Anyone use SDX plug and play HID kit? Cant get them to work

[1985taylor1925]

I bought these on amazon a week ago as I work 2nd shift and drive home on dark county roads every night and wanted something a little brighter. Don't know how many times Ive almost hit a deer. They get decent reviews, so I figured Id give them a try. They are supposed to be plug and play. The connections are very simple.

So I just pulled out my old headlight, hooked these up, plugged them in, and drum roll . . . . . . . . . . nothing. They literally did nothing. As in I turn the headlights to the on position, and nothing whatsoever happens. These are H4, hi/lo beam, 10000k. The connection is right (three prong) as you can see in the picture. So is there something Im missing here?? Anyone know why these are not wanting to work? Id like to make sure Im doing everything right before I send them back.

 

[Unner]

It sounds like you are doing everything right, it might just be that it is a cheap plug and play kit and is non functional out of the box.

You've probably heard this before, but I'm gonna say it again. Honestly you will see a bigger improvement with a good set of halogens rather than a plug and play HID kit. First off you don't have projectors so they're gonna be blinding to others, and at 10000k that's gonna be really hard on your eyes and not improve visibility at all. Maximum light output is about 4300k and this is the number that most OEM HID projector set ups are about because of this. I would personally get a good set of halogens, do a projector retrofit, or get some off road lights to run when you are out there this way you can turn them off and not blind others.

 

[csp]

The fact that those are a true projector HID means they are crap, regardless of the reviews. HIDs are not meant to be used in a reflector housing.

 

[Rocky5000100]

Two things:

1. As mentioned above, don't be that ******* who puts hids into reflector housings. It will glare other drivers.

2. 10k was a terrible choice if your goal is better light for seeing. 4300k would be your best bet. It's the whitest light and has the most lumens. 6000k is a little bluer but still good output.

Here is a good chart explaining the lumens and color of the different temperatures
http://www.everythingcobalt.com/hid-color-chart/

I would return them and explore other options. If you want hids, some people on here would be willing to build you projector housings. Or you can do it yourself. There are several how to's around

 

[1985taylor1925]

Huh. We'll clearly I don't know much about lighting. I've been using sylvania silver stars for the past few years. But they don't last long. Anyways, I'll send these back and just stick with the halogens for now. Thanks for the info

 

[Unner]

Probably a good call. I would think in your case a set of off road lights like a pair of the round Hellas or some LEDs would help. Especially if you work late and drive home when many people aren't out you would be able to run them to help find deer. I've got a 37" LED bar on the front of mine and it is great for going down country roads. It really lights things up and helps see more of what is off to the side of the road. Plus I think it looks pretty cool too haha.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Probably a good call. I would think in your case a set of off road lights like a pair of the round Hellas or some LEDs would help. Especially if you work late and drive home when many people aren't out you would be able to run them to help find deer. I've got a 37" LED bar on the front of mine and it is great for going down country roads. It really lights things up and helps see more of what is off to the side of the road. Plus I think it looks pretty cool too haha.

I actually have hella micro de's which I custom built into my bumper valance. You can see them in my build thread. They do help tremendously, though one of them is currently burnt out. I just assumed that the cheap HIDs would be a cheap upgrade until I build true projectors in the future. Ive read all the threads on building projectors with our housing, just didn't want to spend the money on it right now. Anyways . . .

 

[BlackCat914]

Try reversing the HID side Connector. Just flip it around. Cheap ones sometimes need that done, I've run into it on DDM kits.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Try reversing the HID side Connector. Just flip it around. Cheap ones sometimes need that done, I've run into it on DDM kits.

I could give that a shot. On a side note, I see the GX470 in your profile picture. I've been looking at them for quite a while now. I've yet to drive one as it wont be in my budget till probably the fall.

What do you think of it? How does it compare to the 3rd gen overall? I mean I know its an entirely different vehicle with an 8 cylinder pushing 263 hp and well over 300 ft/lb tq. But what are your overall impressions of it? Anything you really like/dislike about it? How do road manners compare? Cabin noise? I would love to get the opinion of someone who has owned both

 

[BlackCat914]

I could give that a shot. On a side note, I see the GX470 in your profile picture. I've been looking at them for quite a while now. I've yet to drive one as it wont be in my budget till probably the fall.

What do you think of it? How does it compare to the 3rd gen overall? I mean I know its an entirely different vehicle with an 8 cylinder pushing 263 hp and well over 300 ft/lb tq. But what are your overall impressions of it? Anything you really like/dislike about it? How do road manners compare? Cabin noise? I would love to get the opinion of someone who has owned both

I can't speak highly enough about it. Everything from power, noise, and ride quality is far better than my 4Runner was. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my runner, but this is in a different league. If I were to do it again though, I'd get one without Nav and ML sound. There are next to no aftermarket options available, since HVAC controls are touch screen when you have NAV.

Edit; as a matter of fact, I just looked at my DDM ballasts in my Lexus and they're both reversed. I taped both of them since there's no little nub for the clasp thing to click into.

 

[1985taylor1925]

I can't speak highly enough about it. Everything from power, noise, and ride quality is far better than my 4Runner was. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED my runner, but this is in a different league. If I were to do it again though, I'd get one without Nav and ML sound. There are next to no aftermarket options available, since HVAC controls are touch screen when you have NAV.

Edit; as a matter of fact, I just looked at my DDM ballasts in my Lexus and they're both reversed. I taped both of them since there's no little nub for the clasp thing to click into.

That's basically what Ive read elsewhere. Ive never seen a negative review of a GX470. Im pretty set on getting one in the future. Its how I was with my 4runner as well. Once I had my mind set, it was just a matter of timing. Ive also been looking at the Mercedes GLK 350. But it lacks the capability of the GX for towing/hauling capacity and off road use. Good advice on the nav system as well, cause I was thinking I wanted that option.