New Genesis Owner, HID Install throwing TPMS, Any help?

[LantanaTXGenesis]

Hello Everyone,

I purchased my 2012 Genesis 3.8 a few weeks ago (traded in a 2008 BMW 328i Coupe) and added a few small tweaks right out of the gate. The mandatory trunk and wheel wings, as well as the personal preference hood wing. I also had the vehicle tinted before bringing it home.

Last week I received my set of H11 HID/Xenons from DDM tuning and they look great and install was a breeze. The issue I'm running into is that I'm getting the TPMS malfunction light after driving for 10-15 minutes, this only happens when my headlights are on, so I know the interference is coming from the HID lights, and likely from the ballasts.

I've seen other tips and tricks, such as wrapping the ballasts in foil, and have actually tried that, but it didn't work.

Has anyone else ran into this issue and has anyone found a solution?

A little additional background, when completing the install I did tuck the ballasts into the light housing as several other forum members had recommended or done in the past.

I thank everyone in advance for any help in getting this TPMS code off my dash!

Thanks!

 

[brfatal]

1. Your HIDs have nothing to do with your TPMS. It's unrelated.

2. You cannot run HIDs in your halogen headlights. It's illegal and a disservice to others on the road. If you want HIDs, you're gonna need to buy tech package or V8 Genesis headlights and lighting equipment (not another kit).

 

[1FstYota]

1. Your HIDs have nothing to do with your TPMS. It's unrelated.

Its the noisy ballasts thats causing the issue. Google it.

2. You cannot run HIDs in your halogen headlights. It's illegal and a disservice to others on the road. If you want HIDs, you're gonna need to buy tech package or V8 Genesis headlights and lighting equipment (not another kit).

The genesis has projector style headlight so it does indeed focus light better and aimed right there no reason you can't run HIDs.

I have the same issue, it goes away during the day with the head lights off so I just deal with it.

You can try copper sheilding and making a ground from the ballast to the chassis.

 

[LantanaTXGenesis]

1. Your HIDs have nothing to do with your TPMS. It's unrelated.

2. You cannot run HIDs in your halogen headlights. It's illegal and a disservice to others on the road. If you want HIDs, you're gonna need to buy tech package or V8 Genesis headlights and lighting equipment (not another kit).

1) I do appreciate your input, but you are wrong. This is a very well documented issue, in fact some of the early 2009 Genesis models that had factory HID lights were replaced by dealers under warranty due to ballast interference with the TPMS system. The ballasts found in all HID lighting systems emit an RF signal over a frequency that can interfere with other electronics such as a TPMS sensors that also measure pressure and transmit to a receiver via RF.

2) Show me your badge officer....I appreciate your concern.

I am new to the forum and am asking for constructive advice on how to troubleshoot, not approval on a very common modification in today's vehicles that have stock projectors with halogen bulbs.

 

[LantanaTXGenesis]

I have the same issue, it goes away during the day with the head lights off so I just deal with it.

You can try copper sheilding and making a ground from the ballast to the chassis.

Have you tried the copper shielding? I'm wondering if DDM perhaps cuts some corners in cost and doesn't do anything to the ballasts as far as shielding goes.

While checking out other makes and models on various forums it appears that some other vehicles are prone to this interference issue while others are not. Some have had success moving the ballast to a different location, but given the tight quarters near the headlight housing it would appear that there aren't too many options that would distance the ballast from the wheelwell.

 

[1FstYota]

Have you tried the copper shielding? I'm wondering if DDM perhaps cuts some corners in cost and doesn't do anything to the ballasts as far as shielding goes.

While checking out other makes and models on various forums it appears that some other vehicles are prone to this interference issue while others are not. Some have had success moving the ballast to a different location, but given the tight quarters near the headlight housing it would appear that there aren't too many options that would distance the ballast from the wheelwell.

I opened the ballast, it doesnt look any different than any other brand it seems.

I wrapped it with emi sheilding tape but I haven't got to making a ground strap yet, it did take longer for the tpms lignt to come on. I also tried relocate it but theres no real good location for it.

So I just let it come on then during the day when I drive it goes away. I was gonna try another brand for 125 then I was like I can live with the light for the 45 I spent at ddm.

It comes down to a point where you keep thinking of ideas and trying, then I thought to my self 50 at DDM + 18 for emi tape + XX amount for making the strap drilling holes etc... it just not worth the hassle.

 

[LantanaTXGenesis]

So after spending way too much time trying to wrap the ballasts and ignitors in various foils, as well as relocating the ballasts to different locations, I gave in and bought a new kit from Lightwerkz.net (they are underneath the distribution of TheRetrofitSource). I bougt the new kit hoping the TPMS light would not come on!

The kit I bought was the Morimoto Elite Kit and cost about $130. As soon as I took the ballasts out of the box I could immediately feel the quality difference. They probably weigh at least twice the weight of the DDM's, likely due to proper shielding inside the casing. I also had them include the Can-Bus adapter, as Caesar over at Lightwerkz thought that may help cure the TPMS issue.

Install was rather straight forward (as it had been with the DDMs), however, the ballasts were larger and the wiring was also more substancial in weight and size due to better shielding, thus causing the need to mount the balast and Can-Bus outside of the headlight housing. I simply got my 1" drill bit and drilled holes in the dust caps for the wire to pull through, and then used the included seals to make sure there was no way of dust or water penetrating into the housing.

I did encounter an issue with the standard H11 bulbs that came with the Morimoto Elite Kit, as they would not fit into the headlight housing. After inspecting them I noticed the 3 plastic tabs were quite a bit thicker than the tabs on the stock halogen bulbs or the DDM bulbs. I managed to beat the one bulb up pretty bad convincing myself it had to fit, but it sounds like Caesar over at Lightwerkz is going to treat me right and let me return the bulbs for a set of H11b's that appear to have thinner tabs.

I will report back after I've had a chance to install (hopefully fit) the new bulbs. In the meantime I am using my DDM bulbs and can confirm I am no longer getting a TPMS failure light like what I was with the DDM ballasts and wiring. I drove over 1000 miles Mon-Wed this week on a business trip in NW Texas with at least 700 during the nightime hours. So I really can confirm that the TPMS issue was not present. What a difference between now and the stock halogens! To those who want to chime in and claim I am endangering other drivers with an "illegal" kit, I drove on plenty of 2-lane highways during these 700 miles of nightime driving and didn't get the F-U headlight flash a single time. I also put the Genesis out in the middle of our street at about 10pm with its headlights on and put my wifes Mercedes E350 with stock HIDS out next to it with its headlights on. The Genesis with the aftermarket kit had the same look to an oncoming vehicle as the E350.

I haven't noticed a big difference in lighting quality between the DDM and Morimoto kits, but I think part of that could be due to the fact that I am still using the DDM bulbs. I'm hoping the H11B's (XB35) from Morimoto will provide slightly sharper cutoffs and light dispersion. On a few other forums I've found very positive reviews with these bulbs and they are supposedly built to have a shorter glass portion, closer to that of our stock halogen bulbs. Sounds like this was a design effort to try and get ride of any glare that could be dangerous to oncoming traffice, essentially building an aftermarket xenon bulb that had similar dimensions to a halogen bulb.

Overall, wish I would have worked with Caesar over at Lightwerkz before sending $50 over to DDM. Yes the Morimoto kit is more than double the price, but sometimes you really do get what you pay for.

Will report back soon after I've had a chance to install the new bulbs and get some miles on them.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

I have Morimoto D2S (you know, proper) bulbs and I love them and swear by them. I am glad you are having good luck with your lights. I am not going to give you any crap about them.

What I will give you crap about is working with Ceaser. Myself, other Mods and the Admins ran him off of another forum I was a part of for taking advantage if our members. Doing terrible business with them and ripping them off. Multiple emails/calls/PM's to fix a problem. Eventually, we revoked his vendor rights and asked him to stop participating in our forum.

I will never work with Ceaser again and discourage anyone else from doing so as well.

I am glad your situation is different, however. Let us know if you get the light bulbs

 

[GenesisCaptain]

I bought a couple kits from TheRetrofitSource for prior cars. I have been very pleased with them. They are passionate about lighting.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

TRS are great. I actually have spent over $2000 with them and cannot speak more highly of them

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[shagnat]

TRS are great. I actually have spent over $2000 with them and cannot speak more highly of them

$2000 on lights?? Really?

Just for my own curiosity, why?

 

[OneFunGenesis]

I may or may not have had a completely custom light set up in my last car . Which, BTW, was a shame to get rid of because the "HID's" in the Genesis are CRAP.

 

[brfatal]

The genesis has projector style headlight so it does indeed focus light better and aimed right there no reason you can't run HIDs.

Sorry, but this shows you know nothing about HIDs. Having projectors doesn't mean anything at all; they are halogen projectors. They are designed for halogen bulbs. Rebased HIDs have the light source in a different part of the bulb and the light is emitted a different way. Surely you can grasp that when you move the light source the optics are not longer viable. It's the same as moving a mirror in a telescope. You learned this in 4th grade.

Picture proof that having projectors doesn't mean you can automatically run HIDs:

Top is an HID projector, bottom is a halogen projector with HIDs shoved in. Compare the light distribution.

I am new to the forum and am asking for constructive advice on how to troubleshoot, not approval on a very common modification in today's vehicles that have stock projectors with halogen bulbs.

Being common is only a testamant to how widespread the ignorance of the modification is, not to how well it works or how appropriate it is. Hella flush is relatively common, that doesn't change that it's possibly the dumbest and more counter productive thing you could ever do to a car.

 

[OneFunGenesis]

^ I have given up on my attempt to tell people that not all projectors are made equal. It just isn't worth my time anymore.

Anyone who wants a good and concise explanation, head to the HID section of this thread that I wrote about 3 years ago: HID Explanation in Laymans Terms (Go to HID Sections)

 

[1FstYota]

Sorry, but this shows you know nothing about HIDs. Having projectors doesn't mean anything at all; they are halogen projectors. They are designed for halogen bulbs. Rebased HIDs have the light source in a different part of the bulb and the light is emitted a different way. Surely you can grasp that when you move the light source the optics are not longer viable. It's the same as moving a mirror in a telescope. You learned this in 4th grade.

Picture proof that having projectors doesn't mean you can automatically run HIDs:

Top is an HID projector, bottom is a halogen projector with HIDs shoved in. Compare the light distribution.

Being common is only a testamant to how widespread the ignorance of the modification is, not to how well it works or how appropriate it is. Hella flush is relatively common, that doesn't change that it's possibly the dumbest and more counter productive thing you could ever do to a car.

^ I have given up on my attempt to tell people that not all projectors are made equal. It just isn't worth my time anymore.

Anyone who wants a good and concise explanation, head to the HID section of this thread that I wrote about 3 years ago: HID Explanation in Laymans Terms (Go to HID Sections)

I'm aware of the "difference" in HID projector housings, so based on your logic I should go out and spend 1000 dollars or more and spend it on retorfitting to be technically correct?

brfatal - Since your calling people out on the forums about they don't know their shit, what excatly would you like to get out of this? Do you want every single one of us uneducated people to go out and spend money on retrofitting?

 

[OneFunGenesis]

He is trying to educate people so they can make the proper decisions for the safety of themselves and others.

What I am saying with my article is that if you WANTED HID's then pony up the freaking cash and get the package that has HID's. Plain and simple.

I'm not saying you have to retrofit, but it would be a good place to start.

 

[1FstYota]

He is trying to educate people so they can make the proper decisions for the safety of themselves and others.

What I am saying with my article is that if you WANTED HID's then pony up the freaking cash and get the package that has HID's. Plain and simple.

I'm not saying you have to retrofit, but it would be a good place to start.

Well he came in here calling people stupid, so I want some educated answers, and you don't think your comment is ignorant telling people if they wanted HIDs you should of spend more and bought the right car? Really?

 

[OneFunGenesis]

No, I don't. There is a reason that HID kits are ILLEGAL in 50 states. And that is because they are UNSAFE.

I knew what I had on my wants and needs list and I bought a car that fulfilled those wants and needs. When I didn't have a car that fulfilled those needs, I spent the money to fulfill those needs PROPERLY.

Now, I'm not 100% upset here. This is mainly because you put them into some sort of projector. That's fine for keeping other drivers safe. When it comes to your safety, you spend the money to feel as safe as you need to.

 

[1FstYota]

No, I don't. There is a reason that HID kits are ILLEGAL in 50 states. And that is because they are UNSAFE.

I knew what I had on my wants and needs list and I bought a car that fulfilled those wants and needs. When I didn't have a car that fulfilled those needs, I spent the money to fulfill those needs PROPERLY.

Now, I'm not 100% upset here. This is mainly because you put them into some sort of projector. That's fine for keeping other drivers safe. When it comes to your safety, you spend the money to feel as safe as you need to.

I don't disagree with you on being unsafe, believe me I've seen more than a few applications that meets that criteria.

If I wasn't building a 1200whp mile car, I would of definatly not bought the base genesis. Since I needed a new daily driver plus something that didn't break the bank, had the power and looks it was it.

 

[Potty_Pants]

I was going to say crappy ballast.

one fix would be to put a capacitor and/or diode inline if its spewing noise on the power lines. if its putting out RF interference best to replace it with a quality product.

looks like your good to go.

ppp