HID's unstable.. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

11LE · 07-21-2011, 11:09 PM

Hey everyone. My old ballasts are going out and it's time to swap them, so I picked up some local ones new in box. The thing is, every set of bulbs I try with them, they all have this tiny "flicker" in them when the lights are on. The light doesn't go on and off, but the light-beam somewhat "dances", or dims ever so slightly. It's really annoying at night and it's dark, looks like your bulbs are moving around, but it's not the bulbs.

I think the ballasts (new) aren't putting out consistent power. Should I try to get a refund? All I know is my kit before this one did not do this.

Thanks.

aznbigbearjohn · 07-22-2011, 12:06 AM

better change that fast!
it caught my fogs on fire

GT-R · 07-22-2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11LE

Hey everyone. My old ballasts are going out and it's time to swap them, so I picked up some local ones new in box. The thing is, every set of bulbs I try with them, they all have this tiny "flicker" in them when the lights are on. The light doesn't go on and off, but the light-beam somewhat "dances", or dims ever so slightly. It's really annoying at night and it's dark, looks like your bulbs are moving around, but it's not the bulbs.

I think the ballasts (new) aren't putting out consistent power. Should I try to get a refund? All I know is my kit before this one did not do this.

Thanks.

Now HIDs too?!

Damn man... what else could go wrong with your car...?!

It could be a bad kit, just replace everything including ballasts and bulbs. Try to get a kit from a more well known brand, although I've been using my cheap DDM bulbs and some unknown brand ballasts for almost 3 years now with no problem.

workerant · 07-22-2011, 03:42 AM

^ how often do you turn on your headlight?

BlackG5 · 07-22-2011, 11:56 AM

Mine do the same thing. I think its just cuz they're garbage lol.. I only paid like $45 shipped, and only did it cuz the color of the light output.

only one of mine flickers tho.. JLM brand off Amazon

GT-R · 07-22-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by workerant

^ how often do you turn on your headlight?

Once a year.

NO!!! I used them quite often, whenever I feel like showing off.

11LE · 07-22-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT-R

Once a year.

NO!!! I used them quite often, whenever I feel like showing off.

Haha same as me! If I'm driving someone/a group of people, they're usually on.

Nice guy swapped them out for me, gave me digital ballasts for my trouble. Seem to be working!

GT-R · 07-22-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11LE

Seem to be working!

Let's hope it stays that way... I think u have enough problems with your car already!!! hahahaha

BlackCam09 · 07-22-2011, 05:34 PM

are you using a relay harness?

Pilot0617 · 07-22-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackCam09

are you using a relay harness?

^ That might be the problem

LE05 · 07-22-2011, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot0617

^ That might be the problem

that and you guys keep using cheap kit ballasts. they're cheap for a reason!

you would have been much better off buying oem ballasts in the first place... they last much longer and are far more robust in terms of unstable voltage.

just my 2 cents

LNGasMan · 07-23-2011, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LE05

that and you guys keep using cheap kit ballasts. they're cheap for a reason!

you would have been much better off buying oem ballasts in the first place... they last much longer and are far more robust in terms of unstable voltage.

just my 2 cents

+1, cheap ballasts with unstable voltage. I bought a set of cheap slim ballasts from a company in L.A. and had the same problem. I exchanged them for a another set and they were the same too. Get a refund and buy some better ballasts from Xenondepot or another reputable source.

tengiday · 07-23-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LE05

that and you guys keep using cheap kit ballasts. they're cheap for a reason!

you would have been much better off buying oem ballasts in the first place... they last much longer and are far more robust in terms of unstable voltage.

just my 2 cents

+1 I'm using Denso ballasts (from TRS), and they've never failed or caused me any trouble. Besides, the warm-up time is very fast. I have usable light immediately right after I turn my lights on with no dimming.

exclusive · 07-23-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LNGasMan

+1, cheap ballasts with unstable voltage. I bought a set of cheap slim ballasts from a company in L.A. and had the same problem. I exchanged them for a another set and they were the same too. Get a refund and buy some better ballasts from Xenondepot or another reputable source.

Truth

Usually the slim ballasts that do not have the extra "box" attached will have this issue. The Xentec ones I bought did this and I got rid of them.

aznlunatic206 · 07-23-2011, 03:26 PM

I have a set of V-HIDS (V-LEDS) for the lows and DDM tunning slim's for my fogs. Both work great and havent yet had a problem with them and its been a year or so now. OEM is the way to go if you have the money, that will be my next upgrade.