Hi, feel free to delete thread as I may well be off in asking this here.

 

I have an absolute first gen 3v3  hatchback that was used as a demo vehicle for Skoda in my country during summer of 2015.  This meaning that it is beginning to show it's age when it comes to the light output.

 

I've noted that it could be sandblasted headlights, bulbs or the projectors beginning to give up..

 

So far I've changed bulbs, made sure the battery is good and checked ballasts. I've had the car in for the low dipped beam issue and it was an improvement back then...all values today look electronically sound. 

 

So, my question is if anyone have a method of changing the projectors and not mess with original headlight too much, or if I'm at a loss with bixenon that shine like halogens. Or just forced to pay the much to expensive prices of better used units? I feel like polishing the plastic won't do much longterm (car is a keeper for me)

 

It is equipped with cornering-lights and auto high beam (AFS?). 

 

W. Regards

 

Daniel 

And a second question. If replaced 1:1 to a better used unit, does the car need coding? 

What bulbs did you get?

 

I’ve also found doing a full turn anti clockwise (heightened) to improve the lights.

 

If the exterior lens is rubbish then you can try something like https://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-39073-Restoration-Discoloured-Headlights/dp/B0078IHJ1K/ref=asc_df_B0078IHJ1K?mcid=d71d28b5dde738efba1b71684a22f97b&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697364890259&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9403890865363855571&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9191904&hvtargid=pla-467642978334&psc=1&gad_source=1

 

You will most likely like to reapply uv coating.

 

Post a picture of your lights at night from within the car

 

Abd another of your lens as you said it’s like being sandblasted but might be what we all have anyway and not the issue

I've gone for original Xenarcs as the light output should have been a massive improvement of what was going on.

 

I know that there is a chance to polish the headlights, but just looking at how the lights are, it feels like the output isn't bad because of that. 

 

I'm more sure it is a burnt projector bowl, or foggy as hell lense inside it. 

 

I can try and get some pictures during the week (Car is away right now). 

 

I could add that as long as there isn't any other lights nearby, it is "acceptable"..... 

Originals aren’t that good, you need night breaker lasers or Philips extreme vision for best light output
 

but do get some pictures of your projectors, there is a way to clean them but involves dismantling it and putting headlights in the oven but it’s a lot of work.
 

The headlights are pretty much sealed units so shouldn’t ever really get dirty or dusty, so if it’s really bad then headlight is probably naff anyway, is it the same on both sides?

 

Cleaning the inside of the projector should be easier, bulb out and get a long cotton bud soaked in isopropyl alcohol, never done this though 

 

Replacing headlight itself isn’t cheap either

Edited 17 November, 20241 yr by Danoid

It is the same on both sides, and I'd give cleaning the projector a shot tbh. I won't mess with opening any units up either.

 

And of you know anything about of coding is needed or can tag someone that might, plus do. I might go the route of buying a new pair all together. 

The fact both are alike makes me think it’s unlikely anything to be off.

 

Hopefilly you’re just expecting too much, myself and others have said the headlights aren’t the best.

 

For coding I suspect @JR RS will know as he’s swapped headlights over previously, 99% sure it’s plug and play 

Edited 17 November, 20241 yr by Danoid

@Danoid, @Wacked - replacing the headlights, even if it's like for like will require the slave modules (2x per headlight) to be recoded or reparameterized to the AFS Master module, in ur case, being MY15 - Module #55 Headlight.

U need specialist tools like ODIS or VCP to perform that.

 

R ur headlights pointing downwards?  Do they still do the headlight dance on startup?

Any errors reported when u do a scan?

Edited 17 November, 20241 yr by JR RS

The errors I know of are not related to lights, was done a few months ago and the issue has been with the car longer. It does the dance correctly regardless of when I start the engine, and they are aligned as high as our MOT/TÜV allowed me to adjust the screws back then.

 

I'll only have vcds available so if that isn't going to cut it......

 

Asked about the full swap cause I might have found a very good pair.

if u have found a good replacement pair - its doable.

its just the hassle of removing the bumper to remove the headlights, and then finding a workshop that will recode/reparameterize the Headlight module so it pairs with the replaced headlights.

 

the bi-xenon headlights on the mk3 Superb r good, if aimed correctly.  when i first got mine many many years ago, i replaced the factory xenon bulbs with Phillips xTremeVision Gen2 bulbs.  this was a nice improvement over stock.

I then swapped out my normal Bi-xenon headlights for SLA Bi-Xenon headlights.

last year i replaced the xTremeVision D3S bulbs with LED D3S bulbs - another nice improvement over stock. 

 

this is the video of my headlights when it had the xTremeVision bulbs.