[yasiuk]

HI Just found this forum. I just bought an Audi A5 2.0T great car. However the only thing missing is the 3.0 TDI style lights with xenons and daytime running lights.

I was wondering if anyone had managed to retro fit a set of headlights from a 3.0 TDI to any other A5. I have asked the dealers and they dont really know much, and are just saying no.

Im an electrician by trade and i was thinking if you can get the headlight to fit then its just a matter of wiring. Maybe the xenons will work but no auto levelling etc??

Can anyone else shed any light on this? Maybe we can find a specialist garage willing to do and if other people are interested do group thing to save money.

 

[doubledoom]

its not just the headlamp, you also need the lamp washers fitted.

 

[yasiuk]

Yes thats right, although im not too fussed about the headlight washers. But any help on just swapping the headlights over would be appreciated.

 

[ShadyJC]

If you can get the headlight assembly I'm guessing it should be a fairly simple matter - the LED DRLs, HID ballasts, leveling motors etc. should all be a part of the whole thing. Prepare for it to be expensive, though.

 

[yasiuk]

ok, but how will the levelling system work?

 

[ShadyJC]

I'm sure there is some type of calibration exercise you have to go through and then it will be set after that. If you can find a service or repair manual it will probably show you all the parts you need to do the swap and how to calibrate.

 

[ShadyJC]

And before TX gets to you, put your location into your profile =)

 

[morski]

There is another post on here where i listed the cost of the headlights and the iginitor packs, each headlamp would be near £5-600 each plus fitting. You can set the level of the beam just once and use the internal headlamp level adjuster to compensate for extra loads

 

[TXcarguy]

And before TX gets to you, put your location into your profile =)

 

[Ess5ive]

Yes thats right, although im not too fussed about the headlight washers. But any help on just swapping the headlights over would be appreciated.

Yasiuk, you may want to do a bit of digging around the legislation here - in the EU, all cars fitted with Xenon headlamps must also be provided with a headlamp washer system. I'm wondereing it if could be a possible MOT issue down the line if new lamps are fitted without that facility?

Quite possibly not but may be worth looking into - or could be creating problems at resale time. DD, any views?

 

[Rab88]

Yasiuk, you may want to do a bit of digging around the legislation here - in the EU, all cars fitted with Xenon headlamps must also be provided with a headlamp washer system. I'm wondereing it if could be a possible MOT issue down the line if new lamps are fitted without that facility?

Quite possibly not but may be worth looking into - or could be creating problems at resale time. DD, any views?

That's enforced with manufacturers, rather than end-users with aftermarket modifications. I regularly go to all sorts of car meets, cruises etc. Most of the cars have aftermarket HID kits, including my toyota supra. None of the cars have had headlamp washers fitted or self-levelling headlamps. And if you find an MOT station that even knows about the EU legislation (never mind enforcing it!), I'd be very very surprised.

 

[bandar1113]

Man i could not even sum up how bummed i would be if my car arrived with no drl's I don't know anything about retro fitting headlights or anything but you can buy a set of new headlights on madaudi.com if thats what's necessary however they're pretty expensive

 

[yasiuk]

Thanks morski and rab88 and everyone else on here. This is what ive learnt so far. The legistlation is definatly only applicable to newly manufactured cars with xenons. Therefore washers and auto levelling is not mandatory. Im going to buy the two new DLR headlights at £274 + Vat each. Im not going to fit adaptive cornering as this will become more costly and complicated. Then i will source the recommended bulbs and ballasts as suggested by Morski. I can get get two ballasts and bulbs off ebay (D3S) for around £150 for the set used though. Then i will need to buy a new connector as some re wiring is needed and the connector is different on new headlight. (dont have a clue with the rewiring though as yet). Im assuming the high beams in the new headlight are the same as the old (halogen). Also im assuming that the DLR LED's will just connect to the sidelights and no transformer is need as morski stated its build into the headlight. Im still confused with the autolevelling and i was hoping Morski or sombody could help, Morski stated that they could be set once and then adjusted from the driver controlls. How will they wire up as the new headlights are supposed to be auto levelling so how will they link into the driver controlls for levelling, how will i set them up "once". Anymore help is appreciated and once ive hopefully done this ill post a detailed "how to". Also i dont want to get the wrong bulb can anyone send post a link of how the D3S bulbs look in the A5. Are they the same as the D2S? Thanks people

 

[morski]

I will post up some more details this evening. The wiring plugs are different as well.

 

[Deepmeister]

Yes thats right, although im not too fussed about the headlight washers. But any help on just swapping the headlights over would be appreciated.

If you are in the UK, it is my understanding that it is a legal requirement to have headlamp washers when you have Xenon lights. Something to do with regulations based on the result of how a small part of dirt can affect output on such a narrow beam of light.

See http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs41-60.html for details, Regulation 48 describes the testing process for dirt on Xenon lights.

 

[yasiuk]

This is true. Although this only applies to manufacturers. So this regulation would only apply to factory built cars with xenons.

 

[grantshel]

Thanks morski and rab88 and everyone else on here. This is what ive learnt so far. The legistlation is definatly only applicable to newly manufactured cars with xenons. Therefore washers and auto levelling is not mandatory. Im going to buy the two new DLR headlights at £274 + Vat each. Im not going to fit adaptive cornering as this will become more costly and complicated. Then i will source the recommended bulbs and ballasts as suggested by Morski. I can get get two ballasts and bulbs off ebay (D3S) for around £150 for the set used though. Then i will need to buy a new connector as some re wiring is needed and the connector is different on new headlight. (dont have a clue with the rewiring though as yet). Im assuming the high beams in the new headlight are the same as the old (halogen). Also im assuming that the DLR LED's will just connect to the sidelights and no transformer is need as morski stated its build into the headlight. Im still confused with the autolevelling and i was hoping Morski or sombody could help, Morski stated that they could be set once and then adjusted from the driver controlls. How will they wire up as the new headlights are supposed to be auto levelling so how will they link into the driver controlls for levelling, how will i set them up "once". Anymore help is appreciated and once ive hopefully done this ill post a detailed "how to". Also i dont want to get the wrong bulb can anyone send post a link of how the D3S bulbs look in the A5. Are they the same as the D2S? Thanks people

Please let me know if you manage this, im in the same situation, but went and got a set of lights thinking it was a straight swop, silly me!!

 

[grantshel]

 

[morski]

A couple things:
- The 14pin connector has 13 wires connected to it from the loom
- If you are going to source non oem ballasts then you will have to rewire the headlight internally as the oem ballast is bolted to the bottom of the headlight which inturn has 2 plugs on it.
- The D2S bulbs are different to the D2S bulbs. IIRC the 2's have a round back and the 3'd have a square back
- The headlight switch you have has a level adjuster which adjusts the height of the beam pattern via the motors directly. You can utilise this directly onto the new lamps by figuring out which wires directly control the motors on the new lamp. This is not difficult as the self levelling sensors would take care of this.

Its not a difficult thing to do; just costly. You will need to have an idea of what your doing with the wiring as you can cause more damage.

 

[Deepmeister]

A couple things:
- The 14pin connector has 13 wires connected to it from the loom
- If you are going to source non oem ballasts then you will have to rewire the headlight internally as the oem ballast is bolted to the bottom of the headlight which inturn has 2 plugs on it.
- The D2S bulbs are different to the D2S bulbs. IIRC the 2's have a round back and the 3'd have a square back
- The headlight switch you have has a level adjuster which adjusts the height of the beam pattern via the motors directly. You can utilise this directly onto the new lamps by figuring out which wires directly control the motors on the new lamp. This is not difficult as the self levelling sensors would take care of this.

Its not a difficult thing to do; just costly. You will need to have an idea of what your doing with the wiring as you can cause more damage.

Also please bear in mind that the Xenon assembly uses very high voltage to fire the xenons which is why you often see a flash when they are first switched on. The residual high voltage remains in the assembly and runs in thousands of volts so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be very careful about insulating the wiring and use insulated tools/protection when touching anywhere near the wiring or housings.

You recently arrived on the forum, can't have you electrocuting yourself so soon after joining!