There were some issues uploading the pictures. Sorry about that :rolleyes:
Attention Michigan residents: I did ask a Michigan state trooper are these lights illegal. He said no, and said they help you see better. He basically said they are a good idea to have!
Ok everyone, some of us had questions on how to install a HID headlight kit in a Dodge Journey. Everyone talks about it, but there is no actual write up (step by step) for our car. I decided to take on the challenge and install a kit myself. It is pretty much the same for every car, but this write up should help anyone with problems. Trust me, I did run into some weird problems. I will list problems and solutions at the end. Let’s get started:
Read the directions that came with your kit and use this write up to fill in any blanks.
The kit I went with was Lumenez 8000k kit (http://www.lumenez.com). This set is all digital. To be honest, I don’t think there is any real difference between digital ballast and analog ones except that they are smaller. I wanted the 6000k set, but there was a mix up and they sent me the 8000k one. I tried it and I like the 8000k better. There is a hint of blue (crystal type blue), but it is not a overbearing blue that you see on some of these teenager cars (I don’t like those blue headlights and I did not want that look at all). Also, the 8000k puts out 10%/15% less light than the 6000k. I think that is a good thing because in my test drive I did not blind any other drivers. The field of light was right in the sweet spot for my vision and not overbearing for other drivers.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972905364/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972905668/
They are small. See one below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972138177/
For the Dodge Journey you MUST use a relay harness. It will not work without it. (skip down a few Steps/pics to see a relay harness wiring diagram)
Relay harness pic, see below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972905570/
First, we must hook up the relay harness to the battery. The battery is too hard to reach to do a direct hookup. So, we are hooking it up to the jumper connections. The jumper connection has thick wires and it does go directly to the battery. See below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972906074/
The bolts/screws are thick, so you need to cut the relay battery connection rings in the middle so you can widen them and slip it over the screw. Sorry, no pic of the cut ring, only the completed connections. If you still want to use your battery jump cover, you will need to cut it so the wire can get out. See below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972906294/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972137501/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972137021/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972905602/
Here is a HID relay wiring diagram. See below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972972682/
Here is a complete setup wiring diagram. See below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972204703/
Installing the lights:
My lights had extra wires that was not needed, so I removed them. You really don’t need that round rubber cover piece either, but I left that part on. See below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972905960/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972972880/
Install your lights (don’t touch them!). If you have big hands, your fuse box can be moved. There are two plastic clips on each side of the fuse box (four clips total). Unhook it, and that will give you a few more inches to get to the light bulb on the driver side. After that, find a place away from the engine, to place the ballast and igniters. You should have room on both sides of the fenders. See below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972138285/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972905914/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972136501/
Now connect all your plugs. After you connect your lights and ballast, there will be a extra plug. This is for you to plug in ONE of your original light plugs to. That’s what controls you turning the lights on and off. After you plug everything up, test it and make sure it works. See below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972138233/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972906154/
Remember the relay is not water proof (See pic above). I put a open zip lock bag over mine so it could stop most (not all) water and air could still circulate. (the relay does get pretty warm)
After you are sure it works correctly (if not, read the problems and solutions at the end), strap the wires down starting with the passenger side first. See below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972136951/
After you tie down everything, your done! Enjoy your lights:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972061509/
Problem and solution time:
Q. My lights flicker when you first turn them on and/or while they are on.
(and the relay might be clicking a lot)
A. You need to use a capacitor. Here is what you do:
Here is the capacitor you need:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.js...rentPage=search
Remove the relay from the harness by simply pulling it off, don't worry about orientation, it only goes in one way. Install the capacitor as shown in the picture (see below). The stripe side of the capacitor is the negative. Install it just how I have it in the pictures. See below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972972780/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972830368/
All the other pics are mine, but here is some better pics I found on the internet:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972204735/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamaica_trip/3972204775/
Q. I can turn on my headlights, but after I go for a drive, they won’t turn off!
(also the relay is clicking like a tap dancer on drugs)
A. I had a hard time with this problem, but the solution is easy. The plug that you use to connect your original light plug too, turn it around so the polarity is changed. It looks like the two plugs have a polarity lock so it only fits one way, but that is not true! Unplug it and plug it in the other way and whala, problem solved. (Remember to switch the polarity of the capacitor too!!!!)
