Headlights - Discussion and Questions

[Dutch77]

I just want to point out that was my bad wit/sarcasm/humour with doctored pics, not a serious analysis.

[i286]

[Euro Car Upgrades]

U LED Bi-Xenon Headlights retrofit genuine OEM parts thread

Anyone with a plan to retrofit the U-LED Bi-Xenon headlights to their Golf?
They are available from Euro Car Upgrades at 20% Promo for Xmas
We can also help to install these for someone and try to do a DIY thread on it.

[stat71]

DRL's not turning off - ever

Howdy,

Well I discovered a new problem last night sitting at some traffic lights with my headlights reflected on the silver bumper of the car in front of me. My lights were on AUTO setting, it was 10pm at night and the DRL's remained lit up along with the main beam - I noticed it as I have previously (year ago) updated my fog light / main beam lights with some philips bulbs so they are 'white' and the DRL's are 'yellow'.

I then tried all combinations of lights on/off but the DRL's remained on (and look bloody terrible in combination with mains).

I've searched and found nothing relating to this problem. Will get it down to the dealer next week.

Any thoughts?

[Umai Naa!!]

Some answers may be found here:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...hts-94879.html

[BFPO40]

The DRLs dim when the main beam is on.

[stat71]

The DRLs dim when the main beam is on.

ok I think I'm going mad. You are right re: dimming, but I swear to God above I've never noticed the DRL's running at night before. I've stood in front of the car checking out my philips globes and the DRLS were definately off (and yes it was night) - I would have shuddered at the presence of their yellow tinge. Arrrrrrrrrgh

[DV52]

BFPO40 is correct, the DRLs dim to 31% when the main beams are illuminated (it's a setting in a Leuchte channel).

There are a couple of ways of turning them off but you need a VCDS cable, or you need to get together with someone who has a cable. One my Golf, I can turn the DRLs off using the Discover media screen, and they turn off automatically whenever I engage the handbrake.

Plus there is the issue of the legality of turning them off (not sure how well policed this would be though). I argue that there is no problem turning them off when the handbrake is engaged, although the way that I read the regs, it doesn't specifically cater for this situation.

[Jazrod]

On the Mk7 Golfs with halogen headlamps, the DRLs turn OFF when the main beam is selected. I have had a Trendline, Highline and Comfortline and they have all done this.
My GTI has factory xenons, and only then is it when the LED DRLs dim when the main beam is on.

[stat71]

On the Mk7 Golfs with halogen headlamps, the DRLs turn OFF when the main beam is selected. I have had a Trendline, Highline and Comfortline and they have all done this.
My GTI has factory xenons, and only then is it when the LED DRLs dim when the main beam is on.

I knew I wasn't going mad....question is why are the DRL's all of a sudden staying on!

[GolfVII]

Why do we need washers in australia? Yeah... We get heaps of snow here.....

Well as we would be aware of by now is that I would like Bi-Xenon head lights on my Golf and Eos. I have been researching on how I can have these in the most cost effective way.

One of my concerns are around the requirements behind retro fitting these after market head lamps (GAS Discharge Headlamps) are; "what are the laws around these in my state?"

So my first point of reference is my local government motor information website - www.sa.gov.au - transport-travel-and-motoring

On this page it states:

*****************
HID (high-intensity discharge) headlamps

HID light bulbs, also known as xenon lights, produce light by creating an electrical arc across two electrodes, resulting in a much brighter white/blue light than normal halogen light bulbs.
Fitting HID headlamps is permissible providing that they are fitted with automatic headlamp levelling devices and headlamp cleaners. They must also conform to any requirements in set in Australian Design Rule 13.
*****************

So I went on to read the Australian Design Rule 13, 77/00, 75/00 and all the others, wow these documents have amendments and updates for every article, but what I found out is even outside your own state the ADR says you are required to fit auto levelling and washers to the vehicle if you are going to fit GAS Discharge Headlamps and they must be white in colour etc.

More can be read up here -
Third Edition Australian Design Rules
or
ComLaw Home

This has really places a black cloud over me retro fitting to HID/Bi-Xenon headlamps as the last thing I need is the misses being pulled over and getting a fine that requires her car or mine to go pass inspection before the defect notice would be removed. Here in Adelaide they will send you to regency (inspection location) even if your car meets ADR rules just to make you pay to have the defect removed because the Police themselves are unsure what meets requirements. (insert something about revenue raising etc.)

To retro fit Bi-Xenon lights I require following parts:
1 x Front bumper with washer outlets (hopefully pre-painted)
1 x Washer Kit
1 x Set of RHD B-Xenon headlamp kit (hopefully including auto levelling kit)
1 x Purple Conversion connector to plug in OEM Headlamps plugs
and finally once I have fitted all these parts I need access RossTech cable to do the coding.

Out of everything listed the hardest item to track down without picking up a phone and making many calls to random repairers listed on the VW insurance brochure, has to be the R-Line front bumper with washer outlets or even a 2012 Eos bumper designed for Bi-Xenon lights. The washers seam to be the biggest issue.

If you anyone knows who can supply OEM VW bumpers please feel free to PM me the details

Sorry to hijack your this thread, just thought I better let everyone know what they could be getting themselves in to with the law.

[pologti18t]

The trick is to get a HID (D5S,D6S,D8S or LED kit that has 2000lms or less.... no requirement for washers when you keep the lumens under 2000.

LED headlights seem to be popping up more and more for this reason.

[egsolomon]

OK, I might be missing something, or having a real bad weekend, changed the fog lights without an issue, but the main and dipped lights, I can't figure out, getting them out is fine, but the actual changing of the globes is doing my mind. Anyone care to tell me the secret. Got Nightbreaker for what it's worth.

thanks in advance.

[DV52]

OK, I might be missing something, or having a real bad weekend, changed the fog lights without an issue, but the main and dipped lights, I can't figure out, getting them out is fine, but the actual changing of the globes is doing my mind. Anyone care to tell me the secret. Got Nightbreaker for what it's worth.

thanks in advance.

egosolomon: Hope the following two pictures can be of assistance.










After you have the bulb assembly out, its a matter of pulling bulb (marked -1) out of the holder (marked - 2)

[egsolomon]

Thanks DV52, but the photos are not showing.