Problem with Jeep JK HID Fog Lights

[Bombero37A]

I had HID bulbs installed in the fog lights on my 2010 Sahara and occasionally they wont work when I turn them on. After I turn off the ignition and restart my Jeep, they will work or after Ive been driving around for a little bit they'll turn on. Both lights are working but they dont always turn on when I activate them. I think the place that installed the lights used a pigtail. After advising them of the problem, the place that installed them tells me that its not a problem with the lights but that its a problem with the Jeeps fog lamp relay. Could this be the problem? I plan on going back to the install place and have them check it again. What questions should I ask them?

 

[Alaric Darconville]

Welcome to CPF, Bombero!

I had HID bulbs installed in the fog lights on my 2010 Sahara and occasionally they wont work when I turn them on.

This happens frequently with cheap HID kits. Reputable companies do not make HID kits, as they are illegal. Therefore, the kits you do find are by companies who, already not caring about the legality of the product, often do not care about quality of product.

I plan on going back to the install place and have them check it again.

You should go back to the install place and have them remove the kit and put the 2504 bulbs back in.

What questions should I ask them?

"Why do you sell and install illegal vehicle modifications?"

 

[AnAppleSnail]

a problem with the Jeeps fog lamp relay.

Definitely consider the legality of it. Now for safety: If you think that there are "fog bulbs," there aren't. If you once had actual fog lights (emitting a useful-in-fog pattern), you don't since you switched the bulbs. It seems silly to pay for worse performance. Relays usually act funny with too-high current on 'em. That's probably not the case, since the HID kits generally run "35 watts" (read: 28W output or so) which should be lower than your lamps. Cheap lamp & ballast on the wrong reflector, you can probably see better in fog with 'em off.

 

[Alaric Darconville]

Relays usually act funny with too-high current on 'em. That's probably not the case, since the HID kits generally run "35 watts" (read: 28W output or so) which should be lower than your lamps.

A 35W output ballast should consume more than 35W from the source, especially at startup. Also, the original bulbs are 24W, if I'm not mistaken. (A filament bulb also has a brief inrush current higher than when at operating temperature, of course.)

Cheap lamp & ballast on the wrong reflector, you can probably see better in fog with 'em off.

So true.

 

[kingofwylietx]

I won't get into the light, as others have addressed that.

Your Jeep uses Can-bus. The reason the lights won't always work is that the Can-bus system sees too high a current draw and cuts out the circuit. So, it's not a problem with your Jeep or relay....the system is acting as it was designed. Your problem is that the company who installed your lights tried to go the easy route and utilize the factory fog light circuit (anyone that works on newer Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler vehicles should be acutely aware of the Can-bus system and how it works). The best bet is to use relays (wired to fused battery power) triggered by the factory system when replacing items with ones that will require more power. They didn't do this....rather, they saved themselves $20 and 30 minutes to give you an unreliable installation.....now add the comments on the quality of the actual lighting product you have. I feel that you got a bad product, bad installation, but probably paid with good money?

Editing to add: You (or the place that installed them) should also check all the connections to verify they are tight and that they are grounded properly/well.