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HID Light turning off and on

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by gfk, Feb 14, 2020.

  1. Feb 14, 2020 at 3:58 PM
    #1
    gfk

    gfk [OP] Well-Known Member

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    bought a 2017 tacoma in October. Didn't realize it had an HID kid installed until I went to adjust the lights downward. Last owner also installed a leveling kit so the lights were hitting other drivers in the face. I've noticed when I get out of the truck sometimes, the passenger side HID light is not on all the time. So it's not burnt out, but it seems like it goes in and out. Is there a known issue with HIDs? any idea how to trouble shoot it before I jump right in and mess with it?

    thanks,
     
  2. Feb 14, 2020 at 4:05 PM
    #2
    BalutTaco

    BalutTaco Moja_Przygoda

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    Are they morimoto HID?
     
  3. Feb 14, 2020 at 4:10 PM
    #3
    gfk

    gfk [OP] Well-Known Member

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    the ballast says HID warehouse. Other than that I have no idea. I'm not completely useless when it comes to cars but I've never messed with aftermarket lights. So forgive me if the ballast being HID warehouse doesn't tell us what the bulbs are.
     
  4. Feb 14, 2020 at 4:11 PM
    #4
    double_duez

    double_duez Well-Known Member

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    If its a Morimoto HID kit, check your igniters. I had the exact same issue and when I called the retrofit store they said its a known issue as there was a bad batch of igniters. Replaced mine and have 0 problems since.
    Flip the igniters and see if the problem starts happening on the drivers side, if so, most likely the cause.
     
    BalutTaco likes this.
  5. Feb 14, 2020 at 4:13 PM
    #5
    double_duez

    double_duez Well-Known Member

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    just saw your update, your kit might still have igniters. If it doesn't, flip your ballasts and see if the issue switches to your drivers side, if so you need to replace your ballasts. I would recommend replacing both just to be safe.
     
  6. Feb 14, 2020 at 4:20 PM
    #6
    gfk

    gfk [OP] Well-Known Member

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    any recommendation on what to replace them with? Am I able to replace just the ballast with another brand ballast? aka are all of the connectors the same?
     
  7. Feb 14, 2020 at 4:28 PM
    #7
    double_duez

    double_duez Well-Known Member

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    the connectors are usually are the same, but I would recommend going with a whole new kit, just for warranty purposes if nothing else.

    bunch of opinions on here depending on price point, but I've run the Morimoto kit from the retro fit source and have not had any problems since the one mentioned above, but it was resolved pretty quickly and for free.
    Dig around the search and see if others have options as well.

    Before the HIDs, I ran a pair of Hikari LEDs in my stock projectors and while you aren't supposed to do that because of "poor performance" it suited me just fine and they were bright!
    For 86$ on Amazon, they were awesome and plugged directly into the stock housing connectors
     
  8. Feb 14, 2020 at 4:31 PM
    #8
    will.i.was

    will.i.was Well-Known Member

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    The connector may have corroded or is making inadequate contact. Sometimes I have to compress the pins inside with a pick and they will fire right up.
     
  9. Feb 14, 2020 at 4:56 PM
    #9
    bonifacio

    bonifacio Well-Known Member

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    Clean the pins in the connectors. Mine used to do this a lot. Then after a good cleaning and some dielectric grease, it was fine.
     
  10. Feb 14, 2020 at 5:53 PM
    #10
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    Mine did this. If u ever notice that one is off (in a reflection on a tailgate or business window etc,) turn em off and back on from the stalk. It worked for me every time until I replaced the ballast.
     
  11. Feb 14, 2020 at 5:58 PM
    #11
    gfk

    gfk [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's basically what is happening. I guess I could just replace the ballast with the same one that is in there, much easier than replacing the entire thing
     
  12. Feb 14, 2020 at 6:01 PM
    #12
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    Swap em to make sure, if they're easily accessible. Ballast or igniter.
     
  13. Feb 14, 2020 at 6:04 PM
    #13
    Bastek

    Bastek Average Member

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    Also check if they're powered through relays. I had DD heavy duty relay kit (2 relays) that started to fail after almost two years. Maybe you just need a new relay :fingerscrossed:
     
  14. Feb 14, 2020 at 6:05 PM
    #14
    Bastek

    Bastek Average Member

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    Or this
     
  15. Feb 14, 2020 at 6:05 PM
    #15
    gfk

    gfk [OP] Well-Known Member

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    ugh, this is why i leave my headlights stock, so i don't have to deal with this shit lol. I don't have time for this nonsense.
     
    50ate likes this.
  16. Feb 14, 2020 at 6:10 PM
    #16
    Bastek

    Bastek Average Member

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    Good point.
    In that case, your best bet would be H11 replacement bulbs:thumbsup:
     
  17. Feb 14, 2020 at 6:14 PM
    #17
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    Yeah just throw stock halogens back in then.
     
  18. Feb 14, 2020 at 6:19 PM
    #18
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Bastek and Skydvrr like this.
  19. Feb 14, 2020 at 6:25 PM
    #19
    Skydvrr

    Skydvrr IG: @kalopsianick

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    crashnburn80[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Feb 14, 2020 at 7:37 PM
    #20
    happy1426

    happy1426 Member

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    leds are simple and with most hid kits just need a new ballast bulbs hardly ever go
     

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