Lights turn off when I start the car.

[11LE]

Hello!

When I had my halogens in my 2011 I4 LE, the lights would dim slightly, sometimes never, when I start the car. Now, with 5k DDM HID's, instead of dimming slightly, one side turns off and back on all in an instant. This is really damaging the bulbs. I was wondering if I could make the process a bit more seamless. Right now I'm having (to prevent early failure) to turn off my lights every time I turn off my car, so next time I start my engine, and then turn on my lights, to prevent the extra off/on phase.

Thanks for any input! Happy halloween.

[GT-R]

One of my HID also turns off when starting my engine, that's why I always set it to off position before starting the car, just in case to prevent any damage to the ballasts and bulbs.

I always thought that it's the ballast safety feature, that it detects a power failure and shut off the ballasts.

yup bc the HID runs a higher voltages. always turn mine off when i turn off the car.

[11LE]

Ah! So it isn't just me! That's a lot better. I probably already significantly shortened my bulb life with the amount of times I've left it on auto. Gives me another reason to go 6k. Haha.

But, does it damage the ballasts, too? Why only one side shutting off?

^^ballasts more

[GT-R]

I wouldn't worry about the bulbs too much, it's the ballasts I'm worrying about because it shouldn't be going on and off like that. I have a perfect clean install and don't wanna have to take it apart again.

[11LE]

Aw man. Bummer. I guess that life-time warranty is a plus!

[gdanaher]

Look into getting a new battery with higher cranking amps. Your issue is that the starter is drawing high amperage and dropping the battery voltage below the magical point. You might av oid this for a year or two with a fatter battery.

[crazyaznman]

i have a ddm 35w 6k hid kit, and my bulbs don't shut off when i start them, they only dim slightly, i have a camry 09 w/ stock battery. could be that the other batteries are old or something, iono, just my experience. Altho i might start keeping the lights off on start just to prolong the life and not tax the system so much since it does draw extra power.

[Pawel062]

with a my matsushita ballasts and rfs harness can have em on when starting and they dim only slightly i believe but don't turn off at all. make sure u running harnesses boys. might be part of it.

[Mag Grey Toy]

i runn a harness and only gett the dimming no on and off stuff

[11LE]

During start-up, when my 5k's are blue , if I start the engine, they only dim. If I have them running at fully warmed up looking pure white, one of them blinks off and then on. It's better after I drive for a bit. I didn't know we needed a relay!

[exclusive]

I always turn them off, and put it in auto after I start the car. I had a car without auto lights for 6+ years prior so I'm used to it hah

[11LE]

I just removed my HID's for the time being to prevent further damage. Plus I didn't do the squirrel spotter mod yet. Hopefully I can get a relay harness and do some headlight mods soon. I'm digging the blacked out headlights some members have.

[GT-R]

Originally Posted by exclusive

I always turn them off, and put it in auto after I start the car. I had a car without auto lights for 6+ years prior so I'm used to it hah

I've been running without relays for almost 2 years now and no problems, not feelin' the extra wires. Just do what this man said. ^