headlamp relay mod

[baj25]

Just did the mod today. Fantastic, not scared of the dark now! Surprised how much difference it made. Bri

[California Dreamin]

Not sure which mod type you followed but they are all worth while. I will re-iterate what you have said and whole heartedly agree with you and say that this mod is perhaps the best in terms of improvement against relatively small cost.
Simply a massive difference for 2 - 3 hours work.

Martin

[danmetallic]

Just did the mod today. Fantastic, not scared of the dark now! Surprised how much difference it made. Bri

If you have time do you mind sharing which method you used and the steps?

[Hacksawbob]

Covered in depth here:

http://wiki.club8090.co.uk/index.php/VW ... headlights" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[baj25]

This is what mine ended up looking like.

The aluminium angle is sikaflexed to the air duct next to fuse box. It could equally be pop rivetted on I guess. Before fixing it down, mount the relays (I used button head M5 screws to reduce risk of chafing cable at rear) and connect brown cores and red cores to relays. Make a note of the remaining relay pin orientation, you'll struggle to see numbers when it is in place. If easier for you, wiring to pins 30 and 87 can be swapped over, they are on volt free contacts.
The VW yellow and white cores come from red and blue connectors on back of fusebox, then go off to right side of vehicle, they weren't too difficult to locate with haynes and info about fuse box on here. Before cutting, to be sure I had the correct cores, I jabbed point of my meter lead through insulation to test for 12V when dip/main on. When cutting and extending, if doing it again I would extend the white and yellow that come from the right not the left, as this is the low current circuit. Also, excuse the blue through crimps , I was in a rush and didn't have time to solder, they will be soldered and heatshinked at next opporunity.
All in, probably less than an hour.
HTH, Bri

[California Dreamin]

Interesting, the different ways that users do this job.... nice & neat.

Martin

[dazzler441]

Hello, just some thought to add to this, fleabay has these kits now with the relays and wiring included, is it worth using these now?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251443795199? ... 1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks

[ghost123uk]

Hello, just some thought to add to this, fleabay has these kits now with the relays and wiring included, is it worth using these now?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251443795199? ... 1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Thanks

The components (relays etc) might be OK, but if the instructions are as good as the (duff) wiring diagram and their very duff "English", then you might end up winging it. Let us know how you get on with it (assuming you buy that one).

[baj25]

I doubt the parts for mine cost a tenner, couple of relays, offcuts of cable and a few crimps. It really is easy, no need for a kit, all the info you need is here. Bri

[California Dreamin]

I have a couple of observations:

The bundle may well include most of what you need but will undoubtedly require a fair bit of modding to fit, however, I am personally skeptical of the quality, particularly the relays.

Again...personally, I would recommend the 'full mod' that upgrades all the way to the bulbs (internal relay mod uses original 25 year old wires/connections which are known to be adequate at best).

Martin

[ghost123uk]

Again...personally, I would recommend the 'full mod' that upgrades all the way to the bulbs (internal relay mod uses original 25 year old wires/connections which are know to be adequate at best).

Totally agree, seems a lot of work to only do half the job, might as well do it properly if you are going to do it at all.

[danmetallic]

Does anyone in the uk actually sell a T25 specific kit? I want to do the mod but don't really have enough time to get my head around doing it (at least at the moment).

[ghost123uk]

Not that I know of, but in essence it's only 2 relays, a few feet of 20/30 Amp(ish) wire, an in line blade fuse and some connectors if you are doing the (imho) "proper" relay behind the grill method.

[California Dreamin]

All versions of the relay mod are beneficial .....relaying behind the dash addresses the main issue of voltage drop across switch contacts. It is just that, rewiring to the bulbs and giving seperate earths close to the lights improves things even further.


Martin

[danmetallic]

I know there's the bits is the wiki but I guess what I'm looking for (and others in sure) is an idiots step by step guide with instructions.