Euro spec vs NA w/ fog
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Re: Euro spec vs NA w/ fog (phatplat)
For the Jetta, there is a very big improvement in the lighting when you upgrade to e-codes.
Differences
Bulbs
Jetta IV U.S. Spec
#9007 Low/High Beam
H3 Fog Light
3457 Turn Signal
Jetta IV E-code
H4 Low/High Beam
H3 Fog Light
PY21W Turn Signal
W5W City Light
With e-codes you purchase the Philips Vision Plus H4 bulbs which are very nice (and not available in #9007). Philips claims a 50% increase in output compared to other 55W bulbs. I'm not saying its 50%, but it is a noticable difference.
With e-codes, you can also purchase the Philips Silver Vision PY21W bulbs. Again these are not available to fit the U.S. Spec lights (unless you replace your sockets in your DOT lights). The Silver Visions are coated with a silver film, so that when you look at the lens head on, it looks silver and gets rid of that fried egg look with the amber colored bulbs. The great part is that the Silver Visions blink amber.
Reflectors/Beam Pattern
U.S. Spec (D.O.T. code) puts a lot of light up in the air in an unfocused way that causes a lot of black spots in the pattern. The e-code pattern has more uniform light that illuminates more of the ground. The e-code pattern drops at ~3% down angle and then at the center of the beam patter, there is a 15 degree slant up and to the right (LHD) or up and to the Left (RHD). Each reflector produces a _/ shapped pattern, so up close against say your garage door it will look like _/ _/ but on the road the two parts combine to form a beam pattern that like _/ Kind of hard to describe.
The money you spend on Jetta IV e-codes will be more than well spent. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif Hope that helps.
[Modified by BoraVR6, 7:52 PM 2-10-2002]
For the Jetta, there is a very big improvement in the lighting when you upgrade to e-codes.
Differences
Bulbs
Jetta IV U.S. Spec
#9007 Low/High Beam
H3 Fog Light
3457 Turn Signal
Jetta IV E-code
H4 Low/High Beam
H3 Fog Light
PY21W Turn Signal
W5W City Light
With e-codes you purchase the Philips Vision Plus H4 bulbs which are very nice (and not available in #9007). Philips claims a 50% increase in output compared to other 55W bulbs. I'm not saying its 50%, but it is a noticable difference.
With e-codes, you can also purchase the Philips Silver Vision PY21W bulbs. Again these are not available to fit the U.S. Spec lights (unless you replace your sockets in your DOT lights). The Silver Visions are coated with a silver film, so that when you look at the lens head on, it looks silver and gets rid of that fried egg look with the amber colored bulbs. The great part is that the Silver Visions blink amber.
Reflectors/Beam Pattern
U.S. Spec (D.O.T. code) puts a lot of light up in the air in an unfocused way that causes a lot of black spots in the pattern. The e-code pattern has more uniform light that illuminates more of the ground. The e-code pattern drops at ~3% down angle and then at the center of the beam patter, there is a 15 degree slant up and to the right (LHD) or up and to the Left (RHD). Each reflector produces a _/ shapped pattern, so up close against say your garage door it will look like _/ _/ but on the road the two parts combine to form a beam pattern that like _/ Kind of hard to describe.
The money you spend on Jetta IV e-codes will be more than well spent. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif Hope that helps.
[Modified by BoraVR6, 7:52 PM 2-10-2002]
Re: Euro spec vs NA w/ fog (phatplat)
The OE GLX harness is like $350 and runs all over creation. So your realistic option is to run wires in parallel with the existing GLS harness.
I did this using Bora20's installation write-up when I installed my e-codes.
[Modified by BoraVR6, 7:51 PM 2-10-2002]
The OE GLX harness is like $350 and runs all over creation. So your realistic option is to run wires in parallel with the existing GLS harness.
I did this using Bora20's installation write-up when I installed my e-codes.
[Modified by BoraVR6, 7:51 PM 2-10-2002]
Re: Euro spec vs NA w/ fog (phatplat)
The big difference is the beam pattern in low and the type of lamp used.
DOT fixtures have a fuzzy cut off that causes a lot of light to flare and spatter upwards into the trees. This is supposed to light the road signs that are unlighted that might also have reflective paint on them. What this causes is the glare that you see when a DOT spec lamp is coming towards you. The E Code lamps have a sharp cutoff that keeps the light on low beam below the line of sight of on coming traffic. This allows you to put really birght lamps into a properly aimed fixture and not call attention to yourself.
When driving a car with DOT fixtures in Europe you would always get flashed driving around with the low beams because our low beams glare as much as their high beams while providing very poor light distribution. To make matters worse, fog lights have a sharp cutoff so they can provide light with out the upward spatter of normal lights so the light reflected back by the fog doesn't blind you. None of that works in the USA because the DOT requires that the fog lights can only come on with the headlights on at the same time.
If you switch to E-codes and the european lamp switch you can have the brightest lamps short of HID's and better lighting without causing the on coming traffic to be blinded and still be able to use the fog lights if you have them with out the need to turn on the headlights too.
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The big difference is the beam pattern in low and the type of lamp used.
DOT fixtures have a fuzzy cut off that causes a lot of light to flare and spatter upwards into the trees. This is supposed to light the road signs that are unlighted that might also have reflective paint on them. What this causes is the glare that you see when a DOT spec lamp is coming towards you. The E Code lamps have a sharp cutoff that keeps the light on low beam below the line of sight of on coming traffic. This allows you to put really birght lamps into a properly aimed fixture and not call attention to yourself.
When driving a car with DOT fixtures in Europe you would always get flashed driving around with the low beams because our low beams glare as much as their high beams while providing very poor light distribution. To make matters worse, fog lights have a sharp cutoff so they can provide light with out the upward spatter of normal lights so the light reflected back by the fog doesn't blind you. None of that works in the USA because the DOT requires that the fog lights can only come on with the headlights on at the same time.
If you switch to E-codes and the european lamp switch you can have the brightest lamps short of HID's and better lighting without causing the on coming traffic to be blinded and still be able to use the fog lights if you have them with out the need to turn on the headlights too.
Re: Euro spec vs NA w/ fog (phatplat)
Its my understanding that Parts4VWs sells a kit with the Jetta IV e-codes . It includes all the wiring and the relay and its all labeled. I purchased my e-codes from them, but at the time they didn't sell the wiring too. I'd call them (714) 633-9380 and talk to Kristen or Mike Potter to make sure they know you need the wiring too (not sure if the link includes that or not). They'll set you up with the lights and the wiring.
For the Euroswitch, check the Golf IV / Jetta IV Classified and look for Senna 1.8T's post (or look up Senna and send him e-mail). He sells the Euroswitch for $57 paypal.
[Modified by BoraVR6, 9:08 PM 2-10-2002]
Its my understanding that Parts4VWs sells a kit with the Jetta IV e-codes . It includes all the wiring and the relay and its all labeled. I purchased my e-codes from them, but at the time they didn't sell the wiring too. I'd call them (714) 633-9380 and talk to Kristen or Mike Potter to make sure they know you need the wiring too (not sure if the link includes that or not). They'll set you up with the lights and the wiring.
For the Euroswitch, check the Golf IV / Jetta IV Classified and look for Senna 1.8T's post (or look up Senna and send him e-mail). He sells the Euroswitch for $57 paypal.
[Modified by BoraVR6, 9:08 PM 2-10-2002]
Re: Euro spec vs NA w/ fog (BoraVR6)
I have the euro switch already, i just wanna make sure i am getting a good price as well as a good product, and i have only heard good things about them. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
I have the euro switch already, i just wanna make sure i am getting a good price as well as a good product, and i have only heard good things about them. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Re: Euro spec vs NA w/ fog (BoraVR6)
I've been wanting to do this mod for some time now, but waiting for warmer weather so I can work on the car in my unheated garage.
Are the E-Code lights plug 'n play (besides the fog light wiring/relay) with the existing '01 Jetta GLS headlight connector?
I've been wanting to do this mod for some time now, but waiting for warmer weather so I can work on the car in my unheated garage.
Are the E-Code lights plug 'n play (besides the fog light wiring/relay) with the existing '01 Jetta GLS headlight connector?
Joined
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336 Posts
Re: Euro spec vs NA w/ fog (dwehrle)
quote:[HR][/HR]Are the E-Code lights plug 'n play (besides the fog light wiring/relay) with the existing '01 Jetta GLS headlight connector?[HR][/HR]
Yes, on the Jetta IV (MY 1999.5+ ), e-codes are plug and play. The connector on the e-codes is the same as the connector coming off of the U.S. spec wireharness. If you decide to wire-up the fogs you will need a Euroswitch - see Senna in the Golf IV /JettaIV classifieds forum for that ($57 paypal)
Joined
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336 Posts
Re: Euro spec vs NA w/ fog (phatplat)
Yup the city lights are fully functional with the existing U.S. Spec GLS wire harness. No need to wire those up.
Yup the city lights are fully functional with the existing U.S. Spec GLS wire harness. No need to wire those up.
Re: Euro spec vs NA w/ fog (CoolWhiteVR6)
If you did a search on all the topics that I have posted or created, you'd know that I've been thinking about getting e-codes for some time. And I've had the time to think about it because it's too cold in Michigan to do the install at the moment (I don't have the luxury of a heated garage).
I'm most likely going to purchase the entire kit (you have to ask specifically for the wiring kit) from the Potters. I've ordered other things from them before and am very satisfied. The installation looks pretty decent too, though it will be the biggest project I plan on doing with my car.
One of my only remaining concerns is the fact that e-codes are illegal in the US. Is this going to be an issue at all? Will a cop be able to tell that I have them? As far as I know there aren't inspections in Michigan so is there any way someone will find out I have illegal headlights?
The other issue for me is getting these lights aimed. I've heard that some dealerships may be able to aim them for me. I've also seen sites that explain how to aim them yourself. I don't have a garage on level ground so where could I get them aimed properly?
Sorry for so many questions, but I'm very careful with everything related to my vehicle... It's my first car and I do not want to screw anything up!
![]()
And thanks in advance... The vortex has been an invaluable resource and I honestly don't know what I'd do without it...
If you did a search on all the topics that I have posted or created, you'd know that I've been thinking about getting e-codes for some time. And I've had the time to think about it because it's too cold in Michigan to do the install at the moment (I don't have the luxury of a heated garage).
I'm most likely going to purchase the entire kit (you have to ask specifically for the wiring kit) from the Potters. I've ordered other things from them before and am very satisfied. The installation looks pretty decent too, though it will be the biggest project I plan on doing with my car.
One of my only remaining concerns is the fact that e-codes are illegal in the US. Is this going to be an issue at all? Will a cop be able to tell that I have them? As far as I know there aren't inspections in Michigan so is there any way someone will find out I have illegal headlights?
The other issue for me is getting these lights aimed. I've heard that some dealerships may be able to aim them for me. I've also seen sites that explain how to aim them yourself. I don't have a garage on level ground so where could I get them aimed properly?
Sorry for so many questions, but I'm very careful with everything related to my vehicle... It's my first car and I do not want to screw anything up!
And thanks in advance... The vortex has been an invaluable resource and I honestly don't know what I'd do without it...
Joined
·
336 Posts
Re: Euro spec vs NA w/ fog (agarc)
1) I've ordered many things from the potters with always excellent service and results. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
2) E-codes are illegal in the U.S., but unless your state has inspections you're set. I've had mine for well over a year with no problems.
3) I originally aimed my e-codes with a wall, but then later got my dealer to do it while the car was in for service. It doesn't cost that much ~$20, and it will crisp up the beam pattern (at least it did in my case).
Feel free to ask more questions. That's what those of us who've done this mod are here for.
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[Modified by CoolWhiteVR6, 5:03 PM 2-19-2002]
1) I've ordered many things from the potters with always excellent service and results. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
2) E-codes are illegal in the U.S., but unless your state has inspections you're set. I've had mine for well over a year with no problems.
3) I originally aimed my e-codes with a wall, but then later got my dealer to do it while the car was in for service. It doesn't cost that much ~$20, and it will crisp up the beam pattern (at least it did in my case).
Feel free to ask more questions. That's what those of us who've done this mod are here for.
[Modified by CoolWhiteVR6, 5:03 PM 2-19-2002]
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