HID Headlight Issue, When should I turn my lights on? Options

[Keiri]

Ok, so before installing HIDs and projectors I always left my low beam headlights set to "Auto/On" on the control stalk so that when you start the car the lights come on with it - I do this because it's easy to not have to worry about having them on when it randomly rains during a drive and I'm lazy enough to not want to remember to turn them on.

Now to the problem: when I changed to HIDs this weekend, I left the control stalk to "auto/on" so when the car comes on so do the lights. Unfortunately, only one HID fires on at start-up like this. I have checked my wiring and switch harnesses and the issue persists on the passenger side. I switched the ballasts and the "bad" one doesn't fire at startup when the light switch is at auto/on no matter the side but works if I start the car with the lights off. Looking into the issue, I've read that you should only turn on the HIDs after the car is started/on not auto-on.

My question: How do you guys operate your lights; do you A) have them auto/on and both HIDs fire upon start or B) start the car and then turn on your lights?

I'd like to get some answers from owners before I just assume I have a single bad ballast and return it to DDM Tuning.

[bsamps4]

I leave them off and then turn them on when I need them. The way around this is to get the capacitor set up and install it with the hid's. It's just easier to flick them on when the car is running.

[Keiri]

I leave them off and then turn them on when I need them. The way around this is to get the capacitor set up and install it with the hid's. It's just easier to flick them on when the car is running.

Thanks for the feedback, Ben. I'll keep the capacitor in mind - it may be my next upgrade and a good piece prior to getting an amp and sub.

[The_enD]

Sounds like a bad ballast to me.

[ILoveMySilly97]

Safest route would be to make sure you turn on the light after you turn the engine on so it won't short the bulb out. Also turn it off before you turn the engine off. If our DRLs are along with the Lo beams then please do remove the drl fuse. I was told our drl were in our hi so you should be safe with drl still on as long as the hi is still a halogen bulb.

[trdproven]

usually see the ballast bad all the time, almost never the bulb. you have to test and swap parts to make sure though. Ive even seen HID bulbs light up but theres almost no light on the ground at night. What I did was sit over one headlight and it didnt really change or block any light so things can get weirder. when I replaced the bulb, it fixed the issue, it was actually the first and only time I had to replace a bulb.