I have a 6SM Type-S (just purchased) and I flashed the high beams today (headlights off) to make sure I didn't need to replace them. However, my HID's turned on and then off as soon as I released the High beam switch.

From everything I know about HID's, this must be a wiring error, as it is very hard on the ballasts and HID capsules to flip on/off in such close time proximity.

Anyone elses' do this???

 

High beam and low beam is the same HID light.

The difference is that for the high beam a shutter lifts, exposing more of the light.

So, yeah, when your headlights are "off" and you "flash" your brights, you're turning your HID's on/off quickly.

 

The harness must be shared with a Honda that doesn't use HID's. I use the flash function only when the lights are already on.

 

As explained. Our headlights are Bi-xenon projectors. Meaning hi and lows are used within the same projector. The inner light is your DRL (daytime running light) when you push the stalk forward this will activate the solenoid with in the headlight to flip the cut off shield down giving you the high beam function.

When your headlights are off and you pull the stalk towards you this will give you the "flash" function and your headlights will turn off as soon as your release the stalk back to the original spot.

 

Flash to pass with HIDs suck when it's daytime. It's hard on the ballasts. Just honk or try to get their attention by waving.

Flash to pass also kind of sucks with HID projectors since it's not immediately noticeable (as its just a flap moving inside). Use your fogs instead.

edit: i see it wasnt while you were driving. But when you do need to get attention during the day just honk. It's obnoxious but what are you gonna do.

I wish they wired up the headlights so if the switch is in the off position and you pull the stalk it will flash your fogs instead. I'm sure with the proper relays you could modify it.

 

how is it hard on the ballasts if its just a shutter that flips to let light reflect upwards?

 

If your lights are already on, none at all.

But these guys are talking about flashing the brights when the lights are off.

 

Don't know the ballast life of the 3G TLs, but you'd think the engineers would've thought of this stuff.

I assume that the inner halogen lights that acts as DRLs also have a high-beam function. Why isn't the lighting system set up so that the flash function flashes only the halogen high-beams unless the low-beam HIDs are already on? Doesn't sound particularly complicated.

 

^i think the 07-08 TL headlights cant handle full powered bulbs in the DRL slot. there is a piece of plastic in front of the bulb that looks like it would melt if the full 55w was given to that bulb. however, the 04-06 tl headlights are a different story.

 

Thanks for clearing this up for me. I installed BiXenon's in my 1st gen TL so like I said, I'm well versed in the subject. It would make since to me that Honda would have installed a relay to flash a high beam filament in the DLR lights when the headlight switch is off, and then activate the BiXenon cutoff shield actuator when they are on. Oh well Maybe I'll just drive with my HID's on all the time.
I think my car was in a front end collision so I just wanted to make sure nothing was installed incorrectly.

Thanks guys!

 

Yea, I was alittle annoyed when I found this out. I typically like to flash oncoming traffic if I see a cop somewhere and when i realized I had HID's and that it probably wouldn't be the best idea to quickly turn them on and off, it made me alittle mad. And I can't just use my fog lights, b/c I converted my fogs to HID too. Also, this sux too when trying to let someone turn in front of you and trying to let them know.

 

There is no high beam on the DRLs. It's on and then off. There's only one filament in the bulb

 

I never understood this in my 15 years of driving so far. What in the hell does "flash to pass" mean? lol I have never once in my life flashed my lights to pass someone even on one lane roads where passing is allowed. Why would you ever flash your high beams in that situation?!? or as you mentioned what do you mean wave to get their attention? Get who's attention and get their attention for what? if your going to pass someone you just do it...
haha sorry if this is a stupid question but once I saw it mentioned here I had to ask.

As for the OP's questions just as everyone else stated they are bi-xenon's so the same projector and HID bulb do both low and high beams. The inner reflector lamp does nothing more than the DRL function

 

flash to pass is more or less the feature's name..though it has other purposes i guess.

i think flash to pass came from signaling the driver in front (in a single lane situation) that you intend to pass him. Driving on narrow mountain roads where some dude is holding up several cars is a good example.

For everyday driving, there's always someone doing 65 in the #1 lane on the freeway.

It's a less obnoxious way to get someone's attention. I used it the other day when this guy cut me off doing less than 65 (i was at 65 on cruise). It's also a "what the f***?!" signal

 

I use my flashers plenty in day-to-day situations as well. It's a nicer way of telling someone to speed up a bit, or the traffic light's green. Also useful for letting someone in, or making a left turn in front of you. I use it much more than I do my horn.

 

I've never heard of this either, nor have I ever had it done to me. Maybe it's a regional thing

 

The rear wheel drive horse & cart.

Have you tried new 4300K (the CORRECT colour!) lamps? Anything much higher becomes invisible to the human eye...

The ones Honda use are long-lasting, but they do lose their efficacy over time. If yours are from 2005, no wonder they're dim.