HID fog light problems

[duspeed3]

So...I'm not positive this is the right place for this thread, but I'm having a bit of a problem with my HID 3k fogs. most of the time, they work perfectly, but I noticed sometimes the passenger side ones didn't turn on.(gah) When that happens, I turn my lights on then off, and then both of them are on like normal. It's really weird...I got them from a friend of mine who started a small business selling them so he switched out the ballast for me with a new one from another kit, but then we noticed the DRIVER'S side fog didn't turn on today. (braindead That never happened before we switched the ballast. Anyone heard of anything like this at all??? I think it's some sort of power issue.

p.s. the kit is legit by the way...none of his customers have had problems

 

[Darth Vader]

Sounds like a grounding issue. Check those contacts and make sure there's good continuity there. Maybe ground each ballast to the frame seperately, if that's not how it is now.

 

[azuelke]

I have this same problem with a set I picked up from DDM, except its a headlight bulb. I've just learned to live with it since the kit was only $30. Could be a bad ballast or igniter.

 

[jesustorres85]

i install hids for as a side job here in chicago. its either a power delivery issue(wiring) or a bad bulb. in very rare cases, it can be the ballast. i would start at wiring then try changing bulb. then try ballast

 

[duspeed3]

i install hids for as a side job here in chicago. its either a power delivery issue(wiring) or a bad bulb. in very rare cases, it can be the ballast. i would start at wiring then try changing bulb. then try ballast

by wiring do you mean just make sure everything looks fine? i don't really think it's the bulb though...because like i said, if one isn't on when i turn on the engine (i have an 08 ms3 gt and the lights are set to auto), i just turn them off and back on again and both are on at that point. actually i said "on then off" but that was a typo lol.

p.s. thanks everyone for the quick responses/suggestions

 

[duspeed3]

Sounds like a grounding issue. Check those contacts and make sure there's good continuity there. Maybe ground each ballast to the frame seperately, if that's not how it is now.

i think my ballasts are grounded pretty well. one is zip tied to the frame and the other is held by plastic and screws

 

[skallen]

I think he meant to check to make sure the ground wire is secured properly and is attached to bare metal (ie. body frame or any other unpainted metal surface)

 

[Cloud_Walker]

I think he meant to check to make sure the ground wire is secured properly and is attached to bare metal (ie. body frame or any other unpainted metal surface)

Yeah, ground wire (negative wire) as opposed to the positive wire going to the battery.

I had a similar problem on my HIDs on another car. It was the relay. Water got inside of it and rusted it up. After a while it wouldn't work at all. So I got a new relay free from the manufacturer and this time installed it so it won't catch water.

 

[iknospd3]

im planning on doing mine where did you mount the ballasts a pic would be helpful too if anyones got one

 

[05maz3subd]

the wires the plug into the ballast can be connected both ways, just flip the cord that plugs into the ballast, this happened to my friend

 

[duspeed3]

my friend is getting me a relay kit. i think it might be a power issue because i only have problems starting up the fogs. updates to come

 

[05maz3subd]

have you ever put in dielectric grease in the junctions, it helped me and ive had no problems after that, its used to for prevention of spark plugs on older cars works perfect for wiring projects