XenonDepot Xtreme HID's

[White Chocolate]

Well I got my HID's in the mail on Friday and now that I have some free time I'm going to look into installing my low and fog HID's. Now I want it to be a relatively simple install so I wont be pulling off the front bumper. But my question is does anyone have any idea on where they mounted their Ballasts and relays and all that fancy jazz that comes with the Xtreme kit from XenonDepot.

Pictures would be GREATLY appreciated. Also the positive and ground wires on the hardness, the connectors look very small, are they going to fit on the battery terminal??

Pictures for anything would be awesome. Thanks ya'll.

[Robert Palmer]

Ok ship your HID kits out to me, I will have them installed on my Jeep, then take a picture for you, mail that out and you can use that as a reference when you buy your next set. Sound good? :D

[08Hemi]

And if shippng to ny is too far you can ship them to Cali and I will do the same thing for you! I will even do a "how to" tutorial!! Hahaha alot of help we are

[DAVY27]

ill get some pics up of my setup later...eating breakfast n gettin redy 4 school :(

[B.P.O.D]

can you take a pic of everything you got? it is easy to install and i can help ya

[Scottina06]

I mounted my xtreme passeneger ballast on the inside fender. I cleaned the area really well with alcohol and then used the double stick tape provided. I stuck the drivers side to the front of the battery. Never had a problem.

The install is very easy.....connect the bulb to the harness, connect to the ballast, run the power wire to the positive terminal on the battery and the ground to the inside fender oem ground screws.(located about 12" up the fender on the inside) Mount and zip tie everything and you are ready to go.

[White Chocolate]

I mounted my xtreme passeneger ballast on the inside fender. I cleaned the area really well with alcohol and then used the double stick tape provided. I stuck the drivers side to the front of the battery. Never had a problem.

The install is very easy.....connect the bulb to the harness, connect to the ballast, run the power wire to the positive terminal on the battery and the ground to the inside fender oem ground screws.(located about 12" up the fender on the inside) Mount and zip tie everything and you are ready to go.

You got any pictures of your install? what did you do with your fogs?

[Scottina06]

sorry I dont. I have the oem HID's now or I wopuld take pics. I have silverstars in my fogs.

[DAVY27]

What Scott said, in front of the battery
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/001.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/002-1.jpg
other ballast is mounted on the coolant screw..very visible and i think imma find a new place for it. For now here ya go
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/004.jpg
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/003-3.jpg
mine to the negative battery
http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn47/GaMeGoLd/006-2.jpg
i dont have the xenondepot Hids but they all should be similar.

[DAVY27]

hope this helps...HID's are gettin shipped to me for my fogs so imma need this thread for placement too :D

[White Chocolate]

My question is, can the Xtreme ballasts be put onto metal? I was told with my cheaper HID kits that to not put the ballasts on metal surface because it will ground out and short the ballast.

Now my question is can I put these ballasts on metal? Or should I also stay away from the metal surfaces under the hood?

[Scottina06]

I had mine like I said above and never had a problem

[Megatron]

maybe this would help? lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANSilGHjDXk

[B.P.O.D]

you can def put them on metal. not sure who told you that

[DAVY27]

yea i think u have to mount it to some sort of metal.

[White Chocolate]

Alright well if I can mount it to any type of metal than this will be an easy process!!

[Scottina06]

yea i think u have to mount it to some sort of metal.


you can mount them anywhere. i have seen people mount them to the inside of their front bumper....which is pretty much plastic

[White Chocolate]

Yeah on my old car I put the ballasts all on plastic equipment, because I was told never to put the ballasts on metal because they could short out......Now that I know I can do it, I will, there is so much room to put them :)

[White Chocolate]

Just put the HID's in, I'm very happy with them, Very easy install however ALOT of ****in wires ughhhh lol....

Anyways heres some pictures of where I mounted the ballasts and then some pictures at night, sorry I'll take better ones later but I just wanted to show all you.

I mounted all 4 ballasts on the metal support just underneath the grill, drilled 4 holes through the metal and secured the ballasts really well on the metal, I'll have better pictures when I clean the jeep, I just got home from the lake so there is bugs everywhere!!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2542.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2543.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2544.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2545.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2546.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2547.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2548.jpg

[Scottina06]

excellent job Kyle! Super neat! congrats!

[White Chocolate]

Thanks dude, I really like the 3000K fogs, totally a cool look, the wiring on the ballasts actually looks alot cleaner is person then the pictures, I really need to take better phots but the angle was hard haha, anyways it took me a solid 3 hours to do, but she is all done.

[blackpepper]

Nice dude! Those are hella bright!

[Megatron]

ver nizeeee

[White Chocolate]

Thanks guys, I'll have some more photos this saturday evening or sunday evening, some better shots in the dark in a wider space.

[B.P.O.D]

great photos bro!!! the 3k are sick right???

[White Chocolate]

Yeah man not gunna lie I really do like the 3000K fogs, my girlfriend loves them....however I do plan on buying the 6500K bulbs in the future also.

[B.P.O.D]

yeah i have both the matching 6k and i also have the 3k... i will be rocking the 3k in the wintertime and spring time ill go back to the 6k

[White Chocolate]

Alright well today I'm having a problem, I turn my Jeep on and only one of my fog lights turn on, well then I turn off the fogs, then turn them on again and it comes on, now its no big deal, but if this is having to do with a defective bulb thats not good, if ANYONE knows an answer to this let me know.

[White Chocolate]

Ughhh nevermind, now my fog light isnt working at all...this sucks, not happy =(

[Scottina06]

check your conections. Where are your grounds?

[White Chocolate]

Ughhhh now the lights are working again.....

I havent checked the connections yet, its to late in the day I'll check tomorrow, but my grounds for the fogs are on the headlight assembly, i'll try and find a picture......but on the top of the headlight housing there are two big screws side by side.....they are connected to there....my wires wouldnt reach to the stock ground hosing on the quarter panal...

what do you suggest doing scott?

[Scottina06]

thats a bad spot Kyle....extend them to the fender or find a clean spot on the frame.

[White Chocolate]

thats a bad spot Kyle....extend them to the fender or find a clean spot on the frame.

I'll do that, can I cut off the ends and extend a coupler inches of wiring?

[Scottina06]

I'll do that, can I cut off the ends and extend a coupler inches of wiring?

I dont see a problem with that as long as you soder and seal it real good from water etc.

[B.P.O.D]

pleast post a pic of wehre you grounded them

[White Chocolate]

pleast post a pic of wehre you grounded them

I'm going to re ground them. I'm able to properly connect the wiring together.

I dont have a picture right now, but on the top of the headlight there is two big screws side by side (You dont need to take them off to take the headlight out), they are connect to the frame. However I'm going to try and add enough wires so I can have all of my grounds on the fender where all of the factory grounds and high beams grounds are located. If thats not the issue then I have either a defective bulb or ballast in which I'll switch around the bulbs to determine. :slapfight:

[B.P.O.D]

i know scott is against this but i grounded mine here and have had no issues at all

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/dreamps/CIMG1523.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/dreamps/CIMG1522.jpg

[B.P.O.D]

they are grounded on the bolt next to the hood stopper

[Scottina06]

yes...IMO thats not a proper ground becasue it is on a piece of metal bolted to the headlight frame rail. Look in the pic showing the entire battery...right next to the battery's negative terminal on the fender wall is the proper ground.

[tman4024]

Kyle I had the same problems with my HIDs and I had the grounds in the same place you do. I concur with Scott, you should run the grounds to the fender ground.

[White Chocolate]

i know scott is against this but i grounded mine here and have had no issues at all

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/dreamps/CIMG1523.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f30/dreamps/CIMG1522.jpg


Thats actually where I had them grounded to, I removed those grounds and now they are on the fendor walls....the drivers fog light is attached to the fender wall which the battery grounds to. The lights are working now, but last night they turned magically on again, so hopefully this does the trick, if not then I'll have to check the bulbs.

[Scottina06]

hahahahahahaaha...ha ha ha ha.....@Irfy!

[White Chocolate]

Hopefully this works...knock on woood!!

[08Hemi]

good luck...but I am 99% sure that the ground is your problem. I am amazed Irf you haven't had any problems. I am going to get an HID kit soon so thanks for the info here!!

[Scottina06]

I would bet bad grounds are the cause of 80% of the HID problems

[White Chocolate]

Lol well hopefully you guys are right, I'll go outside right now to see if it works or doesnt work :)

[Scottina06]

ahhh ohhhh.....crosses fingers

[White Chocolate]

Well they all still work....hopefully they stay like that!!

[Scottina06]

your good to go now bro

[Chris]

Great info guys! I think I am completely ready to get my order and install going now that I have everything sorted and all locations planned out!

[B.P.O.D]

i've never had an issue like i said. i made sure those bolts are tight!!!!! and the wires are under the washers!

i couldn't get that fender bolt open and didn't want to break it trying...

HAHAHA scott mine works!!!

[Scottina06]

my god zIrfy....my wife could get that fender bolt lose.....LOL. But the problem I hear from all the Xentec owners is the relay ground wires ate too short to reach thaat grounding point.

[B.P.O.D]

hehe mine wouldn't budge bro!!! i didn't want to use 70% power of my 36" bulging biceps and break the bolt hahaha... maybe ill try again with a little wd 40:)

[Scottina06]

you break that bolt and you are superman.....LOL

[Scottina06]

HID relay harness diagram
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt209/scottina06WK/relaypic_35-1.gif
This is the appropriate grounding point on the drivers side. There is one just like this on the passeneger side right between the airbox and the coolant tank. These are the proper grounding points for HID relays.
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt209/scottina06WK/fenderground-1.jpg

[B.P.O.D]

LOLOL copyright infringement!!!

[White Chocolate]

Yeah with my xenondepot kit, the fog light grounds wouldnt reach the ground on the fender that scott is talking about, However I cut the wires on the kit and added some new wire and then attached to the ground, it was super easy to do and now it works...

Shit I made an awesome thread!! Sticky this shit under XenonDepot's vendor part!!

[B.P.O.D]

what guage wire did you use kyle?

[White Chocolate]

Umm to tell you the truth I dont know, I just grabbed some wire out of the drawer I had filled with electrical wire, the wire is the exact same size as the original wire...I can check when I get home from university tho.

[B.P.O.D]

cool thanks

[White Chocolate]

sorry dude. i just looked and it doesnt say what type of gauge...

[B.P.O.D]

no prob bro

[White Chocolate]

Heres some photos of the HID's, and a little something that I got in the mail today....!!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2571.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2564.jpg

[Megatron]

Looks good,

are you going to debadge?

[White Chocolate]

Nooooooooooooooo, keepin the badges....I actually like the badges lol....I debadged my old car, and meh it was decent I guess....but I'll end up keepin em

[Megatron]

Cool whats next, tinted tails?

[White Chocolate]

I actually bought jeeppro's smoked ebay tail lights, I'm just waiting for them to arrive, Honestly my next mod is probably exhaust or save up while im at school for that custom hood....but who knows I wanna get little things also like a shorty antenna and a rear cargo cover and cargo mat.

[Megatron]

Nice, yeah I just seen that. You got a good deal dude. 85 or 75 right?

Little things are great. Shorty antenna, I love it. And damn I thought all those limiteds came with a cargo cover already lol. Those are a must, and the mats too! Those were like my first 3 mods haha. What about srt pedals?

[White Chocolate]

Shorty Antenna I wanna buy but don't know of any good websites that are (legit) for good antennas, I dont wanna buy the 8 dollar antenna that might cause static, yeah mine didnt come with the cover :(....and the cargo mat will help keep the back clean....umm never seen the srt8 pedals...are they worth getting.?

[Megatron]

Shorty Antenna I wanna buy but don't know of any good websites that are (legit) for good antennas, I dont wanna buy the 8 dollar antenna that might cause static, yeah mine didnt come with the cover :(....and the cargo mat will help keep the back clean....umm never seen the srt8 pedals...are they worth getting.?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLACK-UNIVERSAL-BILLET-ALUMINUM-SHORT-TYPE-R-ANTENNA_W0QQitemZ230325179468QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMo tors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item35a07354 4c&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14#ht_2867wt_1165 If you're interested.

alot of members have http://www.shortyantennasource.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5_42&zenid=ed1p12a4ibqvtl295hdrke8k76

SRT Pedals, around 44$ from justforjeeps.com, worth it IMO, alot of us have it.

Some pics from our members. brad, kyle and ryans.

http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu174/bradsmith42/DSC00688.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/xtremejeeper/Random%20Jeeps%20and%20stuff/SRT8pedals.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c338/rdm395/DSC04063.jpg

I say go for it, 1 mod each week, haha thats what I did.:thumbsup:

[White Chocolate]

Thanks pal, I'll probably ask for the Cargo Mat, Cargo Cover, Shorty Antenna all for christmas...what else should I ask for thats relatively cheap for christmas..

[Megatron]

Those sound good, very practical and useful.

Maybe some tints. Or some chrome door handles, (im thinking about that doing also)

[White Chocolate]

I've been thinking about the chrome door handles also, I'm debating though, I don't know if I want to have that much more chrome.

Also a tint on the front side windows is a no go, My last vehicle I had three tinting tickets, Lol I can live without the tint on my drivers windows...

I'm pretty big into LED's and neons or cathodes, I might toss some of those in, not to sure I think I might have grown out of those days

[tman4024]

HIDs look great Kyle. Hope everything works out with the new ground :)

[Scottina06]

LOoks great Kyle!

[LipschitzWrath]

Just put the HID's in, I'm very happy with them, Very easy install however ALOT of ****in wires ughhhh lol....

Anyways heres some pictures of where I mounted the ballasts and then some pictures at night, sorry I'll take better ones later but I just wanted to show all you.

I mounted all 4 ballasts on the metal support just underneath the grill, drilled 4 holes through the metal and secured the ballasts really well on the metal, I'll have better pictures when I clean the jeep, I just got home from the lake so there is bugs everywhere!!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2542.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2543.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2544.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2545.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2546.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2547.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2548.jpg

Well hell, if you were gonna go to all that trouble, why didn't you go the full monty route, like me? Check my install: http://www.jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=1255

[B.P.O.D]

looking good kyle!!!

if you want cargo liner go here
http://www.etrailer.com/mat-2005_Jeep_Grand+Cherokee.htm

i got the highland one and its awesome! contours perfectly and is 1/2 the price of weather tech!!!

[08Hemi]

That first pic of the SRT8 pedals looked familiar...then I realized that was my Jeep!! HAHA....then I read your post EZY...just tripped me out how familiar that looked!!! I have spent some hours on that floor over the past month, and they were tough to put on!

Rear molded cargo and slush mats all the way around FTMFW! And I got my shorty antenna on ebay for $16 and it is great...custom from the east coast, and no reception issues. Let me know if you want the link

[B.P.O.D]

yes please link!!!

[White Chocolate]

Well hell, if you were gonna go to all that trouble, why didn't you go the full monty route, like me? Check my install: http://www.jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=1255


Your install is super nice, however I wasnt really feeling taking the bumper off, I like where I put the ballasts because all four are in one location, and are all bolted in with screws instead of the two way tape

[Scottina06]

my install is even cleaner....my ballast are inside my headlights.......




LOL...j?k guys....both of those are awesome

[Megatron]

looking good kyle!!!

if you want cargo liner go here
http://www.etrailer.com/mat-2005_Jeep_Grand+Cherokee.htm

i got the highland one and its awesome! contours perfectly and is 1/2 the price of weather tech!!!

nice...:thumbsup:

Dont flame me irf but I got these rubbermaid rubber mats man. with really deep grooves.. Actually the jeep is lined with at least 3 layers of rubber mats :lol:

[Megatron]

That first pic of the SRT8 pedals looked familiar...then I realized that was my Jeep!! HAHA....then I read your post EZY...just tripped me out how familiar that looked!!! I have spent some hours on that floor over the past month, and they were tough to put on!

Rear molded cargo and slush mats all the way around FTMFW! And I got my shorty antenna on ebay for $16 and it is great...custom from the east coast, and no reception issues. Let me know if you want the link

Yeah tell me about it (srt pedals), my brake ones came off! :lol:

[B.P.O.D]

nice...:thumbsup:

Dont flame me irf but I got these rubbermaid rubber mats man. with really deep grooves.. Actually the jeep is lined with at least 3 layers of rubber mats :lol:


i think we def need a pic of that!!!!!

[XenonDepot]

Great write up Kyle! Thank you for taking the time to post up some pictures and feedback. It was nice speaking with you!

Steve

[White Chocolate]

Great write up Kyle! Thank you for taking the time to post up some pictures and feedback. It was nice speaking with you!

Steve

No problem dude :thumbsup:

[tcm glx]

Klutch,
Your rig is sexy!!


Hey guys, running a weekend special on Bajahid kits... chk out the vendor forum.

[08Hemi]

Kyle K - here is the link for my antenna...i got the 6" black spear...havent had any issues, except cutting my elbow on i... and the reception is good! Great pics on your HID install...looks awesome! I have to do them very soon too

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jeep-Grand-Cherokee-Commander-Billet-Shorty-Antenna_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1 116QQhashZitem25552f321bQQitemZ160342946331QQptZMo torsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1766wt _935

[blackpepper]

Heres some photos of the HID's, and a little something that I got in the mail today....!!

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2571.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/klutchewsky/IMG_2564.jpg

Siiiiiick.. the HIDs look great mang..

Rebadge the "5.7" for some true HEMI emblems!

[White Chocolate]

I think I'm going to rebadge it, I'm going to put the limited on the other side under the 4x4 and then get one of those 5.7L Hemi badges that are combined into one.


which one would look better.....

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-83673118800219_2070_25498894

or keep the 5.7L emblem where it is, and just add the hemi logo underneath...what do you guys figure?
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-83673118800219_2071_20231386

[blackpepper]

Take the 5.7 off and replace it with HEMI

[White Chocolate]

No No No lol, I wanna keep the 5.7L on the truck somewhere. either I get the "5.7 Liter Hemi" badge.....or I get the "5.7L Hemi" which are seperate badges..which out of those two

[blackpepper]

The second one IMO.. the combined one is from the Ram and I like it but add the HEMI badge to your pre-existing 5.7 and WK freaks will think you have an 06 :p

[White Chocolate]

I had no idea the 2006 wk's had badges in a different place.....well thats exactly how I wanna do it...

like this
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c149/lordfeyr/Jeep/132.jpg

[blackpepper]

Yeah I know too much about these Jeeps but not enough at the same time. I say do it if you like it. Sorry to draw your thread off-topic, buddy.

[Megatron]

Moneen put the hemi badges on the side too. Near the side mirror area.

[tman4024]

My dad put SRT badges on the side of his. They look really good. I thought about putting the HEMI badges in the same spot

[KITSOS]

i think mine is the way that it is in the last pic.

Kyle, you have to get that HEMI badge somewhere!

[TimmyB]

I luv my xenondepot hid lows. Im waiting for my led bulbs in the fogs to go then i'll be ordering the lows too. Is a relay needed for the fogs though, somewhere I heard its not needed and I can go with the other kit that doesnt include relays?

And with there being no more room I think i'll be pulling the bumper and redoing all the wiring nice and neat, right now everything is just shoved in there with the wires ziptied out of the way but it doesnt look professional.



http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37/tdiglar78/DSC00774.jpg

[TimmyB]

Im thinking about getting the SRTDESIGN emblem for the rear on mine. Like the Dodges have that come without the 6.1 but have the look of it. I just want to be different, and I have yet to see a WK around me that looks like mine except an SRT8. I luv pulling next to stock WK's and see the people staring, I get alot of compliments from people. I mostly notice people checking out the rims, my buddy told me he knows its me driving down the street because how they stand right out.

[justa4banger]

Is there a reason not to run a ground wire from the HID's back to the battery... i mean you can't get a better ground than that...

[justa4banger]

OH btw nice setup and thanks fo rthe ideas.

[Scottina06]

ground it on the fender frame ground......

[LipschitzWrath]

I luv my xenondepot hid lows. Im waiting for my led bulbs in the fogs to go then i'll be ordering the lows too. Is a relay needed for the fogs though, somewhere I heard its not needed and I can go with the other kit that doesnt include relays?

And with there being no more room I think i'll be pulling the bumper and redoing all the wiring nice and neat, right now everything is just shoved in there with the wires ziptied out of the way but it doesnt look professional.



http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk37/tdiglar78/DSC00774.jpg

Correct, relays are NOT needed for fog lights. The wiring in the jeep already has the fog lights relayed, so it would be redundant.

I read you are having trouble getting some LED bulbs to work. I may be able to help. This lighting stuff is kinda my forte, so to speak. Let me know if I can be of any assistance.

[XenonDepot]

A relay harness is not "necessary" when upgrading the fogs to HID as you will not encounter any flickering or error codes. However, using a relay harness does ensure that the ballasts always receive a constant 12V. Your OEM fog light wiring is designed to run halogen bulbs which can dim if voltage drops below 12V. HIDs cannot dim and will flicker if they do not receive sufficient power. Flickering will reduce bulb/ballast life.

Steve

[LipschitzWrath]

A relay harness is not "necessary" when upgrading the fogs to HID as you will not encounter any flickering or error codes. However, using a relay harness does ensure that the ballasts always receive a constant 12V. Your OEM fog light wiring is designed to run halogen bulbs which can dim if voltage drops below 12V. HIDs cannot dim and will flicker if they do not receive sufficient power. Flickering will reduce bulb/ballast life.

Steve

Not to be argumentative here, Steve, and I do not question your extensive knowledge of the field at all, but I disagree with your statement.

The Jeep already has a relay for the fog lights on-board. This relay pulls current directly from the battery. I fail to see how adding another relay would be of benefit at all. It would be redundant.

Now, I'll come clean with someting before I get called out for being a hypocrite. Yes, my fog lights ARE relayed. In fact, I have two relays for the fog lights - one for each light. First off, and the more important of my two criteria, was for looks and symmetry and consistency of the install. Since I upgraded my highs, lows, and fogs all at one time, it suited me better and looked better to add relays to my setup. However, I will admit that 99% of people would look at my install and the first word that would come outta their mouths is "overkill".

Check it out for yourself: http://www.jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=1255

Now, the second reason for relaying my fog lights the way I did was to provide a level of redundancy for safety purposes. If one of my fog light relays fails, the other light remains on because it is a completely seperate system. This is more applicable for the low-beams as they are your primary light source, but again, I was trying to maintain consistency during my install.

Of course, there is one thing you learn in engineering school that should be mentioned here. By introducing more components into the system, you are introducing the probability of failure. Goes back to the old adage 'KISS - keep it simple, stupid'. Translation: you can't have failure if there isn't a component there to fail. The jeep had a relay onboard and I added two more. I now have 3 relays just for my fog lights that can now fail.

Just my $0.02...

[XenonDepot]

LipschitzWrath - So you're saying that the OEM fog wiring has a direct lead right to the battery?

[LipschitzWrath]

LipschitzWrath - So you're saying that the OEM fog wiring has a direct lead right to the battery?

Precisely. Check this site: http://www.wkjeeps.com/wk_fuses.htm

Look at the integrated power module. There is a fused output from the battery AND a relay for the front fog lamps. I had a '98 grand cherokee that was the same way.

[Scottina06]

explain nwhy some of the 05-07 guys need relays on the fogs and some dont?

[LipschitzWrath]

explain nwhy some of the 05-07 guys need relays on the fogs and some dont?

Ummm, I'm not sure that some do and some don't. Did someone tell you that some needed relays and others didn't? Or do we have documented cases of people who tried it without relays and could ONLY get it to work by using relays? Sometimes, using relays will mask other problems. For example, say you have a bad ground. The ground isn't capable of supporting 5 amps (i.e. HID lights) but it is capable of supporting 50 mA (i.e. the coil of a relay). In this case, one might be inclined to say that a relay is required, when in reality, all that is needed is a better ground.

According to wkjeeps.com, all WK jeeps from 2005-2010 have the same integrated power module, meaning that all of them have a fused battery output feeding into an onboard relay. Unless there is something I am unaware of, I don't believe there would ever be a NEED to relay the fogs on a WK.

Are you sure you aren't thinking of low beams, Scott?

[Scottina06]

no....there are owners here that have no relay on the fogs and some that had flickering on the fogs and had to install a relay.......

[LipschitzWrath]

no....there are owners here that have no relay on the fogs and some that had flickering on the fogs and had to install a relay.......

I'm not calling you a liar Scott but flickering seems like the least likely of all problems to have on the fogs. The jeeps have an onboard relay for the fogs already. Throwing another relay on top of that does absolutely nothing for you. All it does is reduce the load on the onboard relay. But that relay was meant to handle at least 45W x 2 with stock 9145 halogen bulbs. HID's draw, at most, 35W x 2, not to mention the superior efficiency of HID's, further widening this gap.

The computer has no control over the fog lights other than to turn them on and off (unlike the low beams). Because the output is relayed, the computer cannot read how much power is going to the lights, therefore flickering (which is a result of the computer seeing abnormal current draw) seems extremely unlikely.

I would love to dissect one of these cases. I never had a relay on my '98 grand cherokee fogs because it, too, had an onboard fog light relay. I understand the WK is a different beast, but I imagine the circuit is pretty close to identical. It just doesn't add up.

[B.P.O.D]

yes it is def wierd. some wk owners need a relay for the fogs. i can't remember who exactly but some did need them for their fogs. i have an 08 3.7 and had no issues

[Scottina06]

there are several that needed relays....maybe Tony(tcmglx) can chime in with who it is....I know Lo.7 was one and he has an 06

[justa4banger]

Great discussion, I'm still confused on how grounding the HID's to the battery is not the best way.... Your going back to the source.... This is much better than any chasis ground, EVEN though chassis ground should be the same as the battery.

Also the battery acts like a big capacitor in a sense that voltage fluctuations are minimized.. screw it i'll run 2 grounds.....then all will be well.

[Matt]

Where is your battery grounded...? The chassis. If the chassis is a good enough ground for your battery then it surely is a good enough ground for a relay.

[Matt]

I'm willing to bet over half of the problems that occur with people having HID "issues" are a grounding location that was never sanded down. A ground needs to be attached to BARE metal, not painted metal.

[Scottina06]

the problem I think with connecting to the battery ground is it adds another link to the grounding.......my theory

[LipschitzWrath]

I'm willing to bet over half of the problems that occur with people having HID "issues" are a grounding location that was never sanded down. A ground needs to be attached to BARE metal, not painted metal.

Word. Bad grounds are oftentimes the trickiest problems to diagnose. And why is that? It is probably the first thing that everyone takes for granted when they have problems...

"You got a good ground?"

"Oh, sure, no problems there!"

Uh-huh. An electrical circuit is just that - it's a circuit. If it isn't a complete circuit, it don't work. You wouldn't use a wire from the battery that was too small or a wire that is big enough but is half cut thru with only a few wire strands left, would you? Same deal with a bad ground.

And for the guy who was asking, yes, there is no better ground than directly to the battery. The problem is that the battery is often the least convenient of all locations to ground. Or, at least, there's a half dozen other locations that are more convenient. And in reference to grounding the battery to the chassis, that's a misleading statement.

Again, it's for convenience. They ground to the chassis so that you can ground everything else to the chassis, thus completing the circuit. For a 100% guaranteed trouble-free wiring setup in a vehicle, EVERY SINGLE CIRCUIT WOULD BE GROUNDED DIRECTLY TO THE BATTERY. Boy, that would be a mess, wouldn't it?

[Matt]

the problem I think with connecting to the battery ground is it adds another link to the grounding.......my theory

There's no issue with that.

I'm just trying to clarify that there is no difference between grounding to the battery and grounding to the chassis -- THE BATTERY IS GROUNDED TO THE CHASSIS! When grounding back to the battery you're simply using the battery/terminal post as a distribution point for grounding (completing the circuit).

Word. Bad grounds are oftentimes the trickiest problems to diagnose. And why is that? It is probably the first thing that everyone takes for granted when they have problems...

"You got a good ground?"

"Oh, sure, no problems there!"

haha, I got this all the time when I browsed car audio forums.

------

I'm just trying to clarify that there is no difference between grounding to the battery and grounding to the chassis -- THE BATTERY IS GROUNDED TO THE CHASSIS! When grounding back to the battery you're simply using the battery/terminal post as a distribution point for grounding (completing the circuit). If you ground to the battery post or the chassis where the ground from the battery post is - there is absolutely no difference!

Find a solid piece of the chassis, sand it down to bare metal (<-- emphasizing this), bolt or screw the wire termination tightly to this newly made ground = no problems!

[jeeppro]

what size bulbs

[LipschitzWrath]

Find a solid piece of the chassis, sand it down to bare metal (<-- emphasizing this), bolt or screw the wire termination tightly to this newly made ground = no problems!

I nominate you as the smartest electrical person on the forum for the above statement! It never ceases to amaze me how people will spend $2500 on audio equipment but they won't spend 3 dollars at a hardware store to buy some sandpaper or take the 3 minutes to actually use it. It's the equivalent of putting the power wire into your amplifier, but not tightening down the set screw. It's only a matter of time before you get problems.

And, as I said earlier, bad grounds are often the trickiest of the electrical gremlins to diagnose.

Good to see that there are people out there who still take the time to do things the right way. As we joke out here at the power plant, "we never seem to have the time to do it right, but we always seem to make time to do it twice". It drives me insane. Kudos for you, my friend!

[Matt]

I nominate you as the smartest electrical person on the forum for the above statement! It never ceases to amaze me how people will spend $2500 on audio equipment but they won't spend 3 dollars at a hardware store to buy some sandpaper or take the 3 minutes to actually use it. It's the equivalent of putting the power wire into your amplifier, but not tightening down the set screw. It's only a matter of time before you get problems.

And, as I said earlier, bad grounds are often the trickiest of the electrical gremlins to diagnose.

haha, you're definitely light years ahead of me when it comes to anything electrical. Sometimes though, things can really be as simple as, common sense > intelligence.

Maybe I should do a write-up of how to properly make a ground, hahaha.

Good to see that there are people out there who still take the time to do things the right way. As we joke out here at the power plant, "we never seem to have the time to do it right, but we always seem to make time to do it twice". It drives me insane. Kudos for you, my friend!

haha, I love that quote!! And thanks for the compliments!

[LipschitzWrath]

Maybe I should do a write-up of how to properly make a ground, hahaha.

Lol, you should. What's funny about it is that both you and I might be surprised by how many hits that thread would get!

[Matt]

Lol, you should. What's funny about it is that both you and I might be surprised by how many hits that thread would get!

hahaha, oh so true!

[White Chocolate]

Slapp da bass man!!! slappppin da basss man!!

[justa4banger]

Ok so as i thought there is no issue with going back to the battery, it just isn;t needed.most people don't bother since A) on newer vehciles grounds are usually good all over th chassis and B) its one more wire to run.

Also with my experience on working with old cars notorious for electrical gremlins... i'm very familiar with grounding properly and its importance...

[Matt]

Ok so as i thought there is no issue with going back to the battery, it just isn;t needed.most people don't bother since A) on newer vehciles grounds are usually good all over th chassis and B) its one more wire to run.

Also with my experience on working with old cars notorious for electrical gremlins... i'm very familiar with grounding properly and its importance...

Correct, there isn't an issue with it, but to say it's the best place for a ground is not true (test any ground and as long as it reads below 1ohm, then it's suitable for pretty much any application). 95% of the time the chassis is more conveniently located than the negative battery terminal post, so most will not induce the extra work and run a ground all the way back to the battery.

[XenonDepot]

Slapp da bass man!!! slappppin da basss man!! Great movie man!

Matt & LipschitzWrath - If I could get a penny for every time I heard "The ground is good" followed by "oh, i guess it wasn't" =) I would say that about 75% of the problems I come across that are HID related definitely have to do with a bad ground.

Steve

[White Chocolate]

Great movie man!

Matt & LipschitzWrath - If I could get a penny for every time I heard "The ground is good" followed by "oh, i guess it wasn't" =) I would say that about 75% of the problems I come across that are HID related definitely have to do with a bad ground.

Steve

Lol I was totally in that boat :(

my bad.....EVERYBODY PLAIN AND SIMPLE PUT YOUR GROUNDS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE ON THE SIDE PANELS OF YOUR FRAME!!!

its better to be safe then sorry right?

[Matt]

Slapp da bass man!!! slappppin da basss man!!

haha, is that from "I love you man" ...?

Great movie man!

Matt & LipschitzWrath - If I could get a penny for every time I heard "The ground is good" followed by "oh, i guess it wasn't" =) I would say that about 75% of the problems I come across that are HID related definitely have to do with a bad ground.

Steve

haha, I hear ya. It must frustrate the hell out of you when costumers come back and immediately place blame on your kit and not the install. Ugh, that would drive me nuts!

Lol I was totally in that boat :(

my bad.....EVERYBODY PLAIN AND SIMPLE PUT YOUR GROUNDS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE ON THE SIDE PANELS OF YOUR FRAME!!!

its better to be safe then sorry right?

Hey man it happens! And now it's been discussed in multiple threads so hopefully folks in the future will realize how important that measly old ground is :)

[Scottina06]

I've said it for the last year that 95% of peoples problems with installing HID's is the grounds. Anytime anyone pm's me or asks me about HID problems I immediately ask about their ground.

[LipschitzWrath]

I've said it for the last year that 95% of peoples problems with installing HID's is the grounds. Anytime anyone pm's me or asks me about HID problems I immediately ask about their ground.

...And they immediately tell you that their grounds are fine, right?

[Scottina06]

...And they immediately tell you that their grounds are fine, right?


yes....and when I ask them where they grounded them most of the time the ground is incorrect

[TimmyB]

Great movie man!

Matt & LipschitzWrath - If I could get a penny for every time I heard "The ground is good" followed by "oh, i guess it wasn't" =) I would say that about 75% of the problems I come across that are HID related definitely have to do with a bad ground.

Steve


Ughhhhh, me again. Last friday I got in my car in the morning on the way to work and my drivers side low started flickering, actually shut off completely once so i turned the lights off then on and it turned back on. Not sure if you remember me from last spring, but had the same problem with the same side, until I spliced in another ground wire in addition to the existing ground wire. And yes, I sanded the inner fender down so good I prob took away half the metal trying to get a 'perfect" ground point.

Tomorrow after work I am going to completely remove that HID system, check everything out completely, then re-install it. Trust me, I hear everyone on the install mostly being incorrect and thats why its not working, but ive already removed this same one twice already and it finally worked properly after splicing another ground wire. And its so dam hard to diagnose it because when its in the driveway I swear it works great, and its only when driving the dam thing acts up. lol. But, that does lead me to think it has something to do with the voltage, either ground or power from the car while actually driving. My passenger has and still works 100%, no issues at all, so thats why I am stumped.

[Matt]

Are you using two separate relays for each low-beam ballast or a two-in-one relay?

For the drivers side ground you should be using the same ground as the battery (bolt on the fender wall).

If you are in fact using two separate relays then check the power wire (batt) on the driver side low-beam relay (assuming the ground is indeed good).

If you are using a two-in-one relay and the ground on the drivers side is indeed good, then I'd say it's a ballast or bulb issue. If it was a power wire issue, then both bulbs would have issues.

I'm guessing bulb or ballast. To run a test you can swap the driver-side ballast and bulb assembly with the passenger-side ballast and bulb assembly and see if the problem now occurs on the passenger-side.

[TimmyB]

Are you using two separate relays for each low-beam ballast or a two-in-one relay?

For the drivers side ground you should be using the same ground as the battery (bolt on the fender wall).

If you are in fact using two separate relays then check the power wire (batt) on the driver side low-beam relay (assuming the ground is indeed good).

If you are using a two-in-one relay and the ground on the drivers side is indeed good, then I'd say it's a ballast or bulb issue. If it was a power wire issue, then both bulbs would have issues.

I'm guessing bulb or ballast. To run a test you can swap the driver-side ballast and bulb assembly with the passenger-side ballast and bulb assembly and see if the problem now occurs on the passenger-side.

Thanks for replying. I have two seperate relays and ballasts, basically one system on EACH side. I have the Xtreme 6500 kit, 2 bulbs, 2 ballasts, and 2 relays, one for each side.

Now i will def check the power wire, get out my volt meter. But like I said it seems to only show a fault when im driving, but when its in the driveway I cant get it to shut off or flicker for the life of me, tugging on every single wire and hitting everything. So leads me to think its not a loose connection, but in fact a voltage issue.

[Matt]

Thanks for replying. I have two seperate relays and ballasts, basically one system on EACH side. I have the Xtreme 6500 kit, 2 bulbs, 2 ballasts, and 2 relays, one for each side.

Now i will def check the power wire, get out my volt meter. But like I said it seems to only show a fault when im driving, but when its in the driveway I cant get it to shut off or flicker for the life of me, tugging on every single wire and hitting everything. So leads me to think its not a loose connection, but in fact a voltage issue.

Ah ok, gotcha.

If all of your connections are solid and tight then it must be a ballast or bulb issue. Try swapping them as I suggested above and then see if the problem appears on the passenger-side. If it does, then you have narrowed it to the bulb or ballast. My guess would be the ballast. I'm not familiar with HID bulbs, but I would guess it either works or it doesn't (based on the filament).

If you want to quickly check to see if it is a bulb issue, you can swap those quickly and see. You may as well do this first before you do the ballasts. It's easy enough.

[XenonDepot]

Swapping components left to right will help isolate the problem. The fact that the problem only occurs once the vehicle is moving though does make me think that the problem could be wiring related. Check to see if there are any signs of corrosion on the relay.

Steve

[Matt]

^^ and on the battery... I had an issue with that once before.

[LipschitzWrath]

Thanks for replying. I have two seperate relays and ballasts, basically one system on EACH side. I have the Xtreme 6500 kit, 2 bulbs, 2 ballasts, and 2 relays, one for each side.

Now i will def check the power wire, get out my volt meter. But like I said it seems to only show a fault when im driving, but when its in the driveway I cant get it to shut off or flicker for the life of me, tugging on every single wire and hitting everything. So leads me to think its not a loose connection, but in fact a voltage issue.

Swap your components and probe wires for sure, those are always things you should do first when you encounter problems.

However, the fact that it only occurs while driving makes me think it is computer-related. I had an issue with only one of my HID's malfunctioning, my driver's low-beam. Turned out that I needed "cancellers" for my setup. Haven't had the problem since.

[TimmyB]

Swap your components and probe wires for sure, those are always things you should do first when you encounter problems.

However, the fact that it only occurs while driving makes me think it is computer-related. I had an issue with only one of my HID's malfunctioning, my driver's low-beam. Turned out that I needed "cancellers" for my setup. Haven't had the problem since.


Whats a canceller? I just googled HID flickering and I saw a forum where they say capacitors are needed with some installs. And i saw these as well, might be what your talking about.

http://www.stealthauto.com/Products/HID-Anti-Flicker-Capacitor__HID-CAP.aspx

But the light was working great all summer, im not sure if it has to do with the cold or something else. But it shut off on me twice this morning, goes from bright to dim, flickers, I saw a big flash going over a big bump, but also dims just driving flat. I havent gotten around to removing and switching things around yet, too dark when i get home. But i tug and bang on everything in there and nothing, not even a flash when its in my driveway. I even resanded the grounding wires, both of them I have installed.

[Scottina06]

has to be a ground. Where is the grounds located?

[White Chocolate]

Lol ^^^ classic!

[XenonDepot]

TimmyB,

It is possible that over time your ground location has gotten corroded.

I would suggest checking all of your connections and swapping components left to right to try and isolate the problem.

Steve

[LipschitzWrath]

Whats a canceller? I just googled HID flickering and I saw a forum where they say capacitors are needed with some installs. And i saw these as well, might be what your talking about.

http://www.stealthauto.com/Products/HID-Anti-Flicker-Capacitor__HID-CAP.aspx

But the light was working great all summer, im not sure if it has to do with the cold or something else. But it shut off on me twice this morning, goes from bright to dim, flickers, I saw a big flash going over a big bump, but also dims just driving flat. I havent gotten around to removing and switching things around yet, too dark when i get home. But i tug and bang on everything in there and nothing, not even a flash when its in my driveway. I even resanded the grounding wires, both of them I have installed.

Yeah those are an example of cancellers. Basically, the cancellers are a capacitor that "fools" the computer into thinking that you have normal bulbs up front. Cars are getting too complicated these days. THe FCM on the Jeep monitors current draw and supposedly if you are drawing below a certain amount of current, it freaks out. Cancellers are supposed to remedy that.

[XenonDepot]

We carry these "cancellers" as well:

http://www.KBcarstuff.com/CANBUS_Fix_p/cbfix.htm

We provide these to our 300c/charger customers but I have not had any issues with the Cherokee.

Steve

[Scottina06]

TimmyB,

It is possible that over time your ground location has gotten corroded.

I would suggest checking all of your connections and swapping components left to right to try and isolate the problem.

Steve


nah nah naboo boo...see Kyle-----LOL

[TimmyB]

TimmyB,

It is possible that over time your ground location has gotten corroded.

I would suggest checking all of your connections and swapping components left to right to try and isolate the problem.

Steve


I have two ground wires, the original and another one I spliced in right after the harness, they are both right next to eachother on the inner fender next to the battery. There was rust so I removed them and sanded it down clean, and yestarday morning it seemed worse with the light flickering. BUT, this morning it worked perfect and I didnt even do anything to it last night.

I did notice it was above 60 degress out this morning, where the last few mornings from when it started flickering and shutting off it was below 60. Odd question, but would cold effect it? I havent gotten around to playing with it yet in depth, I will this friday or saturday, swap things around and drive at night. Like i said my passenger is still working 100%, and I seemed to have the same problem with this side last march when i got them, but then it worked great all summer, till just last friday morning. Im sure its a wire or maybe something loose. I'll figure it out.

[TimmyB]

We carry these "cancellers" as well:

http://www.KBcarstuff.com/CANBUS_Fix_p/cbfix.htm

We provide these to our 300c/charger customers but I have not had any issues with the Cherokee.

Steve


I dont think i'd need one of those, since it was working 100% previously. Arent those needed because the wiring is opposite in just those cars?

[LipschitzWrath]

I dont think i'd need one of those, since it was working 100% previously. Arent those needed because the wiring is opposite in just those cars?

No, it has to do with cars that have a high sensitivity to current draw on the circuit. Some vehicles need them, some don't.

I still dunno what is going on with your car. One thing that you can try that will confirm whether or not it is a computer problem: remove your negative battery cable and leave it off for about 15 mins. This resets all the modules in your car, including the FCM (which controls the headlights). If they come on first shot after you put the negative cable back on, you know you got computer issues.

[Scottina06]

he would be the first with a WK to have this problem......


its a ground bro and maybe the splicing you did. No idea why you spliced something thoiugh

[LipschitzWrath]

he would be the first with a WK to have this problem......

He'd be the first with a computer problem? If that's what you meant then no, he would be at least the second, because I was the first then. I had this problem and it's actually why I completely rewired my HID's. I was looking for that electrical gremlin. Never found it. Put the cancellers on and viola! all better.

[Scottina06]

ermmm....ok the second WK...the first -05-07.

[LipschitzWrath]

ermmm....ok the second WK...the first -05-07.

K Scott, not gonna argue. You are much more highly respected on this forum so I'll concede.

[Scottina06]

LOL....what about my comment says you are wrong and I am right? All i said was you are the only WK that needed these to my knowledge.

[TimmyB]

Haha, will you two stop bickering and put some pants on instead of skirts.... Lol, J/K. I will say it seems WK's are not all the same, just take my dual front blinker LED where I finally figured out I needed a 1.2ohm resistor where others got there's working with a 3ohm resistor. Def odd.

Scott, I spliced in another ground wire coming off the existing ground right after the harness( with the grounding wire, obviously). I did this because when I first installed them the drivers side light kept flickering and even shutting off, then come on when I turned the lights off and on. I played with it and played with it, removing it twice and reinstalling, but still got the same thing. I DID NOT swap out components with the working side though. When looking at the grounding ring itself to me it didnt appear crimped in that well like the other side is, so I tried splice tapping an additional ground wire with the existing ground and it worked perfectly all summer with zero issues.

Im telling you its crazy, had to work today so I didnt really have time to mess with the light, but in the morning on the way to work I noticed it flickered twice so I shut them off then on and it worked perfect the whole 30 min ride to work in the dark at 5am. Tell me that wouldnt drive you insane?? Lol.

What I notice the light does when its acting up is it will get dim, not shine on the road as far as the other side, then all of a sudden it will flash bright and be "normal", but then dim again. I do notice it happens more when im going over bumps, but its not only limited to going over bumps. Id work on it now but have plans to go out. Oh well.

[LipschitzWrath]

Haha, will you two stop bickering and put some pants on instead of skirts.... Lol, J/K. I will say it seems WK's are not all the same, just take my dual front blinker LED where I finally figured out I needed a 1.2ohm resistor where others got there's working with a 3ohm resistor. Def odd.

Scott, I spliced in another ground wire coming off the existing ground right after the harness( with the grounding wire, obviously). I did this because when I first installed them the drivers side light kept flickering and even shutting off, then come on when I turned the lights off and on. I played with it and played with it, removing it twice and reinstalling, but still got the same thing. I DID NOT swap out components with the working side though. When looking at the grounding ring itself to me it didnt appear crimped in that well like the other side is, so I tried splice tapping an additional ground wire with the existing ground and it worked perfectly all summer with zero issues.

Im telling you its crazy, had to work today so I didnt really have time to mess with the light, but in the morning on the way to work I noticed it flickered twice so I shut them off then on and it worked perfect the whole 30 min ride to work in the dark at 5am. Tell me that wouldnt drive you insane?? Lol.

What I notice the light does when its acting up is it will get dim, not shine on the road as far as the other side, then all of a sudden it will flash bright and be "normal", but then dim again. I do notice it happens more when im going over bumps, but its not only limited to going over bumps. Id work on it now but have plans to go out. Oh well.

If light output is dimming, then it is definitely not a grounding issue. They either work or they don't if the problem is the wiring.

Based upon your latest post, now my opinion is that your ballast is bad. Try the component swapping and get back to us with the results.

[XenonDepot]

I would definitely suggest swapping components left to right as well.

Steve

[TimmyB]

I would definitely suggest swapping components left to right as well.

Steve


I know, and wish it was that easy to just swap things around. Im not lazy, just have alot of other things to do and I can live with a flashing light. It seems to act up at all different times, like this morning it only flashed once then was perfect the rest of the drive in. Odd.

And im sure its not the kit itself, but probably a loose connection I have yet to discover. And nothing is blown because the light does come on full power, im just noting things for my warranty factor with you guys. Lol. I def recommend and would only buy HID's again from xenondepot cuz I think they are very good products and service/help is great. :thumbsup: