[GUIDE] How to retrofit LED projectors to T6 H4 headlights on a VW Transporter

Andysmee

Previously the last of the TSI's
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Thanks to @Robert and others on this thread:


Fitting retrofit LED mini-projectors to H4's is now completely doable, and very good value for the light output: (H4 LED mini-projector on the left, H4 halogen reflector on the right)

20210129_210409-COLLAGE.jpg
The projectors I used are these ones: Bi-LED Projector Lens Car Headlight 1.5’’ H4 9003 Canbus Cooling Fan Retrofit | eBay

I test-fitted the passenger side on the van but to fit the ballast you need to remove the headlights from the van.

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I started by fitting Osram LEDs for the DRLs:
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I did a comparison of Osram and Philips replacement LED lamps, to get the DRL out you twist the fitting a quarter turn anti-clockwise and it pops out.
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On to the main event, first remove the halogen H4 bulb by pulling the connector off the back, pushing the spring clip in and to the side and remove the bulb.
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Now you need to remove the lamp guard with a small torx bit.
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Then cut off the guard to retain the mount for the spring clip. It doesn't matter how far in you cut, it still falls apart as it's not soldered together.
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It re-attaches to the reflector which holds the two parts back together. While we're on the subject, try not to let any dirt or debris fall into the headlight. If it does, turn it upside down and shake it back out.
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Now we need to squeeze the ballast into the housing in the void behind the reflector. Wind the adjustment screws using a cross head or hex driver until the ballast slides in. I had to shave a tiny piece of plastic off one part of the housing on one side, using insulating tape as a sticky trap to catch the debris.
I've fitted the ballast with the H4 connector end wrapped over the top of the (in-out) adjustment screw post.
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Attach the H4 connector to the standard wiring and push the connectors into the space on the outer side of the headlight.

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Next move to the mini-projector. Remove the fan module from the end of the bulb assembly, after disconnecting it.
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Undo the two screws holding the H4 template to the assembly and move to the anti-clockwise setting. This makes the following change on this kit:
20210131_194710-COLLAGE.jpg
Now insert the bulb into the headlight and thread the cables through the spring clip:
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Fully seat the bulb and latch the spring clip onto the hook.
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Connect the bulb connector to the ballast and screw on the fan module and reconnect to the bulb. Tuck all the wiring away (I used the sidelight wiring to keep the bulb wiring hooked down).

On a side note, the side light LED has polarity so you won't know if it's connected right until you put the headlight back on the van. Be ready to test it before bolting in the headlight.
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Close the cap on the back of the headlight and it's ready to fit back on the van.

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Here's the interior of the headlight with the cut down headlamp guard peaking out.
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Here's the passenger side headlight, a mirror image of the set above.
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Here's the dipped beam pattern after a quick adjustment. A visit to an MOT centre should sort it out later.
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This is the LED full beam pattern (on left) with halogen H4 on the right. And DRL with sidelights comparison above (LED vs incandescent).
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Good, huh? :cool:

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Can't have too many pictures, I'm sure!
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Oh dear, finally started the engine after buying a charger and, guess what? Bulb out warning light :confused:

First drive out with them and the lighting is very good, but alignment not right, expecting to be flashed any moment.
 
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Better news. I started diagnosing the lamp warning light by swapping back in my old bulbs and got lucky, it's the Osram DRL LED bulbs that are causing the warning light, not the H4's, or the Osram LED sidelights.

But I think my DAB reception is affected by the H4's when I drove out the other night, whereas today I drove in daylight and no problems. It's not catastrophic, but definitely weaker signal on 6Music which tends to have patchy reception.
 
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What's your BCM coding?
There might be some tweaking/improvements possible.
 
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Get someone local to read your BCM (body control module, address 09) coding, using one of the following: Vcds, OBDeleven, CARISTA, etc.
 
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Get someone local to read your BCM (body control module, address 09) coding, using one of the following: Vcds, OBDeleven, CARISTA, etc.
Okay. Does that mean I don't need to go looking for a solution to the LED DRLs?
 
Any update on this?
It will take me a while to get a BCM readout but in the meantime I've driven it again in the dark and the lighting is fantastic. Still a fantastic result for the money, but I found that the stereo won't hold a DAB station when you move cell unless you turn off the H4's, but then will hold the reception until you leave an area again. And the lamp warning light is fine and not related to the H4's.

So, with that in mind, I would still recommend trying them, rather than several hundred on THQ ones
 
It will take me a while to get a BCM readout but in the meantime I've driven it again in the dark and the lighting is fantastic. Still a fantastic result for the money, but I found that the stereo won't hold a DAB station when you move cell unless you turn off the H4's, but then will hold the reception until you leave an area again. And the lamp warning light is fine and not related to the H4's.

So, with that in mind, I would still recommend trying them, rather than several hundred on THQ ones

Awesome thread @Andysmee. I've never seen these mini projector LEDs before. Just ordered some from the 'bay.

I'm surprised adjustment of the threaded body affected dip beam so much, as they're projector. I can see it changing main beam, as that looks like it uses the headlamp reflector itself. Anyways, will get to play myself in a few weeks, as the lamps are coming from the Far East somewhere.

From the other thread, I was going to try the Retrofit Labs HIDs, but didn't think the headlamps would come apart that easily. Glad I think I've finally found a fix for these woeful H4s.
 
It depends what your current BCM coding is.
Code:
Car: Volkswagen Transporter

Year: 2019

Body type: VAN

Engine: CJKB 110 kW (150 HP) 2.0 l

Mileage: xxxxx



---------------------------------------------------------------

01 Engine





Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

03 Brakes



System description: ESC

Software number: 7E0907379P

Software version: 0133

Hardware number: 7E0907379M

Hardware version: H06

Serial number: 60059000001762

ODX name: EV_Brake1ESCCONTIVN75XGP2

ODX version: 011001

Long coding: 517E4398256984858A78C279A48821A679F100



Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

04 Steering Angle Sensor



System description: LENKW.SENSOR

Software number: 6R0959654

Software version: 0070

Hardware number: 6R0959654

Hardware version: H07

Serial number: 06121813471540

ODX name: EV_LWSKLOVW25X

ODX version: 005001

Long coding: 01



Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

08 Air Conditioning





Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

09 Central Electrics



System description: BCM PQ25 Max4

Software number: 7E0937090D

Software version: 0762

Hardware number: 7E0937090D

Hardware version: H82

Serial number: 8601 008190822

Long coding: E0A4303A0A212431002009742C2B8C540FC0708F60444D60330400220800



Subsystems:

System description: J386__TSG_FT

Software number: 7E0959801R

Software version: 0653

Hardware version: 005

Serial number: KU0KU009011990090700

Long coding: 1400B1



System description: J387__TSG_BT

Software number: 7E0959802Q

Software version: 0653

Hardware version: 004

Serial number: KU0KU007011990073892

Long coding: 0400A1



Trouble codes:

02745 - Left daytime running lamp bulb Open circuit/short circuit to B+

static

02746 - Right daytime running lamp bulb Open circuit/short circuit to B+

static





---------------------------------------------------------------

10 Parking Assistance





Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

13 Adaptive Cruise Control





Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

15 Airbag





Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

17 Dashboard





Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

19 Gateway



System description: GW-K-CAN TP20

Software number: 7E0909901

Software version: 0762

Hardware number: 7E0937090D

Hardware version: H82

Long coding: 042305



Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

25 Immobilizer





Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

5F Multimedia





Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found



---------------------------------------------------------------

61 Battery Regulation





Trouble codes:

No trouble codes found
 
You could change your original BCM(09 Central Electrics) coding from
E0A4303A0A212431002009742C2B8C540FC0708F60444D60330400220800
to
E0A4303A0A212431002009742C2B8C54D0C0708F60444D60330400220800

This adjustment will eliminate BULB FAULT light in IC and should reduce interferences on DAB.
 
You could change your original BCM(09 Central Electrics) coding from
E0A4303A0A212431002009742C2B8C540FC0708F60444D60330400220800
to
E0A4303A0A212431002009742C2B8C54D0C0708F60444D60330400220800

This adjustment will eliminate BULB FAULT light in IC and should reduce interferences on DAB.
This is how OBD11 displays it, can you elaborate?
Screenshot_20210224-131812.png
 
Original BYTE 16
(0F)16 = (0000 1111)2
bit 0 = 1 Activation of low beam via pulse width modulation (PWM) active
bit 1 = 1 Activation of fog light via pulse width modulation (PWM) active
bit 2 = 1 Activation of Daytime running lights via pulse width modulation (PWM) active
bit 3 = 1 Activation of High Beam via pulse width modulation (PWM) active
bit 4 = 0 Lamp Diagnostics for Low Beam inactive
bit 5 = 0 Lamp Diagnostics for Rear Fog Light(s) inactive
bit 6 = 0 Lamp Diagnostics for (Separate) Daytime Running Lights (DRL) inactive
bit 7 = 0 Lamp Diagnostics for High Beam inactive

Proposed modification to BYTE 16
(same description of bits applies as above)
(D0)16 = (1101 0000)2
bit 0 = 0
bit 1 = 0
bit 2 = 0
bit 3 = 0
bit 4 = 1
bit 5 = 0
bit 6 = 1
bit 7 = 1
 
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Regarding PWM you can have a look what it does when activated below.
 
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