HID Headlights making switch bad

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

so today my headlights wouldnt turn off. the switch was off but they wouldnt turn off. i jiggled the switched a little and they shut off. a couple minutes later they turned back on.

took the car to a honda dealer and they told me that the HID headlights were pulling too many volts from the switch which is causing it to go bad.

other than just replacing the switch every couple months, or buying new headlights, is there something else i can do to prevent the switch from going bad.

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[Kenny Pollock 10+ year member]

Relays?

(I know nothing about relays, but I was talking to some guys about electrical system, and they mentioned a similar problem and relays were brought up)

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

ill look into that thanks

 

[champaned_out 10+ year member]

what car/model/year is this?

im guessing you put in Rebased HID KIT in place of your halgon bulbs right?

if so, look into a upgraded wiring harness.. they run like $50

ill link you up with a very reputable guy that does custom hid retrofits...

edit:

http://customlightz.com/

click on Services and then to "Upgraded Harness" then to wireharness, or contact him personally, his name is Rich and see if he can make you a custom wireharness... his work is flawless and is notorious on several car forums

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

what car/model/year is this?
im guessing you put in Rebased HID KIT in place of your halgon bulbs right?

if so, look into a upgraded wiring harness.. they run like $50

ill link you up with a very reputable guy that does custom hid retrofits...

edit:

http://customlightz.com/

click on Services and then to "Upgraded Harness" then to wireharness, or contact him personally, his name is Rich and see if he can make you a custom wireharness... his work is flawless and is notorious on several car forums

2005/honda civic ex im not quite sure much about it they were in the car when i bought it. thanks for the link ill look into it.

 

[LUV2BHATED 10+ year member]

relay should definatlly help you out

 

[Shyne151 10+ year member]

Upgrade the wiring and install relays... I need to do it to mine once it gets warmer out.

Also disable daytime running lights and light flash on lock/unlock if you have them on your car. They are HORRID for HID's.

 

[champaned_out 10+ year member]

do you happen to know if the hid's are REAL hid bulbs? if so they'll be D2R bulbs, which means a upgraded wiring harness is all you need to solve your problem... a proper wire harness will have relays on it

alot of bulbs state their "hid" but really its just a halogen bulb with a higher kelver lighting

 

[jdawg 5,000+ posts]

if it is a real HID kit with ballasts etc it will draw LESS amperage, you prolly got some cheap *** ebay "HID" bulbs that are more wattage with a painted bulb. In that case yes the will pull more amperage through your switch and burn it up. Either use proper bulbs or relay them.

 

[champaned_out 10+ year member]

if it is a real HID kit with ballasts etc it will draw LESS amperage, you prolly got some cheap *** ebay "HID" bulbs that are more wattage with a painted bulb. In that case yes the will pull more amperage through your switch and burn it up. Either use proper bulbs or relay them.

it draws less current overall, but when you use a stock halogen wireharness with a plug and play D2R HID kit the wireharness will go bad after time... it draws LESS constant current (35watts > 55watts) but it draws a SH*T load more when the bulbs ignite on startup

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

View attachment 8032 heres the best pic i have right now... im know lights specialist but they dont seem like cheap lights to me, and the guy that owned the car before me is a rich bastard so i dont see him buying something cheap on ebay.

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

use your stock light switch to trigger a relay, that will provide more current to your lights.