Author Topic: No Headlights? (Read 4412 times)

Kantdrivefast · « **on:** September 28, 2008, 08:28:33 pm »

So the story goes, im replacing speakers in my 81 jetta, wiring them up, etc, getting everything for a bit of a road trip. Take the car out for a bit of a drive that night to make sure the new lights I put in performed, only to find that my lights wouldn't turn on. Dash lights and marker lights come on, nothing else though. Weird thing is that when I pull the light dimmer switch and hold it my high beams still come on. Even weirder still is that my windshield wipers now only work when I hold my high beams on. Ideas? Its rather irritating not being able to drive at night, especially when you've just spent money on HID's.

CAs

burn_your_money · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2008, 08:46:57 pm »

For some reason I want to say ignition switch, or maybe the X relay. But those are pretty far out suggestions.

Do you have power to the stock wires for the lights when the lights are on? IE you wired someting wrong

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2008, 09:00:19 pm »

Ah you installed HID's. I just did this as well. Best thing I ever did. Hope you bought projectors or Ecodes for them!

Anyways... Did they work at all after you installed them? Are you using a full kit? Did you install a relay with them?

Matt

Kantdrivefast · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2008, 12:36:52 am »

I have not touched the wiring in the car. and yes the lights I did over a week or two ago and they've worked flawlessly up now. Maybe I used the wrong name, they're not HID's but PIAA super plasma gt-x H-4s in bosch lenses. Regardless, we were able to turn the lights on by jumping terminals in the switch plug in.

CAs

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #4 on:** September 29, 2008, 02:55:36 am »

Sounds like the switch then!

burn_your_money · « **Reply #5 on:** September 29, 2008, 07:38:33 pm »

You need to add a relay (or two). The headlight switch can't handle that many amps.

Kantdrivefast · « **Reply #6 on:** September 29, 2008, 10:00:05 pm »

where? and how? lol, I hate to ask so many questions but when it comes to wiring im not the greatest. And we have replaced the switch only to have the same problem.

Your help is greatly appreciated guys!

CAs

burn_your_money · « **Reply #7 on:** September 29, 2008, 11:11:01 pm »

http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/images/HeadlightRelayWiringDiagram.jpg

This seems like the answer. I didn't read the whole page but it does have a wiring diagram

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #8 on:** September 29, 2008, 11:54:04 pm »

Quote from: "burn_your_money"

You need to add a relay (or two). The headlight switch can't handle that many amps.

2X.... you're gonna keep going thru headlight switches until you relay.

If wiring gives you a headache this guy sells very very nice pre-made relay harnesses that basically just plug in:

http://eurowires.net/default.html

I'm an electrical engineer that has been wiring stuff since I was five and I have two of his harnesses... can't match his OEM parts, and plug-and-play is a treat sometimes. Extra heavy wiring, every connection is soldered as well as crimped, and he uses the proper Bosch dual-output relays.

Not affiliated in any way... just a optional suggestion from a happy customer !

cyrus #1 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2008, 12:26:50 am »

Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"

2X.... you're gonna keep going thru headlight switches until you relay.

Or worse. Maybe a harness. :shock:

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2008, 10:48:20 am »

Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"

Quote from: "burn_your_money"
You need to add a relay (or two). The headlight switch can't handle that many amps.

2X.... you're gonna keep going thru headlight switches until you relay.

If wiring gives you a headache this guy sells very very nice pre-made relay harnesses that basically just plug in:

http://eurowires.net/default.html

I'm an electrical engineer that has been wiring stuff since I was five and I have two of his harnesses... can't match his OEM parts, and plug-and-play is a treat sometimes. Extra heavy wiring, every connection is soldered as well as crimped, and he uses the proper Bosch dual-output relays.

Not affiliated in any way... just a optional suggestion from a happy customer !

Yeah Vince, I'm planning on getting one of his relays since I'm putting 90W/130W bulbs in my Hella 7 1/2" H4 headlights.

smutts · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2008, 04:20:33 pm »

The standard wiring set up is a dismal thing. The headlight switch is made from some sort of salvaged bits of old verdigrised copper roof sheeting set in a housing made of plastic, or recycled chocolate. :x . If you can use a voltmeter, you will probably find four or five volts getting lost on the way from the battery to the light bulbs. Power is proportional to the voltage squared, so thats why you can't see bugger all at night in a Mk2 Golf. Relay kit is a must. :wink:

I have enough trouble missing black Dartmoor ponies on the unfenced moor at night, you have moose, on the loose! :shock:

Kantdrivefast · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2008, 06:07:59 pm »

Quote from: "burn_your_money"

http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/images/HeadlightRelayWiringDiagram.jpg

This seems like the answer. I didn't read the whole page but it does have a wiring diagram

Is this diagram the same as the harness being sold by eurowires. Im not afraid to build it.

CAs

Kantdrivefast · « **Reply #13 on:** October 02, 2008, 09:40:58 pm »

so I'll post some pics of the harness when im finished. Only thing left to do is make the ground wire and put it in the car. I went a little overkill on everything but it'll take just about any light I could throw in there now. 10 gauge wire, crimped and soldered connections, bosch relays, etc....

hopefully its the last thing I have to wire in. The heater fan and wipers only seem to work when ive got my light switch on, and the highbeam switch pulled in. Very odd.

CAs