So I just installed some HIDs. The install was straight forward. However, I noticed that shortly after I turn the headlights on, the HIDs turn off for literally a second and turn back on. I thought I was imagining things the first time I saw it, but paid attention to it the next couple times.
No flickering or anything. Both sides just turn off and turn back on in the blink of an eye, then continue running fine.
I read turning on and off the bulbs could shorten the life of the bulbs. So I want to fix this.
Anyone have an idea where I could start? thanks

 

did you use a relay harness? If both sides go off and on simultaneously it sounds like a bad relay to me.

 

I did not use a relay.

 

I am guessing your talking about the time between when the lights ignite, then warm up. They will flash real quick when they are first turned on, then seem dark and warm up again

 

Well you should use a relay, although it wont fix this problem, it will prevent you from frying you stock wiring down the line.

If you can, take a video of the issue from outside the car

 

That's not what I mean.
They turn on fine. They stay lit for a couple minutes then turn completely off and on real quick, then stay lit normally.
But just the other day, the left side started flickering. I got home and pop the hood and I could hear like a rapid electricity arcing sound coming from the left ballast. I picked it up and it was hot to the touch, a lot more than usual (and the right side ballast). I e-mailed the company I bought them from about the issue and they seemed to be willing to replace it.

 

What kit is this? (ddm, hid extra, etc?)

Relay harness isn't necessary for HID's, especially 35W ballasts.

 

My old kit started doing that in their 5th year of use. I think it occurred when they reached operating temp. Anomalies like this are to be expected when you use $15 worth of internals.

 

Jon if you got 5 years use out of a cheapo kit I'd actually say good for you definitely got your moneys worth. My MobileHID crapped out after about 3, and now I keep having to replace pieces of my HIDextra kit as this and that goes out... One of these days I'm gonna drop some cash on some high quality, hopefully long lasting, parts from theretrofitsource.com

 

My old kit was by Xentec, back when they first came out. Then they went to crap after everyone and their mother went and bought HIDs. Best thing I did was buy my TRS Morimoto kit.

 

1. morimoto kit = same as ebay. it's still NON OEM quality.

2. Relay is NOT needed UNLESS you draw DIRECTLY from the battery.

Look at the electrical wiring diagram for the TC if you think I'm stupid...and Toyota is stupid.. lol;

EACH low-beam socket is already harnessed with a 15amp fuse, then to the switch relay, then to a 30amp fuse, then to the battery.

(I think...been awhile. unless I'm missing a fuse somewhere along the line..heh)

final decision; you got bad ballasts that can't hold the current steady.

 

Spoken like someone who has no clue about quality control. They engineered the ballasts to be as close to OEM as possible. But of course you know more than them as well as the people that use Morimoto ballasts for their retrofits.

 

and concerning the use of a relay harness, my short response is better safe than sorry.

My long response is this: Yes HIDs during normal operation draw less then halogen bulbs, however during warmup current draw can get pretty high, especially on cold days. Lets say on a particularly cold December day my HIDs are drawing too much current and a headlight fuse pops, as it should, to protect the wires. Now I have to get out in the cold snow and put in a spare fuse that I hopefully have in my glovebox. If I had been using a relay harness, the harness would have been able to handle the temporary elevated current draw and I can stay in my warm car.

 

ive got 5 years of use problem free in two different vehicles on my ddm tuning kit.

 

I didn't really think a relay would be necessary either. As i live in california where the weather doesn't get too cold. this is a 35w kit off of the mod-express site.

 

Relay harness has nothing to do with weather.

 

Batman was stating in cold weather the HIDs could draw more current. I was stating I live in California where the weather doesn't get that cold. So even if cold weather were the case, it doesnt pertain to me.

 

I speak because I KNOW for 100% fact, "Morimoto" does not appear under any vehicle who have OEM HID's lol. So what separates Morimoto from say.. my "VVME" ebay kit that I've ran for 3 years? Nothing besides the lettering. So what does "quality control" have to do with anything?? Oh yeah, not good enough for "OEM Quality" lol aka "just like the rest of the kits" quality;

but if you want to believe that brand A is > brand B, but they neither comes as an OEM option in vehicles...... go ahead and believe the marketing hype.

Back to the relay issue, again, if you doubt TOYOTA's calculations on OEM wiring,

See for yourself if you're "REALLY CAREFUL" about burning wires / blowing fuses.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/scion-tc-1g-ice-interior-1647/scion-tc-electrical-wiring-manuals-05-07-a-73323/

If you aren't careful, you'll just make a relay anyway and disregard Toyota's wiring.

 

I assume you have a degree in Electrical Engineering? I hope so since you "know" so much. And no one said Morimoto was used as OEM. Reread the post if you need to.