A3 HID Conversion Installed
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A3 HID Conversion Installed - 9/11/2007 7:48:44 PM
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BearTrap
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I finally got an HID conversion kit to work. I tried two kits and they both strobed/flickered. After weeks of trying to get them to work with a relay running power off the battery and special capacitors, all it took was VAGCOM programming. If you don't have access to a VAGCOM, try a local shop specializing in Audi or maybe your dealer would do it for you. Once you hookup the VAGCOM, go to Module 09 (Central Electronics), and set Byte 21 to value 12. My old value was 11 for Halogen and 12 is for Xenon (not Bi-Xenon). I had previously found a couple VAGCOM locations for Bi-Xenon lights and tried those, but they didn't help. I also installed the FK angel eyes headlights to get the projector lens for the low beams (don't put HIDs in stock halogen housings). The light pattern is fine. FYI - if you want the angel eyes to work, you'll have to run power to them separately since they are wired to get power from a connection in the harness that isn't used (at least not on my car). I have them hooked up and like them (those who disagree feel free to refrain from comment). If someone comes out with R8 style lights, I'd definately upgrade to those.
Headlights with everything off, only angel eyes on and HIDs on with angel eyes:
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< Message edited by BearTrap -- 9/11/2007 7:52:03 PM >
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'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 9/11/2007 8:28:56 PM
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boywonder
Posts: 116
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What HID conversion kit did you use? And where'd you get the angel eyes?
It's looking pretty good - nice job!
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 9/11/2007 8:38:48 PM
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BearTrap
Posts: 110
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quote:
ORIGINAL: boywonder
What HID conversion kit did you use? And where'd you get the angel eyes?
It's looking pretty good - nice job!
The first kit was from AMI Motorsports and would have probably worked if I had found the VAGCOM problem. Their customer service was great, but couldn't figure out this problem but I'd order from them again. The second kit that I finally got to work was from Vision Bulbs (they have an Audi forum special discount). They tried to help me with making them work, but were not able to. I also tried the Angel Eyes from AMI, but didn't discover the power issue and returned them as defective (they probably weren't defective). I got the second set off Ebay, shipped from Germany.
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'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 9/12/2007 7:55:55 AM
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mc1191
Posts: 19
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the kit looks great btw.
how's the build quality of the housing? comparable to OEM?
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 9/12/2007 8:47:12 AM
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BearTrap
Posts: 110
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mc1191
the kit looks great btw.
how's the build quality of the housing? comparable to OEM?
I wouldn't say the quality is up to OEM standard since I had a LED bulb for the Angel Eyes out of it's socket when I unpacked the housings. I pushed it back into the socket and after a day of driving it hasn't come out. Otherwise they fit well and didn't have any problems with a day of rain yesterday. The first set of housings didn't have this LED problem, but I returned them because I thought they were defective and didn't find out about the power issue until I got the second set of housings.
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'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 9/12/2007 9:40:35 AM
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Chef
DA BEARS!!!
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Good job!
Looks nice and the info is helpful for others. I'll add it to the info thread.
Cheers!
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Bone Stock!!!  
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 10/26/2007 6:35:34 PM
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pradsz
Posts: 6
Joined: 10/15/2007
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I'm a complete noob to all this, so please excuse my ignorance. But did you have to buy new housings PLUS bulbs, ballasts, and igniters when doing the xenon/angel eyes upgrade, or did the AMI housings come with the lighting assemblies as well? Also, how well have the lights held up to weather, etc.? Sorry to bring this train to a screeching halt, but like many out there, I've been looking to make this upgrade as well. Thanks in advance!
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 10/28/2007 4:24:10 PM
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BearTrap
Posts: 110
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quote:
ORIGINAL: pradsz
I'm a complete noob to all this, so please excuse my ignorance. But did you have to buy new housings PLUS bulbs, ballasts, and igniters when doing the xenon/angel eyes upgrade, or did the AMI housings come with the lighting assemblies as well? Also, how well have the lights held up to weather, etc.? Sorry to bring this train to a screeching halt, but like many out there, I've been looking to make this upgrade as well. Thanks in advance!
The housings had the angel eyes already built into them and the HID bulbs, ballasts and igniters were all part of a separate kit. The lights have held up well so far without any issues.
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'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 10/28/2007 6:37:42 PM
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pradsz
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So:
-No issues from weather (moisture seeping into the housings, for example), wires shorting, "low beam failure" warnings from the car computer, etc.?
- Also, did you have automatic light/dark sensors for your headlamps before the mod, and if so, does that feature still work with the switch?
- Lastly, how was the fit of the housing? Was it built perfectly to spec, or did you have to make any adjustments?
Sorry for pestering you, I just want to make sure I've got all my facts before I jump into a major mod like this (I realize this isn't that big a deal, but for someone who's uneasy about even OPENING the hood of his car, this counts as a "major" mod :-p). And just so you know, you happen to have the A3 I wish I had. I got a great deal on my brilliant black, but if I could do it again it'd be Ibis White with Open Sky in a HEARTBEAT. SO. DAMN. SEXY. Anyways, thanks again in advance!
< Message edited by pradsz -- 10/29/2007 5:16:42 AM >
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 10/29/2007 6:23:09 PM
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BearTrap
Posts: 110
Joined: 8/27/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: pradsz
So:
-No issues from weather (moisture seeping into the housings, for example), wires shorting, "low beam failure" warnings from the car computer, etc.?
- Also, did you have automatic light/dark sensors for your headlamps before the mod, and if so, does that feature still work with the switch?
- Lastly, how was the fit of the housing? Was it built perfectly to spec, or did you have to make any adjustments?
Sorry for pestering you, I just want to make sure I've got all my facts before I jump into a major mod like this (I realize this isn't that big a deal, but for someone who's uneasy about even OPENING the hood of his car, this counts as a "major" mod :-p). And just so you know, you happen to have the A3 I wish I had. I got a great deal on my brilliant black, but if I could do it again it'd be Ibis White with Open Sky in a HEARTBEAT. SO. DAMN. SEXY. Anyways, thanks again in advance!
No issues once they were installed. Auto headlight feature works as normal - it doesn't care what kind of lights you have. The HID kit I installed took power from each headlight whereas some HID kits use power from the battery and a switch hooked to one light only to know when to send power to both lights. I think that second type is what causes the bulb failure code because the computer thinks one bulb is out when it is just disconnected. If you get this second type, I think you have to install a resistor for the wires that are disconnected so the computer thinks there is a bulb there. I don't know what size resistor, do a search and you should find it. The fit of the housings was no problem. My problem was with wiring of the angel eyes and flickering of the HIDS (see original post).
_____________________________
'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 10/29/2007 7:39:53 PM
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pradsz
Posts: 6
Joined: 10/15/2007
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Thanks so much for the information. I'm surprised to hear that you were able to successfully use an HID kit that drew power directly from the headlights, as opposed to running a relay to the battery, given all the horror stories I've read from folks whose wires ended up fried or whose lights ended up flickering non-stop, or whose bulbs just simply wouldn't fire up because there wasn't enough voltage on start-up (thus requring the relay). Anyways, thanks again for your help!
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 10/29/2007 7:54:30 PM
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BearTrap
Posts: 110
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Read my original post and you'll see I too had the flickering problem (too low voltage to run the lights), but changing the VAGCOM programming took care of that. I had even tried taking power off the battery, but the relay didn't draw enough power, so the computer cut voltage to the headlight and that turned the relay off - so the flickering continued (albeit different flickering).
< Message edited by BearTrap -- 10/29/2007 7:57:16 PM >
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'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 11/7/2007 5:40:21 PM
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BearTrap
Posts: 110
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quote:
ORIGINAL: robertmrome
Looks great!
How much did the setup cost you total... Well only the final stuff that is used not the original kit you got but couldn't get working.
I used to have Xenon on my old car and would love to upgrade!
HIDs - $170, headlight housings - $319, finding out the solution to the flickering - priceless.
_____________________________
'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 11/7/2007 11:33:31 PM
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ocadam
Posts: 1614
Joined: 6/30/2007
From: SOCAL
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Thought i would stop by. Alot of the A4 guys including myslef get there hid converion kits from vvme.com good price and a easy install. Im not sure how your light housing is but it should be a h7 size bulb it will say on top of the headlight. Its very easy plug and play install.
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B7
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 11/23/2007 1:50:42 PM
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ottoaudi
Posts: 99
Joined: 11/23/2007
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======FYI - if you want the angel eyes to work, you'll have to run power to them separately since they are wired to get power from a connection in the harness that isn't used (at least not on my car)======
Hey BearTrap:
im having a really hard time figuring how to make the angel eyes to work on my Fk housing......i even called the store where i bought em because someone there told me "angel eyes are pre-wired " so no need to run any different power......is all a one single plug n Play....... i mean i see where the little plug is on the angel eyes connected to the Hi-BEAM part of it..........did u run straight power from the battery ? Advice Please.......
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07 A3 2.0T DSG S-LINE = bye bye ....Sold
04 VW TOUREG V6
08 BMW 335i 6 Cyl Twin Turbo Coupe Stick
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 11/23/2007 8:24:50 PM
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BearTrap
Posts: 110
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ottoaudi
======FYI - if you want the angel eyes to work, you'll have to run power to them separately since they are wired to get power from a connection in the harness that isn't used (at least not on my car)======
Hey BearTrap:
im having a really hard time figuring how to make the angel eyes to work on my Fk housing......i even called the store where i bought em because someone there told me "angel eyes are pre-wired " so no need to run any different power......is all a one single plug n Play....... i mean i see where the little plug is on the angel eyes connected to the Hi-BEAM part of it..........did u run straight power from the battery ? Advice Please.......
Yea, I was told the same and it is BS. You can see where the Angel Eyes wants to get power on the harness, but the car doesn't use that plug in the harness. I ran a wire from the fusebox inside the car and tapped the blue wire inside the FK housings. I couldn't quickly find a switched power source under the hood that would be on whenever the car was running. Alternately, you could take power from the parking lights if you only want them on when lights are on. Be careful when hooking up to the blue wire - the angel eye bulbs pull out of their sockets easily and can be a pain to put back.
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'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 11/24/2007 4:54:36 AM
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ottoaudi
Posts: 99
Joined: 11/23/2007
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BearTrap: As far as the HID KIT GOES......i've been lookin at the EURO DEZIGNS HID Kits.........i was using a plain EuroDezign H11 replacement w/8500 k looked great....no problem for over a year since now i switched to "Fk"..... my friends uses the same bulbs....but i have no feedback on hid overall.... they seem pretty inexpensive....... i see there's a 35 watt kit and a 50 watt kit..... im wondering the difference & will they damage the stock wiring.... or how about the warranty issues with the Dealer...... ??? cos i have like the maintenance package from my local Audi Dealer.... and i dont want them to start some BS because of the custom Hids ya know ? so ..... i could use some HINTS... as far as wattage on the HID or BRand.... where are u keepin the ballast ? cos ive seen they sell the Fk w/zenon option but im guessin could be just a ballast holder or something like it .....and how about the use of the headlight EURO Switch with daytime running lights..... do u think that would be any advantage ??? to be able to run ANGEL eyes only day time. ???
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07 A3 2.0T DSG S-LINE = bye bye ....Sold
04 VW TOUREG V6
08 BMW 335i 6 Cyl Twin Turbo Coupe Stick
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 11/24/2007 8:40:04 AM
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BearTrap
Posts: 110
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ottoaudi
BearTrap: As far as the HID KIT GOES......i've been lookin at the EURO DEZIGNS HID Kits.........i was using a plain EuroDezign H11 replacement w/8500 k looked great....no problem for over a year since now i switched to "Fk"..... my friends uses the same bulbs....but i have no feedback on hid overall.... they seem pretty inexpensive....... i see there's a 35 watt kit and a 50 watt kit..... im wondering the difference & will they damage the stock wiring.... or how about the warranty issues with the Dealer...... ??? cos i have like the maintenance package from my local Audi Dealer.... and i dont want them to start some BS because of the custom Hids ya know ? so ..... i could use some HINTS... as far as wattage on the HID or BRand.... where are u keepin the ballast ? cos ive seen they sell the Fk w/zenon option but im guessin could be just a ballast holder or something like it .....and how about the use of the headlight EURO Switch with daytime running lights..... do u think that would be any advantage ??? to be able to run ANGEL eyes only day time. ???
FYI – the FK housings take H7 bulbs for high and low beams in case you didn’t know.
I’d recommend the 35w kit because I don’t think the 50w kit is legal (you could get lots of tickets) and there could be heat and/or voltage issues. Also, check out Vision Bulbs. They are members and have a thread here giving a discount coupon to use at checkout that makes their kit cheaper than the kit you are looking at. I've never heard about the company you're considering, but Vision Bulbs was good to work with.
Regarding the warranty, the dealer can only refuse repair if what you did affected the failed component (e.g. an exhaust mod will not keep the dealer from repairing a fuel pump unless you did something like allow some wiring to come in contact with the exhaust pipe which could melt the wires and short out the fuel pump).
I think the FK Xenon housings have a little different optics (different projector lens), but I bought the regular housings (with projector lens) and haven’t had any problems.
I don’t know about the Euro switch, but if it causes the low beams to be used as DRLs, then they won’t work with HIDs. If you rewire the switch, you might be able to have the switch use the Angel Eyes as DRLs, but I don't know how to tell you to do that. The result is the same as what I’ve done by wiring them to always be on – so why buy the switch?
< Message edited by BearTrap -- 11/24/2007 8:53:53 AM >
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'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 11/24/2007 6:46:42 PM
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ottoaudi
Posts: 99
Joined: 11/23/2007
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Hey Bear Trap :
i just got home from a long day workin with the front end of the ride....... 1st of all thank you for ur advice....im gonna try those vision bulbs......
i finally got the ANGEL EYES to work..... all i did was a simple tap from EYES within the housing from the hi to low beam.... and PERFECT..... looks GREAT no wires at view.... angel eyes ON with the main switch of low beams on only........ look awesome...... i bought plain ADVANCE DISCOUT AUTO PARTS Sylvannia h7 and they look great..... to be honest.....i was kinda mad at the beginning with this FK KIT but now after seen the results ....... is awesome
this dude was parkin right in front of me on a BMW M3....we came over and said..... "THATS AWESOME......LOOK SO OEM" ....made my day .... so i didnt have to run anything from no battery or fuse box...... just plain old watt meter made it happend......im gonna try to post pictures...im new so gotta figure the picture thing ......THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK.......VERY HELPFUL........
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07 A3 2.0T DSG S-LINE = bye bye ....Sold
04 VW TOUREG V6
08 BMW 335i 6 Cyl Twin Turbo Coupe Stick
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 1/5/2008 7:16:10 PM
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mischa3000
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Joined: 1/5/2008
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Hey Bear!
Thank you for all the above, that's great stuff! I just got my A3 and decided to install the HID kit and actually currently have the same problem you described in your first post: they'll flicker and then actually die. Unfortunately had to put my crappy halogens on again until I can figure out the VAGCOM solution you mentioned above. Do you have any tips on where I can get that done, I mean can I just walk into my local Audi dealership and ask'em to do it?
Many thanks and happy New Year everyone!
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Make your fast happy
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 1/5/2008 7:23:47 PM
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BearTrap
Posts: 110
Joined: 8/27/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mischa3000
Hey Bear!
Thank you for all the above, that's great stuff! I just got my A3 and decided to install the HID kit and actually currently have the same problem you described in your first post: they'll flicker and then actually die. Unfortunately had to put my crappy halogens on again until I can figure out the VAGCOM solution you mentioned above. Do you have any tips on where I can get that done, I mean can I just walk into my local Audi dealership and ask'em to do it?
Many thanks and happy New Year everyone!
You could try, but don't be surprised if they say no or if they want to charge you a lot. If you don't want to buy your own cable (the software is free), try to find an Audi or VW club in your area and contact their members. You might search this forum for members nearby and PM them to see if they'll help.
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'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 2/4/2008 11:55:30 PM
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tiptronic
Posts: 49
Joined: 12/16/2007
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Beartrap,
I've just acquired an FK angle eyes for my 07 A3. The seller had it on his 06 A3. I just got the package today, and I realized and based on your post, that the FKs uses H7 bulb connectors- so i assume I have to get H7 HID kit. My A3 in stock form uses H11 for the lowbeams. I imagine that the main powersource (multipin) that connects on the stock H11 headlamp housing will plug right into the Fk h7 housing? Did your A3 came with H11 stock? Also the left headlamps were loose (the components inside broke loose from the plastic sockets (adjustors) so i was able to pop them in. I gotta take a better look and compare with the right headlamp. It did scratch a bit of the inside because the edge of the main lens (the angel eye eyes) rubbed against the inside of the headlamp glass/lens. no biggie, i'll try and 'buff' it with something. i imagine that it should not 'pop out once iget the headlamps installed.
Thanks for your help and advise!!!
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 2/5/2008 7:31:54 AM
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BearTrap
Posts: 110
Joined: 8/27/2006
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tiptronic,
Yes, you will need H7 HIDs for the low beams and H7s for the high beams. The multipin connector will plug right into the housings, but didn't power the angel eyes on my car since I didn't have a pin connector where it wanted power for the angel eyes. Thus, I had to run another wire for the angel eyes. I have had the angel eye bulbs pop out when handling the housings, but they seem to stay in once installed. Good Luck.
_____________________________
'06 A3 2.0T Sport w/DSG. White/Beige with open sky, convienence, bluetooth, Bose w/XM, BEL remote radar detector, K&N air filter, VAG-COM features, clear bra, mud flaps, S-Line badges, GLI Pedals, angel eyes & HIDs, TPMS
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RE: A3 HID Conversion Installed - 2/5/2008 10:01:08 AM
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tiptronic
Posts: 49
Joined: 12/16/2007
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Beartrap,
thanks! that makes a lot of sense.. i was just concerned that the multipin from the car would not fit in the FK headlamp's socket--
but now it makes sense!!! thanks.
the actual innards of the headlamp (where it connects to the top adjustors) is the one that actually popped off- all 3 of them popped off the socket..but i was able to "pop" them all back. hopefully they hold up.. as for the angel eyes- i will only be having the inside circles lit, not all four.
thanks!!!!
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