Flickering HIDs on E36

Post Mon Oct 18, 2010 9:47 am

Hi guys, I'm hoping you might be able to help me on this one...

I fitted an HID kit to my 1999 e36 and the light cast by both bulbs flickers or dances about. They both stay on constantly its just that they appear to move around in the beam they cast. This is very visible when sitting behind another car with them on or when they're shining on a wall.

I've checked the bulbs are seated properly and have checked all the connections and even tried 'inverting' the connection to see if that was the issue but had no luck.

The seller I bought them from has advised me to try connecting them directly to the battery but I can't see how I'd do that as the connections are cased in plastic plugs so wouldn't make contact with the battery terminals. Is it safe to run a length of wire from the negative and positive terminals to the battery? I don't want to fry them or my car!

Any suggestions gratefully listened to!

Post Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:38 am

If you are going to direct them to the battery, i suggest you use a 7.5 amp fuse in the positive. HID ballasts c*ck up very easily.

Post Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:02 am

Cheers. I've found a harness I bought ages ago that will connect the kit to the battery and has all the proper connections for the ballasts etc so I'll try it with that.

Post Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:58 am

From the sound of that it sound like the adjuster have broken on the lights them selves which causes the lights to bounce up and down.

Post Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:04 am

Nope. As I said, they're seated fine and are not moving as such. The adjusters are fine - I have put the standard bulbs back in, which are fine - no flickering.

It's the light cast by the HID burners/bulbs that's moving around and makes the beam look like it's moving. Very difficult to describe. Almost like a flame

Post Mon Oct 25, 2010 9:31 pm

I have just had this problem with one of my new HIDs. After swapping bulbs from side to side I discovered the new bulb was at fault. It seems a bit strange that both of your bulbs are like this. I wonder if you have a bad connection somewhere other than your bulbs. Make sure the headlamp relay is firmly into its connections (although maybe the inside contacts are a bit furred up?). YOu could try another relay. Also check your fuses are clean. Make sure there has not been any moisture getting into the fuse box. Hope this helps.

Post Thu Oct 28, 2010 6:19 pm

I ordered a new pair of bulbs and they are both flickering! I can only think it means there is a dodgy connection. On the side that flickered before I think it is in the twist off cap. On the side that was not flickering before I suspect it may be in the push together connections on the HID kit. I will have to investigate further on the weekend.