Auto Headlamps + HID = Bad?

[Silver Ecstasy]

So the idea in the past was that, HID's are not meant to be flashed on or off, nor are they supposed to be turned off and on in quicker fashion. When I got my car, I was curious what kind of damage could be caused by having HID's in an "auto" position and have them turn on and off at the mercy of the car's light sensor (inside at the mazda dealer, starting car inside garage, things like that).

Also, I was concerned at night because when I put the key in "On" to prime (It's a habit, I know on our DI cars, that doesn't prime s***, just gets the sensors fired up), the HID's would fire up, then when you'd turn the key fully to crank, the HID's would die until the car started, then the HID's would fire back up. I seriously didn't think this was good for the lifespan of the HID setup, period!

I found this piece of info and haven't been able to find any other supporting info, but I wanted to atleast forewarn and let you guys know that have MZ3/MS3's in GT trim with auto headlamps.

http://hidledlights.info/archives/18
Auto Headlamps and its effects on HID lights

One of the many advantages of HID lights is the long life span of the system. Many people are worried that their car’s auto headlight system would damage the HID lights. It is true that the car’s auto headlight system would shorten the life of the HID ballast. The ballast is the weak link because of the heavy job bestowed upon it. However, unless you drive your car in and out of car parks or through tunnels many times a day, you would find that the HID system would still outlast the lifespan of your car...

Also found this interesting information regarding an aftermarket HID kit, but still applicable!!

http://www.hidautolighting.com/troubleshooting.html
4. Fried ballast, internal damage or burning of the discharge bulb Gas Capsule.

You MUST Disconnect the Daytime Running Light or Auto Switch ON function immediately before the actual HID Conversion. Due to the Steady levels of battery voltage required at 12V or Plus before the initial Ignition of each HID System, you must prohibit the less voltage draw of car battery at HID's start time. Daytime Running Lights are operating at 7V or less power output, and auto on headlights are always turned on seconds before the car to start the ignition to charge the battery. This means the battery is focusing on charging the ignition and waiting for alternator to recharge it back to 12V. Therefore, in both situations, battery is drawing much less power than 12V to initially ignite the HID headlight...

...if you have Auto Switch On Headlights, please switch the function to Manual Switch On headlights. To avoid further damages, always remember to start your engine before turn on the HID system!

OEM lighting is getting more and more expensive, and i'd hate for people to run into a situation, outside of warranty were a ballast/bulb dies. Hope this helps!!

 

[GoFast]

this is actually a pretty good question I think. To be honest, I have thought about it, but never really gave it much more than that. I haven't had an issue yet.

My thoughts are that maybe, it applies more to aftermarket installed HID systems. I think with cars that actually came with HIDs from the factory have to have some kind of system in place to protect from this. But, that is just my thought and I really have no solid facts to back that up.

 

[Hank3]

That has been my fear since owning the Speed3 - the auto headlights feature. So I'm a traditionalist in that I manually turn them on. I did the high-beam bypass mod this weekend so that the HIDs don't come on when you flash the high beams. It works like a charm! So glad I did it because there have been times where I wanted to flash to pass or warn oncoming drivers of the speed traps and such...

 

[Nliiitend1]

Yup. I always leave mine in manual for these reasons.

 

[GoFast]

I did the high-beam bypass mod this weekend so that the HIDs don't come on when you flash the high beams....

???

 

[jred321]

so the first quote says don't worry about it, the second says with aftermarket setups don't use the auto setup that was present with the normal headlights. so the take home message is "results inconclusive?"

i'll leave mine in auto and report any problems

 

[Hank3]

???

It's a pretty quick mod if you have a Dremel. You have to sever a copper contact patch that's in the control board attached to the turn signal stalk. I found it on the "other" forum. I knew I should've taken pics and did a write-up for this board. My bad...

 

[GoFast]

ugh...you're fired

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Wow, I didn't know the HIDs turn on when you flash?? I flashed a oncoming MS3 owner on the street yesterday with only my parking lights on. That flashes the HID bulb too?? Weak!!

I agree that the first quote is no, and 2nd refers to aftermarket but in all actuality, I doubt that OEM HID is built with superpower strength or capabilities. Its takes time to warm up just like the rest. On newer cars, like Lincolns and BMWs though, I notice less time to warm up.

 

[GoFast]

lol i am not saying superpowers but I am thinking there has to be some kind of relay or some sort of built in protection device.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Right that's what I meant. I didn't mean it in a mocking tone.

I don't think the OEM is going to have any other extra protection in my opinion. Then again, factory HID does cost a helluva lot more..

 

[GoFast]

yes it does...

but then again, any "factory" costs a hell of a lot more so I am not sure if that can really be used as a guage

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

I'd LIKE to believe that Factory is better. There's no way that factory HID's cost 10x more just because they're Factory, if aftermarket is the same quality ballasts and bulbs. There's gotta be more to it.

Then again, if there ISN'T anything more to it, then I would have reason to believe we shouldn't be letting the laziness/convenience of auto-headlights **** up our ballast/bulbs.

 

[GoFast]

but is it actually ******* it up? I have had my HID's on auto since may of 07 and have yet to have an issue. meanwhile, on my wifeys SI i have gone through 2 sets of halogens in the same time frame and I (MS3) drive much more than she does

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

HID's are known to last longer and better than Halogens anyhow, but there's a lot more to them, and a lot more than can get damaged over time from improper use. That's all i'm saying about it.

 

[jred321]

part of the extra expense i'm sure comes from the housing actually being set up properly for HIDs so the light is in the correct place and doesn't blind others, unlike shoving an HID headlight into a non-HID housing.

as far as killing the ballasts, i have to imagine with a little bit of thinking they can and hopefully have worked in some aids to help the problem. doesn't seem that complicated and since they include auto headlights with HIDs you would assume they did some testing around whether those functions are compatible or not. if they haven't then it's something that will last at least until the warranty is up, and then if it happens to many people then a cheap aftermarket replacement will be readily available just like every other part on the car so it's not really something to worry about. enjoy the auto headlights and laziness


BMWs, acuras, etc... have had HIDs for around a decade now haven't they? i assume auto headlights have been around for a while in those cars as well. what problems have they run into?

 

[GoFast]

what is the life expectancy out of them?? for the cost, it better be a very long time

 

[sleeper3]

still worth it!

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

I've seen a few Acura's and older Infiniti's with blown out HID's on one side before. It's obviously eventual, but you gotta wonder what could have contributed to it.

And part of the reason for me getting GT trim was so I don't have to slap a set of aftermarket HID's in my car. I'd be real hesitant to replace my OEM HID's with aftermarket, if down the road, they do decide to go bad.

 

[jred321]

And part of the reason for me getting GT trim was so I don't have to slap a set of aftermarket HID's in my car. I'd be real hesitant to replace my OEM HID's with aftermarket, if down the road, they do decide to go bad.

aftermarket replacement of OEM parts is what i meant. like buying a different brand alternator or radiator or any other part that you don't want to pay the absurd price mazda charges you. you just swap out the part that doesn't work, not the entire setup. odds are it will even be made by the same manufacturer that makes it for mazda like many quality aftermarket replacement parts, it just won't have the branding so will be cheaper

also according to the incredibly unbiased source of xenonking.com: The HID life expectancy is up to 10 times longer than the factory halogen Bulbs.