i notice when i turn on my headlights, the needs on my stock gauges drop for a spit second and i hear a pop in my speakers. anyone else have this? its in a e36

I do with my stock lighting. I dont have the speaker pop, but I have the RPM drop for a sec

I do with my stock lighting. I dont have the speaker pop, but I have the RPM drop for a sec

RPM dip (strain on the alternator to supply power) is different than what the OP is describing. What he's describing is a loss of power (electrical) that cause the gauges to die for a split second and the radio system to off>on creating a "pop".

50 and 55watt HIDs do this; my issue comes and goes but hasn't ever caused a problem (yet). I'm trying to figure out a solution myself, whether it be faulty wiring or beefier grounds.

Yeah, mines doing the same. 55w DDM units. It's not just the RPM that drops, all the gauges drop for a moment, and there is a POP on the speakers. Once the ballast warms up, though, I can turn them on and off with no change.

I think it's probably due to the HIDs pulling more power for a moment than the system was really designed for. I'm considering picking up another Fan Relay Kit and wiring the HIDs directly into that, with a feed right to the battery.

From DDM... http://www.ddmtuning.com/hidkihidbuhi.html

HID Accessory Harnesshttp://us.st1.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/Img/trans_1x1.gifUse this relay harness to connect HIDs to cars with very small gauge wiring that cannot supply the initial surge current required to light the bulbs reliably. Symptoms indicating the harness is required would be intermittant starting or lights going out after being turned on for several minutes and requiring you to turn the lights off and back on for them to turn back on again

Recommended for all 50W HID installations but most American and European cars work at 35W/50W without the harness. The harness is definitly recommended for Quad's and other ATVs or when running multiple HID installtions. This harness is a fused relay isolation harness capable of supplying 40A at 12vdc.
http://us.st1.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/Img/trans_1x1.gif


$25...

However, since the battery is in the trunk, where would it hook up? Connect it to the jump point in the engine bay?

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-15912447027353_1997_11922659

Either to one of the posts beneath the jump point, or the + connector on the fuse panel (which is where my SPAL relay wires). Depends on which side of the car you want it to be on.

i have a prolumen 55w and i dont have this problem at all

Yeah, mines doing the same. 55w DDM units. It's not just the RPM that drops, all the gauges drop for a moment, and there is a POP on the speakers. Once the ballast warms up, though, I can turn them on and off with no change.

I think it's probably due to the HIDs pulling more power for a moment than the system was really designed for. I'm considering picking up another Fan Relay Kit and wiring the HIDs directly into that, with a feed right to the battery.

Exact same thing happens to me. As you stated, once it warms--no problems.

hmm, I used to just have my wires intertwined together held by electrical tape, which i think was the culprit and redid all of it with heatshrink. seemed to do the trick.

[ laughing ]

Amazing, how this comes up a week or two after a similar post.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=842199

FWIW - try a 10amp fuse. That should help.
The wiring relay is a better solution.

You guys are experiencing a voltage drop. I got the 35w DDM HIDs and mine did this. Freaked me out. Sorry I personally DON'T LIKE any electrical issues like momentary gauges going dead.

I ended up ordering a wiring relay. It's pretty cheap, is a fused source too.

[ laughing ]

Amazing, how this comes up a week or two after a similar post.

FWIW - try a 10amp fuse. That should help.
The wiring relay is a better solution.

You guys are experiencing a voltage drop. I got the 35w DDM HIDs and mine did this. Freaked me out. Sorry I personally DON'T LIKE any electrical issues like momentary gauges going dead.

I ended up ordering a wiring relay. It's pretty cheap, is a fused source too.


I suspected this was going to be a common issue, and this was the first thread that popped up when I searched. :D

Yeah, gonna order one myself too. Gives me an excuse to pick up some black kidneys and smoked corners, while I'm at it. To save money on shipping, you know? :D

I'm waiting to hear back from DDM on if I'd need two of those relay units, or just one for both ballasts.

You'll only need one relay harness.... the harness as TWO 9006 connectors for the HID ballasts, ONE 9006 female connector to connect to your stock harness to pick up a signal, a relay switch (turns itself on), fuse, and of course power and ground wires.

You'll only need one relay harness.... the harness as TWO 9006 connectors for the HID ballasts, ONE 9006 female connector to connect to your stock harness to pick up a signal, a relay switch (turns itself on), fuse, and of course power and ground wires.

:thumbup: