A3 HID Conversion Installed - Page 2

Guys!

Can someone totally walk me through this? I'm SOOOOO CLUELESS SORRY!

Where can I buy the whole kit? I need the whole kit and kaboodle, and then I will take it to an installer here in Taiwan. It looks so great! I'm just such a noob I can't even figure out where to order the lights, the housings, etc etc and all the other things I will need but don' t even know I need!

beartrap,

well, i'm hoping to finish my project this weekend (LEDs in side the headlamps- a la a3 cabrio/rs6/tt/new a4)  also am attaching vvme HID kit (h7) to the FK housing.  I'm a bit lost with the wiring for the HID.. I know that the HID kit plugs directly to the existing power source, but am a bit lost w/ the ballast.  I am going  to place the ballast underneat the ingress what seem like made for HID ballast underneath the FK headlamps.  but did you have to bore a hole with sealant to accomodate the wire from the ballast to the inside of the headlamps?   I remember when i had the passat HIDs (hella) and the rubber cover at teh back of the headlamp had a rubbe grommet to seal out moisture/rain/etc..

Thanks.. once i finish this project i will share pics.

e

My HID kit had rubber grommets with the ballast wires already wired through them like you describe for your Passat.  I had to drill a hole in the headlight access door and then insert the grommet to seal the wire penetration.  If your HID kit did not come with this grommet, then you'll have to drill holes for the wires and seal the holes.  You might check an auto parts store to see if they have solid grommets that you could push the wire through and then seal those holes.

quote:

ORIGINAL: BearTrap

My HID kit had rubber grommets with the ballast wires already wired through them like you describe for your Passat.  I had to drill a hole in the headlight access door and then insert the grommet to seal the wire penetration.  If your HID kit did not come with this grommet, then you'll have to drill holes for the wires and seal the holes.  You might check an auto parts store to see if they have solid grommets that you could push the wire through and then seal those holes.

 
D'OH!  I failed to notice that it did have attached rubber grommets-
i just need to bore a hole on the headlamps/cover.   
My car did not come with auto lights/drl - just plain switch off, parkinglamps, and main-on  and front fogs - do you think i would still require a VAG recode?  the kit is from VVME- 35w HID kit H7 6k bulbs.   I'm also installing one for our 01.5 Passat glx (only came with projections) and that would be easy, since no such thing as VAG recode for light upgrade for those cars.
 
thanks for your help..
 
 

tiptronic,
You might need a VAG COM program change.  I don't think the problem was dependent on DRLs or Auto switch.  Some people don't seem to need this while others like me did and I was unable to determine why.  It might be an issue with the HIDs, not the car.  There's really only one way to know - If you get the lights flickering, then you'll need the program change.  If not, you're one of the lucky ones.  Good Luck.

Ok  got it all installed on the headlamps, Ballast perched underneath, and ready to  be installed on the car.  The HIds are working and so as my mod LEDs (a la TT/ RS6 avant)-  i connected the power from our passat (H7) and to test and all works great.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tiptronic

Ok  got it all installed on the headlamps, Ballast perched underneath, and ready to  be installed on the car.  The HIds are working and so as my mod LEDs (a la TT/ RS6 avant)-  i connected the power from our passat (H7) and to test and all works great.

 
Post some pics as soon as you can get to it.  I really want to see those LEDs.

installation guide w/ pictures would be the greatest! but guessing there's no way...
 
Well, i'd like to see that LEDs and HIDs too
 
good luck!

I will try to take new pics tonight (headlamps..not installed yet on the car though)
 
Beartrap-- difficulty scale of  1-10-  a pair of hands (only me) and
tools-  to remove the front bumpers-- what do you think? 
I was thinking of hiring the installer for my sports springs  (still also sitting in the garage)  to also remove the bumper to install headlight..but trying not to spend too much $$
 
Another question..has anyone successfully pried the lens from the base of the taillamps?    (yes I want to do LEDs too.but i dont want to destroy the taillamps like the iberia a4 did )
 
e
 

quote:

ORIGINAL: tiptronic

I will try to take new pics tonight (headlamps..not installed yet on the car though)

Beartrap-- difficulty scale of  1-10-  a pair of hands (only me) and
tools-  to remove the front bumpers-- what do you think? 
I was thinking of hiring the installer for my sports springs  (still also sitting in the garage)  to also remove the bumper to install headlight..but trying not to spend too much $$

Another question..has anyone successfully pried the lens from the base of the taillamps?    (yes I want to do LEDs too.but i dont want to destroy the taillamps like the iberia a4 did )

e

 
I'd give the headlight install a 4, not very difficult but time consuming.  The bumper removal isn't difficult once you find the bolt that hides in front of the wheel well, can't see and can only find by feel.  I've taken it off three times now (once for the black grill surround and twice for the HIDs).  I've not installed springs on the A3, but have on my Miata and that was a 6 in case that gives you any help.  Having done it once, I would pay for an installer in the future, but I'm 46 so I'll blame it on old age.  Make sure you rent a spring compressor or you could seriously hurt yourself.  I've not heard of this tail light mod.

quote:

ORIGINAL: TPE_A3

Guys!

Can someone totally walk me through this? I'm SOOOOO CLUELESS SORRY!

Where can I buy the whole kit? I need the whole kit and kaboodle, and then I will take it to an installer here in Taiwan. It looks so great! I'm just such a noob I can't even figure out where to order the lights, the housings, etc etc and all the other things I will need but don' t even know I need!

 
I don't think you'll find a kit, but you only need two parts: the housings and the HIDs.  Do a search for FK Angel Eyes dealers or check Ebay.  The HIDs can be from any number of suppliers but I'd first check with the sponsors of this board.  Just remember HIDs in non-HID housings may be a problem (bad light pattern).  Good Luck.

quote:


Post some pics as soon as you can get to it.  I really want to see those LEDs.

Hey Beartrap- thanks for your input and instructions.  A quick question though- can the bumpers be removed w/out lifting/placing the front of the car on jacks (i imagine it will make things easier to erach under the wheelwell when jacked )- what do you think?
Hoping to get them installed this week... Just been busy and couldnt find time to work on them on the car.  Anyways here are a couple of pics:



HIDs installed- ready for 'plug and play'

LED looks good.  Nice work!

Beartrap

One more question-  is it even possible to do the task of removing the bumpers without lifting the car's front end or removing the front wheel?    I cant wait for a friend to help me, and it is suck a beautiful day here in socal to work on a mod!

quote:

ORIGINAL: tiptronic

Beartrap

One more question-  is it even possible to do the task of removing the bumpers without lifting the car's front end or removing the front wheel?    I cant wait for a friend to help me, and it is suck a beautiful day here in socal to work on a mod!

I didn't lift the car or remove the wheel or remove wheel well - but removing the wheel well does make it easier.  Screws under the bumper are easy to get to.  The screws behind the bumper are the hard ones that are easier to remove with the wheel well out, but if you remove the screws in the area behind the parking light to allow room for your hand to reach behind the parking light, you can do it but end up with more scratches on your hand and arm due to the close quarters.

**JUST a big Thanks to BearTrap for his help**
 
you're right that two screws behind the wheelwell by the parking lamps was a pain!!!   The bolt were actually easier to remove..
I did skip one screw on each side when i placed it back...
 
thanks again!!!
 
e

You guys are so hard core! AWESOME!!

Unfortunately, I cannot work with my hands, so I'm going to either:
1) Do nothing, I guess they are just headlights afterall
2) Get Hellas installed, dynamic leveler and turning features included.
3) Get an A5! (or the new A4...going to test drive one tomorrow!)

Good job on those lights guys, I'm really impressed by people with these skills!

Beartrap-  Questionabout your FK-  which FK did u purchase?
Is it the 349.00 from ECS or the 599?
Im having some issues on my FK's (adjustment and beam pattern).
thanks

quote:

ORIGINAL: tiptronic

Beartrap-  Questionabout your FK-  which FK did u purchase?
Is it the 349.00 from ECS or the 599?
Im having some issues on my FK's (adjustment and beam pattern).
thanks

I got the cheaper ones.

bEAR    sent you a PM..  and thanks for the reply...

just to share with everyone- i manage to ''fix'' the problem. 
Also for those usingVVME HID KITs- the H7 bulb base has 3 protrusion grooves that mimics the same protrusion/grooves on the projection's bulb seat area- hence it was not ''resting properly and i was getting an annoying  and uneven bright spots.
So i dremmeled the bulb base and created a slight indent on it where the original protrusion/grooves were (it's a plastic bulb base- almost all HID kits are) for the bulb seat area to fit into- and it's all good- even light throw and proper angling of the lights.  The adjustor i managed to fix (ihope)..

e