage fluctuations well. My driverside light also flickers from time to time. |
|
|
| 12BlueX |
This shows how dedicated I am to help others when I provide updates after 1.5 years later from the install
Well, since the problem went away after I swapped the ballasts between driver side and passenger side, I just let it be and never claimed the warranty process.
As of today, the driver side (the ballast that used to be on passenger side) is regularly off when I start the car at night (with light set at Auto). I turn off the lights manually and turn it back on which always works to bring the lights back on.
My passenger side (which use to be on driver side when this first issue arose) is intermittently goes on/off when I start the car at night.
Conclusion (all hypothetical) is the ElCheapo ballast can't handle the voltage fluctutation which seems to trigger the safety shutoff. The ballast doesn't seem to have gotten wet (it's behind the fog light where it seems dry) but can't confirm unless I open the ballast.
I'm at the point now on yanking it out and going back to stock.
It would have been nice if lasted much longer but it just shows you get what you pay for. |
|
|
| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by 12BlueX
It would have been nice if lasted much longer but it just shows you get what you pay for.
This is so true. My Polarion HIDs are still in tiptop shape 2+ years after install. Thanks for the update though. |
|
|
| highcountrymdx |
| Is there a possibility of replacing just the ballasts with new units? Just a thought. |
|
|
| 12BlueX |
| I"m sure you can just replace the ballast but once you replace both, jerry-rig the connection, etc. it's not worth the cost or the hassel. |
|
|
| 12BlueX |
I seem to have found the problem.
It was weak battery that wasn't quite holding the charge. My battery finally went dead couple of days ago. My HID El Cheapo Kit is all working again after I replaced my battery :) |
|
|
| perk |
| The same thing is possible in any kit. I used to think the XenonDepot kit was the best also, but one of the ballasts on my kit went out after only 2 years. I've tried on multiple occasions to get the guy there to sell me an extra, used, or left over ballast, but he refuses to budge. Instead he offers a new phillips ballast for $125 plus shipping and, in the same breath, always offers an entirely new kit for $195. I've given up and gone back to stock headlights. |
|
|
| Simi_MDX |
I actually bought a wire harness and had that installed. The frequency of a light not turning on is very little (passenger side light didn't turn on once and that never happened previously). The lights still flicker periodically, but it's not really noticable.
I have to agree that you get what you pay for and these crappy HID units aren't bad for $125, but you can get nicer ones for about $50 more nowadays. |
|
|
|
