Ormy 0 Posted March 19, 2008 Hello, I picked up my 205 a couple of weeks ago (not posted photos yet as waiting til I get chance to give her a proper clean!). Forum seems to be a smart place, lotta knowledge round here! My problem is that the headlights aren't putting out anywhere near the amount of light I think they should, to the point that I can barely see ahead of me. I've replaced both bulbs which hasn't solved the problem, after a bit of searching around I've read that the wiring for the lights can corrode and cause bad connections. Now I've had a look in the immediate area of the headlights and the wiring seems pretty sound but beyond that I'm a bit lost. Can anybody help me out and give me a few pointers of what I'm looking for and where I need to look? Solutions would be grand too. I'm pretty inexperienced on the electrics side of things and this will be the first road car that I'm gonna attempt to do all the work that needs doing myself so it's all pretty new to me. Thanks, James. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Last Legend 0 Posted March 20, 2008 Basicly you're going to need some new headlights and decent bulbs-Lucas (now LSUK) or GSF are going to be your cheapest bet for new lights,your reflectors are shot after a decade or more so it sounds like time for new ones! I think I've got Phlips nightvision bulbs or something like that in mine,Auto Express did a massive test worth checking that out,I remember Halfords 50% brighter blubs came out well too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeilGTi85 5 Posted March 20, 2008 If its not your reflectors it could just be a bad connection, if you take the plug apart and clean the connectors so more voltage can go through to the light....same for the earth, try doing a search. Ive seen afew topics on this forum about troubles with lights, Neil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ormy 0 Posted March 20, 2008 Thanks, I was hoping to sort this without having to purchase new lights but I've just checked GSF and for £40 I can have the pair so it ain't bad at all. Neil, I have searched and come up with the result that the ground could be corroded, I just do not know where to look and clean! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeilGTi85 5 Posted March 20, 2008 First off i would start with the multiplug that plugs into the back of the headlight....then just work you way back......im not to keyd up on electrics like yourself but it might be a good idea to check the levels in your battery aswell (if its old) It could be a number of things to be honest.....alternater,coil, battery etc....if you can get hold of a tester to see what voltage is coming through and out the battery it would help......or just get some nice new shinny one's from GSF.....but then agian you could still have the same problems if it is the wiring, im sure someone who abit more keyd up on electrics will reply, Neil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamirGTI 342 Posted March 20, 2008 Try this test first : Park the car against the wall (at night !) , turn on the lights , take one piece of wire and bridge the top headlight bulb pin (theres 3 of them on H4 bulb - 2 pins sideways and one at the top , pick on this top one ..) straight on battery positive and observe the light illumination - if the bulb illuminates stronger/brighter when you bridge this pin on batt. positive then you have an wiring problem - oxidation/corrosion ... I've had the same problem and fixed this by cutting the part of the headlight loom from the relay/fuse box and wired up the lights on two separate relays There was an diagram for re-wiring the headlights with two separate relays posted on this forum i'll try to dig it up .. Regards ! Damir Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamirGTI 342 Posted March 20, 2008 ... i can't find it , anyway i've made an scan from the printed copy of the same diagram : Have fun ! Damir Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djinuk 2 Posted March 20, 2008 i had this exact problem, mine was solved by removing the grounds under the headlights (they are in like plastic bags) i sorted these out and it was sorted. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamirGTI 342 Posted March 20, 2008 Yes , the earth blocks under the headlights can rot really badly but also the wires can often oxidize from inside which cuts down the current ... Damir Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ormy 0 Posted March 20, 2008 Hell, thanks mate that's spot on, i'll give it a whirl tomorrow night! Should test my limited electronics ability to the max! Thanks again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
