dfalk Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 First off I have this set of HIDs in my car, http://www.xenonexpert.com/ddm_kit.html , the 35watt kit 5000K and they are a little over 3 years old. So for the past 2 months or so when I go to turn them on the passenger side doesnt always want to turn on. If I turn the lights off and back on real quick it will fire up. Sometimes I have to do this 5-10 times real quick for it to come on. The driver side always turns on no matter what, the passenger side is the only one with a problem. Another strange thing I noticed is if I unplug all the connections and plug them back in the headlight will fire up the first time right away for a day or 2. To me it sounds like some sorta connection issue, but could it be the light or ballast? I dont think it could be cause once it turns on the light is its normal brightness and it will stay on until I turn it off. I havnt realy looked into anything yet (just got pulled over last night for it so figured I better fix it) but tonight Ill swap the blubs and ballasts and see if the problem follows or stays. Anything else I should look for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tito_b0y Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I had the exact same issue with mine, although not as often as you've been experiencing. Passenger light would turn on at first-fire 95% of the time, driver's side 100% of the time. Never found the cause, and developed a habit of firing the headlights twice to make sure they were both on. I had the DDM 35 watt 4500k on my car from November 2007 to May(?) 2011 with no other issues. I was curious of of the Toshiba HIR bulbs, so I gave them a try and gave my DDM kit to a friend, and they still work. I doubt switching the bulbs would work, but worth a try since I haven't really looked into it myself. It wasn't really an issue for me, just annoying which prompted me to try out the HIRs. I do miss the output and cutoff of the HIDs, so I may be getting the 55 watt Raptor kit with the harness straight from ddmtuning.com soon. 2006 SWP 3.0R 5EAT VDC BBQ 2008 OBP 2.5i 4EAT BBQ [RIP] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laz Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 I say time for a new ballast. All these Kira are cheap for a reason. I have gone through 4 or 5 sets in different cars! GL X --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golf4283 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 You need a relay harness. What's happening is the ballast isn't getting enough juice to fire the bulb right away. The wiring for our cars isn't made for HID's so you run the risk of not getting enough power to light them. Adding a relay harness will turn the stock wiring into a "trigger" which will allow direct power from the battery to your HID's. they'll fire up every time then. Relay harnesses are really easy to make and I've made a few in my day. Check out this link. http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/lighting/35366-how-make-relay-harness.html It's for a civic so the connectors will be different but the concept remains the same. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boymk123 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 need a relay harness HID bulbs take much greater voltage to start up, your OEM wires couldn't supply enough vol at start up, a relay harness will solve the problem, as it connects your HID directly to your car battery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20lgt06 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 what they said -- happened to me also until i got the relay harness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfalk Posted October 26, 2011 Author Share Posted October 26, 2011 To those who suggested a relay harness - Ive had one installed since day 1. But last night I switched ballasts sides. I also took some contact cleaner and cleaned every plug in connection on the ballasts/bulb. I also took a wire brush to my ground connection and really cleaned it up, along with the power wire coming directly off the + terminal on my battery. So far they're firing up the first time but well see how long it lasts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boymk123 Posted October 26, 2011 Share Posted October 26, 2011 if so then its your ballast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RabidWombat Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 You don't need a relay harness for a 35W HID kit. The peak current draw (during firing) is ~58 W which is basically identical to the nominal 55W headlight. Swap the ballasts and see if the problem moves, but its probably corroded connectors. Most electrical problems can be traced to bad connectors... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underpowerd Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 ignitor is going, it's how those kits ultimately remind you they're a bargain -- it will get progressively worse until it quits completely. if you were to bother to table test it and listen very closely when it fails to fire you'd hear it faintly 'ticking.' 3 years is a hell of a run though for a 35w ddm kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laz Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 I always thought also that the fact that they are really not water tight may have something to do with them failing.3 years is a good run for sure. X --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meier motor sports Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 my passanger side low beam flickers a bit on my kit as well. supose id need the relay kit. was assuming it was just the quality of the kit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIPjeep2002 Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 ballast is your problem. my DDM's are on their 3rd year. Fire every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneskiian Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I've had this issue from the get go on mine (purchased a few months ago but just installed in the last few weeks). I don't believe it's the ballast on mine as I first swapped ballasts and it continued on the same side. Then I swapped bulbs and it moved with the bulb. I'm a growing tired of it though so it's time to contact DDM for some replacements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfalk Posted November 8, 2011 Author Share Posted November 8, 2011 Just though Id update you all. Its been almost 2 weeks since this post and since swapping the bulbs/ballasts, and cleaning the connectors the lights have fired up the first time every single time. So if your having this problem Id check all your connections. Make there they are clean, a good ground, and tightly connected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goneskiian Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 Glad to hear you got it figured out! I've got a return authorization from DDM for mine. I'll be purchasing an extra set of bulbs from them first so I can return the current set and still have lights! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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