Volvo S40 newb needs help with his HID
 

First of all, I'm new to the "attempting new things on my own car" area so I may not be using the right terms to describe what I want to say. I'll try my best to explain.

I've been researching the best I could but it feels like I've run into a brick wall...
Approximately 2 weeks ago, I've bought a HID kit from a friend (in hindsight, probably not the best idea)
We installed both high-beam & low-beam together and it seemed to work perfectly fine as long as it the light setting wasn't set on auto.
Approximately 24 hours later, both lights started flickering (low beam only) and after an additional 4 hours, my driver side headlight (low beam) wouldn't turn on.
After consulting with my friend, he has gotten me a new ballast for the driver side and we re installed.
Again, after a very short period of time, it didn't turn on.

To possibly resolve the issue, we obtained that cable thing (can't remember what it was called) and connected directly into the battery. To be honest, it looked very stable.
After driving for about 200 ft (if that), the driver side low beam just turns off (no flickering or changes on the left low beam). I thought it was weird so I turned off the car and started that car again at which point the light came back up. But once again.. < 200 ft and the light turns off.. (pictures show right before the drive.. and one small lap around the parking lot)

Any input on why this is? and possibly how to fix the matter?

Welcome to the forum and hope we can help.

What brand kit and what model number ?? What temperature ??

I'm lookig into all those information.. also, how would i measure the temperature??

It should be listed on the kit's box.

HID Color Temperature Differences | eHow

ah.. :) its 6k

If this is the same as others have reported then you have fried the low beam relays inside the CEM.

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...w-beams-68391/

Do a search for failed low beams and see if the 2004.5+ models are affected the same as the older models. I have read of the wipers not working after an HID install too. Checked your wipers lately?

Once the relays are repaired then in order for the CEM to continue working properly with the new HID headlights you will need to add an external relay so that the CEM only sees low amps. I'm not an electrical person at all so I could not tell you how.

Thank you for tye very detaoled response..
This may sound dumb but if the circuit is fried.. wouldnt it just not turn on at all? it seems weird that it is conditional only to driving.. :/ but i will definately look into it

I'm just posting what others have found. Search around some more. I remember reading about windshield wipers not working after a HID install. Your wipers work?

It seems that my wiper works great.. haha.. i have officially took apart the whole thing and put it back together but no luck.. i read somewhere that if i remove or turn off the DRL or unstill something from the CEM, it resolve the problem.. thoughts?

side bar: while experimenting, the relay (picture attached) starts vibrating after 20 secondsish at which poibnt thw light flikers... thoughts??

Check this link over at SwedeSpeed:

Swedespeed Forums - HOW TO - HID Light Install Document

so i've looked over the link that you've sent me and since ti was such an old thread, the attachment link doesn't work :(
I am very thankful for your efforts though and it has shown that apparently I haven't looked into this hard enough.

I'll try to find more information. Thanks!

Hello everyone!

So upon many many hours of researching.
I've come to the conclusion that I just have to go to the dealership to disable my DRL and it should make my problems go bye bye.

The complete break down of why I should do that is shown on the link (for anyone planning to install HID kit into cars)

Swedespeed Forums - Headlight PWM details?

I'll report later to report on how this changed (if any) everything.

Thank you all!

I dont have any HID lights (nor do I plan to install any as I have had them kits before and didnt really care for them) but I feel I must caution you as I know a few friends who have them, well had, and if you don't get a bulb houseing designed for HID specificially you could be looking at possible issues ranging from the minor (but dangerous) casting the light into other oncoming drivers faces (eyes) or to the more serious melting your headlamp houseing (which I have seen happen also) so what ever you do please do exercise caution when doing the HIDs and using them, check your aiming of your lights also, and be sure to test in a controlled area like a large parking lot with a friend or two to test the cast pattern of light so you can adjust them so you can see but not blind oncoming traffic!!!

hey thanks for the concern :)
i have adjusted the headlights originally when i've installed the light (i do care for the safety of others).
also, for some reason.. the problem fixed itself.. (no idea how)..
nothing additionally done, but problem solved... :/