Headlights, What headlights !!
Discussion
I came back over the peak district from Sheffield the other week, on an un-pleasant night!
I soon realised that the S2 headlights aren’t up to modern car standards.
When I brought the S2 it had Mini sealed beams on it!!! You could say they were poor then.
I changed with a H4 conversion, from my local auto factors. Someone had obviously had a mess with them in the past, due to the wiring mess I found.
Had any one put in better bulbs any or other solution to get better lights?
I see why the later S's have the driving lights....
Danlor
I soon realised that the S2 headlights aren’t up to modern car standards.
When I brought the S2 it had Mini sealed beams on it!!! You could say they were poor then.
I changed with a H4 conversion, from my local auto factors. Someone had obviously had a mess with them in the past, due to the wiring mess I found.
Had any one put in better bulbs any or other solution to get better lights?
I see why the later S's have the driving lights....
Danlor
I agree driving the S at night is difficult the standard light are poor
I changed the "Bulbs" for Halfords H4 super brilliance(they were on offer at the time)
which claim to be 50% brighter & fitted new reflector
units,as the old ones were begining to rust, this made an improvement,
but still did not bring them up to anything like the standard of
current cars
My S3 does not have driving/fog lights in the bonnet & I feel I need to improve
the lighting level for driving on country roads
Someone on this forum fitted some rectangular driving lights in the grille
I think it was a couple of years ago which looked neat. I've tried the search
but I can't find it does any body remember the thread, or remember which type of lights were used
Ian
I changed the "Bulbs" for Halfords H4 super brilliance(they were on offer at the time)
which claim to be 50% brighter & fitted new reflector
units,as the old ones were begining to rust, this made an improvement,
but still did not bring them up to anything like the standard of
current cars
My S3 does not have driving/fog lights in the bonnet & I feel I need to improve
the lighting level for driving on country roads
Someone on this forum fitted some rectangular driving lights in the grille
I think it was a couple of years ago which looked neat. I've tried the search
but I can't find it does any body remember the thread, or remember which type of lights were used
Ian
The lights on my S3 are a match for the halogen equipped V70 that I have. Ok, they're not up to the standard of HID lights but no where near as bad as people describe.
In my defence I must add that I've fitted 2 new relays for the dipped and main beams and both have their own dedicated fused feed from the battery. Even before that mod they were no where near as bad so I'm wondering if you have a wiring issue. On my car the wires to the front lights were joined to the main loom using terminal blocks - these were visible when the front wheel arch covers were removed. I replaced these blocks with crimp connectors as a temporary fix years ago (ideally they need sealed connectors) but did have to cut the wires back quite a way to get to clean copper.
Jed
In my defence I must add that I've fitted 2 new relays for the dipped and main beams and both have their own dedicated fused feed from the battery. Even before that mod they were no where near as bad so I'm wondering if you have a wiring issue. On my car the wires to the front lights were joined to the main loom using terminal blocks - these were visible when the front wheel arch covers were removed. I replaced these blocks with crimp connectors as a temporary fix years ago (ideally they need sealed connectors) but did have to cut the wires back quite a way to get to clean copper.
Jed
I found that Wipac Quad-Optics with halfords "Extreme" (claimed 90% brighter) are a good upgrade from the sealed beams. I intend to follow Jed with the relays to ensure the full voltage reaches the bulbs - its on my list for this winter but is after the suspension bushes etc etc so I might not get around to it again this year 
K
K
May be worth a look here for conversions and the prices seem reasonable
http://www.autowhizz.co.uk/
I'm going to try one when the lighting is ready to be done (Lots of others bits to do first)
http://www.autowhizz.co.uk/
I'm going to try one when the lighting is ready to be done (Lots of others bits to do first)
Edited by clarenceboddiger on Friday 1st January 21:37
For some reason the search doesn't go back very far but i found this through my own profile -
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... headlights on an
Hope it helps!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... headlights on an
Hope it helps!
For anyone thinking of retrofitting HID lights you need to be aware that according to VOSA, cars fitted with HID lights must have a light cleaning system (eg. washer jets) and they must have a levelling system to ensure that the lights don't point too high and dazzle oncoming drivers.
Theoretically it should be picked up at MOT time but I'm not sure that it happens judging by the number of cars I've seen with them.
Theoretically it should be picked up at MOT time but I'm not sure that it happens judging by the number of cars I've seen with them.
I have just checked I fitted the Winpac Quad Optics
I see Halfords have a BOGOF offer on thier
Extreme brilliance 90% brighter H4's so 2 for £20 is worth
a try, I had to re-make the connector for the wiring for one
headlight for the M.O.T last March & I noticed the copper was
dull so maybe if I need to rewire back a bit I should add in relays
& take the power direct.
I still think some driving lights through the main beam relay
would be useful so if anyone can find the item which showed
the neat rectangular lights in the grille I'll give it a try.
Ian
I see Halfords have a BOGOF offer on thier
Extreme brilliance 90% brighter H4's so 2 for £20 is worth
a try, I had to re-make the connector for the wiring for one
headlight for the M.O.T last March & I noticed the copper was
dull so maybe if I need to rewire back a bit I should add in relays
& take the power direct.
I still think some driving lights through the main beam relay
would be useful so if anyone can find the item which showed
the neat rectangular lights in the grille I'll give it a try.
Ian
Be very careful you dont overload old wiring by fitting upgraded buls - tried that and removed them smartly when I smelt 'cookig' insulation. I then fitted Wipaq Quad Optics and 50% upgraded bulbs from Stratford Vehicle Componants http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/ they have been great.
Like I said, the wiring has been mess about with alot before so a rewire and relays will be for the spring when the garage isn't so damp and cold. I'll try those better builbs for now and, keep sniffing for that oooppps!!! to much current smell...!
The lenses in the H4 kit are still like new, so thats good. Just wont have to go out in the dark so much. Just like diving the thing... Not today though, tooooo much snow on the roads here in Staffs....
Danor
The lenses in the H4 kit are still like new, so thats good. Just wont have to go out in the dark so much. Just like diving the thing... Not today though, tooooo much snow on the roads here in Staffs....
Danor
Apologies for reviving an old thread - hopefully it is relevant though.
The main bulb on my near side headlight is not working although I do still have dim/side light working. Following the instructions in the bible I have removed the chrome ring and accessed the light unit where it has become evident that I have a sealed unit as opposed to one in which I can change the main bulb (H4?). Is this likely to be an original part or has my S2 had a different part fitted?
Either way, I think I'd like to change to a setup where I can change the bulb alone when it goes rather than the whole unit. I realise there are high intensity options which I would consider but I don't wish to break the bank as I'm saving for a new hood right now! Any advice on a suitable option to go for and supplier? My plastic backing and chrome retaining rings appear to be in pretty good nick so that may save ££ if they are compatible with a new unit? Also - is the wiring standard? My connector blocks seem pretty good too and I wanted to see if they are likely to be the same as those needed for a newer unit.
Thanks in advance guys - I've got this headlight bulb/unit replacement and a dodgy fuel sender to investigate this weekend.
David
The main bulb on my near side headlight is not working although I do still have dim/side light working. Following the instructions in the bible I have removed the chrome ring and accessed the light unit where it has become evident that I have a sealed unit as opposed to one in which I can change the main bulb (H4?). Is this likely to be an original part or has my S2 had a different part fitted?
Either way, I think I'd like to change to a setup where I can change the bulb alone when it goes rather than the whole unit. I realise there are high intensity options which I would consider but I don't wish to break the bank as I'm saving for a new hood right now! Any advice on a suitable option to go for and supplier? My plastic backing and chrome retaining rings appear to be in pretty good nick so that may save ££ if they are compatible with a new unit? Also - is the wiring standard? My connector blocks seem pretty good too and I wanted to see if they are likely to be the same as those needed for a newer unit.
Thanks in advance guys - I've got this headlight bulb/unit replacement and a dodgy fuel sender to investigate this weekend.
David
Here you go... comes complete with bulbs so you could always upgrade later to the +90% brilliance bulbs still on offer at Halfords on a BOGOF for £20.00
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-mini-wipac-7inch...
I fitted these and found they were good enough, but better with the upgraded bulbs
K
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-mini-wipac-7inch...
I fitted these and found they were good enough, but better with the upgraded bulbs
K
It might not be the bulb. It could quite easily be a dodgy connection, probably in the multi-pin connector beside the radiator. Philpot has a good solution.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
This is (another
) well known weak-spot with the S wiring.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
This is (another
) well known weak-spot with the S wiring.7" round headlamps were fitted to nearly everything back in the sixties,their popularity slowly decreased with the introduction of square, rectangular and later all manner of funny shaped lamps. Various styles and makes are still readily available, just be sure you get the type with sidelight built in ( a lot of cars used to have separate sidelights).
What you have sound like "sealed beams", nothing wrong with them (if they work), in fact they were the thing to have once but things went full circle and bulbs became de rigeur.
Useful links.........
www.s-v-c.co.uk
www.vehicleproducts.co.uk
What you have sound like "sealed beams", nothing wrong with them (if they work), in fact they were the thing to have once but things went full circle and bulbs became de rigeur.
Useful links.........
www.s-v-c.co.uk
www.vehicleproducts.co.uk
As well as putting new bowls and bright bulbs in it is worth going through the wiring from the battery through the lights back to the battery cleaning every connector.
I was getting a hair over 6V at the bulbs but now get 11V. The bulbs went from being so dull you could stare at them to being way too bright to look at. Adding in relays would solve the problem and give 12-14V at the lights but beware you have to remove the dim-dim module otherwise turning the sidelights on will cause the dipped beams to come on.
I was getting a hair over 6V at the bulbs but now get 11V. The bulbs went from being so dull you could stare at them to being way too bright to look at. Adding in relays would solve the problem and give 12-14V at the lights but beware you have to remove the dim-dim module otherwise turning the sidelights on will cause the dipped beams to come on.
Thanks for the help guys - I ended up buying the halogen h4 7" conversion kits at £15 each side from my local motor shop. I then purchased the Ultra Brilliance H4 bulbs from Halfrauds on the BOGOF offer at £19.99 (equivelent Is cheaper on ebay but i wanted instant gratification). I've taken the old sealed units out, cleaned the connectors as best I could and fitted the new units. They have a slightly more modern look (brighter) than the old sealed lamps and have a flatter glass face actually. I haven't taken it out in the dark yet but they seem dazzling in the garage. Thanks for the help and pointers - forum proves invaluable again!
Next job - dodgy fuel sender!
David
Next job - dodgy fuel sender!
David
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