Quick Question: Stock headlight wattage

[mjanderle]

Hi All,

'87 Westfalia.

If I run my high-beams for longer than a few min. I cook the ignition switch. The headlights are grounded at the light. I'm thinking the PO put in higher wattage lamps w/out a relay. Can someone tell me what stock headlight wattage is / should be? I'm going to go take a look during lunch break today.

Thanks in advance!
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1976 BMW R90/6
1979 Honda XL250
2004 BMW R1150GSA
2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD OR
1987 VW Vanagon Wolfsberg Edition, Westfalia Weekender

Gone but not forgotten, 1976 Toyota Land Crusier FJ40

Déjà-nesia - Having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this s@*t before.

[Altoona]

55/60 outers, 55W inners.

[mjanderle]

Found it : 12V 60/55W - Main Headlight (H4)
_________________
1976 BMW R90/6
1979 Honda XL250
2004 BMW R1150GSA
2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD OR
1987 VW Vanagon Wolfsberg Edition, Westfalia Weekender

Gone but not forgotten, 1976 Toyota Land Crusier FJ40

Déjà-nesia - Having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this s@*t before.

[mjanderle]

Thanks!
_________________
1976 BMW R90/6
1979 Honda XL250
2004 BMW R1150GSA
2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD OR
1987 VW Vanagon Wolfsberg Edition, Westfalia Weekender

Gone but not forgotten, 1976 Toyota Land Crusier FJ40

Déjà-nesia - Having amnesia and déjà vu at the same time. I think I’ve forgotten this s@*t before.

[Altoona]

If it is an '87 with the rectangular headlights, they are probably not H4's, They are probably a HB1/9004.

[kamzcab86]

[DwarfVader]

Get yourself these and install them, you can't really go wrong installing both:

Headlight Relay
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1007337

Hard Start/Hot Start Relay
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1066289

Both of them for less $$$:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1089150

***I am in no way associated with Jay or his products, I don't even have my own van yet... but trust me, you want both of these, they will save you a ton of headache. (AND you'll get brighter headlights out of the stock bulbs.) The majority of users here will concur with this assessment.
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- oderint dum metuant -

I'll find my van someday, or it will find me.

[IdahoDoug]

From my understanding, this was an unwise wiring decision by VW and you will likely find normal bulbs in your headlamps. Be sure not to touch the bulb as this will cause early failure, btw. My stock headlamps did the same thing with the wiring and I suspect many are driving along completely unaware that their wires are near-smoking hot. I just happened to notice because I had the steering column cover off and was on a road trip and happened to put my hand there to feel the blazing hot wires.

Most have the plastic cover over that wire bundle and the starter switch and will never know until the insulation completely cooks off and they have a more serious issue.

Another bit of praise for Jay's wiring harnesses. I also got both and my van has snappy bright headlights and starts fast. Good stuff and plug and play.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[IdahoDoug]

So, what did you find?
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[mjanderle]

[Steve M.]

Just F.Y.I., the reason to not touch the glass of the bulbs is because the naturally produced oils in our skin, in this case the fingers, will deposit itself on the bulb just like a fingerprint. Then when the bulb heats up the heat will concentrate in the finger print and this will cause the bulb to fail because the heat will no longer evenly dissipates through the glass.

[Merian]

[chase4food]

[Merian]

sorry

And Remember! It is not a car wreck until the TiKi torch is lit.

[IdahoDoug]

Steve,

Yep, nice explanation. So, when I get new bulbs, I actually clean them with NAPA's ammonia-based window cleaner, though I have also used rubbing alcohol before discovering that NAPA product. Anyone have a thought on which is wiser, or a better way to clean the glass bulb before install? BTW, I use the NAPA because it's so good on glass in general and thought it a good product for this.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[DwarfVader]

[Steve M.]

[chase4food]

I most often change halogen bulbs with bare fingers. I first read about you shouldn't but came to same conclusion as Steve explained. I tried to use a piece of tissue paper so not to transfer body oil to the bulb when installing into the bulb receptacle. Problem is most of the requires a lot of force and the slippery tissue paper make the job impossible. I just went to clean my fingers good and handle the bulb with bare fingers. That make the job a snap.

With very high wattage bulbs like the headlamps I would take more care not to touch them with bare fingers. If I cannot avoid it, I just clean them good after with plain soak and water and dry them.

One thing that is most counter intuitive is one of the best cleaning agent for most expensive and delicate optics is acetone. Acetone destroys just about any consumer or prosumer camera gears not having even to come in contact, but is use to clean optics in military, aviation and space industries.
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- Vince 飲食玩睡

what Isolde wants Isolde doesn't always get, 4 I know what is best for her - Liebe macht frei