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buzzing noise from HID headlights

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by spacemobile, Oct 5, 2007.

  1. spacemobile

    spacemobile New Member

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    We just got our Prius a week ago (2008 pkg 5). My wife had not driven the car at night, yet, and I was showing her the brightness and color of the HID headlights while the car was parked in the garage. When I turned on the headlights, I heard a buzzing sound coming from the front of the car. I turned the lights off and on a few times to confirm that the lights (or something in that circuit) were causing the sound.

    Is it normal for the headlights to buzz? Could the ballasts be faulty?

    Thanks,
    Travis
     
  2. jyuan87

    jyuan87 Junior Member

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    Has your problem been solved and how was it solved? I found buzzing noise after I replaced the passenger side HID headlight with a bulb I bought from Ebay. The bulb works except buzzing noise. The interesting thing is that I plug the old bulb back in and it works now with buzzing noise. I don't know if it had such noise before as it is not noticeable if I stay in the car. The old bulb was out before I did replacement. But I didn't try it after I dismounted the headlight. My Prius is 2008 and has over 60k miles.
     
  3. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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    I'm pretty sure the buzzing sound is the electric engine or ballasts...either way its normal...
     
  4. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The ballasts on OEM and aftermarket ballasts to have a tendency to hum or buzz. It is generally normal.
     
  5. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    I think it's totally normal. I'm not sure about buzzing but mine actually "hum" and they're 100% OEM. The only time I can hear it though is in the garage w/ a perfectly silent background. Any other time or place, it's completely inaudable.
     
  6. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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    +1..and for me the "problem" is compounded by the fact that I have an aftermarket HID kit in my fogs so its actually a bit louder because I have double the ballasts
     
  7. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Ooo sexy. Where did you get your aftermarket HIDs from? I swear I'm done modding but HID fogs have always been on my mind.
     
  8. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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    I had an extra Xentec 6000k kit lying around. THey compliment my jdm Garax 6000k D4R bulbs nicely. I still have a couple more lol....they are so cheap I buy a couple at a time. I have HIDs in every single car of mine :D
     
  9. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    And most are inside halogen reflectors huh? :p Way to go Mr. Blind everyone.
     
  10. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    Ever since he got projector HIDs from TRS he's been snooty like this. ;)
     
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Yup. :D

    Actually, my new commute has me seeing tons of HID plug & play kits in halogen housings. They are very prominent on lifted trucks and clapped out Hondas/Acuras. I see at least 8 or more each morning during my commute (it's dark out). I especially like the Scion xB with pink HIDs. Tight!!!! Not.....
     
  12. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    It's good to hear positive things about Xentec (from eBay, yes?). Probably the ones I'd go with after hearing recent issues about DDM Tuning.

    I've just been ultra demotivated to do anything more to my car. F8L knows that. New job at work, trying to go back to school, bee-otch issues - it's been a little crazy recently.

    But thanks for the information.
     
  13. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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    I have a package 6, which means factory HIDs...factory HID housings (including reflectors) are designed to broadcast lighting without completely blinding oncoming traffic (refer to the shielding on the bulb and reflectors)....so the only issue there would be my fogs and honestly.....me no give a damn ;)

    oh and btw, I'm very versed in custom projector setups..check this out on my legend--only 2 sets in the whole US with this exact setup and I have the mintest set ;)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    he's just jealous I have 06-09 housings ;) :D :rockon:
     
  14. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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    I hear ya bro-ham.....right now I'm just happy to make my mortgage and prius payments on time....

    Xentecs seem to be the best chinese branded kits out there these days...doesn't hurt that they are only $35 shipped each either ;)
     
  15. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Ultra jealous! :D

    Nice setup. Check out this one a guy on HIDPlanet just posted. Crazy! He can change the demon-eyes color from red or green or blue.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The Chinese ballasts seem to hold their own against OEM ballasts. For the price difference I'd be buying the Chinese ballasts and just get good bulbs. :)
     
  17. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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    INSANELY jealous of the infiniti Q45 gattling gun projectors.....but I've never had a housing in any of my cars big enough to use them.

    BTW in case you were wondering the setup in my legend JDM 1 piece headlights are the E55 AMG bixenon D2R projectors ;) the rest is JDM OEM

    +1 if only Philips Ultinons were made in current HID bulb fitments