Hey Guys,

As some of you may know, I originally had a SSB 2004 6-Speed Limited, sold it for a 2006 C55 AMG, the AMG was totaled, and moved back to a Black 2005 SRT-6.

Anyways, two weeks ago I installed a 35W HID kit from eBay. On my Limited I had bought a eBay HID kit and it worked well with "regular" sized metal ballasts. The new kit I bought and installed was of the same quality (i.e. cheap Chinese kit) but had the slim ballasts. The only thing I did different on the install this time around was that I ended up cutting the wires protruding from the bulbs and splicing them so that it was much easier to install the bulbs with the clips. For any of you who have done the HID conversion, you know how impossible it is to do the install and clip the bulbs in.

To the point now, the bulbs have worked great since install, however, I have noticed recently if I am starting the car up on a cold start and turn the lights on within 5 seconds of turning the engine on, the lights come on, and then for 1-2 seconds the gas gauge and RPM gauge appear to "sputter" down to empty (for the gas) and 0 RPMs (for the RPM gauge) and then once they reach the bottom of the gauge they spring back up and stay there where they should be.

I did search the forum and didn't find anyone with this problem. However, someone did say that HID bulbs do use significantly more power initially at start-up to power up the bulbs, then quickly settle down. So for example, at start up the bulbs would consume 85W and then would quickly go down to 35W.

Do you think this initial power draw could be throwing off the distribution of power and causing my gauges to act funky at start up? I am reluctant to simply ignore it, as I don't want to overheat the wiring and damage the wiring over time.

Any input is greatly appreciated!