Definitive HID upgrade

Kit arrived. Interestingly - Autobulbs is also the same company as HIDS4U it would seem- the despatch/return address is from that company... Hope to be able to install this beginning of next week all being well.
 
Examined the kit last night, the hardware all looks pretty top notch stuff actually - better quality than the previous HID kit I installed on my S2. Unfortunately the replacement H3s weren't delivered at the same time, so I'm going to wait until they arrive before installing - might as well replace all the bulbs at once.

According to the fitting guide on the Forum it suggests you need to take the headlamp unit fully out to fit -has anyone managed to replace all the bulbs with the headlamp unit still in place?

What I do still need to get is a 25mm drillbit to get through the back of the bulb holder -can't find mine from previously!
 
dan_b said:
According to the fitting guide on the Forum it suggests you need to take the headlamp unit fully out to fit -has anyone managed to replace all the bulbs with the headlamp unit still in place?

What I do still need to get is a 25mm drillbit to get through the back of the bulb holder -can't find mine from previously!
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You don't need to remove the cluster, simply remove the access panel and drill the required hole in that ;)
 
That's what I like to hear, thanks. Is it possible to access the sidelights and main beam bulbs from there too? I'm just so used to incredibly cramped engine compartments where you have to remove half the engine to reach the dipstick ;)
 
Dan, do yourself a favour and take out the headlamps. It's only 2 screws and there is no need to re-level the beams afterwards.

Cheers

Mike
 
Well it stopped raining, so I got on with it (my H4 Osram Nightbreakers aren't due for another week). Took me just shy of 1hr 45 from start to finish, broadly followed the HID installation guide on the forum, useful as an instruction for where to locate the ballasts. Will post photos later of the result (I also snuck in some LED sidelights).

A couple of watchouts for others
1. be careful not to drill the 25mm hole in the bulb cover too far to one edge, you risk the leads fouling the clip for the cover.
2. be careful not to mount the ballasts too far out to the edge of the wings so that the ballast wires aren't pressed up against anything.
3. removing the headlamps does help ease of access.
4. the ballast wire clip in my kit is more than 25mm in width - so when you drill your 25mm hole for the rubber grommet, you may need to cut a little nick to widen the hole a few mm just to get the clip through.
5. if you drop your torx bit down the hole in the front bumper next to the lower headlamp bolt, you can recover it by removing the panel next to the front fog light and having a good root around!
 
Here's a picture of the result, as you can see, very bright, very white, very pleased! I haven't been able to check the aim in the dark yet, I might just swing by an MOT station to double check.

You can't see on this shot the colour match with the LEDs, but that is very good indeed so pleased with them - LED side lights is a great little tweak. The stock main beams look ridiculously yellow by comparison - I hope the Osrams look better!

One thing I've noticed is that they are causing a small bit of interference with the FM radio signal - quite a spike of noise when the ballasts spark up, but then it settles down to a higher level of "background hiss". Is this normal, I don't remember this on my previous HID install? Anything I can do to reduce the RF interference?
 
One thing I've noticed is that they are causing interference with the FM radio signal - quite a spike of noise when the ballasts spark up, but then it settles down to a higher level of "background hiss". Is this normal, I don't remember this on my previous HID install? Anything I can do to reduce the RF interference?
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Just thought Id bump this anyone got any thoughts on the radio interference I get now with the xenons installed and how I might fix that?
 
Should have paid more attention, but do you have a standard Audi headunit? If not it's my guess that insufficient shielding on the aerial is the cause. In fact, this could be the same for an Audi radio too. Supression chokes can work in these situations, but it's best to find the actual cause if you can.

Cheers

Mike
 
Skipton01 said:
Should have paid more attention, but do you have a standard Audi headunit? If not it's my guess that insufficient shielding on the aerial is the cause. In fact, this could be the same for an Audi radio too. Supression chokes can work in these situations, but it's best to find the actual cause if you can.

Cheers

Mike
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Hi Mike yes I have a standard single Cd single Din Audi head unit. How easy is it to fit a choke can you recommend one? Am loving the new lights though they really shine! Cheers Dan
 
Hi Dan,

Noticed this after my install too. However, it only happens for a couple of seconds when the lights are starting up. I'm interested to see if this can be rectified.
 
With mine at least, I get a large noise spike when the ballasts first spark up, which reduces, but it certainly doesn't go away fully - there is a higher level of background static on all radio, the effect of which is like if you've not tuned in quite exactly to the frequency.
 
Chances are that cd and tape won't be affected as they don't use RF. There's basically 2 possibilities: dodgy ballast or duff shielding/component in the RF chain (aerial wire, aerial amps etc)

To rule out a ballast, unplug them 1 at a time to see if it is only the one that is causing interference

Cheers

Mike
 
Just for the record, I have ran my HIDs for over a year and also have a Concert II single slot CD HU.. however, have never noticed such interference.
 
It is only on radio, not with CD. I'll try disconnecting one/other ballast to see if one might be faulty, I'd be disappointed if they were.
D
 
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