Culpable's HID system, Lights wont turn on Options

[6gsillyca]

My headlights won't turn on. The last few weeks they have been sketchy, ie I need to flick the switch on and off a few times before they fire up, or either the left/right light will come on, but not both of them at the same time.

I seem to notice it happening more often when it rains, but somehow I think it is just a coincedince.

I'm guessing its a wiring problem, but I don't know what it could be, as it affects both the left and right lights. It used to work by switching on/off a few times, so all the wires should be hooked up correctly.

[Coomer]

I'd definitely wire them using a relay. You run the risk of burning up your factory harness the way they're wired right now.

[6gsillyca]

I'd definitely wire them using a relay. You run the risk of burning up your factory harness the way they're wired right now.

Could you explain how I should wire them up with a relay, and what sort of relay I should be using?

[Coomer]

Could you explain how I should wire them up with a relay, and what sort of relay I should be using?

You'll want to use your standard 30/40amp automotive SPDT (single pole double throw) relay, which can be found at your local auto parts store. As far as wiring, it helps if you understand how a relay works and what it does. Read up at http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp and you should be able to figure it out. If not, let me know and I'll make a quick wiring diagram.

[6gsillyca]

Could you explain how I should wire them up with a relay, and what sort of relay I should be using?

You'll want to use your standard 30/40amp automotive SPDT (single pole double throw) relay, which can be found at your local auto parts store. As far as wiring, it helps if you understand how a relay works and what it does. Read up at http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp and you should be able to figure it out. If not, let me know and I'll make a quick wiring diagram.

Had a quick look at it, but it looks like it would involve cutting up the factory harness/hid harness. I don't really want to do either. I'm not sure how to wire it up w/o cutting anything, as the 2 harnesses are fairly pnp as they are.


85/86 dont get used, constant power goes to 30, and either 87 or 87a get ground, and the other goes to the hid?

[Coomer]

Had a quick look at it, but it looks like it would involve cutting up the factory harness/hid harness. I don't really want to do either. I'm not sure how to wire it up w/o cutting anything, as the 2 harnesses are fairly pnp as they are.


85/86 dont get used, constant power goes to 30, and either 87 or 87a get ground, and the other goes to the hid?

I don't think it'd require cutting the factory harness. I believe you can get a female plug for the factory 9006 plug at your local auto parts store.

But I'm curious...you say right now you have a HID harness? Aren't you just plugging your ballasts right into the factory headlight harness plugs? And then you've got two wires from each ballast to the HID bulb, right? Or am I missing something?

But anyway, you need to use terminals 85 and 86 on the relay...when you give one side ground and one side +12 volts, the coil energizes and 30 breaks contact with 87a and makes contact with 87. So you'd hook up your factory ground wire from your factory headlight plug to 85, and your switched low beam +12 volts wire from the factory headlight plug to 86. Then 30 goes to the battery with an inline fuse, and 87 goes to your HID ballast's +12 volts wire. The HID ballast's ground goes to a good, bare metal ground. Terminal 87a is not used.

[6gsillyca]

I don't think it'd require cutting the factory harness. I believe you can get a female plug for the factory 9006 plug at your local auto parts store.

But I'm curious...you say right now you have a HID harness? Aren't you just plugging your ballasts right into the factory headlight harness plugs? And then you've got two wires from each ballast to the HID bulb, right? Or am I missing something?

But anyway, you need to use terminals 85 and 86 on the relay...when you give one side ground and one side +12 volts, the coil energizes and 30 breaks contact with 87a and makes contact with 87. So you'd hook up your factory ground wire from your factory headlight plug to 85, and your switched low beam +12 volts wire from the factory headlight plug to 86. Then 30 goes to the battery with an inline fuse, and 87 goes to your HID ballast's +12 volts wire. The HID ballast's ground goes to a good, bare metal ground. Terminal 87a is not used.

I'll check for a 9006 female plug tomorrow/monday.

I don't remember 100%, but the factory harness goes to a 2prong/wire connector that goes to a little black box (maybe a relay now that I think of it) and from the black box comes the ballast connectors. Then from the ballasts to the bulbs. I'm pretty sure the ballasts aren't connected directly to the harness though.

Tomorrow when I'm more compitent I'll have a look at the relay/page you linked and try and make sense of what you posted. My thinking isn't working right now. Long day at work :S