Electrical issues
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,144
Likes: 11
From: Rochdale MA
The ballasts make noise also known as EMI (electro magnetic interference) adding the ferrites to the cable helps to "absorb" or block the EMI from interfering with the electronics in your tuner. A kid at work has a ricer and when he added the HID's he had the same issue.. the place that installed them replaced every component on the system to no avail.. he mentioned it to me i had a couple of them left installed them on the cable and his problem disappeared
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Jenkintown, PA
In my industry (mobile communications) we are frequently faced with mysterious problems in vehicle electronics that are caused by EMI, and ferrites are often the solution.
I recently serviced a truck with an electrically shifted PTO that would drop out every time the driver used his two-way radio. Turned out there was a protection circuit that was designed to disengage the PTO whenever it detected an unsafe condition, such as overspeed, high temp, etc. The RF from the radio was being coupled into the power leads of the protection circuit and causing it to "think" that there was a problem. A few ferrites took care of the problem.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
They are not expensive. Try ferrishield.com, they have a large selection.
In my industry (mobile communications) we are frequently faced with mysterious problems in vehicle electronics that are caused by EMI, and ferrites are often the solution.
I recently serviced a truck with an electrically shifted PTO that would drop out every time the driver used his two-way radio. Turned out there was a protection circuit that was designed to disengage the PTO whenever it detected an unsafe condition, such as overspeed, high temp, etc. The RF from the radio was being coupled into the power leads of the protection circuit and causing it to "think" that there was a problem. A few ferrites took care of the problem.
In my industry (mobile communications) we are frequently faced with mysterious problems in vehicle electronics that are caused by EMI, and ferrites are often the solution.
I recently serviced a truck with an electrically shifted PTO that would drop out every time the driver used his two-way radio. Turned out there was a protection circuit that was designed to disengage the PTO whenever it detected an unsafe condition, such as overspeed, high temp, etc. The RF from the radio was being coupled into the power leads of the protection circuit and causing it to "think" that there was a problem. A few ferrites took care of the problem.
I took a a look at the site for the ferrite beads you mentioned and there are tons to choose from. Any suggestions on which ones to use that is a kinda of a one size fits all application?
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
HID's are spark plugs in a light bulb. The voltage required to light those things is in excess of 5K (5,000) volts. That much voltage can cause electromagnetic interference into other wires. For example your tuner or PCM. These guys want to see certain voltages/readings, etc from different components and with your HID's on it's possible there is voltage being induced into the wires giving false readings. It happens enough that manufacturers will usually put a shield around sensitive computer data line wires, or will install what is called a twisted pair of wires to help cancel out any electromagnetic interference.
The way it works is electrical flow creates magnetism. Magnetism induces current in a wire. If your tuner or PCM doesn't like the induced current it might cause your truck to run like butt because those components think they are getting info that is legit but is really false due to your HID's.
The way it works is electrical flow creates magnetism. Magnetism induces current in a wire. If your tuner or PCM doesn't like the induced current it might cause your truck to run like butt because those components think they are getting info that is legit but is really false due to your HID's.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Jenkintown, PA
The bisected core ferrites are the easiest to install, they just snap over the existing wiring without having to disconnect anything. Also, more is sometimes better. I have seen situations where one ferrite didn't do the trick, but two or three did.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Jenkintown, PA
I don't want to hijack the thread, but there are lots of causes and possible solutions to alternator whine. If you want to PM me or start a new thread we can get into more detail.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 680
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
so after moving all my hid components to the passenger side battery and moving the ballasts as far forward as I could them, no more interference with my tuner. I did some research on forums on this subject and found that this is actually a very common problem for trucks that have a DP Tuner and HID's. I installed multiple ferrite beads at various locations on the hid harness and the DP tuner cable. I still have some EMI issues with my ABS though. When my headlights switch on, Sometimes my ABS light will illuminate, but thats all it does. Still working to solve this issue. I may end up just getting some type of cable shielding and just wrap the entire harness with it. Thanks for all the help on this guys.
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