HID Conversion

[Martin62]

As part of my refurb / update, I want to convert to HID headlights.
I have seen kits at various prices and have read that some installations cause problems with false autocheck warnings.
Can somebody recommend a competitively priced kit that is reliable and doesn't cause a problem with the Autocheck?
Any advice greatly appreciated !
Thanks.

[RS2junkie]

Martin, It is very hit and miss. I had a 35w kit that just gave an error whe you switched them on first time then stay off, sometimes the autocheck was triggered when the electrical load in the system was increased (like radiator fan kicking in) I then had to change bulb and it then styed on all the time. I then changed to a 55w kit (much better light) and it was same story, very anoying warnings for no aparent reason. i think the autocheck is very sensitive. There are solutions and I know some people have been lucky enough to have no autocheck problems at all.... I would expect it... I recently did the "K pin mod" and I dont get any warnings now. Do a search on the forum and you will find it. Most diffcult part is getting access to the relay, took me about 15 minutes, and it is reversable.... don't be put off, its a great upgrade..

Paul

[driftin jo]

have you read this

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55111&highlight=hid%27s

[Fat Audi 80]

I have HID's and have the K pin mod done and still get random Autocheck beeps. It even does it on side lights sometimes. The Rear screen heater will trigger it sometimes too. I have made sure I have a decent earth on the HID installation, but have put it down to a very sensitive Autocheck. I can live with it, but it is a bit annoying...

[johne]

I bought the best looking but also cheapest set of HIDs off eBay and have had no problems and no autocheck warnings - however I do not agree with the oft given advice to go to great lengths to create a good earth for them. Because of the way autocheck works, I believe it is important to just wire the HIDs up as replacements for the bulbs they are replacing and that includes using the original earth wire and not making any new connections to the bodywork.

John

[Fat Audi 80]

I bought the best looking but also cheapest set of HIDs off eBay and have had no problems and no autocheck warnings - however I do not agree with the oft given advice to go to great lengths to create a good earth for them. Because of the way autocheck works, I believe it is important to just wire the HIDs up as replacements for the bulbs they are replacing and that includes using the original earth wire and not making any new connections to the bodywork.

John

Interesting. I may have a play in the spring and remove the additional earths I added that the HID fitting instructions specify.....

Thanks John.

Cheers,

Steve

[Martin62]

John,

Do you have any details of the kit you bought ?

Martin

[s2driveruk]

mine comes and goes in terms of intermittent warnings...worse during the winter than the summer and also i believe to some alternator fluctuations too (think mine is on way out).

[johne]

John,

Do you have any details of the kit you bought ?

Martin

Unfortunately it was too long ago to still be in my eBay history, the shop name on the instructions no longer exists and the box they came in doesn't have a manufacturers name on it anywhere - but it does say "Made in China"

I would suggest though that you don't bother with super slim HIDs as you just end up with an additional "fat" ballast in the wiring loom - I had no problem mounting the standard sized ones.

John

[johne]

mine comes and goes in terms of intermittent warnings...worse during the winter than the summer and also i believe to some alternator fluctuations too (think mine is on way out).

I suggest you try disconnecting any earths you've made to the bodywork and just let the HID units be earthed back by the earth wire in the headlight wiring loom and see if this stops the warnings. Whilst I can understand why alternator fluctuations could trigger Autocheck I wouldn't expect the alternator output to be completely stable. I'd remove the regulator/brushes pack from the alternator and clean the copper slip rings with alcohol.

John

[s2driveruk]

yes, sounds like plan - only reson for thinking the alternator is on its way out was at idle the interior light is on a kind of cyclical flicker, not on and off but enough to notice the light output fluctuate so thought it was an obvious start point. charge value on the voltmeter is steady but not a great place to take any reading from I know

[s2_bo]

Mine where always earthed back through the lighting loom and i never had any autocheck probs, i did do the K pin mod at the same time of fitting them though so dont know if not using an external earth made any difference.