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No Headlights?
by
Kantdrivefast
on 28 Sep, 2008 17:28
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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
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#1
by
burn_your_money
on 28 Sep, 2008 17:46
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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
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#2
by
Op-Ivy
on 28 Sep, 2008 18:00
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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
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#3
by
Kantdrivefast
on 28 Sep, 2008 21:36
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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
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#4
by
Op-Ivy
on 28 Sep, 2008 23:55
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Sounds like the switch then!
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#5
by
burn_your_money
on 29 Sep, 2008 16:38
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You need to add a relay (or two). The headlight switch can't handle that many amps.
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#6
by
Kantdrivefast
on 29 Sep, 2008 19:00
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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
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#7
by
burn_your_money
on 29 Sep, 2008 20:11
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#8
by
Vincent Waldon
on 29 Sep, 2008 20:54
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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.htmlI'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 !
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#9
by
cyrus #1
on 29 Sep, 2008 21:26
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2X.... you're gonna keep going thru headlight switches until you relay.
Or worse. Maybe a harness. :shock:
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#10
by
VW_Commuter
on 30 Sep, 2008 07:48
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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.
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#11
by
smutts
on 30 Sep, 2008 13:20
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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:
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#12
by
Kantdrivefast
on 30 Sep, 2008 15:07
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#13
by
Kantdrivefast
on 02 Oct, 2008 18:40
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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