HID's + DRLs?

[joshuaeb09]

Hi guys,Tried searching but could not find many answers.For all you guys that have HID's did you do plug'n'play or use a harness. Im looking at getting some DDM Tuning Digital ballast and wondering if the DRL's are going to pose an issue if i don't use a relay harness. My main concern is killing the ballast. On a side note i was going to do the fogs as well and i really don't see a way to get them out, haven't looked that hard.Any answers suggestions are appreciated.

[ajb812]

This depends on if you have a 03-08, or an 09-10 vibe. If it is a newer vibe, different bulbs are used for the low and high beams, and the DRL is the high beam, so you can put HIDs in the lows without a problem. The 03-08 vibes use a single bulb (which is also used as the DRL) for the lows and highs. You would need to use a bi-xenon kit in this case if you wanted to retain high and low beams.In either case, DRLs would damage the ballast. If I remember correctly, the DRL system either sends lower voltage to the bulbs, or turns them on and off very quickly in order to give the "reduced intensity" look. This would damage the ballast which needs a constant 12-14 volts.You would need to either disable the DRLs or use a wire harness (in which case the DRL bulb would be on all the time) depending upon which applies to you.I have DDM tuning 35w 5000K kits in my lows and fogs. Haven't had them too long, but haven't had any problems with them. You will get different opinions regarding the use of HIDs in reflector beam housings, but they seem to be working pretty well for me. They are definitely much brighter and whiter!Let me know if you have any other questions ...

[06pvibe]

If you're going HID, kill the DRL's. You will be underpowering them during that time which can kill the ballast (lower voltage/higher current. Ohm's law) as well as make the bulbs flash or flicker. Ask the Canadians that have tried this. (DRL's are a requirement in Cd.)That said, installing HID bulbs into a std reflector housing is illegal, as well as dangerous. You will likely be blinding other drivers coming toward you, and could get pulled over for them. Plus, w/o the focus of a projector lens, you are liable to get too much scattered light and not see that well anyway.

[joshuaeb09]

Thanks for the responses Its' an 09, If the DRL's are indeed the high beams then ill just do lows and fogs. I wanted to put a 55 watt kit in the highs cause i live a ways out of town and theres alot of deer on the road but the HIDs in the lows will be better than the halogens anyways. I knew about voltage killing the Ballast just wondering what other peoples solutions were and of course the lower voltage upping the current probably isn't too good for the factory wires either. Also how did you go about getting to your fogs just taking a quick look at it looks kinda difficult. I'm tentative on the harness as I'm not to sure on routing the wiring in the engine bay and making it look good.

[ajb812]

If you did want to go with 55w kits, then it may be best to get a wire harness. The 35w should be alright with stock wiring (that is how mine are), but the 55w may put too much strain on the factory wiring - electrical fires are never a good thing. Personally, I would stay away from the 55w kits, the 35w ones seem to be more then enough. I was debating them myself, but after seeing how bright the 35w kits are, the 55w ones would be blinding to oncoming drivers I think.I decided to stay away from HIDs in the highs, as they are most likely turned on and off often, which I believe is also bad for the ballasts (from what I've been told).It's not too hard to get to the fogs. From underneath the car, and right behind the bumper you will see a bunch of plastic panels. Remove the screws/bolts up front, and plastic retaining clips in the back (just use a flat blade screwdriver to pop out the center piece a bit, then remove the whole clip). You should be able to see the fogs with the outermost panels out of the way (the outermost panels are for the whole wheel well - they don't need to be removed completely, just enough to get behind the front bumper). If you want more room to work and get to the fogs you may want to remove the inner panels. Once you see the fogs, disconnect the factory wire harness. On the sides of the housing there are 2 retaining clip things ( one on each side - not sure how to describe them the best) - use the flat screwdriver to pop the fog light housing loose. The last thing is to push in both sides of the retaining clip for the adjustment screw (directly in back of the fog light housing towards the bottom), and the whole fog light housing will pop out from the front. To put them back in, just pop them in place, reconnect the wiring, and re-install the plastic panels. (NOTE: I have a GT - some of the process may be slightly different for a base model's fogs)Sounds like a lot, but it's really not too bad to get to them - took me a few minutes. Let me know if your still having trouble, I can get some pics for you...

[joshuaeb09]

I have a GT as well, thanks for describing the process doesn't sound too bad. I might just go with SilverStars in the highs, since i feel that 35w HID's in the lows should be bright enough on long dark country roads and i don't want to mess with the DRL's.

[ajb812]

Yeah, I'm going to replace the highs now too, since they now seem really dingy yellow compared to the HIDs. Probably going to get SilverStars or PIAA intense white bulbs - not sure just yet.The AHL/DRL disable mod isn't too bad. I just did that and the fog light mod this past weekend - it was pretty straightforward.If you are interested, the DRL/AHL disable mod can be found here ... http://forums.genvibe.com/zero...age=1 And the fog light mod can be found here ... http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=38754

[lowincash]

I think the best way to have HID's for the high beams are with bixenon projectors. I want to get some acura TL bixenons and those will light up the night pretty well. My friend has a 07 tl-s and his lights are friggin bright! I have tsx projectors in my vibe right now and want to upgrade to the TL bixenons =/btw ajb812, can you post some pics of your hids? I want to see how they look =D

[ajb812]

Quote, originally posted by lowincash »btw ajb812, can you post some pics of your hids? I want to see how they look =DNo problem! I haven't had a chance to take any pictures of them yet, but I will post some as soon as I can ... Update - 8/5/10 - Posted some pics of the HIDs in my garage thread - sorry it took so long!

[09Vibing]

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »If you're going HID, kill the DRL's. You will be underpowering them during that time which can kill the ballast (lower voltage/higher current. Ohm's law) as well as make the bulbs flash or flicker. Ask the Canadians that have tried this. (DRL's are a requirement in Cd.)That said, installing HID bulbs into a std reflector housing is illegal, as well as dangerous. You will likely be blinding other drivers coming toward you, and could get pulled over for them. Plus, w/o the focus of a projector lens, you are liable to get too much scattered light and not see that well anyway.HELP!!! I am trying install a DDM 35w 6000k 9006 in a 2009 vibe, but I am having the hardest time trying to twist and lock the bulb in place! I ran out of daylight yesterday and going to try needle nose pliers to get more torque to lock it in. It doesn't help that there is no space and I really don't want to remove the headlight assemble! Did anyone else have the same problem??

[06pvibe]

If you have to use pliers on the bulb, you're doing something wrong. I wouldn't recommend it as you may do more harm than good.Unfortunately we own an '06 and I am not familiar with the headlamp configuration of the '09/'10 models. Perhaps someone else here is more familiar and can suggest what you are doing wrong?

[DressedInBlack]

Quote, originally posted by 09Vibing »HELP!!! I am trying install a DDM 35w 6000k 9006 in a 2009 vibe, but I am having the hardest time trying to twist and lock the bulb in place! I ran out of daylight yesterday and going to try needle nose pliers to get more torque to lock it in. It doesn't help that there is no space and I really don't want to remove the headlight assemble! Did anyone else have the same problem??i have the exact same kit and had no problem with the headlamps. check very closely to see if the "peak and valley" pattern is the same on the old lamp vs the new lamp. they could have sent the wrong lamp. if that isn't the problem, try exchanging the rubber ring gasket. i found that helped when i did the fog lights. the fogs were being stubborn so i switched the rings and they went in just fine.but like Richard said, if pliers are needed, something is totally wrong.hope this helps!

[wpgpolice]

So, what i have gathered is the only way to get the high beams and/or possible fog lights working on the 09 GT is to get a bioxenon kit or to diable the DRL as specified earlier? I recently purchased a kit, same as this but not for the honda http://www.ebay.ca/itm/new-2003-2007-HO ... 96&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . (these are 35 Watt) I have the low lights working, going to do the fog lights tonight. I do light the Auto control of the headlights would like to keep them, but not sure if I want to go and get a new set again, but yet again cutting/pulling the wire, might be the best? Any suggestions?

[thebarber]

You can run the highs as DRL's with capacitors/warning cancellers, but you'll essentially be running your DRL's as full strength high hid high beams all the time.

I tell customers with high beam DRL's to skip high beam HID's. Lows and fogs are.often enough

[wpgpolice]

Will this ever burn out the HID's or equipment? I tried the Highs yesterday and wow are they ever bright. I might just get rid of them as these might be a bit exessive I just couldnt remember if they are supposed to come on when the lows comes on? I did cut the #12 blue wire. I guess if I also want the fogs I will hav e to cut the #2 white wire i believe>?

[vibenvy]

Yes, on the 2009-2010 Vibes, the low beams stay on when the high beams are turned on.

If you haven't already, check out this thread for information on how to do the independent fog light mod on 2009-2010 Vibes.