Adjusting retrofit GTI xenons

8080 · Post by **8080** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:47 pm

I've had the GTI headlights on my 1.0 for the past 6 months, they're great but a little low, and I have a test coming up.

The rheostat next to the light switch for adjusting the height of the headlights doesn't *appear* to do anything to the height of the beam cutoff or distance on the xenons - I'd hoped that the rheostat would just take the place of the self-levelling gear at the axle that GTIs have.

Anyway, I know from the other threads today that GTI owners adjust their lights using vag-com - but surely this won't work on my 1.0? Has anyone got the same set-up as me and adjusted their lights through vag-com?

PD · Post by PD » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:03 pm

Hey I would love to know more about retro-fitting gti headlights. how easy is it to do?

I would assume that the headlights in the gti obviously have ports for a sensor or a com port which go to the computer. which allows you to adjust them.

on non-gti's there is a switch to adjust the beam so obviously the headlights are connected to some controller inside the car so i guess vag-com could easily play around with the headlights.

How much did the headlights set you back and where did you get them?

BENNO · Post by **BENNO** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 5:12 pm

The headlights need adjusting manually then vag com is used to remember the position you leave them in, because on the Gti they reset themselves. In your case yours proberbly wont reset so you could just try adjusting manually using the adjusters on the top of the lights.

colour_concept · Post by **colour_concept** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:37 pm

done a retro fit one mine....

on the headlight it self are screws which you use to adjust the height... using the scroller wheel inside the car wont adjust them much....

just set the desired height and your done.... you dont need to use vag-com as there is no self levelling feature built into the 1.0

gti model uses some sort of self levelling system whereby if you adjust the lights manually (using the screws) they reset themselves to default position no matter what.

PD · Post by PD » Tue Nov 06, 2007 8:55 pm

how much do a set of gti headlights go for? I would love to retrofit a set.

ModifiedMadness · Post by **ModifiedMadness** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:03 pm

Light Unit, Ballast and Bulb will set you back near on Â£400 each new from VW!

8080 · Post by **8080** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:52 pm

When I was looking for mine, volksmine could source the complete setup for Â£500. At that price it still might be available!

I've since seen single headlight casings come up on ebay and go cheap so that might be worth investigating. The bulbs (d2s) are easy to find. The ballasts (Hella generation 3) are used on loads of cars, but the rubber seal attached to the ballast wire is specific to the Polo so you might have trouble sealing the back of the headlight if you buy non-polo ballasts

The installation is simple enough:

1. take the bumper off

2. take out old lights

3. i had to cut a piece out of my front panel underneath each light to make space for the ballast (possibly not necessary on all models)
Pic: http://www.6n2.de/forum/jgs_db_bilder/b ... 407-26.jpg

4. i had to cut a small piece out of the back cover of the lights to clear the top part of my front panel

5. plug in new lights (it's a straight swap)

There's a howto here http://6n2.de/forum/thread.php?threadid=7448
It's in german, you need to register and has the complete installation with axle sensors and washers. It gives the part numbers also (just watch for the LHD housings)

I think you're right on the levelling there colour_concept

Post by **alexperkins** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:09 pm

PD wrote:how much do a set of gti headlights go for? I would love to retrofit a set.

Â£400 a side, and thats with my discount!!

way_z · Post by **way_z** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:07 pm

i better not mention how much i got mine, might offend a few ppl! but yea i took a longer route to fit them (ie. relocating ballast!) cutting away panel would make things alot easier! i managed to adjust mine... using a hex just had a go at all the bolts on the headlamp till i somehow got it right.. very happy with the beam height and MOT pass

Post by **alexperkins** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 11:19 pm

Wouldnt it just be nice if we could integrate it into the ECU so the vag com adjustment would work

8080 · Post by **8080** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:37 am

way_z wrote: but yea i took a longer route to fit them (ie. relocating ballast!) cutting away panel would make things alot easier!

I didn't mind cutting away that piece of panel, I didn't have to cut as much away as the guy on 6n2.de, just a triangle about 6cm wide and and 6cm deep. My butchery will never be seen anyway, and it keeps the ballast neat and sheltered. I also had to cut away some of the back cover of the lights, but that's available separately from VW so I didn't mind doing that either

alexperkins wrote:Wouldnt it just be nice if we could integrate it into the ECU so the vag com adjustment would work

Is there any adjustment for the standard lights in vag-com?

Post by **alexperkins** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:05 am

No there isnt - its all done by the screw adjusters on the units themseleves

Bepe · Post by **Bepe** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:00 am

weer are these screws i cant find them on mine? or is it cos there different lights ??? its a 6n2 btw a 1.0

Post by **alexperkins** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:18 pm

Look under the bonnet - the screws are locate in the center and far left (on the left) and far right (on the right) of the headlamp units - theres holes through the top of the radiator mount piece for it. They are white, have a allen key head with a phillips insert