I just installed some new headlights https://vintagecarleds.com/shop/7-inch/vc3500-classic-kit/ the difference is amazing, but I now have no high beam low beam option.
With one of the old halogen bulbs still connected I have high beam low beam & the other LED works accordingly, but with both LED's connected it doesn't change.
Is there some type of special relay that is required for our old beetles for new modern lighting to work?
yes, Paul, doesn't matter which side , when I swap them over it's the same, put both halogens back in, everything works fine, put both LED bulbs on no high beam or low beam. One halogen, one LED high beam & low beam works on the halogen & LED.
Weird huh?
All the headlight wiring is standard & working perfectly.
This is a video showing what I have, although my bulbs are a slightly newer model
yes, the LED bulbs work as headlights (& very well) but you cannot change between high or low beam.
They obviously have the provision for both as when I plug 1 halogen back in, the halogen & the LED change between both high & low beam together as normal
my initial thoughts were relay related & what you are suggesting makes sense given if 1 LED bulb is plugged in with 1 old halogen bulb the high beam low beam works. but not with both LED bulbs
But , then doesn't that fly in the face of LED's drawing less current?
what I'm saying they may not be drawing enough current for the relay to latch. just like when you change to led blinkers you need to ether put a ballast resistor in line or change the relay.
id shoot them an email and ask about it.
barls wrote:what I'm saying they may not be drawing enough current for the relay to latch. just like when you change to led blinkers you need to ether put a ballast resistor in line or change the relay.
I reckon this is the problem, but I don't know enough to offer a solution
For all your good intention you blokes just forget any ideas of the relay.The relay latching coil has nothing to do with the actual current going through the main contacts, which alternate between a main supply and the high and low beam. Jak give me a call.
Thomas from Vintage LED who sold me the lights, took me through a few things, turned out (after all these years) there has always been some sort of ignition wire hooked up to the high beam , white wires on the fuse box. This was giving constant power to the lights when the ignition is on, it never showed up for all these years (I don't remember ever touching it in 27 years of ownership) as the halogens take quite a bit of power to illuminate where as the LED bulbs take bugger all power, hence why they were on with the ignition.
Everything now works perfectly, high low beam as well. Now I just have to find where the hell that little blue/black wire goes to.
Car still starts on the button & all the gauges & computer work so no idea at the moment what it does.
Dave is correct that wire runs off the white high beam wires up to the speedo to the high beam light.
There are no mysteries with electrics just unsolved technical problems !
Jak let us know the night time performance especially the high beam.
I normally don't drive my beetle at night (unless unavoidable) but last night was the first proper drive at night.
Amazing. The term 'night & day' is most applicable. The light is white, not yellow, the low beam is simply amazing , so much so I had to keep checking that it wasn't on high beam to convince myself. No other cars flashed their lights at me so they must not be too bright for oncoming traffic which is good. high beam is over & above what is needed.
My wife has a modern car only 2 years old & I think my beetles lights are better.
I also installed LED brake lights & also a 3rd LED brake light in the rear window. I already had LED indicators
Another bonus is that when you turn the lights on, there is no drop in RPM because of the electrical load has been drastically reduced because of the LED's. I am racing Thursday night so it will be nice to not try & drive fast with candles! with no ugly light bar needed on the front
