Main beam conundrum...

[blackturbo]

Right, I took out an HID kit from my car as to replace the ballasts bulbs etc as going to cost too much and I couldnt be bothered to skin my knuckles trying to do it!

So with the kit out I have managed to get normal dip beams working no problem but....

My main beams im stuck with

I know that Leons should run H1s for the main beam and they do indeed fit, however obviously H1s only have a single connector and mine appear to have two!

One black plastic push on one and one brown cable which appears to be run from the side light to another connector. Now the HID bulb that i removed was an H7 and if I clip and H7 in it works.

So question is, from that I guess the earth (brown) wire thats in there is surplus to requirements but without it clipped on the bulb doesnt light so im alittle stuck on what to do now.

Any suggestions? Is it standard practice to run H7s when using HIDs so this additional wire needs to come out or should it be there but connected to something I cant see for looking?

I searched for pictures but didnt find any that would help

 

[Muttley]

If your H1 bulb isn't working (and it tests out OK on the bench) then the spare earth lead must need to be connected to the headlamp housing itself, so that the H1 bulb's earth return through the housing is completed. None of the other bulbs in the headlamp need it, they all have two connections.

That's my guess, anyway.

 

[blackturbo]

Problem is there is no where to attach the earth lead...

 

[epts2008]

Should be on the metal part your bulb clips into should be a spade terminal somewhere on it. I know they are tricky to see with the headlight in but it is there.

 

[blackturbo]

Definately couldnt see anything, all looks flat in there :S

 

[Muttley]

Looking on VAGcat, the wiring harness for the headlamps connects by one eight-way plug. If the earth lead has been taken out of this plug it would explain the H1 bulb problem.

One quick way to determine this would be to check for continuity between the H1 bulb-holder and the car's chassis. If there is none, then you need to find out where it's broken and fix it.