I just installed a pair of retrofitted HID eBay headlights on my 2000 Maxima. I used a hi-lo controller to connect them to the stock harness. The lights worked perfectly for a week, but now, they flicker whenever the engine is idling.

I checked my connections and they all look fine. It seems like the lights are losing power in some way from the battery. I read that adding a capacitor might help, but I don't know any details about that. Does anyone have any advice on how to remedy this problem? It's become really inconvenient while driving at night.

 

Is this just a kit that comes with ballasts,ignitors and bulbs and go into your OEM headlight housing??If so those ebay kits are junk.If its only one light then you can swap stuff around to see if the other does the same thing.You could have received junk ballasts or bulbs.OEM Denso ballasts or Bosch is your best bet.Ive had good luck with philips bulbs.Check with the dealer you purchased from and be ready to send them back.

 

Though I HATE HID kits in 5th gen halogen housings, you can get a better kit from hidextra.com

 

Also, make sure you are using a relay to get the power directly from the battery and not powering the HIDs from the stock headlight wires~!

Agree with VQPower, Hidextra (in group buy) seems to make a good product. Had mine of over a year and no problems. I think they are running a special too right now.

 

they are $43 shipped cant beat it

 

It should be grounded to the battery too

 

I have the relay to the battery. I think my grounding point might be my issue. Right now, I have my ground connected to the hood support bracket near the top headlight screws... I figured any point on the frame would be suitable.

I'll connect the ground to the negative terminal and see if that helps.

 

Reconnecting the ground to the battery didn't help. I think it might be the hi-lo controller (seems like it's a cheap Chinese part). Since the lights work fine once the engine isn't idling (when driving), I'm guessing the ballasts are fine... is that a correct assumption to make?

So, I need to replace the hi-lo controller that connects to the battery (+12V and ground), ballasts, and stock H4 harness. Any idea on where to get a better type of this controller? I looked at the HID kit sale in the GD section but it looks like it doesn't come with that controller.

I'm switching back to stock in the meantime, but I really want to know what's wrong.

(BTW here's a pic of what I'm talking about).

 

WTF is a hi-lo controller?

 

you get what you pay for........ the bulbs are probably the culprit.....but I would rcheck all your connections...

 

Easy!! controller for high power then low power= hi-lo controller

 

What kind of ebay headlights were they? Are they bixenon projectors that were retro'd?

 

Yeah, I bought them off another .orger. Just E55 projectors retrofitted to the eBay housing.

I'll clean my battery terminals and test my alternator, just to rule those out. Battery tested fine yesterday at Advance. Alternator is suspect... the flickering depends directly on the engine RPM and if it's less than 1k.

I'm just wondering why they were working perfectly up until now.

 

DDM tuning... having a sole now on kits. Fogs for 25, not sure about low beam. Plus it has lifetime warranty. Cant go wrong with that.

 

Update: I got my alternator looked at and there were a few problematic wires that were replaced. I put the HIDs back on to see if that resolved the flickering at idle issue.

The problem is better, but not fully gone. Every now and then, the lights will still flicker when the engine is idling. It seems to happen when I'm applying the brake; the flicker goes away when I use the handbrake instead. Also, same situation with shifting between Park/Reverse/Drive.

My guess is that in those situations, the headlights aren't getting enough current when other lights (parking lights, brake lights) are on. Anyone have any input?

 

One last request for help/advice:

The headlights work fine (no flickering) when I have my fogs off.

When the fogs are on, I get the occasional flickering when the brake lights are applied (i.e., when stopped at a red light).

So, clearly, the headlights need all the current they can get, and when everything is on (fogs and brake lights), they start to flicker.

Any solutions for getting more constant current? I don't mind running with my fogs off, but I would prefer to use them.

 

Sometimes there could also be a short in the relay itself...try a new relay that should help things, and if that does not fix it, then look into a capacitor, but most of the times a relay does the job..also make sure ur battery is at its best, because that could be a problem as well..that will happen if ur battery is getting weak..or not getting enough charge. is this a dual beam bulb setup or isobeam?

 

The HID Master has spoken lol. Hey I still need a set of bulbs.