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HID Bulbs: Colour Changes Explained

HID Bulbs: Colour Changes Explained

This guide explains how and why HID bulbs lose or change their colour.

This article is written more towards aftermarket HID kit users but should cover OEM Xenon bulbs too.

Here we discuss the following:

– HID Bulbs: Fading
– HID Bulbs: Cycling
– HID Bulbs: Common Colour Issues

HID Bulbs: Fading

Over time, HID bulbs will go through something called “fading”.

Fading occurs as a HID bulb ages and usually begins to produce a more blue/violet light output, instead of the colour it’s supposed to emit.

This is caused because the bulb requires more voltage and a higher temperature to maintain the arc (the reason for the colour).

HID Bulbs: Cycling

Over time the pressure of the internal gas within the bulb rises which means the bulb requires more voltage to maintain the arc discharge.

In simple terms, the pressure rises meaning more voltage is supplied to the bulb from the ballast units.

As time goes on, the voltage required gradually increases to a point where there is too much voltage supplied to the bulb.

The ballast unit will then “cycle” a few times but eventually the bulb will just stop working.

A symptom to look for with “Cycling” is when a bulb glows for a short period of time then switches off completely.

HID Bulbs: Common Colour Issues

We’ve discussed HID kits experience power supply issues before but we’ll cover off the most common symptoms below:

    1. One Bulb Is Yellow/Green

HID bulbs that are supposed to be white but one is yellow will mean you need to error check your HID kit.

It means the bulb isn’t being supplied enough power from the vehicle meaning it’s either a faulty ballast unit or your battery needs a charge.

    1. My New HID Bulb Is A Different Colour To My Old Ones

The longer a HID bulb burns, the brighter is gets over time.

This is also true for the colour output becoming whiter and then eventually bluer.

You can normally tell if your older bulbs have gone through the “fading” process but installing one new bulb into your headlights and comparing them.

New HID bulbs won’t look as bright or as colourful due to the “fading” of the old bulbs.

Summary

Much like most issues with HID Kits, errors and issues can usually be boiled down to either a power supply issue or a faulty component.

Remember, when you have a HID kit fitted – always have the engine running before the lights come on.

Also, try to limit the amount of times they are being turned on or off.

Every time you turn a HID bulb on, the pressure raises ever so slightly – slowly chipping away at it’s life span.

The worst time to turn on your HID kit is while it’s still hot.

Essentially the metallic salts do not have time to recrystallise and in-turn has a domino effect from “fading” to “cycling” to eventually a faulty bulb.

Related Guides

  1. Automotive Guides
  2. HID Kit Error Guide
  3. HID Bulbs: Colour Guide

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HID Conversion Kits: Error Checking

HID Conversion Kits: Error Checking

A quick guide to the most common issues a HID conversion kit might give you.

Error Checking Aftermarket HID Kits

This article is designed to help car owners with any aftermarket HID kit issues they may be facing.

Our guide should help you either resolve those errors or help you highlight a faulty component.

There are a handful of errors that HID conversion kit owners may experience after installation.

Before we begin, just remember that a lot of HID kit issues will be a power supply issue.

HID Kit Error Solving

Don’t forget to check out this handy HID error checking flow chart we built!

Why Does My HID Kit Flicker?

A HID kit may flicker due to a number of reasons so we’ll try to cover them as quickly as possible.

HID Kit Flickers On Start-up

If your HID kit flickers when it’s turning on, that’s completely normal.

Sometimes the vehicle will struggle to supply the 23,000 volts to each ballast unit on start-up, especially when it’s cold.

It’s important to turn off any features that turn your lights on before the engine is running.

Doing so will reduce the stress put on your battery.

HID Bulbs Flicker When Driving

If both bulbs flicker whilst driving, there may be a few reasons that cause this.

If they flicker while driving, check all connections and make sure they are in the headlight unit correctly.

Usually flickering can be linked back to a power supply issue or loose connection.

HID Bulbs Flicker While Idling

If your bulbs flicker when the vehicle is idling, your alternator might not be charging the battery fast enough.

To check this, either connect a battery pack to the battery or use jump leads to another vehicle.

Let your vehicle idle for a few minutes to see if the flickering continues.

If the flickering stops, you’ll know there’s a power supply issue but if it continues, you’ll most likely have a faulty pair of ballasts.

HID Kit Colour Issues Explained

Occasionally, your HID kit might experience issues with the colour of the bulbs.

Sometimes this might be due to a faulty component or (you guessed it) a power supply issue.

Please read the next section to determine if you have a faulty component or a power supply issue.

Issue On One Side

Your HID kit might experience issues on just one side.

If this is the case, then please read the next section carefully.

Faulty Component

Pop your bonnet, swap the ballast units over (drivers’ side to passengers’ side), start the vehicle up and see if the fault follows.

If the fault moves across, you likely have a faulty ballast unit.

You can also do the same with the bulbs – swap them over, start the vehicle and see if the fault follows the bulb.

Issue On Both Sides

This might not be what you want to hear but if a HID kit has the same issue on both sides, it’s usually a power supply problem.

Attach a battery pack or inter-vehicle connection using jump leads and see if the problem persists.

If it doesn’t then you have a power supply issue that can be resolved with a HID Relay Harness.

This harness consists of a set of resistors, relays and connection points.

Usually this is the best way to resolve power supply or HID CANBus issues.

HID Conversion Kits: CANBus Errors

A decent HID conversion kit shouldn’t present any warning errors on your vehicles’ dashboard.

Unfortunately, this is never guaranteed as vehicles may be hyper-sensitive, have other modifications or a poor power supply.

We’ve listed a few ways on fixing HID CANBus issues.

  1. If your kit has 55W ballast units, try dropping down to 35W ballast units

    2. A reduction is power demand might prevent the CANBus system from displaying an error.

  2. Fit a relay harness between your HID kit and the vehicle

    3. A relay harness has resistors designed to help stop the CANBus system from showing an error.

  3. Speak to an auto electrician to turn off any errors

    4. They usually have a way to turn off specific parts of the CANBus system.

  4. Plug in an OBD device to turn off the errors yourself

    5. An OBD device plugs into your vehicle and you should be able to turn off certain warning errors. This depends on the vehicle so please always check with the supplier beforehand.

  5. Speak to the supplier of the HID kit

    6. Make sure to be as descriptive as possible and they should be able to offer solutions to help resolve any errors.

HID Conversion Kits: Poor Light Output

After installing your HID kit, you might not be impressed by the light output.

This could be sue to a number of factors:

  1. Poor quality kits

    2. Some kits aren’t tested before being sold online. Always check the reviews and make sure they match the product you are looking at.

  2. You have the wrong bulbs (projector bulbs in a reflector unit)

    3. Putting projector style HID bulbs into a reflector unit will cause glare to other road users and the light output becomes unstable.

  3. Ballast units aren’t powerful enough

    4. 55W ballast units will be the most efficient for light on the road.

  4. Your headlight needs a clean

    5. It happens to the best of us. These headlight restoration wipes should help more light pass through the headlight unit.

Related Guides

  1. Automotive Guides
  2. HID Kit Error Guide
  3. HID Bulbs: Colour Guide

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Parking On Another Persons Driveway

Home >> Resources >> Parking On Another Persons

Someone Parked In My Driveway

Other People Parking On Your Driveway

See the rules and what you can do about another person parking on your driveway.

Unknown Car Parked On My Driveway

Imagine you wake up one morning to find a random car parked on your driveway.

You go outside, check the car over and see that it’s fully taxed and MOT’d by checking online.

What do you do?

Do you call a tow truck and pay for it to be removed or wait for the owner to come and collect the car?

If you’re not willing to pay out of your own pocket, legally there is nothing that can be done.

Unknown Car Parked On My Driveway

Is It Illegal To Park On Someone Else’s Driveway?

Parking on someone else’s driveway is a grey area in terms of legalities.

Most homeowners would rightfully call it trespassing. We think many would agree with that term.

Unfortunately, the police class this situation as a civil offence meaning that it’s not relevant in criminal law.

Not only will the police do nothing about someone parking on your drive, the council will ignore your request too.

Your local council has no right to remove a vehicle from private land and will only do something if it’s blocking the public highways or pavements.



What to do if someone parks in your driveway

As it stands, there isn’t much you can do about it.

The Police will not get involved and as mentioned above, the council won’t help either.

Can I Tow The Offending Vehicle?

You could consider towing the vehicle away however if you cause any damage, you will be held accountable.

If you hire a tow truck this might cost you up to £200 – depending where you live.

Serve An Eviction Notice

The only legal option to remove an unknown car from your driveway is to apply for an eviction notice.
This will cost you money to obtain and you will rack up some hefty legal fees in the process.

Police have advised that you should seek legal advice before taking any action.

Please keep in mind that if you cause any damage to the vehicle, you will be liable.

How To Stop People Parking On Your Driveway

Knowing that legally, anyone can park on your driveway – it’s important to know that you can prevent this from happening.

If you’re tired of people parking on your drive, gather quotes for a gate or collapsible bollards.

There are reputable gate installation companies out there that can discuss your options.

A cheap preventative is to place traffic cones on your driveway when leaving but this is additional hassle.

Other than the options above, there aren’t really any other ways to prevent someone from parking in your driveway.



Can Other Road Users Block My Driveway?

Interestingly enough, blocking a dropped kerb, double yellow lines or a H-Bar is more than enough to get a car fined or removed.

As long as the vehicle isn’t on private property then it will be fine to report them.

If there is a car blocking your driveway and you don’t have a dropped kerb then there is nothing you can do.

Can I Block My Own Driveway?

If your property has a dropped kerb or H-Bar then you are not allowed to park or block it’s access.

Even though the driveway is yours, the rules about blocking dropped kerbs is for every road user.

Can I Put Cones In My Road?

No.

Every road user has the right to park there. Even if there is a parking spot right outside your home, as long as there are no restrictions – anyone can park there for however long they like.

Can I Park Opposite A Driveway?

Some homeowners have signs saying “No parking opposite this driveway” which they have no right to enforce.

As long as the vehicle is taxed, insured and not blocking a dropped kerb, other access point or double yellow lines the vehicle can stay there as long for as it likes.

How To Report A Car Blocking My Driveway

If a car is blocking your driveway and they’re parked across a dropped kerb or H-Bar then follow these instructions:

  1. Take a picture of the offending vehicle
  2. Note down the time / day
  3. Contact your local council
  4. Report the vehicle

You could contact 111 however there are more important things for the Police to be doing so try the council first.

Please keep in mind that parking directly opposite your driveway is not illegal.

All vehicles that have paid road tax have the right to park on the public highway as long as they are not obstructing dropped kerbs, H-Bars or double yellow lines.