Can anyone help me determine what is going wrong? I'm trying to install HID fogs using a slim kit from hidextra.com. Unfortunately it is not working.

I followed the directions here but seem to be missing something. I've tried to reverse the connection shown in that thread as well as the one connecting the ballast to the car with no luck (tried every combination).

Also, I plugged in my old H11 bulb and it lit so I know it is getting power. Unfortunately neither side is working with the HID's.



Any help is greatly appreciated!

*Note - I took off my bumper because I was getting my grille painted...not for this install.

 

Are the new bulbs H11's also?

 

Yes, they're H11 bulbs. I made sure to purchase the same kit as in the DIY (35w slim).

Though the halogen bulbs light up I'm wondering if the ballasts are not getting enough power. I'm gonna go buy what I need to test that...

 

To confirm that just run the red directly a to positive of the car battery and black to the negative.

 

are you using a relay kit?

 

No, just the slim ballast that came with the kit. It's the exact same as the one pimpin-tl used for his diy.

I bought a multimeter and am getting the same readings at the battery as I am at the power source that plugs in to the ballast, so that's not the problem. What's the chance I got two bad ballasts? I think hidextra is closed today so looks like I'm throwing in the towel for now.

 

They're maybe backwards, as negative on the possitive side.

 

No, the way I have it is the only way it works, as one is male and other is female. Also, I flipped one side and no luck so it's not a polarity issue.

 

I still think you need a relay.

 

The kit is supposed to be plug and play, and other members that have purchased the same kit have not had issues.

I'm anxious to speak with hidextra today to see what they say. Hopefully they're open again after the holiday yesterday.

 

have you turned the plug over that goes to the ballast?



and is it in all the way?

If you have power in, and you checked that you have power at this plug, then its the bulb or the ballast.

Just check for 12vs at every junction.

 

Yes, I tried turning the plug that goes into the ballast as well as the one that connects to the car (and ensured they were plugged in fully). I realize that they're both accomplishing the same thing so I tried it with every combination. The fact this didn't help leads me to think it's not a polarity issue.

I'm not too good with a multimeter but I was getting the same readings at the battery as I was at the plug that goes into the ballast (as well as the one coming from the car of course). So this also leads me to believe it's not an issue of insufficient power.

I wish there was an easy way to test the ballast and bulbs so I could confirm if that's the problem.

 

unfortunately if you have power in and none out its a hardware issues.

Are both ballasts responding the same way?

 

Yes, unfortunately I have not been able to get either side to work.

 

Honestly that's strange that they would both fail. I dont know enough about the TL to blame the car but if you swap hardware from side to side and get the same results there may be a bigger issue.

i.e. not enough wattage to fire the ballast.

 

this would mean that you would need a relay kit.

 

has anyone suggested a relay kit?

 

i dont know how many times justin has recommended a relay kit in this thread.. lol

get it! but i honestly think its a hardware issue.. try your kit on another car or plug it directly to the battery to test the kit to see if it actually works.

 

only 3. lol

 

Solid advice.

 

Or call paypal.

 

Since this kit was advertised as plug and play, I can't bring myself to fork over additional $$$ to get a relay kit that may or may not fix the issue. I don't see how it would work on other 4G TL's without a relay but not on mine.

What's the best way to connect it directly to the battery?

 

I just spoke with hidextra.com and they are sending me another kit (will hopefully be here by Saturday). They also confirmed that I do not need a relay.

Hopefully there will be no issues with this next one. I'll post an update this weekend.

Thanks for all your replies!

 

3 times is enough ahhah

but yea... i can bet money its the kit that is the problem.

connect + and - wires to the battery, it should turn on immediately. make sure the bulb is connected.. have someone hold the bulb while you touch - and + to the battery

 

Thanks for the tip potmilkz but I don't want to cut any wires, and I'm assuming I'd have to since all of them have connectors on the ends.

I was picturing something like a mini jumper cable set, where I could pinch the connectors and connect the other end to the battery terminals (and thus not have to cut wires)...but again I don't want to spend any additional money at this point.

I'm crossing my fingers that the next kit will work with no problems.

 

Me thinks Justn feels you need a relay kit

 

Thanks for relaying the message

 

Well the new fogs are waiting for me at my house (kudos to HIDextra for their customer service).

I'm not sure what time I'll be home tonight so I may have to wait until the morning, but I'm not even going to take the bulbs out of the plastic protectors. I'm going to hook up everything and test it out first (for only a second or two so I don't melt the plastic).

Crossing my fingers that this set works with no issues. Updates to follow...

 

No issues with the latest kit. Everything is back together and working fine. I'll try to get pics up later today.

 

Click here for pics...