HID help

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e30lou
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Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:26 pm

Well at least I'm pretty sure they're HIDs, they're super bright and have these little boxes that a wire plugs into and I'm assuming they're the ballasts :?

Anyways, my issue is that when I pull the headlight switch out one click the headlights flicker, not always though. Also if I pull the headlight switch out fully sometimes only one headlight comes on. It's frustrating and I'm pretty sure this will fail MOT? can anyone help or can I just switch the bulbs?
Morat
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Sat Jul 09, 2011 11:49 pm

How old is your car - exactly?
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e30lou
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Sun Jul 10, 2011 1:02 am

It's a 1988
Morat
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Sun Jul 10, 2011 8:28 am

Search for "dim dip resistor" and posts by Brianmooore it sounds like you haven early facelift car.
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e30lou
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Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:29 am

Thanks morat will do a search now. Yeah it's the early facelift model
daimlerman
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Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:52 am

I get the impression from this;

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ht=dim+dip

That all you need to do is locate and dis-connect the relays.

I sometimes only get one HiD when I switch the engine off and re-start with the headlights switched on,but they both fire up first time from the main light switch.
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e30lou
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Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:52 am

if they're flickering like they are, will this fail MOT does anyone know?
daimlerman
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Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:58 am

e30lou wrote:if they're flickering like they are, will this fail MOT does anyone know?
Not sure,TBO,they'll only flicker in the sidelight position with the ign on.

I would locate that dimdip relay,it's on the n/s inner wing close to the light units.Just unplug it and see what happens.
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e30lou
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Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:04 pm

thanks. had a read of some of those dim dip resistor posts and all seem really helpful. it seems as though i just need to locate and unplug these resistor things and all will be well. i'll check the relays too under the glovebox i think. off to have a little play so will be back shortly with an update! :D
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e30lou
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Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:27 pm

Yay!! All sorted, located those plugs and disconnected the little pests then hey presto no more flicky flicker. I just need to get the headlights realigned now then I'm set for it's MOT :P :D
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Brianmoooore
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Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:30 am

daimlerman wrote:
e30lou wrote:if they're flickering like they are, will this fail MOT does anyone know?
Not sure,TBO,they'll only flicker in the sidelight position with the ign on.

I would locate that dimdip relay,it's on the n/s inner wing close to the light units.Just unplug it and see what happens.
You're getting confused between relays and resistors, Malc.
The resistors are on the front of the inner LH wing, and their plugs need to be disconnected. The relays are behind the glovebox, and must be retained, otherwise your dip beams won't work at all.
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