The Transformation from yellow light to white light.
The Prologue:
I always had a penchant for white lights, like the ones we have in the new Audi and BMW's. Whenever I used to see a white light, I for a second used to turn over to have a look at which car was it. White lights are always a attention grabber even if it is unnecessary attention.
First Encounter:
Recently on a trip I had driven Honda Accord Euro which too had a white lights. While driving it in the night didn't felt once if yellow light would have made a difference, but I surely liked it and wished to change over my Vento "The Dark Knight" headlights bulb over to white sooner than later.
Grievance:
As usual all Vento owners may be knowing the stock headlights of Vento are of Osram 60/55W which are inadequate. I had in May'11 changed over to Philips 100/90W with PMP relays, so this time also I was looking for only 100/90W bulbs with white light. As coming back to 60/55W would again result in less light as faced by me previously.
The Search:
In Philips Automotive Lighting in White Light section they only had Essential Vision in 100/90W and no other Diamond Vision, Crystal Vision or Blue Vision had 100/90W. So the choice for headlights was final at Essential Vision H4 100/90W.
Dilemma:
Next came, now if one wants to give a complete white light effect you even need to change over the fog lamps and parking light. So decided to even change those. The VW Vento user manual mentions that headlight bulb are of type H4 but there is no mention of which type are fogs or parking lights. It was quite a struggle to find out the type of fogs lamps where as parking light would definitely be W5W type. Once during washing my car saw it mentioned on the rear number plate lights as W5W so even decided to change those.
What a complete effect if would than be, front and rear as well.
Research and Development:
After some R&D, a friend pointed out a HiD spec sheet which mentioned that Vento has HB4 9006 type bulbs but their was still dilemma as Polo had H8 type. Wouldn't VW share the same bulbs between the two siblings?
Decided to take the risk and decided off to go with HB4 9006 type bulbs. Where I stay in Navi Mumbai, Sector-17, Vashi is the main hub for automobile parts. Tried many shops their but couldn't find as none had the required bulbs. So the hunt for the dealer of Philips started, which turned out as R.K.Enterprise at Opera House, Mumbai. One call to R.K. and they all the required bulbs and no headache of explaining as they know their stuff.
Even once called VW workshop to ask them if they could change the bulbs for me but they outright refused it saying no playing around with electric systems. This made me adamant that I will change them over by myself as I didn't want road side mechanics to get their hands on my Black Beauty.
Went through the manual and it has been mentioned in detail how to go about everything. So that was sorted out. Thanks to Bhpian Rachit.K.Dogra for pointing it out to me.
The Purchase:
Off I was on Saturday to Opera House and bought all the necessary bulbs required. I even asked the shopkeeper which type of bulbs are in Vento and he said H8, I was shocked as Polo has H8(as mentioned in HiD spec sheet). I decided to take the risk and get 9006 but told him that if 9006 doesn't go in I would have them changed over to H8(but with the seal intact, obviously). Initially was planning to get Crystal Vision 4300K but the shop keeper recommended to use the Blue Vision as they would have the similar color temperature output as the Essential Vision.
Opening Up The Pandora's Box:
So on Sunday after having my breakfast decided to get under the hood and have the bulbs replaced all by myself with help from my younger brother. I was all exited and charged up, but it didn't last long.
Rear Number Plate Lights: W5W type.
Started of with swapping the rear number plate with Philips Blue Vision W5W 4000K. Took a screwdriver and snapped out the rear number plate light out and changed them over. Easy work.
To confirm that they are working before snapping them in again, switched on the parking lights and voila. The rear number plate light are up and working.
Stage 1 complete.
Next comes the headlights: H4 type.
Opened up the bonnet. Unscrewed the two screws on the headlamp assembly on the two ends of the headlights. You don't need to unscrew the one in the middle as it is just for support. What now, it should come out. No it doesn't it has two clips which keep it attached below. So what, lets give it a dab and it would come out popping. No way, it's rigid.
For once I got scared, as the two clips break in an event of accident and headlamp assembly goes in for pedestrian safety. What if it breaks and the headlamp assembly costs Rs. 5000(IIRC). Dad wont be happy with a Rs. 10000 loss in one day.
Decided to give it a skip and would get it done from workshop, whatever even if they refuse.
Next comes the fog lamps: HB4 9006 type for Vento.
I was first thinking changing bulbs in headlamp would be easier than fog lamps and fog lamps would be difficult to change. But it turned out quite opposite but not without a shock. Oh yes.
You need to use the Torix key(IIRC the name) present with the jack and others in thermocol box/structure in the rear boot, to pull out the cover of the fog lamps. First inserted it in the RHS(drivers side) fog lamp and it came out easily as I had earlier once pulled it out.
There are three screws and just unscrew them and fog lamp casing is out. Just snap out the cable and assembly is in your hands. Rotate the bulb in anti-clockwise direction and pull out the bulb. That simple.
But wait, I was still not confirmed about the type of bulb. So thought of verifying it through the bulb as I had it in my hands. But there was some paint on the number. Tried to remove it by my finger nail and off goes the bulb type with the paint. So what are the probability of the wrong bulb being purchased by me to be incorrect, 50:50.
Fine, lets not panic and open up the second fog lamp casing and verify bulb type through it, hoping that its clearly mentioned without any paint. Opening it up through the Torix key was tough as it was being opened up for the first time. Some muscle power and off comes the cover.
Unscrewed three screws holding the fog lamp and snapped the wire. Fog lamp casing was in my hands and hoping to find the bulb type finally. Turned the bulb anti-clockwise and pulled out the bulb.
Started to read the type of bulb it says H..HB...HB4 okay what next. 9..90..900, hoping last number is six and it is 9006 and I hit a six. Voila.
So finally I can change the bulbs finally to Philips Blue Vision HB4 9006 4000K type. Inserted the new Philips bulb, turned it clockwise and snapped the wire in. Screwed the three screws and inserted the cover finally. Left and right hand side done, what a sigh of relief.
Fogs lamps finally changed over to Philips Blue Vision HB4 9006 4000K after so much desperation.
The heart and mind game:
Heart says, "Lets try again with the head lamps, you wont get a Rs. 10000 loss" and then comes mind rushing and slams brakes to it "You already have tried it once, what do want a Rs. 10000 loss in a single day, are you out of your mind. We will have it done from workshop during the 1st service in Mar'12 end".
I still wanted to change the headlamps over and finally gave it to the heart. Whoa.
Again unscrewed the the head lamp assembly. What now, to push it out or not. No, yes, no yes. Big yes, and bit of strong push the headlamp assembly is out and no breaking of clips. Hurrah.
But, the wires are so short it just comes out 3" out, how will I change the head lamp bulb and parking light. Tried taking out the wires attached, high beam wire comes out, but nothing. Parking light and side indicator just wont come out. Not a failure again.
Then my younger brother pointed out a small plate above the headlamp(when in its normal position). Lets try taking it out too and it would give us more space to work out without snapping the wires out. It worked.
There was more space and finally removed the rubber cover on LHS(Passenger side) and pulled the metal clip holding the bulb in its place. Yellow bulb out and white bulb in. Put the metal clip back on and rubber cover back. Parking light bulb is turned clockwise and pulled out and replaced with W5W type. So one headlight done. Yeah.
The RHS(drivers side) headlamp assembly was opened up but to remove the metal plate which I mentioned above, it has the bonnet opening wire attached to it. Snapped it out and took the plate out. There is just enough place and we work out and replace the bulb and parking light bulb.
All done, put back everything and attach the bonnet opening wire again to the metal plate. Fired up the engine and checked up the head lights, fog lamps, parking light and rear number plate lights, all working great. No bulb out errors or any problems.
Took 2 hrs to finish it up but it was great fun and adventure.
Now my Dark Knight has better vision and get more attention on road.
Limited to 2 emoticons, otherwise this post would have at least 20+ emoticons.
In the end, VW workshop be damned, if there is will there is a way.
Note: Pics to follow in next post. Mods sorry for back to back post but wanted a neat representation.