When switching from manual headlights on to using the auto headlight feature - all of my interior lighting brightly flashes quickly as its switched back and forth between the 2. Almost like a power surge.

Anyone encounter this before?

During this time my HID's would go out and the try to come on. The parking lights were unaffected. I replaced them back to regular halogens. They stay on, but the bulbs seem to dim even while under cruising speeds.

 

I want to say that is mostly normal, when you go to auto mode it kicks the relay off and on again for some reason.
If your HID's are not coming on again when this happens then you need to get the $8 relay harness on ebay and wire that in, then they will come on consistently and be as bright as possible.

With no relay harness my SC turns on HID's 95% of the time but occasionally one doesn't light up in auto.
With the relay harness it goes away. also if your car starts to pop HID ignitors after 10 minutes, the relay harness will also fix that. Couldn't even run a set of HID's on the rx300 without the passenger side popping every 10 minutes, new relay harness and problem solved.

If they are dim though besides that maybe an electrical or alternator problem, or weak battery.

 

Thanks for the info!

Dropped in a new battery and alternator today.. wasnt sure of age of either, so better safe than sorry.

The previous owner put the aftermarket plug and plays in. Id like to move to a more quality kit with relay as suggested as I have a feeling these are some China knockoffs via Ebay