JDM Halo lights help - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

abe88 · 04-13-2009, 09:17 AM

Hey guys first of all happy easter

second...my question:
I bought and installed JDM halo lights similar to the ones that most have on their 2000 camrys about a year ago, and now one of the rings (halos) flickers or stops working altogether, i suspect its that little black box connected to it but what is it if it is indeed that? any help would be appreciated, thanks.

skuttduck · 04-13-2009, 09:21 AM

Can you unhook your wires, and then connect the two wires to a constant 12 volt DC power source to see if maybe one of your contacts is corroded?

I used a 12 volt DC adapter when I first got my lights to test the halo ring.

abe88 · 04-13-2009, 09:25 AM

Thanks for replying, but i doubt its the contacts...i will try however ill let you know once i do tho. btw do these lights use a transformer or something for the halos?

skuttduck · 04-13-2009, 09:35 AM

Mine use a transformer. It could be contacts inside there though too.

abe88 · 04-13-2009, 09:38 AM

cool thanks for your help, ill try a couple things out and let you know what happens

'_' · 04-13-2009, 11:32 AM

Curious to see what the problem is as well. Mine both did the same thing (flickered for a couple weeks and then finally when out).

DxElite · 04-14-2009, 05:43 PM

I had the same headlights before I modified them with brighter LEDs. My best guess would be that the "black box" is crapping out, or they used cheap LEDs and those are dying.
If you have a voltmeter and can expose a bit of wire after the black box, check for constant voltage. If theres fluctuation, the box is dying. If power is good, then the LEDs are most likely dying.
If the black box turns out to be dead, I'd cut out the black box and put in a resistor, what ohm is something you'll have to figure out to match the LEDs.

2unknown · 04-14-2009, 08:23 PM

Im just curious..
What is in the black box?

DxElite · 04-14-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2unknown

Im just curious..
What is in the black box?

I'm not 100% sure what's in these, but typically with LED setups for 12Volt automotive applications, there's probably a voltage regulator to keep constant power flow to the LEDs so they last longer and resistors so the LEDs don't blow out from too much power; if they're really good, they'll have diodes to control electricity flow so it doesn't interfere with the car's electical flow when we tap the car's wires.
It's a pretty good size box filled in with potting to keep it air/water proof and acts a heatsink, so hopefully it has all those parts but it's only as good as the parts they used.

abe88 · 04-14-2009, 10:21 PM

well i did check my connections and it wasnt that...but in the process i short circuit the two wires together and now both halos dont work at all, im sure i blew something but not too sure what it was. I thought it was the relay dimmer any one know? Im going to replace the black box as soon as i get the chance to im pretty sure they're giving way. As for both halos not working, anyone have a clue as to what fuse i blew?

abe88 · 04-15-2009, 12:11 AM

found the fuse, it was the parking light fuse. replaced it and found out whats wrong with the lights...the LEDs are goners, so i have ot replace them. DxElite did u post a DIY on replacing the LEDs?

abe88 · 04-15-2009, 12:13 AM

oh forgot to mention that since one of my "black boxes" was working i swapped it over to the other side and the halo still didnt work thats how i ended with the LED not working conclusion

DxElite · 04-15-2009, 02:24 PM

I don't have a DIY for replacing the LEDs. Sorry I didn't take any pictures when I opened mines to modify.
You'll need to have some replacement LEDs ready and some basic knowledge on how to solder and LEDs. I also recommend some heat shrink to cover the wires.

1) You'll have to open the headlights to get access to the LEDs, http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t136335.html this is a good DYI for HID retrofit, but has good directions for opening the headlights.
Just need to add that you have to remove 2 metal clips that are on the sides of the headlights that hold the lense on.
2) After you have them opened, the LEDs are in the halo plastic ring that is clipped into the circle on the removeable black plastic insert; on the backside you'll see the clips and just pop those out to get to the LEDs.
3) With the ring off, on the back at the bottom you'll see the LEDs with the wires going to them. They're probably glued in and you'll have to carefully dig them out, try not to damage the plastic halo while doing so.
4) After you have the LEDs out, take a look at which colored wire goes to the flat side of the LED and setup your new LEDs to match the old LEDs.
Make sure the positive goes to the positive and the negative to the negative. I recommend you do as pictured below and bend the LED leads 90 degrees and twist matching leads together. One is longer than the other so just make sure you twist the same length leads together.

5) Cut the wires from the old LEDs and strip them about 1/2" and twist them to your new LEDs.
Test the LEDs with the car battery just to make sure it works before soldering them together by using the wires from the black box as if they were installed.
If they don't turn on, try swapping the wires around, it won't damage the LEDs if the wires are on the wrong lead.
After testing them take the wires off and slide on some strips of heat shrink. Put the wires back on and solder them, check once more with the battery to make sure they work and then put the heat shrink over the soldered wires and seal them.
6) Put everything back in reverse order and reinstall.

Let me know if you need anything to be clarified or explained.

abe88 · 04-17-2009, 12:57 AM

Those instructions are perfect dude, thanks for all your help. i dont have much time to do this now since my study break is over but as soon as i try it ill let you know if i have any trouble. Thanks again

skiutah1080 · 08-04-2009, 10:54 PM

I didn't want to pollute the forums by posting another thread for a related issue. I just ordered a set of the JDM black halo headlights and I didn't think I was going to have a problem with anything until I looked at the wiring and thoroughly confused myself. They of course didn't come with any instructions, as per typical ebay fashion...

So, I have the red and white wire coming out of the back of where the halo is, which goes into a clip. Out of that clip come 2 red and 2 white wires, which all go to the "black box". Out of the black box the only two wires that come out are two red ones. Am I supposed to hook them both up to the red wire for my corner lights? (I'm assuming corner lights are the best ones to hook them up to...)
Can anybody shed some light (har har) onto my predicament? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've attached a photo for better reference.