Fog-light project

I've already got DRLs, but just out of interest, where do I buy q7 DRLs? I think they really look the part on an A2.
I'm not sure that you CAN purchase just the DRL's? I purchased a pair of headlights from member "craigyb" He'd obtained some genuine Audi Q7 headlights and he cleverly used the internal DRL's inside some A2 headlights. Each Q7 headlight is hundred's of £'s. He named his price and I purchased them. I see on Ebay that DRL's purporting to be for the Q7 are available, but they're Chinese and not genuine.

David
 
I'm not sure that you CAN purchase just the DRL's? I purchased a pair of headlights from member "craigyb" He'd obtained some genuine Audi Q7 headlights and he cleverly used the internal DRL's inside some A2 headlights. Each Q7 headlight is hundred's of £'s. He named his price and I purchased them. I see on Ebay that DRL's purporting to be for the Q7 are available, but they're Chinese and not genuine.

David
Yes, I saw the cheap ones, a lot of them claim to be genuine as well, which is the worst bit. The whole headlight units would be well out of my budget if I were to change my DRLs anyway. Always worth an ask though.
Thanks,

Adam
 
not convinced Dave :)
Not sure what you're saying, here? I was SO impressed when I first saw Craig's work on those headlights. That was a few Year's ago. They look (well, to myself, anyway) SO good, I have to keep glancing at them when I leave the car!. They also look like they were made like that and not simply converted. In daylight they give a powerful, true DRL array of lights. In my usual impulsive way, I suppose that I'd have paid any price for them .... and they weren't cheap, anyway!

David
 
I've been busy doing other things .... Returned to this and got a brain-wave! There's no need to cut anything. There's no need for any hassle. These DRL's can be fitted into the existing fog-lights in a VERY short time. All that's used is the front component! A bracket supplied with the DRl's can be used to make two small "L-shaped" pusher-brackets to hold the DRL into the front fog-light housing. That's it! Carefully wrap and seal the connector plug for the original fog lights and tie-wrap it neatly behind the bumper. Retain all the components remaining from the fog lights in a labelled bag. So, if for any reason, then reversion to the original fog-lights will take literally a few minutes to achieve! Visually, the DRL array inside the fogs looks absolutely superb and "original"! If I had a bit more confidence in doing the photo side of things, I could show you! This is giving me a real "buzz" and I want to share it with you! I'm off back to the workshop, now!

David
 
Last edited:
Difficulty sleeping, yes it is called work!!! Picture in the link ok but was looking for close ups and from the front.
 
I fitted one side just now. I hadn't even tried them until I'd completed the fitting of the driver's side. So I had a small 12v battery from my mower. Connected up and WHAT a pleasing effect awaited me! Just fantastic! I think that this is right up there with my favorite mods! The only area that I'll be wary of is how durable the LED's are? Maybe, just maybe, in a few Month's they might start to fail? But let's be optimistic and not be thinking that! Even if they do, I'm sure that I could replace them all with superior LED's .... I've retained all the fog-light parts and I could easily revert back to those if I so wish. So these DRL replacements for the fog-lights look truly superb ... I'm delighted! ( I have got the photo's ... just need to figure-out how to downsize the photos and include them on my next post.)

David
 
Interested to see how it looks, I've fitted similar ebay round DRLs, 4 leds. So far they've been working for 3 years without any issues.
 
I'm going to try to put some photo's up!

55172
55173
55174
55175
55176
55177
55178
 
Well, I did get the photo's up, but I couldn't then add some text! Here is what I'd wanted to add :-
I've just finished this project. It has been highly satisfying, that's for sure. I made a separate loom for the modified fog-lights. I found an independent earth feed and used the existing DRL live feed coming from the "DFL" pin, location on the main light-switch. I incorporated the provision to easily isolate the lower DRL's at any time. Reversion to the original fog-lights is also quite easy to achieve. The outlay for this project has been VERY low and now I've done it, I'm sure I could complete a further conversion in much less time. I'm delighted with the end result. I can't remember when I last used the fogs and I'd think that the DRL's would still be useful in foggy conditions. There is only one "unknown" and that is the long-term durability of the LED array. Only time will tell on that one .... So, what is the opinion on the dual DRL display? DRL's are for safety and I think that my A2 WILL be noticed? :)

David
 
These DRL's really do "look the business"! However, a slight negative has shown itself ... internal condensation! I thought that I'd done a good job with using a silicon sealant where the two parts had mated-up. The DRL component had proved to be an excellent fit into the front cover, anyway. I therefore only sealed around the top, in case I had needed to open things up again. Here's the question : do I try to do a more effective sealing or do I drill some small holes at the top and bottom of the front case, to allow it to vent?

David
 
These DRL's really do "look the business"! However, a slight negative has shown itself ... internal condensation! I thought that I'd done a good job with using a silicon sealant where the two parts had mated-up. The DRL component had proved to be an excellent fit into the front cover, anyway. I therefore only sealed around the top, in case I had needed to open things up again. Here's the question : do I try to do a more effective sealing or do I drill some small holes at the top and bottom of the front case, to allow it to vent?

David

Hi,

the fog lights have a built in vent. There is a snorkel arrangement with an internal vent low down and an external vent high up. The external vent is above the mounting peg.

The lights do get splashed on the back from the wheels when driving so its important to seal all round, especially the bottom otherwise water will get in.

I would suggest sealing all the way round, you don't need to drill holes as the built in vent will do its job. Extra holes, especially at the bottom will probably let water in!

regards

Andrew
 
I've got a further fog light in pieces, so I'll examine it to see what you've said about venting. I don't think that anything has changed with inserting this DRL component into the original front section. That had used a good silicon rubber sealing ring, anyway, so similar to my use of a silicon sealant. I need to discover where this internal condensate is originating from, though, to prevent it recurring.

David
 
David, water normally gets in from the wheels. There is normally 2 holes that have small pipes fitted or molded on. The lower one is the fresh air intake and they normally have a u type bend in it to help prevent water going in the upper is the vent and again usually has some form of water trap to prevent water from that direction. When the lights are on the heat produced forms an air current sucking in fresh air and expelling the warmed air with the moisture. I know you probably know this more of a pointer to others who may try to seal everything up.
Your lights do look good. Thanks for the pictures.
 
I'm really not aware of any pipes forming the construction of the Fog-light? I understand the main thrust of what you're intimating, though. That is to the effect that these fog-lights rely on ventilation to remain clear. I'll be going to the garage/workshop to make an assessment as to what is required. I do know that the front glass surfaces need to be polished to remove fine imperfections and regain clarity. That is possible, even with glass ... I've just forgot the material (powder) that is used (and it's not Jewelers rouge)

David
 
Back
Top