Aftermarket Hid Flicker?

[nitely]

I use this site for accurate nissan oem part numbers. Check it out. 2004 Nissan Murano Code: VQ35DE W AWD SL CVT

[njjoe]

I found them at Lowes in the drawers in the nuts & bolts aisle.

-njjoe

[njjoe]

S21-

This is a very interesting thread. There have been dozens of HID retrofits done on the MO. Some are swaps using OEM components (like my headlights) and others are strictly aftermarket components (like my fogs). But yours is the first report of the flickering issue. There must be something unique to your particular installation that is causing the problem.

I thought the video was very telling but then learned it was not your video. So now I have a few questions.

1) If the lights are turned ON with the engine OFF does the light flicker?
2) If the engine is idling with the lights on and you put a load on the alternator (A/C on, fan on HIGH, rear defroster ON) do the lights begin to flicker?
3) If the HIGH beams are turned on does the light flicker?
4) Is there any set of conditions that initiate the flicker?

-njjoe

[Sharma21]

Originally Posted by njjoe

S21-

This is a very interesting thread. There have been dozens of HID retrofits done on the MO. Some are swaps using OEM components (like my headlights) and others are strictly aftermarket components (like my fogs). But yours is the first report of the flickering issue. There must be something unique to your particular installation that is causing the problem.

I thought the video was very telling but then learned it was not your video. So now I have a few questions.

1) If the lights are turned ON with the engine OFF does the light flicker?
2) If the engine is idling with the lights on and you put a load on the alternator (A/C on, fan on HIGH, rear defroster ON) do the lights begin to flicker?
3) If the HIGH beams are turned on does the light flicker?
4) Is there any set of conditions that initiate the flicker?

-njjoe

Right and I also thank you for your interest in this thread in trying to help me solve this weird problem. Yes even for me this is really weird; like I've stated I already got hid's in other cars but this is the first time that I've ever seen a bulb do this. Also there's nothing unique to this install all it consists of is 2 ballasts, 2 bulbs, 1 relay harness and that's it. Yes the video is not mine but, the reason I posted that was because, whats happening in that video is exactly whats happening to my one bulb, and also so that every one would possibly get an idea of what im talking about to clear up any confusion upon my terminology; I will however get a video posted once i figure out how to upload a video straight to this thread. To answer your 4 part question:

1.No not at all.
2.Nope, in fact I even got a 200 watt(I believe)amp, 12 inch sub, and yes occasionally turn heat/ac on but no it would probably have already started flickering or doing that shaking thing long before.
3.If the high beams are on it still wouldn't matter like if I were just idling and the light wasn't flickering or w/e and turned on the high's they wouldn't flicker.
4.Yes there are some conditions at least to my suspicion; When im idling it will not flicker at ALL, when im driving it will also not flicker, however if I come to an abrupt stop then yes it will like in the video sporadically flicker or shake like that for about 10-15 seconds then come back to normal. I've noticed that (or at least in my own theory) that if any how my suv seems to dip downwards (like an abrupt stop) or dip down any how, any way, at any speed (even at regular speed to a traffic light) the light will flicker which to me seems that some wire, some where, is loose only now since this is the second bulb and ballast my only thought would be that it would be the relay that might be causing this...... but contrary to this second bulb and ballast; the first bulb and ballast I had before replacement would flicker all the time, anywhere, even if i was idling and this old one use to do it even more sporadically and would never come back to normal; just as soon as you would fire it up it would after a minute start and never stop flickering.(the new one doesn't do this though)

[Sharma21]

Originally Posted by nitely

I use this site for accurate nissan oem part numbers. Check it out. 2004 Nissan Murano Code: VQ35DE W AWD SL CVT

I've been on that site before but, I cant find those darn buttons any where; I was thinking about going to the dealer but, does any one know how much they cost like in a pack or something? or is it really even necessary to have that cover on there?

[Sharma21]

Ok so as hvt suggested, I tried to directly plug the ballast to the original harness but the only problem is, is that the original harness is short. Like when I tried to plug in the ballasts wire it would fit same size but not go in all the way and "click" to fit the socket. To experiment I got my old ballasts that i took out from my totaled civic and tried it on with the relay but immediately after about 2 minutes after fire up it started to sporadically flicker/shake while even at idle; where as with the one that's already installed doesn't flicker/shake at idle but at the other condition that I've stated. Any one still have an idea what it may be? Now my only thought is that, its got to be the freaking relay. Also I got my old relay from my totaled civic, tried to hook that one up but same problem where it doesn't fit fully into the socket of the orignal harness. Any ways to show you guys the kit I have is this one:
Except remove those stickers from the ballasts

[Sand84]

Sorry for the Thread jack.

I put some DDM 35w 8000k in the MO. And the drivers side will just shut off whenever it wants. Sometimes its 10 min then sometimes its 30 min. Only the drivers side. I have switched 2 different bulbs and 3 different ballasts. I ordered 4 ddm kits at once. 1 for a buddy and he's having the same problem. The only thing i have left to do is swap passenger side over to drivers and see if it still does it. After all my calls and emails to ddm and piss poor customer service this was my last order. Sorry for the jack. Just thought i'd share my experence.

[MuranoSV]

I've just installed DDM HID kit with 35w 5000k one and also a relay harness. They described I don't need it but I bought it for a case. Anyway, I have a similar problem. When I crank the engine, both lights turn on but passenger side one goes off right away. When I turn off the light by switch and turn it on, then both lights stay on. I suspect the ballast right now.

[turbizzy]

Ive been hearing DDMTuning horror stories alot more recently on other boards. Seems as though they're quality and customer service is really in the toilet now.

[FeffDogg]

I am currently having problems with one of my DDM ballasts. Flickering/turning off started on drivers side so I swapped ballasts and now have the same problem on passenger side. Mostly see problem on start up but on long trips have had light turn off several times. Light comes back on by simply turning switch off and back on. I am also not very happy with DDM customer service lately.
I have to agree with swapping one variable at a time to narrow down problem.

[Sharma21]

hmm.. and I have non-branded hid's.

[BANSwee]

Originally Posted by Sharma21

hmm.. and I have non-branded hid's.

The more you'll have problem with cheapo HID kit. try www.theretrofitsource.com

they have quality morimoto (tho chinese manufacture also). you can also try their forum for HID nuts out there. hehe (I'm one of them)

why dont you try the real retro? you know, take out those halogen projector and put real HID projector and its really a big difference..trust me

just saying

[Sharma21]

Thats not the point; What im getting at is that, even though my kit is non-branded it seems that others who have branded items or (privately labeled) kits are incurring some kind of problem similar to mine. So far as halogen projector and hid projector..... im confused projector is a projector, its going to do the same job sounds like a lot of inductive reasoning.

Originally Posted by BANSwee

The more you'll have problem with cheapo HID kit. try www.theretrofitsource.com

they have quality morimoto (tho chinese manufacture also). you can also try their forum for HID nuts out there. hehe (I'm one of them)

why dont you try the real retro? you know, take out those halogen projector and put real HID projector and its really a big difference..trust me

just saying

[BANSwee]

Originally Posted by Sharma21

Thats not the point; What im getting at is that, even though my kit is non-branded it seems that others who have branded items or (privately labeled) kits are incurring some kind of problem similar to mine. So far as halogen projector and hid projector..... im confused projector is a projector, its going to do the same job sounds like a lot of inductive reasoning.

OPPpss, OK. As I stated above I was just saying. ANyhow, my apologies since I really didn't fully read the whole thread. Now we go to the issue at hand. and of course I just skimmed all through the pages

Two things (most general) why do we have HID flicker.

1. DRL-- since we dont have DRL I doubt this is the issue

2. BALLAST-- yeah the ballast at start-up draws a LOTTTT of power this is why its suggested that when you do Plug-n-play kits you have to have a relay harness. Its also the reason of flicker when the ballast itself is not working properly (estabilize a constant power-- HID actually has low power consumption when warmed-up).. Unless you have a decent ballast I would NOT make any conclusion as to where is the root of the problem (DDM ballast are hit and miss-- trust me I have one)

for the Halogen projector and HID projector are totally different projectors.

cheers

[Sharma21]

Thanks for replying. To sum it up you're right, we do not have (at least on my Murano) drl. The kit I have in my opinion is decent im not so sure about other brands out there but I am currently running this kit on about 3 other cars so far without problem (which is why im puzzeled about all this because this is the first time im experiencing something like this). For the part on the projectors; if you can please, explain how they are different in distributing photons? What are you basing your info on? Is this more of an opinion built upon circumstantial evidence or something that is deductively sound? If you can please show me an example because, I've always wondered about this. Thanks.

Originally Posted by BANSwee

OPPpss, OK. As I stated above I was just saying. ANyhow, my apologies since I really didn't fully read the whole thread. Now we go to the issue at hand. and of course I just skimmed all through the pages

Two things (most general) why do we have HID flicker.

1. DRL-- since we dont have DRL I doubt this is the issue

2. BALLAST-- yeah the ballast at start-up draws a LOTTTT of power this is why its suggested that when you do Plug-n-play kits you have to have a relay harness. Its also the reason of flicker when the ballast itself is not working properly (estabilize a constant power-- HID actually has low power consumption when warmed-up).. Unless you have a decent ballast I would NOT make any conclusion as to where is the root of the problem (DDM ballast are hit and miss-- trust me I have one)

for the Halogen projector and HID projector are totally different projectors.

cheers