DIY: TheRetrofitSource/Morimoto Retro-Quik Install in FR-S

[Yruyur]

Selling my stock projectors if any wants to use them for maybe a quad setup.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33709

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[thorlius]

Not sure if I'll be the first from here to have issues with this setup, so I'm posting here before I head over to the HiDplanet forums for help from TRS.

1) Massive FM radio interference. I followed everything in the guide pretty much identically, but anything except very local radio stations disappear once I turn the headlights on, and even on those local ones you can hear a background buzz. It's not just when the headlights are warming up (when they first turn on) - it's constant as long as they are running.

My friend is an EMF specialist and has some top-of-the-line surveying equipment for scanning all this stuff, and we're going to take a look at everything to see what's up, and try and diagnose this.

Some research about HID kits says this seems to be common, but everyone has their own idea as to the problem and solution, and yet very few actual vendors have provided any feedback.

2) Flickering. My driver-side headlight has a somewhat mild flicker that becomes especially noticeable with the high beam on. It doesn't flicker more with the high beam on - it's just easier to see that it's not just some trick on the eyes. The passenger side seems fine. I'm wondering if this could be related to the harness, since everything is wired up on the passenger side where the battery is, and the longest run from the harness is to the driver side headlight.

I didn't really notice the flickering until today. I'd seen it before but figured it was just distortion from exhaust from a car idling in front of me at a red light. I saw it again today in a parking garage with nobody between the car and the garage wall.

Could also be related to the FM interference, I suppose.

Either way it's going to be a massive pain in the ass to actually try and play with anything, since it's all tucked in and tie wrapped nicely, and the bumper requires a decent amount of effort to take off and put back on.


Edit: I should add that it looks like this is likely related to either my parts or my installation job, not the quality of the kit or the DIY. I doubt there's much better on the market than what's available from TRS and wouldn't want the above issues to scare anyone away. At this point I'd still highly recommend them and this DIY.

[civicdrivr]

I notice very slight interference on certain stations when I turn my headlights on. I don't have the flickering you mentioned though.

My passenger side bulb has been acting up though. The cut off is no longer blue/purple, but more yellow/orange and the cutoff itself is no longer as neat as the driver side. I need to make sure the bulb is seated correctly still. If that doesn't fix it, I'm going to contact TRS.

When you start that thread on HIDP, can you post the link here?

Sent from my Nexus 4

[F1point4]

Like to add some more photos of the kit. Pulled from my journal thread

Originally Posted by F1point4

The Retrofit Source Morimoto Retroquik HID system and Morimoto XBALED Angel Eyes

Spent today fixing a bunch of little issues with my car, and putting in XBALED Halos and the Retroquik HID system. I took some detailed pictures for anyone who wants to see the parts up close

The wiring itself is custom and made by another Houston member. Thanks Tim! Here is the functionality of the system:
+ DRL: The Halos turn on and stay on as soon as you start the car and put the parking brake down. DRLs, parking lights, low beams, high beams...the Halos are always on.
+ There is an additional relay added to the Retroquik system that keeps the solenoid from holding the metal flap down when the DRLs are running and the headlights are off. This additional circuit prevents premature failure of the solenoid as it doesn't have to work all the time. The retroquik is a bi-xenon system: The metal flap flips up to block the output creating a lowbeam. When the solenoid pulls it down a highbeam is made.



20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-003 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-007 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-014 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-023 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-031 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-050 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-057 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-060 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-067 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-082 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-089 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-096 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-105 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-138 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-149 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-157 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-167 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-189 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-196 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-208 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-215 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-238 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130421-MorimotoRetroquik_XBALEDAngelEyes-250-Edit by VictorN07, on Flickr

Originally Posted by F1point4

Lola is getting mean


20130422-HIDAngelEye-006 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[thorlius]

On further review, the flicker seems to be fine when the engine is engaged, so only occurs when idling in neutral. If I tap the gas while idling, the flicker stops. Almost like it's related to the car's general rough idle issue.

Haven't got the equipment for scanning for the FM interference yet, so I'll post back at that point.

I signed up at HIDplanet but haven't posted yet. I'll do that once I've figured out what the problem is and whether I can fix it or not.

[F1point4]

Daytime Pictures

Originally Posted by F1point4

Going to Market

Taking some day shot of the new lighting equipment

Halos On. Projectors Off

20130423-Lola'sStare-082 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Full off

20130423-Lola'sStare-100 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Halo Mounting

20130423-Lola'sStare-114 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Fully off

20130423-Lola'sStare-134 by VictorN07, on Flickr

@market

20130425-Lola'sStare-150 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130425-Lola'sStare-157 by VictorN07, on Flickr

The halos cause another ring of light to reflect in the halo. It looks very very nice.

20130425-Lola'sStare-169 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130425-Lola'sStare-201 by VictorN07, on Flickr

I like this shot

20130425-Lola'sStare-282 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20130425-Lola'sStare-322 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[mad_sb]

Originally Posted by thorlius

On further review, the flicker seems to be fine when the engine is engaged, so only occurs when idling in neutral. If I tap the gas while idling, the flicker stops. Almost like it's related to the car's general rough idle issue.

Haven't got the equipment for scanning for the FM interference yet, so I'll post back at that point.

I signed up at HIDplanet but haven't posted yet. I'll do that once I've figured out what the problem is and whether I can fix it or not.

Sounds like the flicker is related to a bad ground or voltage drop at idle.

[civicdrivr]

Originally Posted by mad_sb

Sounds like the flicker is related to a bad ground or voltage drop at idle.

That's what I'm thinking as well.

@thorlius - do you have the new harness that has a ground at each ballast instead of at the battery?

Sent from my Nexus 4

[Yruyur]

For anyone still on the market there is a 4th of July coupon code for 20% off

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32033

Its the most recent post in the coupon thread.



Sent from a hamburger

[rledd]

A lot of work to get a perfect hid setup, vs those plug+play kits... looks great though.

[mrlewistan]

do i have to disable the drl when wiring up the solenoids on the bixenon (no plans for angel eyes or any other type of drl)? just wondering if the drl current will activate the solenoid or not. and also, is there a possitive and negative or are the wires reversible for the solenoid?

[civicdrivr]

Originally Posted by mrlewistan

do i have to disable the drl when wiring up the solenoids on the bixenon (no plans for angel eyes or any other type of drl)? just wondering if the drl current will activate the solenoid or not. and also, is there a possitive and negative or are the wires reversible for the solenoid?

You can keep the DRLs if you'd like. It's not enough current to damage the solenoid. I've been running it like that since day 1. The solenoid had red (positive) and black (negative) wires as well.

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[E46toFT86]

Just wondering if any one experienced the same issue I had/may still be having. Just got finished installing my retrofit HID kit from TRS. Ran power to the battery and grounded the ballasts to the chassis. I tested everything out prior to reinstalling everything back in place and checked out fine to the best of my knowledge. Now when everything was back in place, I had my car in the garage that way I can see the lights turning on/off by using the reflections off the wall. A couple times I noticed the drivers side light would flicker or take a couple seconds to get up to full brightness. One time I turned it on and the same drivers side was dimly lit until I turned the headlights back off and then on again.

Does anyone think it's just bc they're brand new & just working out it's kinks first. Sort of like a break in period? Or may I have a faulty ballast/bulb. I dont think I wired anything wrong b/c 1. they work & 2. I made sure the connections were good before I put everything back b/c I knew it'd be a pain to redo everything. Other than that I drove around for a couple miles, stopped and stood outside looking at the headlights, got home sat in the garage with no lights on other than my new HID's to see any problems and they seem just fine no flickering. Seems like it's just during the initial startup, maybe has something to do with the relay harness all the way on the passenger side and the long wire going to the ballast to the drivers side :dunno:

[Yruyur]

I would double check the connections. It may be a pain but you can swap the ballasts to see if the issue follows the bulb or ballast.

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