GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Golf mk3 how to guides + info => Topic started by: Matty-MK3 on 13 March 2010, 18:45

Title: INFO: HIDs - An Insight
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 13 March 2010, 18:45
Seeing how every week there is an argument discussion about HIDs I thought I'd gather everyone's thoughts up on them.

HIDs are High Intensity Discharge lights. Instead of a filament they work by igniting gas in between two points that have around 1100V running through them. They are extremely bright and 35W is enough, 55W is a bit much really.

First off, are they legal?

No. Not on a MK3 Golf. Not on stock lights, Hella Twins or any aftermarket lights alone. To be legal they need HID approved projectors or reflectors, be auto-leveling (although auto-leveling suspension is fine and also the dipped beam must stay on with the high beam. They also need a headlight washing system.

However, many people run them without problems. Providing the beam pattern is OK, they get through MOTs. However, in stock lights they DO glare. Members on this site claim they have driven past their car with them on and have not been affected by the glare, however. They have also said they have been around traffic cops and VOSA vehicles and been stopped and the car checked and have been fine.

However, as long  as you are aware that they are illegal, you run them at your own risk, which, if you are sensible with them, is fairly low TBH.

Kelvin rating. You will see loads of kits on eBay and the like with a XXXXK rating. This is depth of colour. 3000K is yellow, 4300K is crystal white, and what most manufacturers use in their cars as stock, although some use 6000K. 6000K is a very white colour with a hint of blue at some angles, it looks very "modern". 8000K has a fairly blue tinge and is just about the limit if you don't want any attention for them. 10000K and above has quite a colourful tinge to them and kind of defeats the object as it gets duller.

High beams. HIDs are not recommended in high beams as if you flick them to flash someone or want instant high beam in country lanes etc they don't work properly. Saying that, a brand new Audi flashed me with HID high beams the other day (they have high beams HID as stock as a cutoff moves) and it wasn't bright at all and just showed up a dim blue glow in his headlights.

They aren't difficult to install, you need to connect your existing bulb connectors to the ballast that comes in the kit then the ballast to the bulb. It will come with fitting instructions and really isn't hard. You will want to make sure the back of the headlights is sealed though to stop water and dirt getting in.

When you switch them on they explode with brightness then go dim and warm up, this is normal, it takes about 30 seconds to be at full brightness, they are also very blue for the first few seconds.

Shady Pioneer, the moderator of this section, emailed his insurance company and they classed it as a modification with no trouble. This is recommended as it doesn't give them much room in the event of an accident.

If you have Dayglo where the dipped beam comes on dimly with the sidelights, it is recommended you remove it. This is because if you put your sidelights on the HIDs flicker then go out, then when it gets darker and you flick the dipped beam on they don't work. You have to turn it right off then right back on again. Also, mine used to flicker permanently if I had been using them then went back to sidelights.

So in summary, they aren't legal, but as I said, be sensible and the risk is very low. Keep them aligned and it'll go through an MOT. They are very handy in driving at night as as Joe said "you can see further then the front of your bonnet".
Title: Re: HIDs - an insight
Post by: javalin on 13 March 2010, 19:05
good information.

J
Title: Re: HIDs - an insight
Post by: Adam on 13 March 2010, 19:24
Bulb K(elvin)-
(http://www.meccaone.org/images/hid-chart.jpg)

Bulb Fitments-
(http://215motoring.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/bulblists.278152245_std.jpg)
Title: Re: HIDs - an insight
Post by: VR6-Joe on 13 March 2010, 19:44
8000k is for pimps.

That is all I have to add to this topic.
Title: Re: HIDs - an insight
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 13 March 2010, 19:56
I thought that was 12000K. :grin:
Title: Re: HIDs - an insight
Post by: VR6-Joe on 13 March 2010, 20:43
I thought that was 12000K. :grin:

No, they're for w@nkers :cool:
Title: Re: HIDs - an insight
Post by: Wayne on 13 March 2010, 21:44
Very good info :afro:
Title: Re: HIDs - an insight
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 14 March 2010, 13:53
Very good info and just because it's a hot topic I'm going to sticky it. :afro:
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 15 March 2010, 23:17
This is what you remove to remove the dip-dim resistor. (Thanks VR6-Joe):

(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa29/GCL731Y/S7002373.jpg)
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 16 March 2010, 00:21
I don't have one of those. :huh:
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 16 March 2010, 17:29
I don't have one of those. :huh:

+1  :grin:
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: zdebx on 21 March 2010, 21:04
I don't have one of those. :huh:

All Golf Mk3's got them, lol

The thing is, it's not exactly where it shows on the pic. It's hidden somewhere next to the fuel filter.

You just have to find the cable that looks like the one in pic, and pull it out. Then you will see the yellow plugs.
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: VR6-Joe on 21 March 2010, 21:18
I don't have one of those. :huh:

All Golf Mk3's got them, lol

The thing is, it's not exactly where it shows on the pic. It's hidden somewhere next to the fuel filter.

You just have to find the cable that looks like the one in pic, and pull it out. Then you will see the yellow plugs.

The fuel filter is underneath the car, by the rear axle
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 21 March 2010, 22:04
I don't have one of those. :huh:

All Golf Mk3's got them, lol

The thing is, it's not exactly where it shows on the pic. It's hidden somewhere next to the fuel filter.

You just have to find the cable that looks like the one in pic, and pull it out. Then you will see the yellow plugs.

WTF?
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 21 March 2010, 22:44
Literally just had a look and I pulled out the airbox, and tucked away to the left there is like a little side "pocket". I pulled up the wire running there and there is the  yellow plug. Ripped it out and the HIDs work properly.
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: N900 MJT on 22 March 2010, 14:45
Hi All

Found this site a while ago - great for cheap HID Spares!!!

http://www.rclick.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=634

Cheers
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: zdebx on 22 March 2010, 22:20
I don't have one of those. :huh:

All Golf Mk3's got them, lol

The thing is, it's not exactly where it shows on the pic. It's hidden somewhere next to the fuel filter.

You just have to find the cable that looks like the one in pic, and pull it out. Then you will see the yellow plugs.

The fuel filter is underneath the car, by the rear axle

Ah LOL, so what's the thing underneath the airbox? Towards to the wing?
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: VR6-Joe on 22 March 2010, 22:29
I have no idea, I've heard people refer to it as a carbon canister but I dunno! I have one in the shed, removed it from my 16v, fook knows why!
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: zdebx on 22 March 2010, 23:08
That's what I meant, when I said "fuel filter"  :laugh: Anyways, my mistake  :embarassed:
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Diamond Hell on 24 March 2010, 21:56
No. Not on a MK3 Golf. Not on stock lights, Hella Twins or any aftermarket lights alone. To be legal they need HID approved projectors or reflectors, be auto-leveling (although auto-leveling suspension is fine and also the dipped beam must stay on with the high beam. They also need a headlight washing system.

WRONG.  Do your research properly.  The unit must be E-marked and approved for use with HID burners.  The UK mandates auto-levelling and headlamp washers, but this is not mandated Europe-wide, so the Euro legislation supercedes the UK legislation.

I have no idea, I've heard people refer to it as a carbon canister but I dunno! I have one in the shed, removed it from my 16v, fook knows why!

It's an activated charcoal cannister, part of the vapour recovery 'pollution control' system.

You HID-loving idiots. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: VR6-Joe on 24 March 2010, 22:30
I have no idea, I've heard people refer to it as a carbon canister but I dunno! I have one in the shed, removed it from my 16v, fook knows why!

It's an activated charcoal cannister, part of the vapour recovery 'pollution control' system.

You HID-loving idiots. :rolleyes:

That's the one, thanks. Now I know what it's there for!
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 26 March 2010, 22:46
No. Not on a MK3 Golf. Not on stock lights, Hella Twins or any aftermarket lights alone. To be legal they need HID approved projectors or reflectors, be auto-leveling (although auto-leveling suspension is fine and also the dipped beam must stay on with the high beam. They also need a headlight washing system.

Isn't that what I said? :huh:
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: green gti on 28 March 2010, 19:26
hi had set of these on my caddy van! wow such a great light!!!!! best to adjust the lights down abit,not to glare other drivers to much.had to cut out the dim dip,no H.I.D lights will work untill this has been done.up to 300% brighter.i have a complete H4 set to get rid,let me no.
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Diamond Hell on 09 April 2010, 08:00
Isn't that what I said? :huh:

No, you said a whole load of other stuff as well.

It's only the lens that matters, legally.  The self-levelling and headlight washing in UK law are scrubbed out by EU legislation.
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 09 April 2010, 21:28
Isn't that what I said? :huh:

No, you said a whole load of other stuff as well.

It's only the lens that matters, legally.  The self-levelling and headlight washing in UK law are scrubbed out by EU legislation.

?

Really?

So to have legal HIDs I'd need clear glass and that's it?
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Bellend on 22 April 2010, 23:36
So let me some this topic up very simply:

1. Buy HIDs
2. Install HIDs
3. Magically become a thingy
4. Enjoy being able to see at night.

 :laugh:
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Diamond Hell on 25 April 2010, 12:35
So to have legal HIDs I'd need clear glass and that's it?

No, you moron.

You need lenses that are designed to have an HID burner behind them and are e-marked for that use.

Let me help you out:


1. Buy new high quality 55W bulbs
2. Buy relay kit
3. Install new 55W bulbs and relay kit
4. Enjoy being able to see at night, legally.
Title: Re: HIDs - An Insight (What you need to know)
Post by: Matty-MK3 on 25 April 2010, 13:14
So to have legal HIDs I'd need clear glass and that's it?

No, you moron.

You need lenses that are designed to have an HID burner behind them and are e-marked for that use.

Let me help you out:


1. Buy new high quality 55W bulbs
2. Buy relay kit
3. Install new 55W bulbs and relay kit
4. Enjoy being able to see at night, legally.

Misunderstood what you said actually.

I fully know the legalities of HIDs. Do I run them? Well actually no I don't.

I am looking into these relays though, is it woth DIY'ing them?
Title: Re: INFO: HIDs - An Insight
Post by: davies1644 on 16 January 2011, 10:47
what does the dip dim cable do??
Title: Re: INFO: HIDs - An Insight
Post by: crazy_e on 18 January 2011, 10:24
yeah what does the dip dim cable do ?
Title: Re: INFO: HIDs - An Insight
Post by: crazy_e on 18 January 2011, 10:52
sorry scrap that it is the dim dipped headlights when you put the sides on it puts the dipped beam on very dim and if you have the dip dim on with hids it will some times only put 1 or none of the lights on cos they dont like to be powerd up then shut down then powerd up