Hid In Nbs Silverado

Flawlezss · May 21, 2009

Ok, I am new to the forum coming out of a 2000 Camaro SS and just bought a 2008 silverado and wanting HID in the low beams, I think thats the H11 bulb if Im not mistaken? But my questions is, I just read something about HIDS not working because its the same bulb as the driving lights correct? What do I need to do to get that taken care of so I can run HIDS?

vikinghogue · May 21, 2009

Yeah there H11. On mine I just removed the 2 fuses for the driving lights. I also have them in my high beams. And welcome to the forum, there is a bunch of great guys on here to answer all your questions

punmax · May 21, 2009

You are talking about the day time running lights right? You can just pull the fuse out (don't know exactly which one(s) it is, wait for somebody else to chime in.) And yes the bulb is H11. I still had the DRLs in my Silverado with HIDs, and it did not damage the ballast.

georgecdisc · May 21, 2009

I don't see the reasoning behind needing to remove the fuses to disable DRL. To my knowledge during the daytime the bulbs run at a constant, full voltage (~14.4V ). I've read posts on another forum months ago about flickering occuring because DRL run at a lower voltage, but is this true?

Ranger · May 21, 2009

The other reason to disable them is it lets your HIDs last a little longer...For those that drive mostly during the day anyways.

I will say that the Higher Level HID kits (the originals too before the slim ballasts) lasted a long time...When I traded my 2500hd I sold the HIDs out of it to a buddy and he only just recently (about 2-3 months ago) told me one bulb went out...Not bad considering I bought em new in May 07.

georgecdisc · May 21, 2009

The other reason to disable them is it lets your HIDs last a little longer...For those that drive mostly during the day anyways.

In the case of not wanting them on because of longevity I would just turn the headlight knob to the left and turn them off, granted this has to be done every time. I usually turn my head lights off in the city during the middle of the day. If I am cruising around country side or it is starting to get dark I leave them on.

Also, I thought HIDs lasted longer than halogen because they run cooler and do not have a filament. Are we talking about a bulb going bad or a ballast?

Crazy Canuck · May 21, 2009

The other reason to disable them is it lets your HIDs last a little longer...For those that drive mostly during the day anyways.

In the case of not wanting them on because of longevity I would just turn the headlight knob to the left and turn them off, granted this has to be done every time. I usually turn my head lights off in the city during the middle of the day. If I am cruising around country side or it is starting to get dark I leave them on.

Also, I thought HIDs lasted longer than halogen because they run cooler and do not have a filament. Are we talking about a bulb going bad or a ballast?

Turning the know to the left will not turn off the DRL. They are on whenever the truck is in gear. DRLs are the headlights (lowbeams) only and are run at a lower intensity than when the lights are actually on to maximize the life of the stock halogen bulb.

georgecdisc · May 21, 2009

Turning the know to the left will not turn off the DRL. They are on whenever the truck is in gear. DRLs are the headlights (lowbeams) only and are run at a lower intensity than when the lights are actually on to maximize the life of the stock halogen bulb.

Why is it then during the middle of the day it looks like mine are at full brightness? When I turn the knob to the left they turn off completely. Even in gear.

Crazy Canuck · May 21, 2009

Turning the know to the left will not turn off the DRL. They are on whenever the truck is in gear. DRLs are the headlights (lowbeams) only and are run at a lower intensity than when the lights are actually on to maximize the life of the stock halogen bulb.

Why is it then during the middle of the day it looks like mine are at full brightness? When I turn the knob to the left they turn off completely. Even in gear.

Not sure, maybe mine does not have the option to turn off the DRL since they are required by law in Canada but I do know that they run at a reduced intensity. Check them out facing a window at dusk (just before the auto headlights kick in) by having your DRLs on and turning the headlights on manually, you will see the difference for sure.

georgecdisc · May 21, 2009

Not sure, maybe mine does not have the option to turn off the DRL since they are required by law in Canada but I do know that they run at a reduced intensity. Check them out facing a window at dusk (just before the auto headlights kick in) by having your DRLs on and turning the headlights on manually, you will see the difference for sure.

I forgot about that law in Canada. For that reason our vehicles may differ in the headlight department. I will give it a try though to see a difference in intensity during daytime hours. I am positive though on turning the knob and being able to completely turn them off. I'm sure it is just how the module controlling the headlights is programmed.

vikinghogue · May 21, 2009

Yeah when you put your truck in gear just turn it to the left and the lights will go off or turn your parking lights on and they will go off either its not good for the HID to turn on then right back off. Just to be safe remove the to fuses they are listed drl1 and drl2 i think. If you want your lights on just simply turn them on. And the auto lights is another issue but I dont think anyone worries about that. At night when you go to start your truck your lights come on then back off while the truck is starting then they come back on after its running. I usually turn my parking lights on start my truck then then it back to auto so my lights dont flash

georgecdisc · May 21, 2009

I just tested the head lights. When in gear, DRL IS lower voltage. Did not know this. I can now see where the problematic voltage to ignite the ballasts arises. Looks like when I upgrade my headlights I will be pulling a fuse.

Flawlezss · May 21, 2009

Thanks you guys so much for the help, pretty friendly crowd comparied to the forums I was on with the SS LS1.com and my cobra SVTPerformance.com thanks again!