16v Headlights Dipped/Mainbeam

[R French]

GTI's with twin lamps are designed to use a composite beam for main thus using BOTH dipped and main bulbs. If this doesn't happen you are left with pretty naff lights on full beam.

Single headlamp models do not have this function so turn off the main.

It is all in the wiring - I've had a peak at the Haynes book of lies and that's not any help at all so my best guess is trace the main beam trigger wire from the stalks and see where it goes. Do the same for the dipped then if all else fails then just pop a pin across from the main trigger wire to the dipped circuit at the back of the fuse box and bingo - both alight.

 

[SimonH10]

Hi All!

Can I please re-start this thread as I have the same problem!

Mines an Ibiza Cupra 8v, regd March 99, with two round headlights inside a rectangular glass, described as "biopic" in manual supplement.
Each light has an H1 bulb.

The problem is that with the inner (main) beam beam I lose the dipped outers and all the "spread" that allows you to see the kerbs etc, its dangerous in my local lanes!
Passed MoT last week, the tester who I know well and trust reckoned it was wrong but MoT legal.

Pulling the flash stalk only gives the inners (with outers switched on or off).
I can get all 4 to light by holding the stalk just short of the main beam "click" position and there are no signs of any electrical problems then.

SEAT Garage says its wrong (and checked some others), I reckon it is too but many here think different!?
BUT: The garage have seen it with an accident damaged car, 2 light (H4) loom, 4 light (H1) replacements headlights - so the system and lights were not compatible.
My car has factory loom and lights, untouched, all original wrappings etc.
Have same problem with the old bulbs and tried all 4 replaced too.

Everything else electrical on the car works normally.
Haynes manual does not cover 4-light system.

There do not appear to be any relays in the system???
Maybe an earth?Have been told it could be the stalk, £58 OE, no GSF???

Grateful for any help.
Maybe all the 4-light system owners could re-check cars and post please?
Many thanks,
Simon
(LOVE the car by the way, just want decent lighting)

 

[Fl@pper]

originally mine was twin h1 but even before and now after the following my main stays on with high beam so all 4 light up

halogen sidelamps
hid h1 main beam
removed resistor for outer sides when ignition on (saves hid flicker)
change fog lamps to spotlamp lenses
didode fog/spot to high beam circuit for 4 lamp flash

all 4 lit up on mine before/during/after all that lot above - now all 6

 

[Dave_R]

Bet it's like daylight Dar!

My main beam as always gone off when I switch to high beam and like you said when flashing they both stay on until the click! Never bothered me too much but if you need to switch the front fogs on to help!

 

[Big-Pete]

Bet it's like daylight Dar!

My main beam as always gone off when I switch to high beam and like you said when flashing they both stay on until the click! Never bothered me too much but if you need to switch the front fogs on to help!

agreed but it would be nicer to get all 4 up top on at once

mine are the same as yours dude the dipped (outside light) HID beam goes out when u "click" the stalk but hold it and it stays on!!

anyone worked out a fix? what resister is it?

 

[Fl@pper]

low beam is fine - good coverage and white - just right

high beam sort of just add's 4 yellow spots to the show really so hardly use it

 

[SimonH10]

Thanks to all for the replies.

Still seems a pretty random setup to me, "some do & some don't"!
Any ideas for making all four come on?

Looks like I would be wasting £60 for a new stalk though??
Simon

 

[Fl@pper]

i'd fit a pair of diode's myself cheapest way - worked when i added the fogs to my high beam

not looked close but couldn't feel any relay's clicking so i wonder if it's in the switch ?

wire up the diodes to the switch wiring be safest way too

 

[critch4]

I'm still looking for a solution, it's particularly annoying in deep dark Northumberland at this time of year! I might install some big Hella spot lights like I did on my last Ibiza!

 

[SimonH10]

i'd fit a pair of diode's myself cheapest way - worked when i added the fogs to my high beam

not looked close but couldn't feel any relay's clicking so i wonder if it's in the switch ?

wire up the diodes to the switch wiring be safest way too

Hi mate, thanks for reply but dont quite understand!

"diodes" ? Do you mean a sort of spotlight??
"switch wiring" ?

Thanks,
Simon

 

[SimonH10]

I'm still looking for a solution, it's particularly annoying in deep dark Northumberland at this time of year! I might install some big Hella spot lights like I did on my last Ibiza!

Hi!

If you wire-up spots surely you just get the same problem, lots of forward light but no spread around the near front/side of the car?

If you and I have the same "problem" maybe the car is built like it?
In which case how come some are not (see top of page comment)?!

Its frustrating 'cos its the reverse of the normal problem - poor lights = add spots,
but in this case the lights we want on (dipped-beam) go OUT when we want them on!!!???

Simon
confused!

 

[SimonH10]

Anyone else out there with 4-light Mk2 GTI's that can test out their lights Pleeeeze?

Thanks,
Simon

 

[critch4]

Hi!

If you wire-up spots surely you just get the same problem, lots of forward light but no spread around the near front/side of the car?

If you and I have the same "problem" maybe the car is built like it?
In which case how come some are not (see top of page comment)?!

Its frustrating 'cos its the reverse of the normal problem - poor lights = add spots,
but in this case the lights we want on (dipped-beam) go OUT when we want them on!!!???

Simon
confused!

The spots made a huge difference because they were so bright, I could see about 3 miles down the road! This was on my last Ibiza which wasn't a gti so didn't have the twin bulbs, I guess you could use 'driving' lamps as opposed to 'spot' lamps which would give a wider spread. From all of the responses to this thread it seems some dipped beams stay in and some go out with full beam, maybe it's to do with the year of the car??

 

[Fl@pper]

Hi mate, thanks for reply but dont quite understand!
"diodes" ? Do you mean a sort of spotlight??

a diode only allows current one way

so if you connect one to the high beam wiring when it is on it will allow current to the low beam hence having all 4 when high beam is on

when low beam is on as the diode only works one way then it keeps to just low beam

 

[SimonH10]

a diode only allows current one way

so if you connect one to the high beam wiring when it is on it will allow current to the low beam hence having all 4 when high beam is on

when low beam is on as the diode only works one way then it keeps to just low beam

Got it, thanks!

Was wondering what problems I might have joining low & high beams.

Simon

 

[richypanic]

For what its worth, my 1999/V 16v 2.0 Cordoba SX keeps all 4 on at full beam...

 

[SimonH10]

For what its worth, my 1999/V 16v 2.0 Cordoba SX keeps all 4 on at full beam...

Many thanks for your input.

I am pretty sure now that all 4 should light-up on "main" and that this is a common problem.

Could just be an earth problem, but the stalk looks like it could also be the culprit?

Cheers!
Simon

 

[Naz]

and my 1998/s Cordoba 2.0 16v doesnt stay on!! i reckon Seat have used leftover Headlight wiring looms, hence the inconsistency between models/years!!

 

[SimonH10]

and my 1998/s Cordoba 2.0 16v doesnt stay on!! i reckon Seat have used leftover Headlight wiring looms, hence the inconsistency between models/years!!

Could be?
Quality control??!

Simon