Headlight upgrade?
03-03-2010, 07:04 PM
#31
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I'm beginning to suspect the problems may not be the headlights themselves.
After a long run yesterday, the car was quite sluggish to turn over. I just started it up in the garage (it's been on a trickle charger all night) and it seems the headlights don't increase in brightness as I increase revs on the car. Even with a fully charged battery, that doesn't seem right.
So I'm wondering if I have a basic alternator problem and the poor headlights were a result of that. I'll dig out a multi-meter at some point and test it properly, but probably not today.
Edited to add : I did just stick a multimeter across the battery terminals, and it does look like I might have a shot alternator. I have a healthy 12.75v from the battery before I start the car - but after starting it, it seems to drop to about 12.5v and stay there - and even increasing engine speed didn't help. In several attempts I did see it once go up to about 13.75v but only briefly and couldn't make it do that again.
So perhaps my headlights themselves are fine - if they're actually fed with enough power! I'll wait until we get a decent dry weekend (that's not too cold or trying to snow!) and then have a proper look. But I suspect it's time for a new alternator.
Second edit : Checked it again - engine at idle, 12.45v across battery terminals. From the threads I've found, replacing the alternator doesn't look difficult - I'll decide over the next few days if I want to do it myself or I'll book it in to have it sorted. I am quite impressed the car did about 90 miles yesterday with apparently no alternator!
After a long run yesterday, the car was quite sluggish to turn over. I just started it up in the garage (it's been on a trickle charger all night) and it seems the headlights don't increase in brightness as I increase revs on the car. Even with a fully charged battery, that doesn't seem right.
So I'm wondering if I have a basic alternator problem and the poor headlights were a result of that. I'll dig out a multi-meter at some point and test it properly, but probably not today.
Edited to add : I did just stick a multimeter across the battery terminals, and it does look like I might have a shot alternator. I have a healthy 12.75v from the battery before I start the car - but after starting it, it seems to drop to about 12.5v and stay there - and even increasing engine speed didn't help. In several attempts I did see it once go up to about 13.75v but only briefly and couldn't make it do that again.
So perhaps my headlights themselves are fine - if they're actually fed with enough power! I'll wait until we get a decent dry weekend (that's not too cold or trying to snow!) and then have a proper look. But I suspect it's time for a new alternator.
Second edit : Checked it again - engine at idle, 12.45v across battery terminals. From the threads I've found, replacing the alternator doesn't look difficult - I'll decide over the next few days if I want to do it myself or I'll book it in to have it sorted. I am quite impressed the car did about 90 miles yesterday with apparently no alternator!
Steve
03-04-2010, 02:51 AM
#32
Race Car
Thread Starter
Actually, I hadn't ruled that out so it is something to consider.
I doubt it's that - because I did have the clock problem in the early days of having the car (and the clock was replaced) - but that also meant the ABS / PDAS lights didn't go out until rpm hit 3k. It might be though - I'll have a good check before I pull the alternator off!
I doubt it's that - because I did have the clock problem in the early days of having the car (and the clock was replaced) - but that also meant the ABS / PDAS lights didn't go out until rpm hit 3k. It might be though - I'll have a good check before I pull the alternator off!
03-04-2010, 08:04 AM
#34
Watson,
In the photos on the AP Design site, I see a vacuum diaphragm of some sort on the back of the light assembly. Do your have that? Is that some sort of leveling system?
Also, for the install do you need to install relays? I see that there are 2 electronics boxes, I will assume that those are the amplifiers for the HID lights. Are those plug and play? I already have H4 plugs on my car. Do those amplifier modules fit in behind the headlights? If not, where do you hide them?
Did AP provide an installation manual?
Finally, can you install H4 trim rings over the AP headlamp assemblies?
Thank you!
In the photos on the AP Design site, I see a vacuum diaphragm of some sort on the back of the light assembly. Do your have that? Is that some sort of leveling system?
Also, for the install do you need to install relays? I see that there are 2 electronics boxes, I will assume that those are the amplifiers for the HID lights. Are those plug and play? I already have H4 plugs on my car. Do those amplifier modules fit in behind the headlights? If not, where do you hide them?
Did AP provide an installation manual?
Finally, can you install H4 trim rings over the AP headlamp assemblies?
Thank you!
03-04-2010, 08:10 AM
#35
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Minneapolis
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Yes they have the vacuum on the back it is for a leveling system I don't have that on my car so it isn't hooked up. No Need for relays the kit comes with a great plug and play harness that you wire to the battery and plug into the stock harness and away you go.
Nice install diagram comes with the kit it is a very easy install.
I dont have the trim rings installed yet as they are being painted but yes they fit.
Also when you buy the kit in the USA you don't pay VAT so the price is considerably less, contact Thomas for details.
Nice install diagram comes with the kit it is a very easy install.
I dont have the trim rings installed yet as they are being painted but yes they fit.
Also when you buy the kit in the USA you don't pay VAT so the price is considerably less, contact Thomas for details.
03-04-2010, 02:50 PM
#39
Racer
I just bought this Xenon kit from Ebay, let you know the improvement when I have fitted it. It is specifically for 964.
Last edited by rarebear; 03-28-2010 at 02:29 PM.
03-10-2010, 06:39 PM
#40
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Berks, UK
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Hi Dave.
I had a HID kit from these chaps installed just over 2 years ago http://www.hids4u.co.uk/
Thoroughly recommend them, better than the factory fit Xenons on my old BMW 330. Not had a single complaint from other drivers or 2 MOT testers.
Cheers,
James
I had a HID kit from these chaps installed just over 2 years ago http://www.hids4u.co.uk/
Thoroughly recommend them, better than the factory fit Xenons on my old BMW 330. Not had a single complaint from other drivers or 2 MOT testers.
Cheers,
James
03-11-2010, 12:10 AM
#42
Instructor
I can see that some of you guys are from Uk and Netherlands, where MOT year inspections are mandatory... how can you pass them with your cenon kits when you don't have the levelling systems?
in Spain people are no longer installing xenons on 964 and old cars in generals as they will no go through the MOT tests..
Thanks for teh advise
in Spain people are no longer installing xenons on 964 and old cars in generals as they will no go through the MOT tests..
Thanks for teh advise
03-11-2010, 06:48 AM
#43
Racer
the kit was 90 usd incl shipment, tye MOT is a bit worrying because the 964 does not have the automatically levelling system. But I plan to install the normal H4's when the MOT is due and put in the
Xenons afterwards.... I know I know thats dishonest.. but the government in Holland is dishonest bigtime with their criminal tax on gas... 1 euro on a litre !!!!!! I reckon that if that rule was applied in the USA a civil war would break out !!!!
Xenons afterwards.... I know I know thats dishonest.. but the government in Holland is dishonest bigtime with their criminal tax on gas... 1 euro on a litre !!!!!! I reckon that if that rule was applied in the USA a civil war would break out !!!!
03-11-2010, 07:07 AM
#44
Instructor
Thanks rarebear, changing to h4 when is time for the MOT is what the people also do here, but I am not good on DIY and I don't want to pay my mechanic for such things.
bye
bye
