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    #1

    DDM HID issues in the rain...

    I installed my DDM HID kit about 2 months ago or so. It's been working perfect ever since. I converted my sealed beams to US ellipsoids via 9006 adapters and spade connectors, then installed the 9006 HID kit.

    We got rain for the first time in a long time the other day, and my passenger side headlight went out while I was driving (the check light came on). If I shut them off for a while and turned them back on, it would come on for a few minutes. The next few days of no rain, it was trouble free. This morning it rained again, and my headlight went out. I tried playing with all the connectors, and checked them for moisture. Nothing had any moisture near it - the bulb, ballast, connectors, nothing.

    When I turn the lights on, the headlight comes on for a few tenths of a second, then goes out. Then, randomly, it will stay on.

    Any ideas? I think I'm going to switch bulbs from driver to passenger side, to remove them from the equation.

    I'm thinking since the check panel light is accurately telling me when the bulb is on/off, it must be a problem with the wiring, since that doesn't monitor the actual HID bulb, correct?
    85 325e m60b44 6 speed / 89 535i
    e30 restoration and V8 swap
    24 Hours of Lemons e30 build
    Tags: None
    #2
    I would check that your grounds are solid. the rain could have just been a coincidence.
    Build thread

    Bimmerlabs

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      #3
      Originally posted by nando View Post
      I would check that your grounds are solid. the rain could have just been a coincidence.
      Do you know where the ground terminates for that circuit by chance? I'll start looking at the schematics...


      EDIT: Looks like the actual bulb ground wire terminates at a "x165" connector (no idea where that's at, guessing a junction point of grounds that bolts to the body somewhere?)

      But the power wire goes through the check panel, to the power distribution box, the relay, etc..., which all have their own grounds.

      This should be fun. Maybe I'll swap the ballasts first since that's fairly easy. Just to rule out a part which is known to be low quality.
      Last edited by JGood; 07-14-2010, 08:30 AM.
      85 325e m60b44 6 speed / 89 535i
      e30 restoration and V8 swap
      24 Hours of Lemons e30 build

      Comment

        #4
        it should ground inside the headlight housing where the stock bulb does, or at least that's how my H1's are set up.

        I had a similar flickering issue I thought was a bad ballast but it was just a loose ground.
        Build thread

        Bimmerlabs

        Comment

          #5
          Originally posted by nando View Post
          it should ground inside the headlight housing where the stock bulb does, or at least that's how my H1's are set up.

          I had a similar flickering issue I thought was a bad ballast but it was just a loose ground.
          The HID bulb gets positive and ground from the ballast, which gets it from my stock headlight wiring (sealed beam 3 wire connector -> 9006 adapter).

          Maybe a better option would be to try plugging in a normal 9006 bulb next time I can't get the headlight to come on. That will be the easiest way to eliminate the HID kit from the equation. If that works, I'll plug in a normal sealed beam, and eliminate my 9006 adapter from the equation. Then I'll know it's a car wiring issue, and probably a ground issue.
          85 325e m60b44 6 speed / 89 535i
          e30 restoration and V8 swap
          24 Hours of Lemons e30 build

          Comment

            #6
            right, what I'm saying is the power and ground connection from the headlight housing to the ballast could be flaky.
            Build thread

            Bimmerlabs

            Comment

              #7
              Originally posted by nando View Post
              right, what I'm saying is the power and ground connection from the headlight housing to the ballast could be flaky.
              That would be part of the HID kit then. US Ellips don't have wiring within the housing. The bulb hangs out the back of the housing, and has wires coming out of it, that go to the ballast.




              85 325e m60b44 6 speed / 89 535i
              e30 restoration and V8 swap
              24 Hours of Lemons e30 build

              Comment

                #8
                After work yesterday, it was still raining. It didn't work for more then 5 minutes on my way home. Switched bulbs, passenger side still wouldn't come on. Plugged in a 9006 bulb, and it lit up fine. Plugged the HID back in, it wouldn't come on. Then after it stopped raining, it worked for an entire 40 minute drive.

                Guess I'll send the ballast back for a warranty return.
                85 325e m60b44 6 speed / 89 535i
                e30 restoration and V8 swap
                24 Hours of Lemons e30 build

                Comment

                  #9
                  The bad on their warranty is it takes freaking forever. The good thing is they are dirt cheap.
                  https://www.facebook.com/BentOverRacing

                  Comment

                    #10
                    It was fine again for my hour drive to work today, when it wasn't raining. If it stays on until the next time it rains, then goes out, I'm going to try to seal the ballast myself with flexible epoxy or something.. I'm not paying to ship it to them, just to have them tell me it works (they won't be testing it in the rain, obviously). I'll just buy a whole new HID kit and then have 2 spares bulbs and a spare ballast, instead.
                    85 325e m60b44 6 speed / 89 535i
                    e30 restoration and V8 swap
                    24 Hours of Lemons e30 build

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Now when the bulb does work, it's about 1/2 as bright as the other one. Sweet. At least I can get a warranty return on it now. I'll include a pic of the dim bulb just in case.
                      85 325e m60b44 6 speed / 89 535i
                      e30 restoration and V8 swap
                      24 Hours of Lemons e30 build

                      Comment

                        #12
                        Definately swap the ballast side to side and see if the weak bulb symptom transfers with the ballast. It might very well just be a bulb going ka-put.

                        As for DDM's warranty, I've had no issues getting mine back. About the same time as ordering it and having it shipped. If you do have issues, give 'em a call and bug them a tad. Seemed to get my second warranty issue (wrong ballast shipped) rectified faster.
                        Need a part? PM me.

                        Get your Bass on. Luke's r3v Boxes are here: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=198123

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Originally posted by nando View Post
                          right, what I'm saying is the power and ground connection from the headlight housing to the ballast could be flaky.
                          Nando, the housing is not grounded. It only gets ground from the bulb, which gets ground from the wiring.

                          Swap ballasts back and forth first.

                          Closing SOON!
                          "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                          Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                          Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Originally posted by ck_taft325is View Post
                            Definately swap the ballast side to side and see if the weak bulb symptom transfers with the ballast. It might very well just be a bulb going ka-put.

                            As for DDM's warranty, I've had no issues getting mine back. About the same time as ordering it and having it shipped. If you do have issues, give 'em a call and bug them a tad. Seemed to get my second warranty issue (wrong ballast shipped) rectified faster.

                            I already swapped bulbs from side to side, so that kinda proves it's not the bulb. But I'll swap ballasts to, just to rule out the slim possibility of bad wiring in the car. Since the 9006 halogen bulb works fine, I'm assuming it's good.

                            Glad to hear they are good on the speed of the warranty. It took me a month to get my kit after I ordered it, but it was due to a big change in customs procedures at the time, and they are back to shipping on the day you order apparently.
                            85 325e m60b44 6 speed / 89 535i
                            e30 restoration and V8 swap
                            24 Hours of Lemons e30 build

                            Comment

                              #15
                              fwiw I just ordered some new bulbs because I am converting my glare-tacular H4s to US ellips and they are doing the same-day ship thing.

                              Project M42 Turbo

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