Author Topic: MK4 Headlights.  (Read 7211 times)

Offline bgbazz

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 426
  • If it aint broke...I can fix it!
MK4 Headlights.
« on: 15 December 2017, 17:41 »
I rarely whinge about anything to do with my car...except the headlights. Compared with the lights on the 66 or so vehicles I've owned in the past, this one is almost the worst...beaten only by my '58 Beetle!!

The clear covers are kept very clean and have no damage (cracks, scatches etc) and the reflectors are bright, clean and very shiny.

All the connections have been cleaned with contact cleaner and tested with a multimeter...all good. Did my own alignment testing (on the garage door), then took it to my local MOT chap to be tested on his headlight gizmo...all as it should be, but the lights are still mediocre at best! I've spent a lot of time searching on here, but apart from folk spending heaps of money changing to over to different systems...HID etc., there isn't much for me to go on.
Has anyone else come across this problem ...and how did you cure it?

I want/need to have a brighter (whiter) light and some more range. Better quality bulbs (globes) may be the answer, but which ones?

Mk4 Golf TDI Estate 4Motion, remapped 1.9. Sweet runner = keeper. She is the 66th vehicle I've owned and hopefully, the last.

Offline itavaltalainen

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,689
  • VCDS and VCP - fault codes, coding, VIM activation
Re: MK4 Headlights.
« Reply #1 on: 15 December 2017, 20:40 »
Get factory xenon headlights (with auto level control and headlight washers) and you'll see significant improvement.

HID kits in Halogen headlights, well. All you'll do is blind everyone coming onto you but you won't get any better lighting yourself.
2019 Seat Leon ST FR DSG 135kW - eclipse orange - 23k miles

Online barrym381

  • Forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 5,914
Re: MK4 Headlights.
« Reply #2 on: 15 December 2017, 21:52 »
Get factory xenon headlights (with auto level control and headlight washers) and you'll see significant improvement.

HID kits in Halogen headlights, well. All you'll do is blind everyone coming onto you but you won't get any better lighting yourself.
I just sold a set too  :smiley:

Offline bgbazz

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 426
  • If it aint broke...I can fix it!
Re: MK4 Headlights.
« Reply #3 on: 16 December 2017, 06:34 »
Thanks guys.   :smiley:
Mk4 Golf TDI Estate 4Motion, remapped 1.9. Sweet runner = keeper. She is the 66th vehicle I've owned and hopefully, the last.

Offline Ajamesc

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 79
Re: MK4 Headlights.
« Reply #4 on: 16 December 2017, 11:11 »
My head lights wear crap lol I checked the aim and there was no pattern at all on the drivers side. It would adjust at all just left a blob on the beam setter fitted a new head light and it’s like a different car lol
Also testing 12v signals with a multimeter is not the best you could get 12v out of one strand of wire but under load that wouldn’t light a bulb correctly. Load test it with the bulb. Try wiring the bulb straight to the battery see if it’s brighter like that if you don’t have a powerprob. If it is noticeabley brighter wired directly to the battery you know your 12v headlight supply or earth could have an issue
« Last Edit: 16 December 2017, 11:17 by Ajamesc »

Offline bgbazz

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 426
  • If it aint broke...I can fix it!
Re: MK4 Headlights.
« Reply #5 on: 16 December 2017, 16:33 »
Well, I spent some time mucking around with these lights today...and then a few hours on the net, searching for some replacements. Nothing positive was achieved.

Tried the globe test, with all four of them...no noticable difference at all....battery reading was 13.8v at the terminals...and 13.1v on each socket. Seems OK to my untrained eye.

Much searching on Ebay and a couple of other places, produced some interesting results...very scarce offerings of the new variety and just a few used ones from breakers etc. Prices ranged from about 325 quid (each), up to and sometimes above 400 pounds! Very, very few of them were suitable for a LHD car. Sort of works out to be about the same price as the whole car, once I've paid for the delivery costs.

TBH, I think I'll give up driving at night.

Having said all that, I appreciate the suggestions and comments given by you all.

 :smiley:

 
Mk4 Golf TDI Estate 4Motion, remapped 1.9. Sweet runner = keeper. She is the 66th vehicle I've owned and hopefully, the last.

Offline Ajamesc

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 79
Re: MK4 Headlights.
« Reply #6 on: 17 December 2017, 11:53 »
Load test the wiring to the head lights 13v with a multimeter dose not mean your have 13v under load! Iver back prob the plugs and test with a multimeter while the bulbs are working. Or test the wiring with the headlight bulb out the lamp so you can physically see it in hand

Offline bgbazz

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 426
  • If it aint broke...I can fix it!
Re: MK4 Headlights.
« Reply #7 on: 17 December 2017, 15:05 »
That's how I did it yesterday. I'm going to buy a set of decent globes tomorrow and start again...something like the Osram Nightbreaker (I think that's what they are called). Been raining like a mad thing here all day and now it's pitch dark, so I just have to wait...

I'll keep you all in the loop, regardless of the result.  It may help some else if I find a solution.

 :smiley:
Mk4 Golf TDI Estate 4Motion, remapped 1.9. Sweet runner = keeper. She is the 66th vehicle I've owned and hopefully, the last.

Offline bgbazz

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 426
  • If it aint broke...I can fix it!
Re: MK4 Headlights.
« Reply #8 on: 20 December 2017, 19:52 »
Due to the crappy weather, I've not been able to do much to cure my light problem, but I did manage to pay a visit to an auto electrician who specialises in lighting. He tested the system and confirmed that everything was delivering exactly as it should...except for the globes!! The 55w high beam jobbies, when tested on his gizmo returned only 35w on one and 32w on the other!! Obviously cheap rubbish, fitted by the original owner. He ordered me a complete new set of the Osram globes and they should be here in early Feb...he is going to test each new one and fit them for me. No night driving planned until that's all sorted.

I'll let you know how it goes.
Mk4 Golf TDI Estate 4Motion, remapped 1.9. Sweet runner = keeper. She is the 66th vehicle I've owned and hopefully, the last.

Offline sharki786

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,708
  • GOT BOOST??
Re: MK4 Headlights.
« Reply #9 on: 22 December 2017, 19:35 »
I had the same issue. At night driving it was like driving without lights on. I had a set of depo projectors fitted them and still no improvement until i got some led lights. the difference was day and night. No blinding anyone and also had them tested at my mot station and they was bang on. These are them bulbs https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Bright-110W-H7-20000LM-CREE-COB-LED-Headlight-12V-Car-Conversion-Bulbs-Kit/112184821859?_mwBanner=1&epid=881525492
I have had them for over 6 months
*****MK3 Anniversary*****
*****MK4 GTI T*****