DP Tuner and HID'S
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Interesting. I was reading somewhere that someone with a stock system had HIDs screw it up.
I have had 3 different sets in my truck so far. The first set had problems and I got another set. The next set was also problematic. The high beam quit on one of them and sometimes on the "good" one.
Went to a Retro Solutions one and so far it is better. All 3 sets had no issue with my F5 or F6. I wonder why that is?
I have had 3 different sets in my truck so far. The first set had problems and I got another set. The next set was also problematic. The high beam quit on one of them and sometimes on the "good" one.
Went to a Retro Solutions one and so far it is better. All 3 sets had no issue with my F5 or F6. I wonder why that is?
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 524
Likes: 2
From: Redmond, Or
Interesting. I was reading somewhere that someone with a stock system had HIDs screw it up.
I have had 3 different sets in my truck so far. The first set had problems and I got another set. The next set was also problematic. The high beam quit on one of them and sometimes on the "good" one.
Went to a Retro Solutions one and so far it is better. All 3 sets had no issue with my F5 or F6. I wonder why that is?
I have had 3 different sets in my truck so far. The first set had problems and I got another set. The next set was also problematic. The high beam quit on one of them and sometimes on the "good" one.
Went to a Retro Solutions one and so far it is better. All 3 sets had no issue with my F5 or F6. I wonder why that is?
FTE Sponsor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
HIDs are tough. I've run 3-4 different brands and had similar issues with all of them. The worst time ever was in my 6.0L (no F5 chip in that one). I was driving into the tunnel we have downtown, traffic got heavy and just as I had to get on the brakes hard the auto-lamps kicked on (timing is everything). The HIDs wigged out the PCM (stuttered the engine) and the ABS computer (ABS applied brakes unevenly and truck almost changed lanes)...scared the crap out of me.
I've learned to put the ballasts as far forward in the truck as possible, away from anything that is PCM and ABS related. In my 6.0L, I moved the wiring and relay to the passenger side battery and moved the ballasts and it never did it again. When I did my current truck, I did the same thing, ballasts way forward and wiring on the passenger side battery...not a single issue in this truck ever.
The fix shown above is great, for anyone experiencing this problem its a great option and I hope it works for everyone. As a backup though, consider my comments above with regard to the location of the ballasts and wiring...a little "insurance" can't hurt.
I've learned to put the ballasts as far forward in the truck as possible, away from anything that is PCM and ABS related. In my 6.0L, I moved the wiring and relay to the passenger side battery and moved the ballasts and it never did it again. When I did my current truck, I did the same thing, ballasts way forward and wiring on the passenger side battery...not a single issue in this truck ever.
The fix shown above is great, for anyone experiencing this problem its a great option and I hope it works for everyone. As a backup though, consider my comments above with regard to the location of the ballasts and wiring...a little "insurance" can't hurt.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
I don't have a tuner (yet...) but I installed DDM HID's in my OBS. Ballasts are mounted on the back side of the header panel, wiring connected to passenger side battery, no issues with anything ever.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
I have 4 ballasts so far (hi and low beams x 2) and are mounted near batts on both sided of truck. No issues with DP or TS chips..
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Could that be it? When you engage high beams you have 4 ballasts running and that might, in some cases be kicking out way too much RF and screwing things up?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Wonder why. I have 2 ballasts. Seems like when it wants high beam it sends a signal to the bulb itself and it retracts or extends something and you get it.
Could that be it? When you engage high beams you have 4 ballasts running and that might, in some cases be kicking out way too much RF and screwing things up?
Could that be it? When you engage high beams you have 4 ballasts running and that might, in some cases be kicking out way too much RF and screwing things up?
I don't have those cheep retro HID's - I have 4 bulbs. In low-beam, 2 are lit up and in hi-beam all 4 are lit up. (from electrosport.com) Literally 2x as brite as retro's... We did a comparison a couple weeks ago. My lites also provide a much more useful WHITE lite.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
I've never had an issue...
I don't have those cheep retro HID's - I have 4 bulbs. In low-beam, 2 are lit up and in hi-beam all 4 are lit up. (from electrosport.com) Literally 2x as brite as retro's... We did a comparison a couple weeks ago. My lites also provide a much more useful WHITE lite.
I don't have those cheep retro HID's - I have 4 bulbs. In low-beam, 2 are lit up and in hi-beam all 4 are lit up. (from electrosport.com) Literally 2x as brite as retro's... We did a comparison a couple weeks ago. My lites also provide a much more useful WHITE lite.
55W H13 9008 DIGITAL BIXENON HID LIFE WARRANTY
That is what I have. How did you fit 2 bulbs in that spot?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
How do you have 4 bulbs? I have 2 H13s because I changed the housing.
55W H13 9008 DIGITAL BIXENON HID LIFE WARRANTY
That is what I have. How did you fit 2 bulbs in that spot?
55W H13 9008 DIGITAL BIXENON HID LIFE WARRANTY
That is what I have. How did you fit 2 bulbs in that spot?
Its 'actually' bi-xenon - Lol.
I wish I could still find them, they are FREAKIN' AWESOME lights - and are actually less annoying to other drivers than the retro's since they make better use of the optics in the lens/housing. FWIW, the retro's are waaaay better than alot of the junk out there, but no comparison to what I got from electrosport...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,308
Likes: 250
From: Hartford, WI
Each 'bulb' has 2 elements. I'll take a pic when I get home this weekend - if I have time.
Its 'actually' bi-xenon - Lol. I wish I could still find them, they are FREAKIN' AWESOME lights - and are actually less annoying to other drivers than the retro's since they make better use of the optics in the lens/housing. FWIW, the retro's are waaaay better than alot of the junk out there, but no comparison to what I got from electrosport...
Its 'actually' bi-xenon - Lol.
I wish I could still find them, they are FREAKIN' AWESOME lights - and are actually less annoying to other drivers than the retro's since they make better use of the optics in the lens/housing. FWIW, the retro's are waaaay better than alot of the junk out there, but no comparison to what I got from electrosport...Saying the Retros are way better isn't saying much. I have had so much trouble with other ones I am pulling my hair out.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
This thread has officially been 
I believe the 80/100watt Hella bulbs and a relay harness in the '02+ lenses put out more usable light than the retro's. I said the retros are better because they aren't as annoying to other drivers - the light output is weak IMHO. I will have my Excursion (with 80/100's and '02 lenses) next to a truck with retro's in a couple weeks - we WILL take some pics (Mike has a better camera than me). My F350 has the electrosport HID's and '05 lenses and there was literally no comparison with Mike's retro's in '02 lenses...
I think the 80/100's are very close to the HID's in color and usable light - I wish I had never 'upgraded' to '05 lenses. I kept chewing up pigtails with those stupid H13 bulbs and finally got mad enough to buy the HID's!
I believe the 80/100watt Hella bulbs and a relay harness in the '02+ lenses put out more usable light than the retro's. I said the retros are better because they aren't as annoying to other drivers - the light output is weak IMHO. I will have my Excursion (with 80/100's and '02 lenses) next to a truck with retro's in a couple weeks - we WILL take some pics (Mike has a better camera than me
). My F350 has the electrosport HID's and '05 lenses and there was literally no comparison with Mike's retro's in '02 lenses... I think the 80/100's are very close to the HID's in color and usable light - I wish I had never 'upgraded' to '05 lenses. I kept chewing up pigtails with those stupid H13 bulbs and finally got mad enough to buy the HID's!
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 0
From: Yuba City, CA.
Just installed my HID's yesterday and sure enough they killed my motor. I installed the bead that Bryan sent me and it worked like a charm! Excellent find Bryan, and Thank You for the ferrite bead!