HID Help

[Oneslowms3]

So I ordered some HID's off Amazon for my MS3, and when I took it to the shop to get installed when the shop tried to install it one of the bulbs would not fully turn on but the bulb was getting power. At first I thought it was the bulb but the guy at the shop said I could need a power relay. any ideas what I need to do?

[Pseud0logik]

If the ballast is providing power to the bulb but the bulb isn't lighting up then it's a burnt out bulb. Try to swap the bulbs between the ballasts. If the problem follows the bulb, it's a bad bulb, if it follows the ballasts, it's a bad ballast.

[omgheyitskenny]

I can bet that its a bad bulb.

But wait you had a shop install HIDS?????

[Death-From-A-Mile]

What kit did you buy? It is most likely a poorly built kit......obviously. I cant understand why people cheap out on something as important as lighting. Everyone wants to go fast......but nobody can see where they are going.

DDM is not quality.....

[MS6FL]

FUCK DDM. Scammers.

[Pseud0logik]

Originally Posted by MS6FL FUCK DDM. Scammers.

My DDM kit has been going strong for 2 years now. One of my bulbs burned out soon after installing the kit but they got me a replacement within a few days. You get what you pay for, I understand that, but I don't feel like I've been scammed by them in any way. I would definitely buy from them again.

[deadlandxtreme]

I have been running DDM as well and they work like a charm. Same with every bulb in my car replaced by LEDs from them. With the HID kit, I think a lot of issue come from improper install. Speaking of....did OP say he had a shop install them?

[Oneslowms3]

Originally Posted by omgheyitskenny I can bet that its a bad bulb. But wait you had a shop install HIDS?????

im lazy and i had to get some other stuff takin care of so why not lol

[JEEBS]

For those of you using the DDM kit, have you found something close to the factory color?

I miss have HIDs on the MS3. I had them on the s2k and they had a really nice cutoff with great visibility. I noticed that the halogen actually has a nice cutoff in these cars and I was quite surprised so I assume a good HID kit will net good results.

[Pseud0logik]

OEM color is 4300K, DDM sells a 4500K kit which is pretty close. The cutoff is decent, not amazing, but it won't blind oncoming traffic.

[Death-From-A-Mile]

The best option if you are up for it would be be a Bi-Xenon retrofit....runs you around $290 in parts....but it hands down dominates a drop in kit.

[silentwolf8]

Lazy or not ur retarded for going to shop for install. Its like 5-10 mins per side if that. Now u have no clue if they installe right, touched the bulb with bare greasy fingers. U should have takin the the time and found 30 mins of ur day to install ur self.

Side note i hve DDM as well and they been running great since i installed. I went with 6k though.

Originally Posted by IDRVSLO The best option if you are up for it would be be a Bi-Xenon retrofit....runs you around $290 in parts....but it hands down dominates a drop in kit.

Ur talking to someone that was to lazy to install a plug and play system.

[Death-From-A-Mile]

Originally Posted by silentwolf8 Ur talking to someone that was to lazy to install a plug and play system.

I am speaking to all who hop into the HID thread. This site lacks good information on the topic, I just like to put out general information.

[silentwolf8]

Originally Posted by IDRVSLO I am speaking to all who hop into the HID thread. This site lacks good information on the topic, I just like to put out general information.

Right on

[McGee]

Originally Posted by IDRVSLO The best option if you are up for it would be be a Bi-Xenon retrofit....runs you around $290 in parts....but it hands down dominates a drop in kit.

So something like this?
Bi-xenon Morimoto Mini Stage III Kit (H1) - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc

[Death-From-A-Mile]

This>>>>>>>>>Morimoto Retro-Quik System - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc

But if you already have HIDs and would like to upgrade to Bi-Xenon it is less expensive. A few different routes you can take.

Our factory HIDs are sad, they dont hold a candle to most other factory kits out there.

[McGee]

It was cool being able to adjust the angle of the beam in the cabin in my gt, but honestly they're
almost the same as my sport (light output wise).

[Pseud0logik]

Originally Posted by IDRVSLO This>>>>>>>>>Morimoto Retro-Quik System - Complete Retrofit Kits from The Retrofit Source Inc

Does this type of kit require taking the headlight apart?

[Death-From-A-Mile]

Originally Posted by Pseud0logik Does this type of kit require taking the headlight apart?

Yes sir it does. You would be replacing the stock bowls, cutoff shield, and lenses.

[McGee]

How are morimoto projectors? I see alot of people running fx-r's. And is 55W ballast really worth it?
Seems like it would be more prone to overheat in our cars.

[Death-From-A-Mile]

Originally Posted by McGee How are morimoto projectors? I see alot of people running fx-r's. And is 55W ballast really worth it? Seems like it would be more prone to overheat in our cars.

I prefer their own H1 Bi-Xenon kit with the 35w ballasts.

Still need lined up, but here is an example. Keep in mind, cell phone pic.

[Cusumano91]

Thank god I read this before I decided to order the DDM HID replacement bulbs. I want 8k cause that's what I had on my Z before and I really liked it. My question is what brand of bulbs are reliable and perform well.

[SlickDevil]

Originally Posted by Cusumano91 Thank god I read this before I decided to order the DDM HID replacement bulbs. I want 8k cause that's what I had on my Z before and I really liked it. My question is what brand of bulbs are reliable and perform well.

you should be fine getting a replacement from DDM. they might not be the fastest about getting the HID kit to your door but they are pretty good about sticking to there customer service satisfaction.

I have had my ddm HID kits in both the cars i have owned for 2 years + with no problems

[Micha]

Good thing I live 5 miles from DDM.

I think I might pick up a couple of their sets on Monday.

[MazdaBoy2.3]

Originally Posted by SlickDevil you should be fine getting a replacement from DDM. they might not be the fastest about getting the HID kit to your door but they are pretty good about sticking to there customer service satisfaction. I have had my ddm HID kits in both the cars i have owned for 2 years + with no problems

Could you point me in the direction of the kit you bought?

[smoogs12]

Originally Posted by MazdaBoy2.3 Could you point me in the direction of the kit you bought?

most likely these

[ziggidy08]

Originally Posted by MazdaBoy2.3 Could you point me in the direction of the kit you bought?

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W

Start here. Choose bulb size (H11), then wattage. I chose the 55W for brighter light output. Then choose bulb tempature, I got 5k for the closest to white color I could get. Kit should be cheap and easy to install. Shipping is a little long because it's from china but I've had mine for a while and love them.

[yomyster67]

D2S: Morimoto 3Five (35w) - HID Bulbs from The Retrofit Source Inc

i just bought these in 5000k to replace my stock hid bulbs. shipping is fast and product looks great, havent had time to install yet, hopefully tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

[MS3inDC]

sonic tuning also has HID kits for 3s and 6s.

Check out their vendor section on the forum

[MazdaBoy2.3]

Originally Posted by ziggidy08 http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W Start here. Choose bulb size (H11), then wattage. I chose the 55W for brighter light output. Then choose bulb tempature, I got 5k for the closest to white color I could get. Kit should be cheap and easy to install. Shipping is a little long because it's from china but I've had mine for a while and love them.

I never realized how in expensive these are. How long will these last?

Matt

[minger]

Originally Posted by MazdaBoy2.3 I never realized how in expensive these are. How long will these last? Matt

55w in my miata have about 3 years on them and going strong. My ms3 is temperamental with turning on 55s though

[MazdaBoy2.3]

I saw a Kensun brand on amazon. Are they any good?

[Amped]

Originally Posted by MazdaBoy2.3 I saw a Kensun brand on amazon. Are they any good?

I can't say about those, seems to have mixed reviews. Most people on here buy the DDM kits.

Sent from my EVO LTE using thumb power

[Hapa88]

I've had 6 sets of DDM/Apexcone HIDs.
First set I bought was for the MS3 back in 2007 and they're going strong (55W/5000K). 2nd set was for a 55W/3000K fogs and 1 ballast started getting funky so I replaced them with a 35/3000k since I think the 55W was overdoing it.
Other sets were a 6000k/55W for the NSX, a 4500k/35w for the GF's old Toyota Corolla and a 4500k/35w for Mom's Toyota Avalon. All are at least 3 years old and going strong. I will continue buying sets from them.. Mainly because I've had good luck and I'm fairly close to one of their SoCal stores.

Also, I'd buy directly from DDM. They are cheaper that way and offer lifetime warranty.

As for the OPs question, do as Pseud0logik stated and swap bulbs. If this is the first time installing, make sure the polarity it correct. Some vehicles require that the polarity be swapped before they work (this is true on Hondas & Toyotas for sure.. can't remember on the Mazda since it's been so long).

As for the color, here's my experience with the DDM numbers:
6000K/55W = slight bluish
4500k/35W = slight bluish too (not sure if they sent wrong bulbs both times)
5000k/55W = pure white
3000k/55w = Light cast on ground is yellow with some white. Almost white looking if and oncoming car looking directly at the bulb/housing.
3000k/35w = light cast on ground is pure yellow. Oncoming cars see it as a whitish/yellow look.

[ziggidy08]

Originally Posted by MazdaBoy2.3 I never realized how in expensive these are. How long will these last? Matt

I've seen people using these for 3-4+ years with no issues. I've had mine almost a year and they have been flawless. No issues when starting up, no flickering and no color change. I tried a kit from eBay on my last car and they started to turn colors like the cheap kits tend to do. No issues with these, I recommend these to people all the time if they want a quality kit for a decent price.

[MS3inDC]

Originally Posted by MazdaBoy2.3 I saw a Kensun brand on amazon. Are they any good?

Sonic tuning

They are on THIS FORUM. No need to question what you get. Killer customer service.

[Amped]

Originally Posted by MazdaBoy2.3 I never realized how in expensive these are. How long will these last? Matt

I had mine on my car for 4 years, no issues before I totaled it.

Sent from my EVO LTE using thumb power

[MazdaBoy2.3]

Originally Posted by Amped I had mine on my car for 4 years, no issues before I totaled it. Sent from my EVO LTE using thumb power

which ones did you have?

[Amped]

Originally Posted by MazdaBoy2.3 which ones did you have?

The Full Size DDM Raptor 35W.

Sent from my EVO LTE using thumb power

[MS6FL]

Here is some info I found on DDM....
Ddm Tuning Scam? - Lighting, Security, and Electrical Work - Project Lancer