Headlight Aim Motors Wiring help
12-05-2017, 12:38 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Headlight Aim Motors Wiring help
I am in the process of restoring a 1989 S4 5-spd, which has been stood for 10yrs...
So far I have managed to fix everything and the only system that does not work is the hydraulic operated headlight adjustment. I can try and re-fill the system or install a brand new one, which I have found on the cheap, but it appears that it was fault prone even when new, let alone now. As it happens, I have a couple of spare electric motors from my GT race car, as well as the potentiometer. What I am struggling with is the wiring.
I would really appreciate any suggestions as to where to splice the 1989 harness and generally how to go about it.
Many thanks in advance,
Alex
P.S. For those of you with faulty motors - it appears they are a common part on many VWs and Audis and cost peanuts...
So far I have managed to fix everything and the only system that does not work is the hydraulic operated headlight adjustment. I can try and re-fill the system or install a brand new one, which I have found on the cheap, but it appears that it was fault prone even when new, let alone now. As it happens, I have a couple of spare electric motors from my GT race car, as well as the potentiometer. What I am struggling with is the wiring.
I would really appreciate any suggestions as to where to splice the 1989 harness and generally how to go about it.
Many thanks in advance,
Alex
P.S. For those of you with faulty motors - it appears they are a common part on many VWs and Audis and cost peanuts...
12-05-2017, 01:59 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
Alex,
The control is a potentiometer that is simply wired in parallel with the headlight motors-- 12v, wiper (position), and ground. No other control box, the logic to run the motor is inside each motor housing.
If you trace out the '90 ROW wiring diagram it will show how it wires together. For '90+ cars there were two harnesses: One (fitted to all cars) goes from the control at the outboard side of the drivers seat to a connector in the CE area, and a second harness (ROW only) from that connector to the two headlight buckets. For a pre-'89 car you will need to add both harnesses, but it is straightforward.
Alan has a write-up here that has more details (my efforts are at post #95).
Do you have a part# for the VW/Audi motor?
Cheers,
The control is a potentiometer that is simply wired in parallel with the headlight motors-- 12v, wiper (position), and ground. No other control box, the logic to run the motor is inside each motor housing.
If you trace out the '90 ROW wiring diagram it will show how it wires together. For '90+ cars there were two harnesses: One (fitted to all cars) goes from the control at the outboard side of the drivers seat to a connector in the CE area, and a second harness (ROW only) from that connector to the two headlight buckets. For a pre-'89 car you will need to add both harnesses, but it is straightforward.
Alan has a write-up here that has more details (my efforts are at post #95).
Do you have a part# for the VW/Audi motor?
Cheers,
12-05-2017, 05:06 PM
#3
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Alex,
The control is a potentiometer that is simply wired in parallel with the headlight motors-- 12v, wiper (position), and ground. No other control box, the logic to run the motor is inside each motor housing.
If you trace out the '90 ROW wiring diagram it will show how it wires together. For '90+ cars there were two harnesses: One (fitted to all cars) goes from the control at the outboard side of the drivers seat to a connector in the CE area, and a second harness (ROW only) from that connector to the two headlight buckets. For a pre-'89 car you will need to add both harnesses, but it is straightforward.
Alan has a write-up here that has more details (my efforts are at post #95).
Do you have a part# for the VW/Audi motor?
Cheers,
The control is a potentiometer that is simply wired in parallel with the headlight motors-- 12v, wiper (position), and ground. No other control box, the logic to run the motor is inside each motor housing.
If you trace out the '90 ROW wiring diagram it will show how it wires together. For '90+ cars there were two harnesses: One (fitted to all cars) goes from the control at the outboard side of the drivers seat to a connector in the CE area, and a second harness (ROW only) from that connector to the two headlight buckets. For a pre-'89 car you will need to add both harnesses, but it is straightforward.
Alan has a write-up here that has more details (my efforts are at post #95).
Do you have a part# for the VW/Audi motor?
Cheers,
Thank you, Jim!
Rennlist to the rescue as always. Having read the thread I wonder if my 1989 yokes designed for hydraulic adjusters would accommodate the new electric motors.
As as for the part numbers - our German colleagues apparently have sussed it all out a long time ago...
http://jenniskens.livedsl.nl/Technic...6/MyTip622.htm
12-05-2017, 07:51 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
(Damn, I miss that guy... just isn't the same without him).
Cheers,