Hid Issue On 11 Sierra Denali

Trav_13 · July 3, 2011

I have a 2011 GMC Sierra Denali...I have installed a set of DDM HID's in the Low Beams and the Fog Lamps...below is a description of the layout, and also the problem I am experiencing...

Low Beam DDM HID Kit (Slim Ballast) which is 6K and 55W this is the H11 Bulb

Fog Lam DDM HID Kit (Slim Ballast) which is a 6K with a 35W which is the 5202 Bulb.

I also purchased and HID Relay Harness from SUVLights.com, this is the same exact harness setup I have used on my 2 previous GMT-900 Trucks, however this time for the new truck, I actually ordered a brand new harness(I didn't move it over from the previous trucks like I have in the past)

I installed the DDM HID Kit about 2 weeks ago....for about the 1st hour, everything worked great...I ran the HID Relay Harness to the Low Beam Headlamps as I have always done, and the fog lamps, being only 35W I just simply used the factory wiring, and didn't incorporate them in this Aftermarket Relay Harness.

I did remove the DRL Fuses...

My issue is with my Low Beam Headlights....(Fog Lamps are Flawless)

At Night...they work great, they fire up just like they are supposed to when you hit the remote to unlock the truck, or when you get in and turn the Headlight Knob on manually, or when you simply turn the truck on and begin to drive.

During the Day....for example, when I pull into the parking garage at work, these things hopelessly try to turn on, they will try to fire with the Auto Headlights, and they will try to ignite, and then the simply shut off...they do the same thing when I then try and turn them on manually with the headlamp switch(they fire, and then immediately turn off)...it actually takes 3 or 4 restart attempts in order to get these things to fire when it is daylight outside.

My thoughts are, these ballast are going to be toast if this kind of activity continues, but also, what could be causing this??...I have never had this problem before, I have always run the HID Relay Hanress on all of my HID's to prevent an issues such as this....my frustration is, each time I begin to drive(say for example its daylight out, and my wipers are on...I have no headlights, or I have to get out and check them to make sure they are on, if its foggy or something)

Does anyone have any suggestions on this, or have any input?

Maybe a 55W Ballast is too much, and maybe I should go to a 35W Ballast...however what kind of decrease lighting performance would I see??

Thanks Guys!

Trav_13 · July 3, 2011

Moderators....I don't know if this is in the right section or not, it might belong in the main section.

Trav_13 · July 9, 2011

bump...

uh6tdrvr · July 9, 2011

Did you pull you DRL fuses? Maybe that has something to do with it? You are the first that I have read about to have a problem like this. I'd disable the DRL's and see if that helps if now shoot DDM tech an email and see what they say.

Trav_13 · July 9, 2011

Did you pull you DRL fuses? Maybe that has something to do with it? You are the first that I have read about to have a problem like this. I'd disable the DRL's and see if that helps if now shoot DDM tech an email and see what they say.

I did pull the DRL Fuses as stated above....I emailed DDM and they told me to start swaping parts from side to side, but that really won't do me any good since there isn't one particular side that is having the issue, I've never heard of this either....I really don't think the ballast are bad since they will operate flawlessly at night...it almost seems like its a voltage issue of some sorts...

OKLAGMCRUISER · July 9, 2011

try disabling the exit and entry lighting in the DIC.

Hieneken49 · July 10, 2011

i run spencers hids the same way with no issues. ddm is crap imho. try to call them for support...

nate1dawgg · July 11, 2011

I don't have the problem either, I have DDM 5k 35w with no harness in my lows. Maybe try not using the harness.

old-chevy-dude · July 11, 2011

The relay in your aftermarket harness is bad or to low amperage to handle the hid ballasts.

Fwiw I am using 55watt ballasts from hid retrofit source and didn't need the relay harness and have zero issues for about 3 months since they have been in.

Trav_13 · July 11, 2011

The relay in your aftermarket harness is bad or to low amperage to handle the hid ballasts.

Fwiw I am using 55watt ballasts from hid retrofit source and didn't need the relay harness and have zero issues for about 3 months since they have been in.

I'm wondering if you may have the right answer that I am looking for....I have a real hard time thinking it is a ballast related issue, as they perform flawlessly at night time (I'm thinking they get more Voltage at Night Time)...

The aftermarket harness has 3 relays on it....one for the Low Beams regular Auto Store Relay, one for the High Beams, and then there is this very nice black plastic looking one that I have no idea if it is working properly since I don't have anything here that I can replace it with....

I have never had an issue such as this in the 4 GMT 900's that I have installed HID's in....however I'm having a harder time tracing this issue down on this one since all of the parts are brand new....

At this point I am wishing I would have taken the time to remove all the HID parts from my 09 truck that I had traded, but I figured what the hell....I've already moved them from the 07 truck to the 09 truck...I didn't think by this point they would be much good....however had I removed all of the parts I'd have the relay that I need to test and see if I have a bad part in my new harness....

Ianf · July 11, 2011

If your using a single relay harness from some of these import type HID people, I have seen bad connectors showing up more and more lately with the connectors actually melting and usually completely failing after several months due to poor material quality on the light side of the harness. Check to make sure that the wires and connectors are not overheating and making poor contact. I had to go the HID relay route finally on my '10 Silverado as the ballasts got to week to throw enough voltage to light the 35W lamps with the DRL circuit intact. Wired directly to the battery with a 40A relay and the DRL circuit and fises still intact and now the run flawlessly even with 7 year old week balasts I took out my old Astro.

The two most important things for the HIDs to work properly are

1) Good battery direct connection

2) High enough amperage relay

After that it is all bulbs and working ballasts

Trav_13 · July 19, 2011

Just wanted to give everyone an update...

I completely removed the relay harness and I am still having the exact same issues.

I think this narrows it down to 2 things.

1. The relay harness is the problem, because the lights do the same exact thing with or without the relay harness in....(meaning when the HID Light Harness was first installed it wasn't doing anything anyway...

2. The DDM Ballast are not working properly..

Any thoughts....all connections look good!!

androgelrx · July 19, 2011

Just wanted to give everyone an update...

I completely removed the relay harness and I am still having the exact same issues.

I think this narrows it down to 2 things.

1. The relay harness is the problem, because the lights do the same exact thing with or without the relay harness in....(meaning when the HID Light Harness was first installed it wasn't doing anything anyway...

2. The DDM Ballast are not working properly..

Any thoughts....all connections look good!!

My guess would be the crappy ballasts. I would post this at GMfullsize forum too and ask spencer to see if he has an input. Spencer's kit is really good.

redjewel2ss · July 19, 2011

sounds like you got a pair of bad ballasts. is it too late to get a refund? i've heard a lot of people have had problems with the 55w ballasts on many cars. i've only ran 35w with zero problems. i would recommend you exchange the 55w ballasts for 35w ones to see if that works, or...

Spencer's HIDs have kits made up of all Phillips brand parts at a reasonable price. you can get their H-11/5202 HID combo kit for your low beams and fog lights for $270, it includes a relay harness for the low beams, and you can request 25w ballasts for the fog lights to reduce heat.

anybody know of a coupon code for spencershids.com ???

Trav_13 · July 19, 2011

sounds like you got a pair of bad ballasts. is it too late to get a refund? i've heard a lot of people have had problems with the 55w ballasts on many cars. i've only ran 35w with zero problems. i would recommend you exchange the 55w ballasts for 35w ones to see if that works, or...

Spencer's HIDs have kits made up of all Phillips brand parts at a reasonable price. you can get their H-11/5202 HID combo kit for your low beams and fog lights for $270, it includes a relay harness for the low beams, and you can request 25w ballasts for the fog lights to reduce heat.

anybody know of a coupon code for spencershids.com ???

I will contact DDM and see what they will do....

I would love to get a deal put together with Spencers HID's on maybe a group buy or something...I have am willing to order 2 sets of the kit you mention above...my brother and I each have 2011 Sierra's and are looking for good HID's..