Fix for weak headlights in stock Valeo housings?

[kbjy11]

anyone know if these lenses can fit in halogen b5 oem headlights?

I have a HID kit retrofitted currently, and thinking the clear lense could help with the output.

[somebody5788]

anyone know if these lenses can fit in halogen b5 oem headlights?

I have a HID kit retrofitted currently, and thinking the clear lense could help with the output.

If you call TRS they can tell you what you need. I did this to find out which ones to order for mine.

[somebody5788]

Let me know how it turns out for you guys. Would rather replace the OEM fresnel lens and clean the headlight Assembly than plunk down for new assemblies.

Yes I would, but I would also want the E-Code corners. I'm really curious if you can bolt in the Valeo projectors with a TSX-R lens into a Depo housing. That would be my ideal setup besides going to a Bi Xenon retrofit.

[Sales@EPL]

The whole point of swapping for TSX-R lenses is to replace the Fresnel lenses with clear ones, which all Depo housings already come with (both the US-spec and Ecode housings). If anything, I would do the projector swap though for better output and quality bulb options.

[BlkBullitt]

Let me know if I can help in any way. There's so much misinformation floating around regarding lighting. It'd be great to have a clear concise document that references OEM headlights, DEPO headlights, Valeo E-Codes, and the fresnal lens, TSX-R lens, etc. After finally owning OEM fresnals, TSX-Rs, and now the DEPO H7 setup, it's easier to understand but there is just no good documentation about them all.

My write up will cover all of the possible combos with the following items...

Projectors:
OEM US B5 A4 (H7)
DEPO ECode (H7)
OEM US B5 S4 (D2S)
OEM Euro B5 (D2S)
*Plus all of the above with TSX-R lenses from TRS

Ballasts:
OEM B5 S4
DDM 55w Slim

Bulbs:
OEM Halogen H7
OEM Xenon D2S
eBay Xenon 4300k D2S
DDM Xenon 4300k H7

I do very much need another US OEM B5 S4 D2S projector assembly... projector lens, cutoff, and bulb bowl (unburnt/scorched). I had supposedly purchased a pair from a member of another Audi board and be neither of the ones he sent me were correct.

I suppose if someone wanted to send me a set of aftermarket projectors to test as well (such as a set of Morimoto from TRS) that would be the only option I currently do not have.

This will be an epic amount of info and hopefully will help people understand the differences and advantages/disadvantages of running different setups. I'll spill a little info I've noticed just looking at each of the projectors quickly...

All of the projectors I list above have unique cutoff shields, the H7 units both have unique rear reflector bowls while the D2S units seem to share the same rear reflector bowl (I haven't examined both side by side in detail yet), and lastly the only differences in the lenses seem to be whether they are clear or fresnel (again I haven't examined them in detail yet).

[BlkBullitt]

Yes I would, but I would also want the E-Code corners. I'm really curious if you can bolt in the Valeo projectors with a TSX-R lens into a Depo housing. That would be my ideal setup besides going to a Bi Xenon retrofit.

You can. You need to understand that the DEPOs are essentially knock off OEM (Valeo) Euro headlights. So the projectors are fashioned the same as stock US B5 S4 units except they have H7 rear reflector bowls, different cutoff shields, and clear lenses. All of the components are fairly modular and with little to no work can interchange with one another.

[BlkBullitt]

anyone know if these lenses can fit in halogen b5 oem headlights?

I have a HID kit retrofitted currently, and thinking the clear lense could help with the output.

Yes, TSX-R lenses (2.5") will fit any B5 A4 or S4 projector without modification.

[somebody5788]

You can. You need to understand that the DEPOs are essentially knock off OEM (Valeo) Euro headlights. So the projectors are fashioned the same as stock US B5 S4 units except they have H7 rear reflector bowls, different cutoff shields, and clear lenses. All of the components are fairly modular and with little to no work can interchange with one another.

Then that is the correct way to go Depo and getting basically the exact same performance as new Valeo E-Codes!

[getslideways]

I cannot wait for this write-up!

[Korben007]

why cant depo make a D2S headlight

[vteckiller2000]

why cant depo make a D2S headlight

You wouldn't want it.

[BlkBullitt]

why cant depo make a D2S headlight

If these are legit than DEPO does - http://www.ebay.com/itm/99-01-AUDI-A...item1c22c07830

However, while the photo shows a lack of the side amber reflector found on Valeo US headlights they don't have the turn signal light cover that DEPO ECodes have...



vs

[amd is the best]

Those don't have auto leveling or mention anywhere in the listing that they can support it (that I could find). Not sure if that's a big deal to you or not. I'm curious if these have the Euro projector or the american one and the clear corners are certainly different then the OEM Euro ones. Something fishy about those however they do look nice and are 1/4 the price or OEM Euro.

I really like what you plan to offer the community! Keep up the good work!

[BlkBullitt]

Then that is the correct way to go Depo and getting basically the exact same performance as new Valeo E-Codes!

It all depends. Since I haven't done the testing yet and can't base a recommendation on my results I can only say what I would do in your situation. Since you want the ECode corners I'd do the following...

1. Buy a pair of H7 DEPO ECodes
2. Pull your projector assemblies out of your OEM US Valeo D2S headlights and inspect the rear reflector bulb bowls for any sort of burns or scorching (might want to clean them up as well... don't use any sort of cleaning product as they can damage the reflective coating)

IF your rear reflector bulb bowls are in good shape...

3. Use the the projector lenses from the DEPO ECodes with the following from your OEM US Valeo D2S headlights: D2S bulbs, rear reflector bulb bowls, cutoff shields, ballasts, internal headlight wiring harness, and auto level motors.
*You might want to upgrade to TSXR lenses, however, I can't say they'll provide any advantage over the ECode lenses (both of them are clear lenses) until I do my tests.

IF your rear reflector bulb bowls are in bad shape...

4. I'd buy a new set of projectors such as the Morimoto Mini D2S 2.0 Bi-Xenon from TRS to use with the following from your OEM US Valeo D2S headlights: D2S bulbs, ballasts, internal headlight wiring harness, and auto level motors.

If you can wait until my write up is done and you'll be able to compare different projector combos to decide for yourself.

[BlkBullitt]

Those don't have auto leveling or mention anywhere in the listing that they can support it (that I could find). Not sure if that's a big deal to you or not. I'm curious if these have the Euro projector or the american one and the clear corners are certainly different then the OEM Euro ones. Something fishy about those however they do look nice and are 1/4 the price or OEM Euro.

I really like what you plan to offer the community! Keep up the good work!

I assume you're talking about the lights I linked to above. They ship with a set of "shipping plugs" in the location where the auto leveling motors sit (I'll discuss this in my write up). All you have to do is remove the shipping plugs and swap your auto level motors into the new headlights.

[amd is the best]

I assume you're talking about the lights I linked to above. They ship with a set of "shipping plugs" in the location where the auto leveling motors sit (I'll discuss this in my write up). All you have to do is remove the shipping plugs and swap your auto level motors into the new headlights.

Yeah, I was. I just didn't see it in the ad. Thanks for the info. The harnesses would also have to be swapped by the looks of it, but I'm sure you noticed that as well

[BlkBullitt]

Yeah, I was. I just didn't see it in the ad. Thanks for the info. The harnesses would also have to be swapped by the looks of it, but I'm sure you noticed that as well

I'm assuming that the D2S housings should have the correct harness for use with OEM Valeo ballasts (I can't physically see the 6pin connector in there... only a single H7 connector which is probably for the high beam), but of course I can't be certain. The ECode H7 housings contain a wiring harness with H7 connectors for the low and high beams along with a connector for the city light. So if you buy the H7 housings and want to use your OEM Valeo ballasts you need to swap over your OEM internal wiring harness.

[somebody5788]

It all depends. Since I haven't done the testing yet and can't base a recommendation on my results I can only say what I would do in your situation. Since you want the ECode corners I'd do the following...

1. Buy a pair of H7 DEPO ECodes
2. Pull your projector assemblies out of your OEM US Valeo D2S headlights and inspect the rear reflector bulb bowls for any sort of burns or scorching (might want to clean them up as well... don't use any sort of cleaning product as they can damage the reflective coating)

IF your rear reflector bulb bowls are in good shape...

3. Use the the projector lenses from the DEPO ECodes with the following from your OEM US Valeo D2S headlights: D2S bulbs, rear reflector bulb bowls, cutoff shields, ballasts, internal headlight wiring harness, and auto level motors.
*You might want to upgrade to TSXR lenses, however, I can't say they'll provide any advantage over the ECode lenses (both of them are clear lenses) until I do my tests.

IF your rear reflector bulb bowls are in bad shape...

4. I'd buy a new set of projectors such as the Morimoto Mini D2S 2.0 Bi-Xenon from TRS to use with the following from your OEM US Valeo D2S headlights: D2S bulbs, ballasts, internal headlight wiring harness, and auto level motors.

If you can wait until my write up is done and you'll be able to compare different projector combos to decide for yourself.

I doubt the Mini D2S will fit. I have a set and they are fairly tall. If they do fit, I'm doing it.... lol

[BlkBullitt]

I doubt the Mini D2S will fit. I have a set and they are fairly tall. If they do fit, I'm doing it.... lol

I'll have to attempt to measure when I get home tonight... it might... if not TRS's Bi-Xenon Morimoto Mini H1s should (a little over 1/2" longer, but ~ 1/3" shorter in height and almost a 1/2" less wide).

[somebody5788]

I'll have to attempt to measure when I get home tonight... it might... if not TRS's Bi-Xenon Morimoto Mini H1s should (a little over 1/2" longer, but ~ 1/3" shorter in height and almost a 1/2" less wide).

Maybe I should try, I have them after all and they are really fairly nice.

[BlkBullitt]

Maybe I should try, I have them after all and they are really fairly nice.

Go for it. By the way what part of IN are you in? I'm originally from the Evansville area.

[BlkBullitt]

For anyone who is interested I've started my Headlight Writeup Thread.

I won't have final data up until mid next week (to allow for the addition of a TRS Morimoto Mini H1 projector).

[vteckiller2000]

Please take lots of pictures.


I have sold my b5 since starting this thread, now I have a b6 which needs the same help.