GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: vwwvgolf on 19 December 2012, 16:48
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goood evening.
i have hella quads with night breaker plus in the projector and osrams bulbs in the sidelight.
to my knowledge they are all aligned correctly.
but the output seems pretty poor.
i read about relaying them but will that really much difference or is that a mk2 thing.
anyone do it to theirs?? or is it just better and easier to go with some HIDs?
cheers
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Check the voltage on them with the lights on. I have a full kit available for sale. Pm me if your interested
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goood evening.
i have hella quads with night breaker plus in the projector and osrams bulbs in the sidelight.
to my knowledge they are all aligned correctly.
but the output seems pretty poor.
i read about relaying them but will that really much difference or is that a mk2 thing.
anyone do it to theirs?? or is it just better and easier to go with some HIDs?
cheers
I was finding my headlights were ending up at 9v, which wasn't great for output.
Don't put HIDS in; HID stands for "Hi, I'm a D!ckhead"
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Have a read of this:
http://www.matey-matey.com/uprated_headlight_wiring.shtml
I've been looking into this relaying business myself but I'm wondering whether I should find the problem? It says in the article that because the loom is too long the voltage drops but surely it wasn't like that from factory right?
Are there any earths/positive connections that can be remade to get this voltage back? (if it can come back)
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The voltage drops not because the wiring is too long but because it is too thin.
Thinner wire has higher resistance than thicker multiply this by the current which is fairly high since it all low voltage gives you an impressive drop in voltage... add a few junction points (plugs, switches, etc) and it goes down even more.
And yes, was like that when it came out of factory. However ground connection can corrode, making it much worse still...
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I suppose back in the 90's it was the norm plus there were no HID's or Xenons to compare it to so new Golf customer's wouldn't moan!
Think a good earth clean up is in order first, the ones under my battery I replaced because of corrosion so I think the other hidden ones must be in the same shape.
Thanks for the info itavaltalainen
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[/quote]
Don't put HIDS in; HID stands for "Hi, I'm a D!ckhead"
[/quote]
lol. okay ill try and get out in the rain today and check the voltage. ill have a read up on that page too.
cheers for all the info guys
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just been out with multimeter. with the engine running the sidelights were at 13 something, the fogs where 12 something and drivers side dipped was at 10 something and passengers side was 11 something.
all seem pretty good really.
is it worth doing to the dipped beam?
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I thought the headlight relay'ing thing was a mk2 problem, not a mk3 problem?
James
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just been out with multimeter. with the engine running the sidelights were at 13 something, the fogs where 12 something and drivers side dipped was at 10 something and passengers side was 11 something.
all seem pretty good really.
is it worth doing to the dipped beam?
Definately. You want them at around 13-14v for maximum effectiveness. Dont forget to put a new earth in too.
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i know the bulbs will have bit of tolorance but wont running them above 12 shorten their life and such?
also if the battery is 12 volt how would you increase it to 14??
and would taking the earth from the headlights and run it striaght to the battery negative work for making new earth?
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car off = ~12v, car on (alternator running) = ~14v
>and would taking the earth from the headlights and run it striaght to the battery negative work for making new earth?
it would.
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nice one. been looking into it some more and a 1 volt drops appers to make huge diiferance. will be doing this when i get the bits!
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I did the 'matey-matey' co0nversion myself and yes it made a difference.
I then bought some Halfords +90% brilliance bulbs and lo and behold I could see in the dark sooo much better.
I will be cleaning up the earthing mounts, but getting to the one underneath the battery is a pain in the arse. May simply make another !
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was just about to go out and get the bits i need to make up the relay but thought i would check the voltages again. i properly disconnected them at the block connector this time just behind the lamps and got reading of 13 to 14 volts on dipped and main beam.
i duno if my battery was a bit down last time i checked or what but was looking forward to improving my lights. :sad:
passengers side had intermittent voltage and the connector is pretty soaked in oil so will clean the connections up with some electrical connection cleaner to see if that helps.
is it possible that my alternator is not as efficient as it needs to be when the heaters are on with the wipers, stereo and headlights? (if stereo is on 2 amps will also be running)
if my bulbs are getting the voltage is there anything else i can try or look into?
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I've not checked this, but as I said I don't think the mk3 suffers from the same voltage drop issue as the mk2.
>if my bulbs are getting the voltage is there anything else i can try or look into?
worth checking that that the headlight levels are adjusted correctly, if they are pointing down then no amount of voltage or better bulbs will help.
>is it possible that my alternator is not as efficient as it needs to be when the heaters are on with the wipers, stereo and headlights? (if stereo is on 2 amps will also be running)
Start the car, turn everything on, headlights, stereo, heated windscreen's etc, and measure the battery voltage. Should still be ~14v. Also worth checking voltage between the battery neg terminal and the engine block - should be < 0.5v.
James
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mine had a mot not too long ago so they should have been checked then and adjusted if needed then.
thanks for the info javalin. i will check the voltage with all on later on