Flickering HIDs

[Jakg]

Fitted some HIDs to my Z4 but while they work with the engine off, with it on they flicker and eventually turn off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaZ5_CcHKy4

This seems to be an issue with E46's & the LCM module but I can find no discussion on the Z4.

Any ideas?

 

[ben g]

Does your Z4 have auto lights? If so, this is likely what is causing the flickering. If you manually turn the lights on, do they still flicker?

My old hid's used to flicker when I installed them and left the lights on the 'auto' setting. I ended up removing them as I couldn't stop them flickering.

You can buy hid kits specifically made for cars with auto lights.

If that's not the issue, then I'm not sure what it could be.

 

[Jakg]

Does your Z4 have auto lights? If so, this is likely what is causing the flickering. If you manually turn the lights on, do they still flicker?

My old hid's used to flicker when I installed them and left the lights on the 'auto' setting. I ended up removing them as I couldn't stop them flickering.

You can buy hid kits specifically made for cars with auto lights.

If that's not the issue, then I'm not sure what it could be.

yes, on both settings. Moreover I have no idea why auto lights would make any difference?

 

[Jl-c]

Flickering with HID's is often the ballast unit trying to start the bulb (strike the arc) and if it doesn't start the ballast will eventually over heat and switch itself off if it has overheat protection or just fail. Sometimes this will happen if the supply voltage is a little low. Try powering a relay from the feed that usually turns the lights on and take a fused feed from the battery to the relay to actually power the dipped beam lights, it will need at least a 20A fuse as they draw a lot of current on start.

 

[ben g]

Does your Z4 have auto lights? If so, this is likely what is causing the flickering. If you manually turn the lights on, do they still flicker?

My old hid's used to flicker when I installed them and left the lights on the 'auto' setting. I ended up removing them as I couldn't stop them flickering.

You can buy hid kits specifically made for cars with auto lights.

If that's not the issue, then I'm not sure what it could be.

yes, on both settings. Moreover I have no idea why auto lights would make any difference?

God knows, I'm useless when comes to electrics :lol: I ended up emailing hid's direct who recommended a specific kit for 'auto light's equipped vehicles. I did buy a plug in relay type thing but it failed to cure the issue in my case.

 

[mr nurburgring]

I had this with an e39 years ago. Turns out you need the canbus pro kit.
Hid direct took the standard ones back and sent me the pro ones and all was well.

 

[Motionblurrr]

I had this with an e39 years ago. Turns out you need the canbus pro kit.
Hid direct took the standard ones back and sent me the pro ones and all was well.

This is the correct answer.

I have a Canbus HID kit installed and I get no flickers or bulb out warnings whatsoever. I did use a standard HID kit before and they behaved exactly like your video.