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HID problem, please help

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by xjustinx, Nov 13, 2010.

  1. xjustinx

    xjustinx Junior Member

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    Recently I installed hids lights from hidextra.com and they look good when I turn them on. Here is the problem, sometimes when I turn my lights on they dont work. So I have to click my light switch to the off position and then click them back on and they work. I'm a little confused. Do you guys think it might be a bad connection? Is this a problem that happens a lot with hids? Let me know if you guys have any info. Thanks.
     
  2. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Sounds like a crappy ballast and/or bulb.
     
  3. 808_prius

    808_prius Junior Member

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    I had the same issue and installed a relay kit. Fixed the problem and have never had the issue again...
     
  4. trsandy2000

    trsandy2000 Junior Member

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    Where is this relay kit found and will it work on an 07 Prius? I have had the same problem and am about to replace the balasts on both sides.
     
  5. Cloud

    Cloud New Member

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    A relay kit will work for any car. You can find "harnesses" aka relay kits online at ddmtuning.

    It requires some wiring but it's all straight foreward. Idk how to wire it in a prius because the 12v battery is in the back.

    I think you just connect it to the car through the Toyota recomended negative bolt in the front etc.

    A relay does sound like the solution to your problem since it ensures that the ballasts are drawing enough power by getting their currerent directly from the 12V battery in the back and it protects the thin guage wiring for the stock headlights.

    Normally you shouldn't need to install a relay... perhaps you got a faulty ballast? or the perhaps your ballasts are inefficient and require a higher current draw on intial ignition of the xenon than other ballasts.
     
  6. dkp

    dkp New Member

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    I also have the hidextra kit and have not had any issues. The stock wiring should be fine without the relay kit. If you do decide to go with the relay it's a easy install and should eliminate any issues unless you have a bad ballast. Good luck with it.
     
  7. Spirited_DC5

    Spirited_DC5 New Member

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    I had that same problem. Low quality hid kits tend to do that.
     
  8. Roland1555

    Roland1555 Senior Member

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    No problem with the cheap HID kit I bought on eBay almost a year and a half ago.

    I looked at various 'silverstar' type of replacement bulbs for the low beams to get things a little brighter for me up here in dark rainy vancouverland, and found that it was easy to spend close to $50 on a pair of these bulbs that don't often last as long as the stock lamps. HID's should be fine for many years.

    The HID kit I purchased was plug and play, so no relay and it shipped for $54 as I recall. I did pay attention to the seller comments and write up detailing the quality of the ballast/starters. But from what I've read here over the past leds me to believe that few have had an issue like yours.

    Have to agree with the previous posters who correctly suggest, I believe, that a relay will solve your situation if you keep that kit, but exchange it for another if you can.

    Roland.
     
  9. dopey423

    dopey423 New Member

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    i recently had this problem too. thought the relay would help, then it didnt. luckily i bought another hid kit with it as a backup in case. lucky for me since i changed out the ballast which i could tell was the problem, and it worked fine after that.

    bought an ebay kit, o-nex hid's recommended by a friend, ballast sucked, bought a DDM Tuning kit w/relay instead, and havent regretted it at all. might higher quality kit and harness.. everything had the correct plug male/female and no loose wires or prongs..
     
  10. xjustinx

    xjustinx Junior Member

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    thanks for your help guys, i think im just gonna spend the money and get a new kit
     
  11. drunkin master

    drunkin master Contributing Member

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    Good idea. Check your fuse too just in case.
    I bought my kit for $80. I don't think its a name brand but I have been using the
    same guy for all of my past cars and they are (knock on wood) good.
     
  12. Radarguy

    Radarguy New Member

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    Just curious. Do the HID kitts include the auto leveling systems required for vehicles in the US that have HID lights?
     
  13. indyV

    indyV Junior Member

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    Generally speaking, no they don't. The kits just replace the bulb in the projector/reflector housing.

    As for the OP, I noticed your profile says you have a V, which means you have LED headlamps. How are you putting in HIDs? (Unless of course, this is for a different car).
     
  14. Radarguy

    Radarguy New Member

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    I was thinking of putting them in my wife's car if i can find a kit with the auto leveler. Its just so much nicer for the people in front of you when you aren't blasting there rear view with blinding light.
     
  15. Cloud

    Cloud New Member

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    If she has the 2010 prius, she has projectors. I noticed that the cut off for 2010's are pretty sharp so I don't think there's too much to worry about blinding others unless your're going over bumps, hills etc.

    If she has a 2004-2009 then she has reflectors, I wouldn't really recommend it for these housings. As they are not well adapted to handling After Market HIDS
     
  16. tmre84

    tmre84 New Member

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    What relay kit?
     
  17. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I can't speak for the kits, but I'm tired of hearing that auto-leveling systems are REQUIRED in the US on HID equipped cars. It seems to be misconception that's been repeated by many here on Priuschat many times. If they are required, please point me to references and what year this began.

    As I stated at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ights-2010-how-many-ballasts.html#post1185512
    I brought up 4 years before at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...automatic-leveling-headlights.html#post278698.
     
  18. Radarguy

    Radarguy New Member

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    Sorry its only a ECE requirement. Auto levelers are not required in the US. The US doesn't care if you irresponsibly put an HID system in a reflector it wasn't designed for and blind everyone. Ill admit i love the look of HID systems, but i don't think its best to put them in cars with the wrong reflectors. Looks like my wife's toyota matrix is going to have to wait for now :(