Hey fellow motorists,

im Nick, from So. Cal, and I just got a mini...and already have a dilema...

My first mod after my tint is the HIDs and once they were all installed and I started my car, the HIDs started to strobe (blink really fast).

And I am wondering if anyone has encountered this problem? Help would be greatly appreciated!

Q

 

Is this an aftermarket HID "kit" or are you trying to retrofit the MINI xenon lights onto a car that came with halogens?

FWIW, the wiring harness for the MINI halogens is different than the wiring harness that MINIs come with if they have xenons.

Sorry to hear about your problem.

 

Q,
Welcome to NAM. You will find this a great place to hang out, and to get questions answered. As to the HID problem, not enough info to give a guess.
Like Dave suggested, we need to know the before/after scenario before giving advice.

 

Welcome new guy!

 

The Kit is an aftermarket Sylvania kit. It seemed to be a pretty simple install, but when the time came to run the lights they started to bilnk. SAo, my first thought is that it was catching a signal from the ignition system, but the blinking never changed speed as RPMs increased. Then I thought it was not getting enough power, so I tried a qiring harness to the battery and that still didnt work...

So, now im puzzled... =0(

 

Thanks

 

Mr Q -

Welcome to NAM. I hope that your issue is resolved sooner then later.
Happy Motoring.

- KP

 

thread moved to Electrical Modifications.

My guess would be a grounding problem, but that's only a guess. Hopefully someone who knows more about these issues will come along.

 

These are Xenons for both lows and highs? If so, I'm guessing the car is wired for DRLs. MINI DRLs switch on/off the highs very fast ... which is what your describing ... a VERY bad thing for Xenon bulbs. In fact they should not ignite at all, not enough time or they are igniting as fast as they can and getting the strobe effect because they cannot start as fast as the halogens.

 

Chows, excellent point. Mr. Q, do you know whether or not DRLs are enabled? They can programmed on or off by the dealer.

 

Just got it fixed... it appears that was the issue. I spoke with the mfg. and he sent me a different harness to bypass the DRLs. I took it to the Mini dealer by me and they had not idea what to enable or disable (neither did I, im still new with this thing), but its all good now!

Thanks to you for the help!

 

Woot!

I actually "knew something" and could help someone

Always good at the Holiday Time

 

Wow the new HID expert! It always worries me when someone is putting a HID kit in a car not designed for it. It never comes out like factory HIDs, and as this as shown us can cause electrical issues. I hope the strobing that your new xenons were doing didnt shorten there life too much.

 

hahah yah tell me about it. I love when people put in kits...they look so bad without the proper reflectors, and in the MINI they are incredibly bad for oncoming drivers.

Nothing like losing a ton of brightness (kits are less bright than stock halogens), endgangering oncoming vehicles.....all for a little bluish tint to the lights

Look at these comparison kits to see the kits in "Action"
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...1&postcount=10