Gentlemen,

99 TL with 233,XXX miles. I'm trying to find out where the grounding point is for the HID lights.

I'm having a problem with them blinking while driving down the road so I'm sure I have a loose ground, I just can't find where the grounding location is.

If anyone knows, or has a suggestion of where to start looking, I would really appreciate it.

Thx

Bundy

 

Hm...I'm not quite sure where it is myself, but if it were me, I would just look behind the headlights and follow the wiring, but then, that wiring is all connected to a harness so it'll probably be a bit difficult to find the grounding part.

 

Hey Spydercatt, So you've got a '99 and the HID low beam headlamps are blinking going down the road ? Is it only one or both, as each side has it's own independent HID components. The high beams are not of HID design.

You can try removing one side's relay at a time, to see if the opposing side's lowbeam is working properly. It might help to isolate the problem to one side to save yourself some work later. At some point, it'll be necessary to inspect the HID units and connections for signs of moisture or corrosion. This is a common issue with our aging headlamps.

Check our "DIY" sticky for more info on the headlamps. Many fellow 'Ziner's recommend pulling the front bumper cover for better access to the components. If moisture is present, there are aftermarket vendors which sell a smaller, water resistant replacement for our old original HID set-up. These are available for less than $100.

If you are competent dealing with electrical testing and feel confident that the problem isn't moisture related......but still a poor ground, you can use extreme caution checking for continuity @ the inverter unit's #1 female connector to a ground point. No continuity would indicate a bad ground. Also check for 12v @ the inverter unit's connector #2 to ground while the headlight switch is on. Be careful !

 

I'm not at home right now, on Christmas vacation. When I return in the New Year I will check out what you have mentioned and let everyone know. Thank you for the suggestions.

 

I have had an issue with my passenger side headlight ballast for a while now. My OEM went out, so I replaced them with a kit from HIDextra. Few months later it flickered for a while and then died out. I was told at an auto electronics store that I needed to buy "canbus" ballasts because of some type of recognition with the cars ECU. they were going to be 180 for the pair but I got em down to 150. Replaced those, now I'm having flickering issues. Im assuming now it is my wire splice, as I have reused the power cables. Can I just use a wire tap for my ground, and attach it to my bumper if I sand it down? It would save the hassle of removing the bumper to get down to where I spliced it originally. Or does the issue sound like it goes back further than just a bad ground? It has only been about a month since I swapped in the new canbus ballasts. Thanks in advance!

 

@RUyguy331. You could try the wire tap but be warned that those are prone to fail with all the movement and heat under the hood. Your best bet would be to get back behond the bumper where you orginally spliced in the wiring and fix it there. It will last longer and be a better splice.

Well I found out what the issue was. I added more grounding wires to the "core" support and the frame rails. and then to the 2 factory grounding points in the right and left fender inside the engine compartment. Thinking I had it solved I drove it around again and it was still flickering. Now I'm pissed. So I started with the lights on and started jiggling wiring coming off the headlights. I tested the drivers side light first, shaking and moving wiring and it started flickering on me. I removed the factory wiring loom and began looking for a cut in the insulation of the wiring. Well none was too be found. It kept moving it and it kept flickering. Well low and behold the wiring at the connection had fallen out of the socket and was just sitting there. So the wiring to the HID light connector we lose and working it's way out. I checked the passengers side and it was coming out too. Well I puched the clips back into the connector, pluged it back in and there has been no problem since. It sounds a little confusing so if anyone needs pictures let me know and I will post them.

I love this forum, let's all keep up the good work.

 

Just test it: take a jumper wire from the -ve terminal of the battery and connect it to the ground wire of the ballast. Does it work properly now? If not, then it sounds like you got suckered into buying cheap ballasts like most people out there. Just google all the problems people have with cheap ballasts. There ain't no free lunch.

 

I would try that but I would have to A) expose the ballast ground wire and B) the problem is intermittent, so it works most of the time. I guess I will just rewire the ground when I get a free weekend, thanks guys!