One light not working after HID installation

[Steevesy]

Hey Guys,

I am BRAND NEW to this forum, so go easy on me I had been finding that my halogen headlights were starting to bore me, so I decided I wanted to upgrade to a HID bulb. I did some research on to which conversion kit I wanted to purchase and I decided to go with a DDM Tuning. A buddy of mine had used them on his 88 BMW 635 and I thought they looked mint! I got my bulbs quickly and the install only took about an hour. I turned them on and they looked BEAUTIFUL! I switched to my high beams to see the difference in light and when I switched back over, one side did not come back on. I thought it was strange. I looked over all the wiring and it was all connect properly, turned on the lights again and only one side heated up. I was frustrated. I opened looked over everything again and in a last hope, I turned them on and both started up! The one that was giving me troubles was a little hesitant and flickered at first. It is a little hit or miss with that one light though. Because it is so hit or miss I believe it is a initial draw from the ballast that is causing this problem, but I could be wrong. Can anyone tell me what the OHM's from my headlights should read? I am going to test them tomorrow, but I am having difficulty finding electrical information for my car. Any help would be greatly appreciated

regards,
Steevesy

[caffeineaholic]

What is the year and engine type of your caprice? We always need this information minimum to help out.

[j cAT]

first off what vehicle are we talking about ???

on the older 80's vehicles the headlight connector contacts are very poor...since you installed new lamps what is the current [amps] that these new lamps draw ?????

with lamps electrical current in amps is used to determine if you will have any issues,,,,like overloading the dash headlight switch/wiring etc...

[Steevesy]

Hey guys! Sorry about that It is an '89 Caprice Classic Brougham LS. It has the smaller 305 V8. The initial draw of the ballasts is stronger than the constant draw of the ballasts. The HIDs are only 35watts as apposed to the halogens which were 55watt. The ballasts need a slightly stronger initial draw to get the lights ignited and I think it could be anywhere from 7.5amps to 15amps. I read the manual for the caprice and the only headlight fuses seem to be in the switch, and it is a circuit breaker. Am I correct about this?? Is there anyway to update the headlight fuse??

Chris

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Steevesy

Hey guys! Sorry about that It is an '89 Caprice Classic Brougham LS. It has the smaller 305 V8. The initial draw of the ballasts is stronger than the constant draw of the ballasts. The HIDs are only 35watts as apposed to the halogens which were 55watt. The ballasts need a slightly stronger initial draw to get the lights ignited and I think it could be anywhere from 7.5amps to 15amps. I read the manual for the caprice and the only headlight fuses seem to be in the switch, and it is a circuit breaker. Am I correct about this?? Is there anyway to update the headlight fuse??

Chris

I suspect that the orignal lamp connectors are corroded and they may need replacing.....also coating the contact surface after cleaning will aid in the reduction of failure....using a meter the voltage drop would indicate exactly whats failing..

these HID lamps each draw 35watts your originals draw 55watts...W=EXI.....so 12volts X 5amps =60watts.....
your new lamps draw about 3amps....much less...the initial surge is revealing the poor connections,,,