HID bulb flickering on and off - SRT Forums

wannasupra · 12-08-2007, 01:13 PM

why? i haven't been able to hit it up with a dmm yet, but anyone have this happen to them?

BoostJunkies · 12-08-2007, 02:21 PM

Not enough power source can be an issue.

username182 · 12-08-2007, 02:30 PM

I think they all do that. I have seen 4 different cars with hid's from 4 different manufacturers and they all do the "flicker". It only happens once in awhile tho....

Are they actually turning all the way off or is it more of a dim/brighter type of flicker?

My buddy had a set which would actually turn on and off when he hit bumps in the road. Ended up the bulb was shot.

NIVO88T · 12-08-2007, 02:32 PM

Our saab does this shortly after the lights are turned on. It happens randomly, I am thinking it's a current issue internally with the Ballast.

SlowSRT05 · 12-08-2007, 04:44 PM

HID'S are not really plug n play, happens due to the stock wiring not being able to handle the power current drawn by the ballast, you need to pick up a harness with a relay on it which are plug n play, make sure you buy the one for the 9007 Bulb.

haknslash · 12-09-2007, 12:01 AM

^^what he said. flickering is a common problem when the ballasts aren't provided enough of a strong power to give the bulbs the 23,000+ volts they need to fire up.

username182 · 12-09-2007, 12:05 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by haknslash

^^what he said. flickering is a common problem when the ballasts aren't provided enough of a strong power to give the bulbs the 23,000+ volts they need to fire up.

any negative side effects to this? My car isn't going to burn to the ground because of this right?

Mopar 4 Life · 12-09-2007, 12:23 AM

Well thats just a chance your going to have to take now isnt it?

haknslash · 12-09-2007, 01:01 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by username182

My car isn't going to burn to the ground because of this right?

It could. Roll the dice and see. Seems lots of people like playing with Fire in the Dash!!!!!

This is typically how it all starts and before you know it, worse happens, like a fire.

wannasupra · 12-12-2007, 12:42 AM

well they've got a relay, but the car died later that same night. so i guess my battery plates were sulfated to fuck. so i can either trickle charge the bastard for up to 100 hours (and get the charger stolen) or i can replace the battery. (starts looking for little battery tray kit)

haknslash · 12-12-2007, 06:45 AM

How is the relay installed/configured? I've seen the relay harness most HID kits come with and some of them don't even connect straight to the battery, thus being not a true standalone relay harness to power the ballasts.

wannasupra · 12-16-2007, 07:24 PM

i've got a relay that goes straight to b+ and b-, as well as a diode to keep the ballasts fired up when i trip the high beams (bi-xenon). the harness is well made, and i'm using 12 ga power wire. the car battery went completely dead the next morning, so i assume it was an issue of insufficient power. once i relocate my battery and plug a yellow top into the car, i'll try the headlights again.