dim dip beam head lights

[V8Dom]

ok im sure we have talked about this in the past but with all the early dark night its becoming more apparent my dip beams are not good.. Who has changed the bulbs and what did you go for???

Dom

[GTRMikie]

How old is your car Dom? Early GTR's had different headlights to later models. Mine is an early model and the dipped beams are useless. During my build, soon after I received my headlight "kit" from the factory, they sent me a set of lower wattage bulbs to replace those supplied, because the originals were found to melt the plastic reflector of the light! I have been meaning to upgrade the lights, but since I very rarely venture out after dark, I haven't got round to it yet.

[02PRUV]

V8Dom said:

ok im sure we have talked about this in the past but with all the early dark night its becoming more apparent my dip beams are not good.. Who has changed the bulbs and what did you go for???

Dom

Totally agree. They are no good. Haven't done anything about it yet though.

[DHGTR]

Someone, (one of our American friends i think) also inserted a relay into the dipped circuit as he found he only had 8 or 9 volts at the lights if i remember correctly. It may have been Lee (rowdyrenault).

Dave

[Steve_D]

I think I replaced mine with some 'Ice Blue' or whatever they are called from Halfords.

Steve

[V8 Vum]

Yeah, but It seems that there has been a back-lash on using aftermarket HID units as too many people complain about the way the beam changes...something about using them with reflectors not designed... etc I presume they mean these Ice-Blue jobbies. Are they now not illegal if not in the appropriate housing? This there is a thread on 'Speed-Plod-and-the-law'

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[Steve_D]

No the ones I used are just a higher rating bulb, not HID.

Steve

[UltimaCH]

Osram Night Breakers are good

[V8Dom]

GTRMikie said:

How old is your car Dom?

Hi my car is a factory 2001 car so it will be orginal. I ve also been looking at the lens covers as they look a little foggy.

Main beam is fantastic but dip a waste of time... Im also going to be fitting day time running lights which I might....cough cough use as well as dip although you are not suppose to but will have a seperate switch,

Factory told me before high wattage bulbs too hot.. but i will check voltage as thats a great idea.

Dom

[shithotfast]

DHGTR said:

Someone, (one of our American friends i think) also inserted a relay into the dipped circuit as he found he only had 8 or 9 volts at the lights if i remember correctly. It may have been Lee (rowdyrenault).

Dave

You NEED the relay..... My car didn't have it and had the same issue, light were dim, reason is they were getting about 6 or 7 volts so half power. fit a relay and see your dipped light (same bulbs) brighter that a bright thing that is bright. Total cost £5!

[V8Dom]

sthotfast said:

You NEED the relay..... My car didn't have it and had the same issue, light were dim, reason is they were getting about 6 or 7 volts so half power. fit a relay and see your dipped light (same bulbs) brighter that a bright thing that is bright. Total cost £5!

hi where did you wire in the relay? does it not have one at all in the circuit?

[shithotfast]

V8Dom said:

hi where did you wire in the relay? does it not have one at all in the circuit?

Hi Dom, i was surprised but it does has one for the high beams (that’s why they are bright!) but not for the low beams. Thought is was the light switch at first then connections etc... but if you measure the voltage when the bulb is on, and it’s a lot like 6-7 volts.... you don’t have a relay.

I found some instructions on the web, i added it in under the front putting it in line to the existing bulb wires - near one of the bulbs, basically the power goes to the relay which cliks and sends power to the bulb so its in the existing line. Best to get someone who knows such things! simple when you know how! But its well worth it, safer as well!

this sort of thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuhmK2i4efA

[Steve_D]

Disconnect the blue/red wire as it enters fuse 6 and connect it to pin 86 on the relay.
Connect pin 87 of the relay to fuse 6
Connect pin 85 of the relay to ground.
Bring a nice heavy supply from the battery to relay pin 30.

Steve

[spatz]

if you have voltage drop of almost 5 volts over the switch i am surprised that has not yet melted or caught fire !

[V8Dom]

thanks guys..

i will be having a look this week..

i have plenty of relays laying about

Dom

[shithotfast]

spatz said:

if you have voltage drop of almost 5 volts over the switch i am surprised that has not yet melted or caught fire !

yep..... i went through 3 switches over the years before i realised what was killing them! Do the later cars have this in place from the factory?

[Steve_D]

I should perhaps add that whilst I have posted how to wire a relay I have not found the need to fit one on my car. As the Factory say, the currents involved should not require one. Fuse 6 is only 10amp.

Steve

[V8Dom]

Just an update and thankyou to the factory for the reassurance and the suggestions so far..

After a run out the other night i had to check and measure as i can hardly see the road on dip beam. Full beam is fantastic

I measured voltage at the bulb and its 9.20 volts at the bulb. Over 12 volts at the battery, so I have a problem.

I ve removed the switch as suggested and have taken apart and the 3 contacts inside have burn marks/ carbon on the surface. Ive cleaned them up and will be reconnecting and testing tomorrow. If the voltage is still low the main things i will also be checking is earth points and wiring and the posibility of fitted the suggested relay to stop burning again. Does anyone know where the earth point is for the head light circuit. There is a chance the earth point could be corroded and the reason for the voltage drop due to high resistance, and while im in wiring mode i would rather check all posibilites .


Dom

Edited by V8Dom on Tuesday 13th December 20:18

[YIIHAA]

Ultima factory said:

...
The Ultima loom along with the lights themselves have undergone a lot of revisions in the past 18 years ...

Is there a documented revision history available? I bought my chassis / kit in 2000. There have been posts about a few loom issues on here where you have said that the issue has been fixed in newer looms. I also know that there where chassis modifications around the time I bought mine. A service bulletin of modifications may be an opportunity to sell to those with older cars.

[V8Dom]

Hi

the rebuilt switch has helped a bit and bought volts up to 10.5. but thats not over 12v
Does anyone know where the earth point is for the lights otherwise i will be looking at the relay route which has been suggested?

dom