Mysticality's Light Thread!!

[Mysticality]

@tooch-
That looks about the stuff. I have zero cash atm, due to filling the tank fuel tank and jerry cans for another fortnight.

@Cranks-
Good luck!
I hold no responsibility for things going wrong. =P

[Qwertypants]

Regarding license plate lights. It's unnecessary to spend 50$+ on error-free lights.
Get the ones from autobarn or whatever, any colour you want (around <10$) and solder on your own resistors. Resistors are 49c from Jaycar. If you don't want to solder them onto the bulb holder then solder them straight onto the lights.
If you need info on which resistors to use, ask. Simple math

[zei20t]

turns out i have a set of H7s HIDs in the garage for the fiat, looks like i can now use them in the skoda!

i had a poke around behind the headlight, i like your ballast installation Mysticality

[Mysticality]

@Qwertypants-
I considered doing this, but the issue is I wouldn't trust my own soldering.

@zei20t-
Be prepared to either cut the wire of the bulb itself, to get it into its little metal bulb holder, or make a hole in the wall of the holder to slide the wire through.
Can provide detailed pics of mine on request.

[zei20t]

hmmm im not sure where youre talking on the headlight unit, but if i get stuck ill PM you. thanks for offering.

i may do it today because im home sick from work *cough*

[Mysticality]

There's a silver clip that holds the H7 bulb in.
You can't fit the ballast plugs through it, unfortunately.

[zei20t]

ahh crap, i think i know what you mean. my 500 has a similar setup, i had to buy a special clip for the HID wire to pass through.

i couldnt be stuffed today, too much tv to watch while im 'sick'

[Mysticality]

The fortunate thing is, with a bit of cunning and electrical tape, you can just whack the HID bulb into the stock holder.

I bought a HID bracket off eBay... Turned out to not quite fit. The clips on the side weren't off centre like they are on the Octy. -.-'

Sick... I hear ya.

[Cranks]

Hey Mysticality

Care to provide details re this??

Be prepared to either cut the wire of the bulb itself, to get it into its little metal bulb holder, or make a hole in the wall of the holder to slide the wire through.
Can provide detailed pics of mine on request

[Mysticality]

Okay, so.
Basically, when you get a HID bulb, its pre-wired to the wires and M/F plugs; so you can't just go and plug 12v into it.
These wires also usually have a rubber boot on them, to sit in the hole on the dust cover. This boot also has a further two wires with preattached plugs through it, to take the 12v from the headlight section to power the ballast.

There is a silver bracket which holds the bulb into the headlight unit. Its designed only for Halogen bulbs.
You place the bulb onto the holder, place it into the headlight unit and turn it about 10-20° clockwise, so it clips in and holds the bulb in place. Then, the plug for the bulb clips into this holder.
Its a bloody good idea, but its a bugger to try and work with.

The clip only has a hole big enough for the pins on the H7 bulb.
You can't fit the HID bulb through this hole, nor can you fit the HID bulbs wiring and etc through this hole.
Basically, you can't attach the HID bulb to the car without modifying this little bracket.

What I did, was cut the wire from the HID bulb to the Ballast, on the Bulb side of the rubber Boot.
Then, I attached some (I can't remember the size, but blue, round m/f wiring plugs from SCA... as opposed to blue flat) to the wires, threaded the bracket onto the bulb (the right way 'round, too. remember that!!...) then plugged the wired back together, and taped them up with electrical tape.

The bulb is able to easily sit in the headlight unit, and all is well.


-Myst.


EDIT: M/F = Male/Female

[zei20t]

you know the wires coming from the burner to the plug, that plug will come apart and you can pop the wires through a small hole, big enough only to push the boot through.

i think i know what its gonna look like in there! I might get some hi-temperature 3M tape to hold the burner in place - if its what im thinking of.

appreciate the instructions!

[Qwertypants]

@Qwertypants-
I considered doing this, but the issue is I wouldn't trust my own soldering.

Seriously, It's the easiest thing ever. I will post a write up with pictures later and link you through to it. Even if you don't end up doing it, still might help someone I guess

[Mysticality]

you know the wires coming from the burner to the plug, that plug will come apart and you can pop the wires through a small hole, big enough only to push the boot through.

i think i know what its gonna look like in there! I might get some hi-temperature 3M tape to hold the burner in place - if its what im thinking of.

appreciate the instructions!

No worries.

I decided to not splice anything in, so I can still take it to warranty and say "I don't know whats going on, can you fix this please?"
Already had to do it once, so... :S

Seriously, It's the easiest thing ever. I will post a write up with pictures later and link you through to it. Even if you don't end up doing it, still might help someone I guess

That'd be great, thanks! XD

[Mysticality]

If either the ballast, or the bulb has failed, it'll throw a bulb error on the dash.

Had it happen today, after burning some big muddy tracks up someone's slushy backyard, and then back down again.
It must be said, though, for what the stock Dunlops are... They go alright on grass/dirt/mud.

Got home and something must have dried out, because both low (dipped, its called on the MFD) beam headlights were working perfectly.

[Cranks]

Hey Qwertypants,

Seriously, It's the easiest thing ever. I will post a write up with pictures later and link you through to it. Even if you don't end up doing it, still might help someone I guess

How's your write up progressing? I am keen to do this on the weekend and would like to see your tutorial!