xenon probs

[rob irl tdi]

Picked up a 2001 today. Lovely fast car however the xenons are like candles. Did A vCDS and the rear left auto level sensor is doggy

Will this make them brighter and raise them to correct level or would two new expensive genuine bulbs do the job

Or are the xenons just rubbish on them anyway

[S3featesV9]

Rear level sensors are prone to breaking. I used Araldite to fix the metal rod back onto the plastic level arm. Job done. I've wanted to change bulbs too but not known what to go for.

[rob irl tdi]

Yea but what is your light output like?

No point splashing out on new bulbs if they are going to be the same

[S3featesV9]

Light output is ok I suppose. My mate has HIDs fitted to his type r civic and there alot better than mine though. So they aren't the best. Weather that's down to the bulb or the lenses being old and dirty I have no idea not been bothered by it. Some ppl have sanded them down then polished them up. Might make it abit clearer

[rob irl tdi]

Just ordered original bulbs off ebay.de. Hope they do the trick with the sensor too

[s3dave]

They are crap from the factory....

[S3featesV9]

Which bulbs did you buy?

[jcs356]

IIRC Xenons do subtly deteriorate over time, in the same way that normal filament bulbs do. So new bulbs should make some difference.

[rob irl tdi]

Just new ds2 off ebay. Nah ive spoken to other S3 owners here in Ireland and they are very happy with their xenons lighting up the road. So i ordered a whole sensor and arm too today after getting this code

Address 55: Xenon Range Labels: 4B0-907-357-AUT.lbl Part No: 4B0 907 357
Component: LEUCHTWEITEREGLER D003
Coding: 00002
Shop #: WSC 06314
VCID: E5CAFB8F7F7A596


1 Fault Found:
00774 - Level Control System Sensor; Left Rear (G76)
31-00 - Open or Short to Ground

[aragorn]

Dont ever compare retrofitted HID's in some reflector headlamps with proper factory HID's.

Proper HID's have a very controlled beam that puts the light exactly where its supposed to go. Retrofit crap almost invariably doesnt. It scatters light all over the place. As a result yes you can see more, but the glare it causes then pisses off everyone coming the other way.

Its a bit like saying "I can see more with my main beam on, so i'll just drive around with that on all the time".


With a broken level sensor the height adjustment system winds the lamps right down as far as they will go, so you end up with a superbly lit area 3ft infront of the car, then darkness. Fixing it will make a huge difference.

[N4THW]

Dont ever compare retrofitted HID's in some reflector headlamps with proper factory HID's.

Proper HID's have a very controlled beam that puts the light exactly where its supposed to go. Retrofit crap almost invariably doesnt. It scatters light all over the place. As a result yes you can see more, but the glare it causes then pisses off everyone coming the other way.

Its a bit like saying "I can see more with my main beam on, so i'll just drive around with that on all the time".


With a broken level sensor the height adjustment system winds the lamps right down as far as they will go, so you end up with a superbly lit area 3ft infront of the car, then darkness. Fixing it will make a huge difference.

+1. i bought some crappy hid lights and to me, it looked awesome cus it light up everything so bright and they did have a nice white/blue tint to them but people coming my way did not like it! took them off.. was quite dangerous at high speeds

[rob irl tdi]

Every tho they are point at the ground . Light output is still crap

I post up on results as soon as sensor is replace and reset with VCDS and get the new bulbs in. All is ordered