HID Lighting Issues

[trevcda]

I just picked up a 99 Ducks Unlimited Tahoe and put a stereo and some HID headlights from DDM Tuning that I had on a GMC Safari. The stereo went fine as did the HID lights, but when I turn on the lights the stereo, a Kenwood KCD-X995, goes into protect. The only way get it out of the protect mode is to reset it by button or pulling the harness, which defaults all the factory settings. Once the headlights are on and I reset the stereo everything works fine unless I use the high beams or stop some place and have to start the process over again. It did appear to trip the headlight circuit breaker once. I'm thinking that I need to get a relay system and run larger power wires to the ballasts, but I wanted to see if anyone else has had any experience with this, particularly as applies to the stereo.

 

[SunlitComet]

you could try a replacement headlight switch or use a relay harness or put a power capacitor on the power feed of the radio like you would do an amp. any of those ways may remove the power spiking that may be triggering the protect mode.

 

[trevcda]

Thanks for the quick answer. I should also add that my daytime running lights are not working, although the indicator works as it should. Would this affect current draw? Based on what the previous owner said I'm thinking I may need to replace the DLR control board. Or possibly another device somebody mentioned with a heat sink under the dash. Anyway, I just bought it last Thursday, so I'm still learning my way around the thing.

 

[SunlitComet]

so the indicator goes on and off as you turn the headlights on? do you hear a clicking sound under the dash as well.

 

[trevcda]

Yes a relay clicks in sync with the DRL indicator when I turn on and off the headlights.

Interestingly enough, when I went outside to check the above with out actually starting the vehicle, it did not send the radio into protect. But it did this afternoon when I was leaving work. I'm convinced it waits until I've set up all the parameters on the radio before it locks up and had to be reset... How does it know?!! Anyway I'll do whatever I need to do to fix the DRL before I move on to the radio issues. Process of elimination and all.

 

[SunlitComet]

In that case test the drl relay with a multimeter, as well as the big diode under the dash and check the fuse feed for the DRL/FOG lights.

 

[trevcda]

I bought relay harnesses to hopefully get the start up spike out of the headlight circuit. I'll report back when I get those installed. I was curious though; the previous owner mentioned that one time the headlights just quit working for awhile and then came back on and never did it again. This was with the standard 9005 and 9006 factory bulbs. This sounds like the circuit breaker in the headlight switch tripping and auto-resetting. Are these known to go out of spec or get weak or does mine possibly just have a easily tripped circuit breaker?

 

[trevcda]

Update: Added the relay harnesses to both high and low beam HIDs. They appear to have taken the surge out of the headlight switch as it hasn't tripped all afternoon, but it's too soon to know for sure if has solved that piece of the puzzle. What it hasn't done, however, is kept the stereo from going into protect when I turn on or when I switch to high beams, which was the whole point of this exercise. Mostly anyway. I guess the next step is to replace the light switch assembly, since I kind of suspected it as having an issue as well. Frustrating.

 

[trevcda]

Update: So twice now, over the course of dozens of ignition cycles, the daytime running lights have decided to work out of nowhere. First time, I just started it up and had been driving a few moments and realized that they were on when I pulled up behind someone. A week or so later (last night) I was waiting with engine running to stay warm for about twenty minutes when out of the blue, the DRLs pop on. Sending the radio in to protect of course!

 

[trevcda]

And now they're working all the time. I've been trying figure out why. It's been really cold around here lately. It's been a couple of months without the load of the headlights being on the electrical system as I installed a relay system on both high and low beams. I suppose I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth (what a weird turn of phrase!), but electronics fail for a reason and very rarely fix themselves. I have a feeling this may be a short lived "win". I still need to address that radio issue though...