Both HIDs randomly go out....

[CYANiDE]

So, yesterday night I was driving back from work and suddenly noticed my headlights were off (I have yellow fogs, noticed they were brighter) and about 30 seconds later they came back on. I thought it was a once in a blue moon thing, but then today leaving work again, this time right in the lot I turned them on for about a minute then they shut off. Didn't turn on in 30 seconds, so I shut them off and flipped the switch and they came right back on.

I suspect the harness, since both are turning off. I already ordered a new harness waiting for that to come in soon hopefully.

Anyone else have any ideas? Power + ground is nice and tight.

[cna]

When i ran 55w hids they would turn off as a fail safe because where i had them mounted they would get too hot but once i started using a relay harness and mounted them in a different location where they will stay cooler it never happen again

[timot_one]

Are you using a relay harness, or just a direct harness to your OEM wiring?

[CrackerTeg]

Are you using a relay harness, or just a direct harness to your OEM wiring?

I've been waiting to do this for a minute. Here goes:

Reading owns you Tim.

I suspect the harness, since both are turning off. I already ordered a new harness waiting for that to come in soon hopefully.

Anyone else have any ideas? Power + ground is nice and tight.

As for that harness, does it have an inline fuse? Most of the ones I've seen have one. I'd check that.

[CYANiDE]

Are you using a relay harness, or just a direct harness to your OEM wiring?

I've been waiting to do this for a minute. Here goes:

Reading owns you Tim.

I suspect the harness, since both are turning off. I already ordered a new harness waiting for that to come in soon hopefully.

Anyone else have any ideas? Power + ground is nice and tight.

As for that harness, does it have an inline fuse? Most of the ones I've seen have one. I'd check that.

Yes, has a fuse. Fuse seems good. Both are in places I'd think get good circulation. I did notice however the ground terminal connector is slightly broken. (has 2 pins going to the circular connector that goes to battery - one pin is snapped). I don't have a soldering iron or access to one, so hopefully its an issue of a bad ground and I can get it fixed this weekend when my new harness comes in.

[CrackerTeg]

The pin at the relay is snapped or the one that hooks to the battery? You can rule out the harness by temporarily connecting your car's factory harness to the HIDs and see if the problem persists.

[k24low20z]

check all your grounds and replace the 30 amp relay Head that you could get for about $8 in autozone..

[timot_one]

Reading owns you Tim.

Not quite.  Please pay attention to the text in italics.

I suspect the harness, since both are turning off. I already ordered a new harness waiting for that to come in soon hopefully.

Are you using a relay harness, or just a direct harness to your OEM wiring?

I try to avoid making assumptions when diagnosing problems.  From experience, when statements are vague, it's best to get more information to have a full understanding of what is being used.  A harness could mean OEM wiring, it could mean one of those adapter harnesses that come with most aftermarket HID kits, or it could be a relay harness.  

I did notice however the ground terminal connector is slightly broken. (has 2 pins going to the circular connector that goes to battery - one pin is snapped).

Eric, can you take a picture of this?  If you have a bad or broken ground, that is definitely your problem.  The new wiring harness should fix it if there's damage to the original one.  Can you also clarify if you're using a relay harness?

[CrackerTeg]

Damn you Tim for picking shit apart!

[Mike]

I believe you brought that one on yourself by picking shit apart.

[CrackerTeg]

You bring up a good point. Who's side are you on anyway?

[CYANiDE]

I did notice however the ground terminal connector is slightly broken. (has 2 pins going to the circular connector that goes to battery - one pin is snapped).

Eric, can you take a picture of this?  If you have a bad or broken ground, that is definitely your problem.  The new wiring harness should fix it if there's damage to the original one.  Can you also clarify if you're using a relay harness?

Relay harness. I know of people running to harnesses but I have one for both headlights. I'll take a picture and show you what I mean although I think I was the one that broke it pulling on it to make sure it was tight when I was checking. I can't verify it was broken before I touched it, but it could have been the case. Regardless, new harness going in.

[timot_one]

Does your harness have one relay or two?

[CrackerTeg]

It's possible he has the generic single relay harness that takes switched power from only one side. On account of both lights going out at the same time instead of alternately, I suspect that to be the case. I've been meaning to make a dual relay harness for myself but time has not been on my side.

[timot_one]

Dual relay harnesses are the way to go.  They're not that hard to make.  I usually try to make them custom length to the car so there aren't any extra/bunched up wires.