The wife has been complaining that the headlights on her jeans beetle are too dim at night and she is finding it hard to see on the country lanes. So i took it out and flippin eck, bloody dangerous. The lights are working but just don't seem to have any guts to shine any further than 6 foot in front of you, so what is the remedy, is there a mega bright bulb that can go in there or does she suffer along with the rest of you.
Skutch
It's probably down to voltage drop.
By the time the 12volts from the battery has travelled through 2 or 3 metres of wire, about 7 or 8 crimped on spade connectors, two switches, a fusebox and a relay, all 20 plus years old it could well be down to 9 or 10 volts.
The fusebox is normally the prime culprit, the fuse ends corrode against the holding springs which causes a less than ideal connection, and voltage drop. When in use, feel the fuses (both ends) to see if they're getting hot. If the fuses are warm or hot to the touch, there's a bad connection there. Fit new fuses, clean up any corrosion with fine sandpaper, make sure the fuses are being gripped tightly, tweak the holders if nessacary, then give it a quick WD40 - ing afterwards.
Also worth checking all the other spade connectors to see if they're getting warm. All spade connectors should be a nice tight fit onto a clean terminal with no corrosion.
Finally check the headlights are earthed to the bodywork correctly, and not just via the metal to metal contact of light to rim, and rim to wing, and wing to car. Follow the earth wire from the back of the bulb, and make sure it's got a good clean corrosion free connection to the main body of the car.
Dull reflectors behind the bulb can make the light output seem very poor.
If you pull the reflector from behind the headlamp glass, and look into it, it should be like looking in a (curved) mirror. You should see a good sharp reflection of yourself. If it looks like you're looking into tinfoil (even the shiny side) and you get a fuzzy, dulled, or no reflection, then you need new headlamp reflectors, or to have yours re-silvered.
Dave.
By the time the 12volts from the battery has travelled through 2 or 3 metres of wire, about 7 or 8 crimped on spade connectors, two switches, a fusebox and a relay, all 20 plus years old it could well be down to 9 or 10 volts.
The fusebox is normally the prime culprit, the fuse ends corrode against the holding springs which causes a less than ideal connection, and voltage drop. When in use, feel the fuses (both ends) to see if they're getting hot. If the fuses are warm or hot to the touch, there's a bad connection there. Fit new fuses, clean up any corrosion with fine sandpaper, make sure the fuses are being gripped tightly, tweak the holders if nessacary, then give it a quick WD40 - ing afterwards.
Also worth checking all the other spade connectors to see if they're getting warm. All spade connectors should be a nice tight fit onto a clean terminal with no corrosion.
Finally check the headlights are earthed to the bodywork correctly, and not just via the metal to metal contact of light to rim, and rim to wing, and wing to car. Follow the earth wire from the back of the bulb, and make sure it's got a good clean corrosion free connection to the main body of the car.
Dull reflectors behind the bulb can make the light output seem very poor.
If you pull the reflector from behind the headlamp glass, and look into it, it should be like looking in a (curved) mirror. You should see a good sharp reflection of yourself. If it looks like you're looking into tinfoil (even the shiny side) and you get a fuzzy, dulled, or no reflection, then you need new headlamp reflectors, or to have yours re-silvered.
Dave.
Does the ignition light glow dimly as you drive with the headlights on?
If that is the case then you will need to check the dynamo/alternator's brushes for wear and also check the commuator for wear, dirt or scoring.
The usual remedy for this is to replace the dynamo/alternator's brushes. However, if the dynamo's/alternator's commutator is scored or worn then the dynamo/alternator will need to be replaced.
Also, most importantly check the dynamo/alternator belt's deflection (at the centre of the belt).
The correct settings are as follows:-
Dynamo (pre 1970 ??): 11mm to 13mm with firm thumb pressure
Dynamo (1970 - 1973): 9mm to 10mm with firm thumb pressure
Alternator (1974 -): 11mm to 14mm with light thumb pressure
The easiest way to measure this is with a mechanical ruler if you don't have the VW201 tool.
After you have checked those, measure the battery voltage whilst the engine is at idle. It should be at about 13V and at a maximum at 14.5V when you speed up the engine.
I hope this helps.
If that is the case then you will need to check the dynamo/alternator's brushes for wear and also check the commuator for wear, dirt or scoring.
The usual remedy for this is to replace the dynamo/alternator's brushes. However, if the dynamo's/alternator's commutator is scored or worn then the dynamo/alternator will need to be replaced.
Also, most importantly check the dynamo/alternator belt's deflection (at the centre of the belt).
The correct settings are as follows:-
Dynamo (pre 1970 ??): 11mm to 13mm with firm thumb pressure
Dynamo (1970 - 1973): 9mm to 10mm with firm thumb pressure
Alternator (1974 -): 11mm to 14mm with light thumb pressure
The easiest way to measure this is with a mechanical ruler if you don't have the VW201 tool.
After you have checked those, measure the battery voltage whilst the engine is at idle. It should be at about 13V and at a maximum at 14.5V when you speed up the engine.
I hope this helps.
If you are really struggling even after all that, an H4 upgrade may be in your interest if it doesn't already have them. About £15 for the unit and bulb from GSF. But try your connections first, clean them up well as has been said and make sure the headlight connections are good in the wing
Sussed it. I did the voltage check on both lights and it was knocking out 11.7 volts, so then checked fuses and cleaned, checked dash for ignition light when driving with lights on and all ok. So took apart the light unit and low and behold the mirror relector on both lights has been silver painted over. So stuck in some good old ones i have and they are tickety boo. Down the garage tommorrow to line up, thanks for all the advice peeps, laters
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