TECH: STG II fog lamp Problem! lil long - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

2ND2N01 · 1st May 2002, 22:46

Here's the deal. I just recently upgraded my fog lamps from STG I to STG II via HIDS4LESS. They were working fine for the 2-3 days, but last night I noticed that my passenger side was burnt. Thinking that it was a defective bulb, I pulled it out and swaped it w/ the driver side, IT WORKED!

So, it wasn't the bulb....

I then checked the passenger wires and made sure all the connectors are right, they are! I then decided to plug the driver side bulb in the passenger ballast, and it didn't work! Now here comes the wierd thing! I put everything back the way it was thinking I will call HIDS4LESS tommorrow, but as I turned it on one more time, it came on

. I then shut it off and turned it back on, DIDN'T work again. And now I notice that when I turn it on, I hear a buzzing sound kind of like electricity and it doens't turn on. BUT when I don't hear the buzzing sound, IT turns on fine! It takes about 5-7 turns before the passenger side comes on, and I can't do it to fast either. ANY1 have any clue on what the problem is??? I never had problems w/ he STG I bulb in the fogs before....

CASEY1 · 1st May 2002, 23:49

I think you will need a wiring harness. this will allow you to run your bulb directly to a 12- volt source in the engine compartment. Hids4less should supply this.

2ND2N01 · 2nd May 2002, 23:45

THANKS FOR THE HELP, BUT HIDS4LESS HASN'T BEEN IN FOR AWHILE

. Anyone else out there that upgraded their fogs to STG II, did you have to get an additional harness?

Diamond Dave · 2nd May 2002, 23:51

This sounds weird as hell to me. I would recommend that you PM our resident lighting expert, Jason (Atomic80). If he doesn't see this thread and respond via the board, that's your best bet.

I'd be tearing my hair out about now!

Good luck,

DWP

atomic80 · 3rd May 2002, 01:19

Smiles...nice to know that I'm wanted someplace. Just kidding.

It does sound like your ballast unit might be defective. You should give HIDS4less a call to see about getting your ballast unit changed or did you use your stock OEM ballast unit? If you're using your stock ballast unit then what I would suggest that you do is to put your stock stage 1 HID bulbs back in and take it to the dealership. Have them deal with this as a warranty issue. Once everything is working again then put the stage 2 bulbs in place.

2ND2N01 · 3rd May 2002, 01:23

thanks buddy!

I think I'm going to swap the ballasts from the driver side to the passenger side and see if I have the same problem. if i do, then it has to be the car, if not, then it's the ballast right?

atomic80 · 3rd May 2002, 01:30

I would do that too..yes. Try that out.

hids4lesscom · 6th May 2002, 22:44

Dear Sir,
Sounds like a voltage dropping issue, basically german philips engineers these ballasts to near industructable. To fix this, a relay must be present giving the ballast a direct energy source by using our relay setup. The reason this problem exists is because to initially ignite the xenon bulb it takes MORE power then drops down after the bulb is fired up. The Best way to test bulb and ballast for defects is to put the positive lead on the positive battery terminal and of course the same with the negative. If its working 100%, you know the kit is good and its a problem with either 1. your car 2. voltage to ignite 3. connectivity mainly your stop wiring harness. We see this problem all the time, and we'll take care of it for you. Any other Xenon, E39, E36, Any Car Lighting questions.... Please feel free to contact me (jeff@hids4less.com) I will try to help you out, either with our kits or if u just have a general question.

Take it easy guys [ and girls =) ],
Thanks,
Jeff

ps. Also, there are no voltage differences between stage I (4100K) and Stage II (6000K) They both run off the same ballasts and ignite with the same voltage. The only differences are the changing the combination of xenon gas and burning salts within the bulb.

2ND2N01 · 7th May 2002, 04:18

thanks!

WILL CALL YOU IF THERE ARE ANYMORE PROBLEMS!

hids4lesscom · 8th May 2002, 15:31

Have a good day!

CM5GO · 8th May 2002, 16:11

Jeff,

Glad to see you guys have made a presense on the board.

Smart move

A lot of your customers are here.

Your professional input and advice is appreciated.

hids4lesscom · 8th May 2002, 17:23

Any question I will be happy to answer wheither you got your products from us or someone else.

~ I like giving advice, on the phone everyday or at home on my personal time.

Thanks for the compliment,
Jeff

Jeff@Hids4Less.com