Shadows with HIDs [Archive]

yearoftherat

06-24-2007, 11:04 PM

Just installed my HID today and noticed that there are two shadows from the bulbs and wondering if anyone else has the same. Can I fix this?

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k22/cjlee9/Miscellanous/DSC_0006.jpg

Passenger side:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k22/cjlee9/Miscellanous/DSC_0007.jpg

Driver side:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k22/cjlee9/Miscellanous/DSC_0008.jpg

WeatherB

06-24-2007, 11:12 PM

I believe there is a post about this very issue... Something about the connector for the bulb being on the wrong side for the aftermarket ones.

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=18773

cwp_sedan

06-24-2007, 11:13 PM

Yep...problem is if you do the fix that is suggested it will probably void the warranty of the bulbs.

yearoftherat

06-24-2007, 11:18 PM

These are the bulbs that came with the kit and not aftermarket replacemet ones. Don't feel like voiding the warranty for something that came that way to begin with.

MattC

06-24-2007, 11:25 PM

I mean... I personally think that youll only see this when you pull up to... or pull away from a wall... if you didnt notice it while driving then it may be ok?

yearoftherat

06-24-2007, 11:27 PM

I could see the shadows on the road while driving home tonite...

cwp_sedan

06-24-2007, 11:31 PM

Weird...I don't remember seeing any on mine but I haven't really looked for them. I'd rather not find something that bugs me...lol. I'll have to check tomorrow.

Maybe Devin has a solution?

yearoftherat

06-24-2007, 11:34 PM

I just e-mailed him so I'll let you know what he says. I hope he has a fix for this as this is definitely unacceptable.

Xerox

06-25-2007, 01:07 AM

YOTR, what color (light temp) did you get?
Also, who did the install?

Questions not related to your problem, I'm just curious.

yearoftherat

06-25-2007, 06:33 AM

YOTR, what color (light temp) did you get?
Also, who did the install?

Questions not related to your problem, I'm just curious.

Temp: 6000K

Installation: Me

MattC

06-25-2007, 09:36 AM

Me thinks the only option is to cut another notch, since the bulb support thing is whats causing the shadow, and the only real way to avoid it is to notch it and put it in backwards.

Unless they make bulbs that have the support on the otherside... in which case, you would probably have to pay for those as extras.

or try wrapping the support in tinfoil or something :chuckle

yearoftherat

06-25-2007, 05:11 PM

If you look at the post WeatherB has, it does show the correct bulb for our cars. I shouldn't have to make modifications to something that is obviously the wrong bulb for our cars. I'll wait and see what Devin says.

Voodoo

06-26-2007, 03:34 AM

hope Devin will send you right ones. i fixed mine, i hope he wont void the warranty cuz of his wrong bulbs

and yes, the shadow is visible on the road when driving.

yearoftherat

06-26-2007, 07:31 PM

He said it because the bulbs were'nt seated properly in the holder or the retainer clip is installed wrong. I talked to a friend of mine in Winnipeg who just bought the same kit and he says the tab is opposite to the so called stick

The story continues...

cwp_sedan

06-26-2007, 07:41 PM

You could...uh, take one out and check it. I don't want to do that to mine since they were a pita! Then if they are wrong you could talk to Devin...

yearoftherat

06-26-2007, 08:09 PM

I checked both and the they are seated properly in the holders and the retainer clips are in the right place. I know someone that bough the same set and he says the tabs on his are in the opposite position than mine and gets no shadows...

CWP_sedan...did you check your HID light pattern to see if it does the same thing?

cwp_sedan

06-26-2007, 08:12 PM

I did, but I don't think mine looks as intense of a shadow as yours. Buy maybe it's just my underground parking. I'll check again later tonight.

cwp_sedan

06-26-2007, 10:35 PM

I looked tonight and I didn't see a shadow like that at all. I will have to try and find an all white wall though to confirm this though. My notch on the headlight was on the top so when my bulbs are in I'm sure "the stick" would be on the top, therefore not causing the shadow like in your pic YOTR. I can't confirm this either though since I am not pulling the bulbs out. I can only notice a little bit of a shadow above the cut off like in all of the other pics.

Voodoo

06-27-2007, 12:10 AM

if "the stick" is on the top, the projector will reflex its shadow down below the cutoff. same as things are upside down go through camera lens.

place your palm 3 inches in front of the headlight, you'll see the shadow clearly

cwp_sedan

06-27-2007, 06:30 PM

Booo...I think I have the shadow. Oh well. I don't really notice it but what is the explination from Devin?

yearoftherat

06-27-2007, 09:16 PM

I just got an e-mail from a friend of mine in Winnipeg who also bought the same kit and he also has the shadow...

Devin says its due to the bulb not sitting in the holder properly or the retainer clip isn't on right.

WeatherB

06-27-2007, 10:35 PM

I tried to play around with the position of "the stick" when I was installing my HID fogs from Xenon Expert... It has nothing to do with the installation but rather the bulbs. Even if you try to swap the left / right bulbs or try to install it different, you still end up with "the stick" in the same place.

See if Devin will allow you to modify the bulb notches without voiding the warranty. The only other option is to purchase a different brand of bulbs.

Xerox

06-27-2007, 11:13 PM

I wonder if Prolumen bulbs underwent a redesign since several people have Prolumen Kits from Devin (including myself) and other vendors that do not produce the shadow.

MajesticBlueNTO

06-28-2007, 12:17 AM

I wonder if Prolumen bulbs underwent a redesign since several people have Prolumen Kits from Devin (including myself) and other vendors that do not produce the shadow.

most likely as I have a set of prolumen bulbs from 2005 that have the stick on the opposite end of the tab and never had that shadow when they were installed.

2ruSpeed

06-28-2007, 04:12 PM

yearoftherat

06-28-2007, 05:28 PM

Hey 2ruspeed...no prbs
If it is a change that Prolumen made and did not tell the vendors then thats just bad customer service on the part of Prolumen.

cwp_sedan

06-28-2007, 07:55 PM

So what is going to be done? That's a hell of a recall...

queens49

06-28-2007, 11:10 PM

Hey Chris, sorry I couldn't help.

Yes there is a shadow with these newer designs it seems. From what I've noticed so far, it seems that all the bulbs that come with these newer slim Prolumens have the shadow and are a different bulb then the older Prolumen kits altogether. Either they redesigned the bulb, or these are completely the wrong set of bulbs for our 3's and meant for another vehicle.

I've got the newer Prolumen slim kits, and I haven't noticed the shadow that are shown in the pics. I'm curious to double check, but am out of town. I'll take a look when I get back.