55W HID flickering
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
55W HID flickering
I have a 2003 350z Performance model. I ordered a pair of 55W slim ballasts and relay harness from DDMTuning and installed them without a problem. I don't drive much at night but not long after the install I noticed that the HIDs were flickering somewhat. They would flicker for a few seconds but never fully turn off and it was NOT unique to a specific side. I contacted DDM and am still dealing with the issue after several months later.
Things i've tried to remedy the problem:
1. cleaned the ground (its connected directly to negative)
2. replaced the relay with a new one that DDM sent over
3. swapped ballasts
4. swapped bulbs
5. checked every connection 3+ times between the HID bulbs and battery
6. installed error eliminators (aka capacitors) from DDMs site
things i haven't tried are swapping a new fuse, it already has a 20 amp fuse so i should be good there, i haven't tried a whole new harness yet, and i haven't tried installing load resistors.
Is there anything I'm missing that could lead to a solution? It seems that the lights are more prone to flicker when the car is running rather than being turned off. Any thoughts?
Things i've tried to remedy the problem:
1. cleaned the ground (its connected directly to negative)
2. replaced the relay with a new one that DDM sent over
3. swapped ballasts
4. swapped bulbs
5. checked every connection 3+ times between the HID bulbs and battery
6. installed error eliminators (aka capacitors) from DDMs site
things i haven't tried are swapping a new fuse, it already has a 20 amp fuse so i should be good there, i haven't tried a whole new harness yet, and i haven't tried installing load resistors.
Is there anything I'm missing that could lead to a solution? It seems that the lights are more prone to flicker when the car is running rather than being turned off. Any thoughts?
#3
350Z-holic
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take any ebay hid bulb ballast or relay pack ever created..
put them in a loosely packed 12x12x10 inch box.
promptly throw in the nearest volcano.
I literally did this with a box of at least 6 full sets of lights and ballasts.. they are pure garbage in every sense of the word.. and are not worth the constant headache of breakage and terrible output. threw them away, i wouldnt even sell them to enemys on craigslist for 25 bucks.. theyre that bad.
Buy from TRS.. buy once, and get 5x the performace as well.
put them in a loosely packed 12x12x10 inch box.
promptly throw in the nearest volcano.
I literally did this with a box of at least 6 full sets of lights and ballasts.. they are pure garbage in every sense of the word.. and are not worth the constant headache of breakage and terrible output. threw them away, i wouldnt even sell them to enemys on craigslist for 25 bucks.. theyre that bad.
Buy from TRS.. buy once, and get 5x the performace as well.
Last edited by bmccann101; 05-06-2015 at 02:51 PM.
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
these weren't bought off ebay and I previously had only ever heard good things about DDMTuning products and seen good reviews about the exact same kit several times over from members on here having them in their cars.
#6
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http://www.ddmtuning.com/Product-Cat...s/DDM-HID-Kits
slim ballasts are not good quality, from anyone.
im seriously not trying to be a jerk.. but take your own story, multiply it by 6 sets of lights over 2 cars and 2 years.. and im just trying to tell you from my experience
I run TRS ...at a premium price yes..but have never had issues since.
And the light output is vastly incredibly superior.
up to you on how many times you want to try to fix your lights before it becomes cost effective to jsut buy a good kit from TRS.
a whole set up w 35 watt ballasts, bulbs and a relay harness will run you 150 bucks.
They are incredible. I wouldnt "spend your money for you" if it wasnt valid good advice
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/hid...id-system.html
slim ballasts are not good quality, from anyone.
im seriously not trying to be a jerk.. but take your own story, multiply it by 6 sets of lights over 2 cars and 2 years.. and im just trying to tell you from my experience
I run TRS ...at a premium price yes..but have never had issues since.
And the light output is vastly incredibly superior.
up to you on how many times you want to try to fix your lights before it becomes cost effective to jsut buy a good kit from TRS.
a whole set up w 35 watt ballasts, bulbs and a relay harness will run you 150 bucks.
They are incredible. I wouldnt "spend your money for you" if it wasnt valid good advice
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/hid...id-system.html
Last edited by bmccann101; 05-06-2015 at 03:08 PM.
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#8
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Brian,
The TRS kit....will that drop into a oem 2005 HID housing and be great? I see the TRS say it's meant for D2S set ups, with oem being D2R of course...but you'd know the real deal.
Second...would TRS dropped into a Depo '06 setup be a big improvement over normal Depo 06 lights? I'm about to buy the Depo setup for my 04 Z since I've already converted the harness to six pin to eight pin or vice bersa...I forget right now as I type this...but the TRS setup is something I'd do if it's compatible with my oem setup or the Depos. I suppose I'd have to re-convert that TRS harness to make it fit my 04 base model though, or could I just the existing converted harness with the rest of the TRS kit that I'd drop into Depos?
Thx...no thread hacking intended...thought this might help some others get a full understanding of how to get the best light output for our headlights...so truly, not trying to be rude here.
Thanks for all help and understanding,
Saved
The TRS kit....will that drop into a oem 2005 HID housing and be great? I see the TRS say it's meant for D2S set ups, with oem being D2R of course...but you'd know the real deal.
Second...would TRS dropped into a Depo '06 setup be a big improvement over normal Depo 06 lights? I'm about to buy the Depo setup for my 04 Z since I've already converted the harness to six pin to eight pin or vice bersa...I forget right now as I type this...but the TRS setup is something I'd do if it's compatible with my oem setup or the Depos. I suppose I'd have to re-convert that TRS harness to make it fit my 04 base model though, or could I just the existing converted harness with the rest of the TRS kit that I'd drop into Depos?
Thx...no thread hacking intended...thought this might help some others get a full understanding of how to get the best light output for our headlights...so truly, not trying to be rude here.
Thanks for all help and understanding,
Saved
#10
Registered User
iTrader: (7)
Putting in better HID components is never a bad idea... there really IS a difference in quality out there.
However, if it's not a defective ballast maybe the relay harness isn't beefy enough to handle the current draw of anything greater than a 35w ballast. Replace your existing relay harness with this one and I'll bet your problems disappear:
http://www.gtrlighting.com/hid-singl...relay-harness/
However, if it's not a defective ballast maybe the relay harness isn't beefy enough to handle the current draw of anything greater than a 35w ballast. Replace your existing relay harness with this one and I'll bet your problems disappear:
http://www.gtrlighting.com/hid-singl...relay-harness/
#12
Registered User
Thread Starter
yeah, i had just seen several posts about DDM slim ballasts on here and I can't recall seeing too many people reporting issues with them. Oh well, I decided to take bmccann101's advice and go with a TRS HID kit and so far all is well with them. fingers crossed.
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dvlad
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z
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09-15-2002 07:48 PM