01-11-2021, 03:49 PM
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#1
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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Real Name: Marciano
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Houston, Texas
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Real Name: Marciano
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2008 Engine Bay Ground Points
Hi Everyone,
I installed some HID bulbs in my 08 to replace the LED's. Due to some flickering with HID, the seller Kensun suggested I use their relay which I ordered. Their instructions aren't easy to follow and I have never installed a relay with HID's. I thought I would ask others who have done this, how to properly ground the relay in the 08 engine bay.
For the drivers side I see the negative battery cable as another cable extending from it and it's attached to the side of engine bay. Could I use this as a grounding point?
On the passenger side, I only see one cable attached to the side of the engine bay wall. Not sure if I can use this as a grounding point.
I appreciate any assistance.
Thanks,
Marc
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2009 Lexus Rx350
2022 4Runner Limited
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01-11-2021, 04:08 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: CA
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Wiring a relay is pretty straight forward. Plenty of information and tutorials on YouTube. Generic information is generally fine since more relays a generic items.
Anything “chassis” can be used as a ground point. That said, I highly recommend testing the resistance using a meter to make sure the ground is good. Going a step further, I would consider installing a small distribution fuse block directly to the battery like the one linked below. It will make life a lot easier for you over time as you add electrical items to the truck and give you a good solid reliable fused protected connection.
ST Blade Fuse Block - 6 Circuits with Negative Bus and Cover - Blue Sea Systems
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01-11-2021, 06:33 PM
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#3
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Member
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 57
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Real Name: Marciano
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 57
Posts: 74
Real Name: Marciano
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Thank you for the response.
The HID relay is the only item I plan to connect that will require the grounding.
I am not familiar with electrical or grounding and am still unclear where on the chassis would be good grounding point to use. I have reviewed several videos and post about installing the relay, but have yet to find one that specifically shows/points out what was used for the ground points on the driver and passenger side.
I will continue to my search in hopes I find more information.
thanks again.
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2009 Lexus Rx350
2022 4Runner Limited
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01-11-2021, 06:59 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
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Many different things can be used as a ground point... all this means is that it is electrically connected to the battery negative (-)
HID lighting low power (relatively), and you can probably find an easily accessible screw somewhere under the hood to use.
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01-11-2021, 07:57 PM
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#5
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Join Date: Dec 2018
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Real Name: Mike
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The relay can be grounded to any of those points or you could even use a self tapping screw in most any body panel. Just put some corrosion protection over the area when done. Relays do not pull hardly any power through the internal coil which is why they are used. The high amperage goes through the switching contacts. If you want to be sure the ground is good, use an ohm meter to measure from where you want to go to the ground terminal on the battery. It should read close to whatever the meter leads read when touched together. Harbor Freight has cheap meters.
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Mike
03 4runner Limited
1GR-FE V6 w/199k miles
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01-11-2021, 09:38 PM
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#6
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Member
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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Real Name: Marciano
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Join Date: Feb 2012
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Real Name: Marciano
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Thank you!
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2022 4Runner Limited
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01-12-2021, 09:51 AM
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#7
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland CA
Age: 36
Posts: 5,062
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Join Date: Sep 2005
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if your hids are flickering, chances are you have the cheap DC ballast hid kit, they are no good, good quality hid uses AC ballast, hyluxtek ballast is the best aftermarket ballast you can get and use, as long you are using a quality hid kit, it should have no flickering.
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01-17-2021, 02:42 PM
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#8
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Member
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Houston, Texas
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 57
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Real Name: Marciano
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HID Kit
The kit I am installing is from Kensun. The 35w ballast are AC. They said my 08 likely needs the relay and resisters to get the HID bulbs to work properly, so I am waiting on the relay. The flickering I've seen is sporadic and barely noticeable, mainly when I pull up to the garage door I can see it, barely.
If the relay harness doesn't help I am considering a kit from DDM or XenonDepot, not sure yet.
The cut off appears correct, but for some reason the light output isn't very good, compared to the LED's I was using. Maybe the relay will help, or I need to try a different kit, not sure yet.
I put a white sheet of paper in front of each headlight and on the passenger side I noticed a black blotch on the bottom of the shadow against the paper, where the round shadow is. The driver side does not have this black blotch. I put a halogen bulb in the passenger side to see if maybe the HID bulb is causing this, but the same black blotch appeared with the halogen bulb. I also blew air in the housing in case it was dirt but it still appears. I am guessing the black blotch isn't supposed to be there??
Top image is the passenger side
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2009 Lexus Rx350
2022 4Runner Limited
Last edited by LA4RUNNERGUY; 01-17-2021 at 03:19 PM.
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01-18-2021, 03:18 AM
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#9
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland CA
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Join Date: Sep 2005
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not all h11 bulbs the same, these cars take the h11b bulbs. there are also h11a bulbs, usually these projectors take H11B.
i suggest you to get the hyluxtek kit or the morimoto kit
only get it from theretrofitsource.com or lightwerkz.net
trs also owns xenon depot, they all use hyluxtek ballast and very reliable.
Hylux 2A88 35w Canbus HID System – Lightwerkz Global Inc
H11: Morimoto Elite HID System – Lightwerkz Global Inc
Quote:
Originally Posted by LA4RUNNERGUY
The kit I am installing is from Kensun. The 35w ballast are AC. They said my 08 likely needs the relay and resisters to get the HID bulbs to work properly, so I am waiting on the relay. The flickering I've seen is sporadic and barely noticeable, mainly when I pull up to the garage door I can see it, barely.
If the relay harness doesn't help I am considering a kit from DDM or XenonDepot, not sure yet.
The cut off appears correct, but for some reason the light output isn't very good, compared to the LED's I was using. Maybe the relay will help, or I need to try a different kit, not sure yet.
I put a white sheet of paper in front of each headlight and on the passenger side I noticed a black blotch on the bottom of the shadow against the paper, where the round shadow is. The driver side does not have this black blotch. I put a halogen bulb in the passenger side to see if maybe the HID bulb is causing this, but the same black blotch appeared with the halogen bulb. I also blew air in the housing in case it was dirt but it still appears. I am guessing the black blotch isn't supposed to be there??
Top image is the passenger side
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Pioneer DEH-80PRS,Rockford Fosgate T600-2,Hertz ML 1650.3(2 pairs),T400-2,Hertz ML 280.3(2 pairs),T1000-1bdcp,(2)JL Audio 12W6v3, Mechman 240a HO Alternator, Dual Northstar 31m,Borla Dual Exhaust,AFE Magnumforce intake.Enkei WT-4 Michelin Defender LTX 275/55R20. retrofitted S2000 projectors,Philips 85122 White Vision,Morimoto 5Five Ballast.Diode Dynamics SS3 Yellow Fog Sport.2 pairs of Hella Supertones.Full led conversion on interior and exterior.HAWK Talon Rotors and LTS pads F+R,Stoptech stainless steel lines F+R.Bilstein 5100 @0.85, MOOG FJ Springs front,Bilstein B12 36-281824 rear .
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01-18-2021, 09:21 AM
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#10
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Member
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 57
Posts: 74
Real Name: Marciano
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Houston, Texas
Age: 57
Posts: 74
Real Name: Marciano
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riceandpho, thank you! I wasn't aware of the different HID bulbs (11b) for the 4runner.
Will order a new set now.
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2009 Lexus Rx350
2022 4Runner Limited
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01-18-2021, 06:13 PM
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#11
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Member
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Sacramento CA
Posts: 683
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LA4RUNNERGUY
The kit I am installing is from Kensun. The 35w ballast are AC. They said my 08 likely needs the relay and resisters to get the HID bulbs to work properly, so I am waiting on the relay. The flickering I've seen is sporadic and barely noticeable, mainly when I pull up to the garage door I can see it, barely.
If the relay harness doesn't help I am considering a kit from DDM or XenonDepot, not sure yet.
The cut off appears correct, but for some reason the light output isn't very good, compared to the LED's I was using. Maybe the relay will help, or I need to try a different kit, not sure yet.
I put a white sheet of paper in front of each headlight and on the passenger side I noticed a black blotch on the bottom of the shadow against the paper, where the round shadow is. The driver side does not have this black blotch. I put a halogen bulb in the passenger side to see if maybe the HID bulb is causing this, but the same black blotch appeared with the halogen bulb. I also blew air in the housing in case it was dirt but it still appears. I am guessing the black blotch isn't supposed to be there??
Top image is the passenger side
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The root problem is that your "kit" is made in China... They are all fake junk and I am not surprised that it doesn't work. The best way to get HID's is to remove Japanese made HID Ballasts from a Lexus and install them into your truck. Every other "solution" is just trying to polish a turd. Most likely, whatever you do, the entire thing is just going to die in less than a year like pretty much every single chinese HID kit ever made.
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2005 Blue SR5 v8
3" suspension lift, 1" body lift, 315's, rear Elocker, on-board air system, slider air tanks, full skid plates, front Demello bumper, rear HMF plate/tube bumper, rear 9000lb hidden winch, front 10000lb winch, dual electric fans (in cab adjustable temp), rock lights, 25W LED projector lights.
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