[Biturbos4] Thermostat and Headlights

Wed Jan 12 15:28:07 PST 2011

Fyi, the HID bulbs from DDM Tuning are crap. Lost brightness in 3 months,
too much scatter, etc. I put some known good Philips bulbs in and have been
able to light up the road better than ever.

Joel
On Dec 9, 2010 10:57 AM, <biturbos4-request at www.audifans.com> wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Cabin heat (charles)
> 2. Re: Cabin heat (Mark Rosenkrantz)
> 3. Thermostat and Headlights (Greg Amy)
> 4. Re: Thermostat and Headlights
> (Long, Scott G SrA USAF AFMC 88 SFS/S4W)
> 5. Re: Thermostat and Headlights (alan cordeiro)
> 6. Re: Cabin heat (j.koenig)
> 7. Re: Thermostat and Headlights (Greg Amy)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 15:54:58 -0500
> From: "charles" <cmcnally5 at nycap.rr.com>
> Subject: [Biturbos4] Cabin heat
> To: <biturbos4 at www.audifans.com>
> Message-ID: <DC8651CDFB5F4F2E9D01FB3ACB3ADF24 at emcnallyPC>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Got a 2001 b5 s4 with marginal interior heat.Had a timing belt/water pump
done in the spring along with the thermosat etc. Now it's Dec in New England
and I find heat to be less than adequate. Heater core inlet/outlets are hot,
all flaps moving, no air in cooling system. Sensors appear to be functioning
OK? All new coolant and mix is right. Any suggestions?
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 22:02:26 +0000
> From: "Mark Rosenkrantz" <speedracer.mark at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Biturbos4] Cabin heat
> To: "charles" <cmcnally5 at nycap.rr.com>,
> biturbos4-bounces at www.audifans.com, biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> Message-ID:
>
<1758014002-1291845747-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-372394897- at bda648.bisx.prod.on.blackberry
>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain
>
> Scan the controller. If the heater core is hot, it has to be the recirc
flap system, controller, or fan.
> Mark Rosenkrantz Typos sent from my BlackBerry.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "charles" <cmcnally5 at nycap.rr.com>
> Sender: biturbos4-bounces at www.audifans.com
> Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 15:54:58
> To: <biturbos4 at www.audifans.com>
> Subject: [Biturbos4] Cabin heat
>
> Got a 2001 b5 s4 with marginal interior heat.Had a timing belt/water pump
done in the spring along with the thermosat etc. Now it's Dec in New England
and I find heat to be less than adequate. Heater core inlet/outlets are hot,
all flaps moving, no air in cooling system. Sensors appear to be functioning
OK? All new coolant and mix is right. Any suggestions?
> _______________________________________________
> Biturbos4 mailing list
> Biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/biturbos4
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 19:12:17 -0800 (PST)
> From: Greg Amy <grega at pobox.com>
> Subject: [Biturbos4] Thermostat and Headlights
> To: biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> Message-ID: <864660.29967.qm at web83608.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> 'Member that discussion a few days ago about maintenance/repairs? With the
days getting shorter and colder, I'm noticing two new issues on the S4.
>
> The first one is easy: I'm noticing my low beams are pretty dim. It's most
noticeable on the way home each afternoon (it's dark at 4:30 now in
Connecticut) especially when someone pulls behind me at a light: I'm
noticing the shadow of my car from their headlights more than I'm noticing
my lights. I read some time back that the HID low beams tend to lose
brightness after some time, is that correct? And given these are the
originals I'm sure they're due for replacement.
>
> Those things are pricey, but lots of aftermarket options. Suggestions? I'm
not looking for anything fancy, just some good replacements.
>
> The second issue isn't so easy, and I already know the answer. But I'm
hoping someone has found an easy way around this...the coolant temperature
is not coming up and stabilizing at the normal mid-point. It will be very
slow to come up - almost won't come up at all while idling - and it takes a
good hard run to get it to the center. And, once at center it rarely stays
there, slinking down when not under load.
>
> So here's the "save my weekend" question: any way to change the thermostat
without pulling the front end of the car and the t-belt?
>
> I replaced the t-belt at 75k miles and I'm at 136k now. I remember it
wasn't that hard of a job, just a lot of things to remove/replace, a few
dollars in parts, and some tool rentals. But, I'm starting renovation of my
garage within the next week or two (I'm insulating and putting in a lift,
woo-hoo!) and it's getting REALLY cold...so yeah, I could do the t-belt, but
I was really hoping to put it off for another year.
>
> Thoughts appreciated.
>
> Greg
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 08:59:52 -0500
> From: "Long, Scott G SrA USAF AFMC 88 SFS/S4W"
> <Scott.Long2 at wpafb.af.mil>
> Subject: Re: [Biturbos4] Thermostat and Headlights
> To: <biturbos4 at audifans.com>
> Message-ID:
> <
7A7F9CC06FD4524B97F41B9C957CA8A805346BAA at VFOHMLAO02.Enterprise.afmc.ds.af.mil
>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> The headlight bulbs themselves are D2-S bulbs. Stock I believe are
> 4300k color temp. I had a ballast go out in my S4 and I ordered a kit
> from ddmtuning.com that included ballasts and bulbs for $100 (now I
> think they are only $50 a set). The bulbs were direct replacement, but
> the ballasts were not. I had to remove the stock ballasts from the
> bottom of the light, make a template out of plexiglass and mount the new
> ballasts to that, splice a couple of wires, and now I have amazing
> lights. I went with the 8000k color temp, but I have been told 6000k is
> actually more useable light on the road.
>
> As for the temp gauge issue, have you replaced the coolant temp sensor?
> Its pretty easy to get at near the firewall on the passenger side. I
> replaced mine since it would just climb till it was in the red and said
> my car was overheating when it was not really that hot. I got the
> sensor from ECS, and I believe they sell the revised sensor.
>
> Might be worth trying that for $30 before ripping the front off the car
> again and replacing a thermostat which may or may not be the culprit.
> At that point you might as well just do the timing belt job again.
>
> Scott G. Long, SrA, USAF
> Client Support Administrator
> Information Systems Security Officer
> CompTIA Security+ Certified
> 88th Security Forces Squadron
> Comm: (937) 257-5939
> DSN: 787-5939
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: biturbos4-bounces at diablo.audifans.com
> [mailto:biturbos4-bounces at diablo.audifans.com] On Behalf Of Greg Amy
> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 10:12 PM
> To: biturbos4 at diablo.audifans.com
> Subject: [Biturbos4] Thermostat and Headlights
>
> 'Member that discussion a few days ago about maintenance/repairs? With
> the days getting shorter and colder, I'm noticing two new issues on the
> S4.
>
> The first one is easy: I'm noticing my low beams are pretty dim. It's
> most noticeable on the way home each afternoon (it's dark at 4:30 now in
> Connecticut) especially when someone pulls behind me at a light: I'm
> noticing the shadow of my car from their headlights more than I'm
> noticing my lights. I read some time back that the HID low beams tend to
> lose brightness after some time, is that correct? And given these are
> the originals I'm sure they're due for replacement.
>
> Those things are pricey, but lots of aftermarket options. Suggestions?
> I'm not looking for anything fancy, just some good replacements.
>
> The second issue isn't so easy, and I already know the answer. But I'm
> hoping someone has found an easy way around this...the coolant
> temperature is not coming up and stabilizing at the normal mid-point. It
> will be very slow to come up - almost won't come up at all while idling
> - and it takes a good hard run to get it to the center. And, once at
> center it rarely stays there, slinking down when not under load.
>
> So here's the "save my weekend" question: any way to change the
> thermostat without pulling the front end of the car and the t-belt?
>
> I replaced the t-belt at 75k miles and I'm at 136k now. I remember it
> wasn't that hard of a job, just a lot of things to remove/replace, a few
> dollars in parts, and some tool rentals. But, I'm starting renovation of
> my garage within the next week or two (I'm insulating and putting in a
> lift, woo-hoo!) and it's getting REALLY cold...so yeah, I could do the
> t-belt, but I was really hoping to put it off for another year.
>
> Thoughts appreciated.
>
> Greg
>
> _______________________________________________
> Biturbos4 mailing list
> Biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/biturbos4
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 09:47:53 -0500
> From: "alan cordeiro" <alancordeiro at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [Biturbos4] Thermostat and Headlights
> To: <biturbos4 at audifans.com>
> Message-ID: <A5E8416B577642C1A7464A35F7E9E987 at alce3100>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Greg
>
> With engine running and headlights on, stand in front of the car and look
at
> both headlights for brightness. If you see one of them very dim, it may
just
> need one new D2S bulb for the side that's weak. I believe if they just
flat
> out don't light, you get the bulb warning on the cluster display.
>
> Let me know if you have only one bulb to change...I can send you one 35
watt
> D2S, 4300k color ( have two lying around somewhere)
>
> I now have Valeo E-codes....with DDM 55 watt ballasts and lamps (using 5k
> color lamps for best compromise for brightness and whiteish color).
>
> Alan
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Long, Scott G SrA USAF AFMC 88 SFS/S4W" <Scott.Long2 at wpafb.af.mil>
> To: <biturbos4 at audifans.com>
> Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 8:59 AM
> Subject: Re: [Biturbos4] Thermostat and Headlights
>
>
>> The headlight bulbs themselves are D2-S bulbs. Stock I believe are
>> 4300k color temp. I had a ballast go out in my S4 and I ordered a kit
>> from ddmtuning.com that included ballasts and bulbs for $100 (now I
>> think they are only $50 a set). The bulbs were direct replacement, but
>> the ballasts were not. I had to remove the stock ballasts from the
>> bottom of the light, make a template out of plexiglass and mount the new
>> ballasts to that, splice a couple of wires, and now I have amazing
>> lights. I went with the 8000k color temp, but I have been told 6000k is
>> actually more useable light on the road.
>>
>> As for the temp gauge issue, have you replaced the coolant temp sensor?
>> Its pretty easy to get at near the firewall on the passenger side. I
>> replaced mine since it would just climb till it was in the red and said
>> my car was overheating when it was not really that hot. I got the
>> sensor from ECS, and I believe they sell the revised sensor.
>>
>> Might be worth trying that for $30 before ripping the front off the car
>> again and replacing a thermostat which may or may not be the culprit.
>> At that point you might as well just do the timing belt job again.
>>
>> Scott G. Long, SrA, USAF
>> Client Support Administrator
>> Information Systems Security Officer
>> CompTIA Security+ Certified
>> 88th Security Forces Squadron
>> Comm: (937) 257-5939
>> DSN: 787-5939
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: biturbos4-bounces at diablo.audifans.com
>> [mailto:biturbos4-bounces at diablo.audifans.com] On Behalf Of Greg Amy
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 10:12 PM
>> To: biturbos4 at diablo.audifans.com
>> Subject: [Biturbos4] Thermostat and Headlights
>>
>> 'Member that discussion a few days ago about maintenance/repairs? With
>> the days getting shorter and colder, I'm noticing two new issues on the
>> S4.
>>
>> The first one is easy: I'm noticing my low beams are pretty dim. It's
>> most noticeable on the way home each afternoon (it's dark at 4:30 now in
>> Connecticut) especially when someone pulls behind me at a light: I'm
>> noticing the shadow of my car from their headlights more than I'm
>> noticing my lights. I read some time back that the HID low beams tend to
>> lose brightness after some time, is that correct? And given these are
>> the originals I'm sure they're due for replacement.
>>
>> Those things are pricey, but lots of aftermarket options. Suggestions?
>> I'm not looking for anything fancy, just some good replacements.
>>
>> The second issue isn't so easy, and I already know the answer. But I'm
>> hoping someone has found an easy way around this...the coolant
>> temperature is not coming up and stabilizing at the normal mid-point. It
>> will be very slow to come up - almost won't come up at all while idling
>> - and it takes a good hard run to get it to the center. And, once at
>> center it rarely stays there, slinking down when not under load.
>>
>> So here's the "save my weekend" question: any way to change the
>> thermostat without pulling the front end of the car and the t-belt?
>>
>> I replaced the t-belt at 75k miles and I'm at 136k now. I remember it
>> wasn't that hard of a job, just a lot of things to remove/replace, a few
>> dollars in parts, and some tool rentals. But, I'm starting renovation of
>> my garage within the next week or two (I'm insulating and putting in a
>> lift, woo-hoo!) and it's getting REALLY cold...so yeah, I could do the
>> t-belt, but I was really hoping to put it off for another year.
>>
>> Thoughts appreciated.
>>
>> Greg
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Biturbos4 mailing list
>> Biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
>> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/biturbos4
>> _______________________________________________
>> Biturbos4 mailing list
>> Biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
>> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/biturbos4
>>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 11:49:28 -0500
> From: "j.koenig" <koenigj at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [Biturbos4] Cabin heat
> To: "charles" <cmcnally5 at nycap.rr.com>, <biturbos4 at www.audifans.com>
> Message-ID: <34F6A1CFF5154D10875A1D019C31B0E8 at TopGearhome>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> In my experience, the system is pretty sensitive to proper, step-by-step
filling/bleeding
> procedures, as described in the factory literature (Bentley manual). IIRC,
there are
> three bleeders that need to be addressed in order as the system fills.
> My $0.02 worth...
> Good luck.
> John (also in NE)
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "charles" <cmcnally5 at nycap.rr.com>
> To: <biturbos4 at www.audifans.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 3:54 PM
> Subject: [Biturbos4] Cabin heat
>
>
> Got a 2001 b5 s4 with marginal interior heat.Had a timing belt/water pump
done in the
> spring along with the thermosat etc. Now it's Dec in New England and I
find heat to be
> less than adequate. Heater core inlet/outlets are hot, all flaps moving,
no air in cooling
> system. Sensors appear to be functioning OK? All new coolant and mix is
right. Any
> suggestions?
> _______________________________________________
> Biturbos4 mailing list
> Biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/biturbos4
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 08:56:43 -0800 (PST)
> From: Greg Amy <grega at pobox.com>
> Subject: Re: [Biturbos4] Thermostat and Headlights
> To: biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
> Message-ID: <912567.69862.qm at web83607.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
>> Man if I had to do all that work for a t-stat - I'd definitely just
>> do the t-belt, too.? Its almost time anyway.?
>
> Yeah, unfortunately. I was just "kinda hoping" there was an easier way.
Had the same exact problem last winter on my wife's A4 1.8t Avant, and the
job was a snap... not so on the S.
>
> I've already been through Blau's web site for their timing belt parts kit
and tool rentals (a lot cheaper than I remember from ~5 years ago). Problem
is, my garage will be unavailable for the next month or so, so I'm kinda
screwed unless I want to pay someone to do it. And I really don't.
>
>> As for the temp gauge issue, have you replaced the coolant temp
>> sensor? ...Might be worth trying that for $30...
>
> I'm pretty convinced it's the thermostat, given the lukewarm air coming
out of the vent correlates with the less-than-halfway swinging of the temp
gauge needle.
>
>> Let me know if you have only one bulb to change...I can send you one..
>
> Thanks Alan, I appreciate it; I'll check that out tonight.
>
> GA
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Biturbos4 at www.audifans.com
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>
>
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