H4 To H7 Upgrade

[Murdoch]

Maybe we should club together and get a petition to send to VW UK ................

Seems to me that the Accountants in VW got involved after the designers and cut rather too many corners ............ I've got a Highline and the standard of the lights is poor

 

[andys]

Can the cost of manufacture really be much more for an H7 than an H4? Maybe it's just to get extra upsales by selling the premium light package or whatever they call it and they don't want to lose that. Also an extra selling point for the Caravelle etc that you get this light package thrown in as standard.

 

[Hactus]

Thanks @Pauly I maybe have to give it a go. I only have a cold wet driveway so wanted to get done before the better weather and longer nights.

@Murdoch - maybe. I thought I would play nice and go through the proper steps but dealer doesn't seem interested in helping even for money - strange.

 

[Russell Arnold]

Inside the H4 lights (in Oz anyway) is a metallic slotted cover thingy over the Globe. This could only be reducing light getting to the reflector. It must serve as some optical aid, but many H4 or H7 clear lense headlights you see about do not have these. I was therefore wondering if anyone had gotten in there and removed them. It could mean somewhere up to 50% more light from globe hitting reflectors, but would it also cause a glare issue for oncoming drivers, Possums and Koala's ? Anyone have a photo's of the H7 units please? what do they look like, same headlight but with a H7 hole in the rear? Do they have the covers over globe? And yes mine are pitiful and dangerous, and I have upgraded with 50% brighter H4's for only minor improvement.

 

[Loz]

Don’t remove that from H4 reflector lenses as you will have NO dip beam! (You drongo )
Reflector Lenses work differently from Projector Lenses.
Search YouTube for videos explaining the difference.

 

[Russell Arnold]

OK, have de-Drongo'ed myself with some education, in my Drongo state I had always thought the focal pint was enough to effect low and high beams... but alas.. thanks Loz

 

[RayC]

The subject of the H4 lights is a re-occurring theme on here so apologies for raising this again but they are c*$.

Firstly, I contacted VW customer service - the short version is they thanked me for my time, passed on my comments to VW for future design considerations and suggested I took the van to the local dealer.

My van has been to the dealer and they have checked that the lights are aligned correctly, are the correct units for market and that is about it. They have suggested changing bulbs for after market but have warned of the potential of causing damage to the lights or wiring and this would not be covered under the warranty - so my risk, but given many have already gone down this route it may be my next option.

I have had a long discussion with the dealer about changing them to H7 units but they are adamant it is not possible because of different harness, warranty, control units, etc, etc. even though I am offering to pay and that has a new build these lights were an option just not a dealer fit option - bull if you ask me.

So what is involved? Bumper off and then plug and play - is there a harness to change?

Any other advise would be greatly received about how I progress this with VW customer service or the dealer - PM me if needs be. Are there any workshop document reference numbers or part numbers I can quote to the dealer?

I want to change the lights to H7, LED is a step too far and too expensive. I am happy to pay the dealer to get this done but so far no getting anywhere.

It’s 100% a straight swap and not that scary have a look at this video it shows how to remove bumper
I did mine in an afternoon it’s still worth fitting osram night breaker bulbs though the the H7 lamps I fitted the bumper DRLs at the same time

 

[andys]

I want a garage like yours

 

[RayC]

I want a garage like yours

You don’t need the ramp I happened to be at the track that day with the van seemed rude not to use the facility

 

[Mwillis]

Reading the first post (maybe a daft question)

By default your dip beam goes of when you turn on the main beam, after fitting the H7 headlights you have the option to change one bit of coding in the main control module of the van and this will allow the dip beam to stay on when main beam is on allowing more light output when your on the dark back roads

Q. When the main beam is turned off again, does the dip beam come back on automatically? and if so is there a short delay with no lights?

thanks

 

[Loz]

Reading the first post (maybe a daft question)

By default your dip beam goes of when you turn on the main beam, after fitting the H7 headlights you have the option to change one bit of coding in the main control module of the van and this will allow the dip beam to stay on when main beam is on allowing more light output when your on the dark back roads

Q. When the main beam is turned off again, does the dip beam come back on automatically? and if so is there a short delay with no lights?

thanks

The answer is in your statement , the mod allows the dip beam to stay on, ie it never goes out. Put another way the low beam is always on and you just turn the high beam on and off.

 

[Mwillis]

Thanks, I meant without the mod,i.e. if I just change the lights over to H7's (as I will have to go back to VW and not doubt cost me the same as the lights)

 

[StueyStuey]

No it’s a instant change over

 

[RayC]

Hi when you fit H7 lights they act the same way as the H4 they just have two bulbs instead if 1 so...
H4 std is one bulb on with dip and main
H7 is one bulb on for dip and then that bulb goes off and another on for main
H7 plus coding is one bulb on for dip and 2nd on for main it’s a huge difference and very good especially if you fit osram nightbreaker bulbs

 

[RayC]

Thanks, I meant without the mod,i.e. if I just change the lights over to H7's (as I will have to go back to VW and not doubt cost me the same as the lights)

People on here with VCDS logo will help you I've done a few for people it takes about 2 mins!

 

[Mwillis]

Great reply, thank very clear.

One more question, I noticed some T6 LED headlights on Transporter HQ (really helpful chap) but he explained these are a half way house between the LED lights VW supply with a new van (when ours went back for the usual window leaks and pulling to the left) they lent me a van and I nearly went blind walking up to it at 6:30am and pressing the button! It was like the sum coming up....I had no idea how bad my H4 were.

Q - Without going to VW and paying £2,000+ are the ones in the Forum shop the same as VW supply (I presume H7's) or Transporter HQs LED lights i.e. a happy compromise.

Thanks again

 

[Ads_Essex]

Q - Without going to VW and paying £2,000+ are the ones in the Forum shop the same as VW supply (I presume H7's) or Transporter HQs LED lights i.e. a happy compromise.

Thanks again

They’re the same as the VW LED ones you would have had on your loaner.

See this thread for a rough DIY-retrofit price.

 

[Hactus]

So completed the swap from H4 to H7 after trying Osram Nightbreaker in the H4’s. In my opinion the H7 is far better. Just need to sort VCDS and enable dip and main together.

Big shout out to Pauly for trying very hard to help with delivery of the H7’s from the Forum shop but the freight cost was way to high to ship to the islands. Thanks to all the members who have taken time to share their knowledge and journey on this subject.

I have a couple of questions about VCDS so anyone who can help with the advice would be appreciated.

Can’t see anyone local to me in the Channel Islands with VCDS so looking to purchase a Ross-Tech Hex V2 USB (3 Vin) , I have a Windows 10 laptop. Will this do the job and allow me access to turn on dip and main?

How easy is it to complete the job?

Reading this post it looks like I need to scan first and then is it a tick box or do I need to locate and change the single bit?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Loz]

Why not message @Don Carista and see if they are willing to add that option to Carista as that would be a far cheaper way forward, we can help them with the correct bit..

 

[Hactus]

Why not message @Don Carista and see if they are willing to add that option to Carista as that would be a far cheaper way forward, we can help them with the correct bit..

@Loz great idea which I will do as may help others but I need to get mine sorted sooner so will probably buy the Ross-Tech. Not sure how long Carista change would take to update software.

Update: I have sent @Don Carista a message will see if this can be added to Carista.

Anyone with VCDS knowledge of HEX-V2 before I waste money would be appreciated.