ughhhh...Electrical Help Needed

[MADDOG`]

I have a problem with my Ram HID's. Go figure...I think my truck is possessed!!! 4 different kits and 7 different..no, wait...8 different harness arrangments and the problem hasn't been solved yet.

However, for a change, I have excellent technical support available via email. What I don't have is a meter and a skillset to perform the following:

DODGE RAM H13 HEAD LAMPS
-Truck off
-unplug relay controller (2"x3" black box at head of harness wiring) from wiring harness and set to the side
-unplug the black 3-pin connection to factory bulb plug
-Meter set for the lowest range of ohms.
-black probe to battery negative (put it there in way that it stays in place by itself)
-measure the outside pins in the black 3-pin connector on the HID harness side
-both outside pins should read between 6.5 and 7.5 or so (depends on the meter sensitivity)
-no result indicates a break in the circuit, too high indicates a connection issue, usually at ground contact

OHM'ing supply wiring
- vehicle off
-Meter set for the lowest range of ohms.
-black probe to battery negative (put it there in way that it stays in place by itself)
-remove plugs from harness to ballast socket (12v) on both sides
-measure pin in harness plug corresponding to the black wire side of plug
-plugs on both sides should measure 0-2 range depending on the meter (inexpensive meters will usually read 1-2 for anything below that resistance)

-remove battery (+) ring terminal connection from battery
-truck remains off, turn on low beams via vehicle's controls
-move black probe from battery negative to the removed positive ring terminal
-measure pin in harness plug corresponding to the red wire side of plug
-plugs on both sides should measure 0-2 range depending on the meter (inexpensive meters will usually read 1-2 for anything below that resistance)

I can also try plugging in one of the stock halogens on the driver's side stock plug to see if there's a problem upstream at the TPIM.

I can also plug in the HID harness to the unused factory headlight plug on the passenger side, which will require I basically un-install the whole kit.

So who's got a meter and some time? I clearly have to fix this...no headlights attract attention from the LEO's.

I do have one other option and that is to hardwire them to the battery and use a separate switch with NO connection to the stock harness.

[PAPITO]

You need a set of resistors and a relay harness.

The resistors go between the oem harness and the relay trigger wires....

[MADDOG`]

You need a set of resistors and a relay harness.

The resistors go between the oem harness and the relay trigger wires....

Got both installed...Like I said, my truck is possessed. 06 - 08 Ram trucks seem to have a huge aversion to HID's.

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

have you tried it without the harness?

I have hooked up tons of HID kits for members, and the only Chrysler models I have ever encountered that needed the wiring kit and resistors was the 2.7L LX cars, not sure why, but all the 3.5L, 5.7L, and 6.1L vehicles work just fine with the OEM wiring directly to the ballast. if it isn't firing swap the power and ground as I recall Chrysler vehicles are wired "backwards" to most of the kits (that is the alignment notch on the plug on the ballast is on the wrong side)

The issue IMO is that the vehicle TIPM does NOT like having one of the headlight pigtails disconnected. It sees is as a faulty circuit and cuts the power to the whole headlight harness.

[MADDOG`]

Yup...I did try a kit that plugged in directly to the stock harness with no frills. It worked for about 10 minutes then they started to flicker, then eventually one side went out then the other. So, in order to provide the stock system with the right electrical value on the circuit, we tried caps, then a relay & caps, then a relay only, then a relay & resistors, then...oh well, you get the picture.

I really think you are one to something though with the empty plug on the passenger side. I'm gonna test the system with a stock halogen plugged into that side with the HID's plugged in, then unplugged and see what happens. But that's the extent of my skill set with respects to electrical system testing...which is ironic as I work for an electric utility...LOL

damn HID's...damn HID's...but I won't go back to halogen if I can avoid it.

[SmoovC]

Hi Michael, one solution that others have used on the Ram to overcome the problems you are having: wire the HID system through the relay harness and instead of using the headlight harness to trigger, use the parklight circuit instead.

Yes, your headlight switch will not function as designed, but it will work. The HIDs will turn on with the parklights.

[MADDOG`]

Hey Chris. I would have never thought to try that. Thanks!

Of course, the day I wanted to troubleshoot this issue ends up being a rainy day. I don't feel like going swimming so I'll just wait for the next dry Saturday!

[Alikazam]

Michael, I have a meter and what not at my house if nothing else. I can try to help when I get home eventually haha, if you don't have it solved by then anyway

[MADDOG`]

Thanks for the offer, Alik! I'm just hopeless and have no freakin' clue when it comes to electrical diagnosis and testing...on anything!

Heck, Hank came over one day and I was puzzling through how to wire in a wall switch, been standing there for some time...he had it done in 5 minutes!!! LOL

[onecoolmofo]

Give me a quick call when you are going to take it on and if I am at home I will just run over and help. I have a fluke and small electrical fitting kit, heat gun, etc... I can bring over.... oh yeah and a fire extinguisher Sounds like you have have the relays and I like Chris idea since nothing else has worked for you.

[MADDOG`]

I'll do that, John and thanks for the offer. I would like to try the test procedure in Post #1 and go from there. I'll give ya a call.

Don't worry about the fire extinguisher...I got one hanging on the garage wall.

[MADDOG`]

aw hell...this is frustrating. I wish I knew more about testing electrical systems. I tried to follow the steps the seller gave me but I got lost.

I"m gonna have to give you a call, John. What's best for you...a weekday evening? I'm good except for Thursdays...

[onecoolmofo]

You open for Friday sometime?

[MADDOG`]

uhm...gotta work in the AM but am open in the afternoon.

[onecoolmofo]

Yeah we have got to get the truck on the road. That 300 is looking dirty from all that road time it is getting......."peace".