HID issues finally worked out... ghetto style

[FailWheelDrive]

So I haven't said anything about this on here but lately my HIDs have been flipping off and then back on at seemingly random intervals. Sometimes 2 or 3 times in a row. I was pretty bad the other night coming home from the airport, a guy in front of my actually pulled over so I killed my HIDs and rolled home with my Off Road lights on.

The way it's wired up is one headlight power wire goes to a relay which flips on the HIDs. The original headlight power wire was cutting out here and there (something to do with testing to see if the light was out or something I think).

The only way it works seems to be to apply a load to the headlight power. We tried on of those resistors for LED turn signals as a test and it worked but they aren't designed for constant use so it obviously isn't a good long term fix.

Me & the guys at the shop ended up just wiring in a small bulb mounted in the engine bay. It works and isn't unsafe or anything... just kinda ghetto for my tastes.

Any ideas on how to safely apply a load to the headlight power in a non-ghetto style fashion?

PS: While I was at the HID/LED shop I had them install a 40" LED light bar and a really cool front hitch cover that looks like a claymore. I'll post pics once I get me jeep washed up.

[goser]

You can see a resistor setup in my post here:

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62827

I also have a capacitor sitting on my desk that I'll get around to testing... someday...

[FailWheelDrive]

Thanks for posting the link. I searched for that thread while I was at the shop but couldn't find it.

I tried a resistor that looks similar to the one you have... I was getting so hot that I didn't think it would last for very long. Does yours get that hot?

We tested a capacitor and it didn't work.

[croat]

You can buy similar resistors on eBay with much larger heat sinks BTW.

[FailWheelDrive]

Originally Posted by croat

You can buy similar resistors on eBay with much larger heat sinks BTW.

That sounds like a better long term option, I just ordered some. Thanks!

[ponyboy]

where did you wire in the light bulb? the flicker is killing me.

[FailWheelDrive]

All I needed to do on mine was introduce a load on the relay circuit, so I had the bulb wired inline on the positive wire before the relay.

I did end up wiring in one of those big resistors and it's working great!

[ponyboy]

Yeah I think ill go grab a resistor. I know there are tons of threads on the issue... but how did you wire in the resistor? to and from what wires? just to stay consistant with a solution that I know has worked for you. Thanks for the help!

[FailWheelDrive]

I wired the resistor in just like the bulb. Inline with the old headlight power wire that's being used as a signal to the relay so it sees a load. I screwed the resistor to the inner fender on the driverside of the engine bay.

[goser]

Originally Posted by FailWheelDrive

Thanks for posting the link. I searched for that thread while I was at the shop but couldn't find it.

I tried a resistor that looks similar to the one you have... I was getting so hot that I didn't think it would last for very long. Does yours get that hot?

We tested a capacitor and it didn't work.

No, the resistor doesn't get very hot at all. IIRC I calculated 25W power dissipation to be more than enough for 200 ohms. Can always go to 50W if you're worried.

[kostas]

My friend i am a new member here and i want your help.i just install a hid kit in my patriot,with a relay which takes signal from the one headlight in drivers side and is turning on and off every 2-3 minutes.what did you do to avoid the problem?what size of resistance did you use and how many?

[lOStjEEp]

Ahhh, reading this reminds me of how mine did the same thing when I first installed them. It can be a pretty complex install, definitley not "Plug N Play" like most vehicles. I have 2 resistors for each bulb, and I've had my fair share of HID issues but after turning it over to some professionals I have a reliable kit in there now finally! Hope your issues get resolved!

[FailWheelDrive]

kostas: I had my HIDs working perfectly by installing the above mentioned resistor inline on the factory headlight power wire that is used to trigger the relay.

Basically what happens is the computer that controls the headlights is looking for a certain range of resistance/or current draw (or whatever) and the relay by itself doesn't consume enough power so the computer keeps testing the circuit (turning it on/off).

The resistor provides enough draw on the factory headlight power wire to trick the computer. Just make sure that you mount it up and away from anything that it will melt because it gets pretty freakin hot when the headlights are on.

[kostas]

Originally Posted by FailWheelDrive

kostas: I had my HIDs working perfectly by installing the above mentioned resistor inline on the factory headlight power wire that is used to trigger the relay.

Basically what happens is the computer that controls the headlights is looking for a certain range of resistance/or current draw (or whatever) and the relay by itself doesn't consume enough power so the computer keeps testing the circuit (turning it on/off).

The resistor provides enough draw on the factory headlight power wire to trick the computer. Just make sure that you mount it up and away from anything that it will melt because it gets pretty freakin hot when the headlights are on.

what resistor did you use?200ohm 50w?only in low lights?

[FailWheelDrive]

I don't remember the specific values of the resistor. It's just the same heavy duty one that people use to cure the fast flash of LED turn signals.

On mine I only had to use the resistor on the low beams. Apparently the high beam drew enough current to not throw the computer that controls the lights into a seizure.