Clear light and Angel Eye Conversion - The Project and Story

BettyBmw03 said:
CJ,

as far as opening them, what track do I need to follow when cutting them open with my dremel?
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I've always done it by destroying one part of each of a pair of lights and thus leaving me with a matching set, with full flanges.

If you want to do the quick job follow the natural line between the clear lens and the black rear. You'll just have to be careful to cut through just enough and then refict the 2 halves together very well as they will have no locating flange.

EDIT - the bulbs won't fit. you need a 21w halogen offst pin that I've never seen anything silvered that is suitable
 
I see, well I liked the way you used mirror film to cover the amber casings. Upon further review that is actually the best scenario rather than having to buy specialized bulbs in the future. Where would I be able to purchase a small amount of that from?
 
BettyBmw03 said:
I see, well I liked the way you used mirror film to cover the amber casings. Upon further review that is actually the best scenario rather than having to buy specialized bulbs in the future. Where would I be able to purchase a small amount of that from?
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Smallest cheapest offcut of silver window tint film off ebay. cost me a couple of ££'s
 
Need some help: I can't figure out how to get the black casing and the clear indicator out. I know from looking through the rear they are together. I have taken the screws out seen below:

IMG_5967-1.jpg

And I know these tabs must slide out some how, but they seem pretty tight?

IMG_5970.jpg

Any help CJ on how to get these two pieces out? I wanna de-amber the bulb casings inside....
 
I had this exact problem recently when i was swapping the black backing for chrome.

Aside from the two screws and the slot on the far corner of the indicator, you have 4 tabs which are glued in. Two along the top and two down the side. The top tap of the two side ones i simply cut off with the dremel because it was impossible to get off (dont worry about losing one or two of the tabs, i found the screws alone hold the backing it place solidly). The other 3 you have you lever them free with a flat head screwdriver. You have to be quite forceful but the plastic is quite flexible so the tabs shouldnt snap, main thing is not to lever against the thin piece of the clear headlight casing left when you cut the front off.
 
Ok, I figured I would cut the side ones off and then re-glue if needed and the tops I have almost worked free. I am keeping black as the backing. But my driver side one I will have to take out as it is chrome and my normal ones are black.

Just curious did you try to de-amber the bulb casings in the indicator? I know CJ used a silver window tint, but I am having a hard time finding scraps of that??? The cheapest I have found on eBay is like 15 USD for several feet!!!
 
I didnt because im just 'angel eyeing' my standard pre-facelift orange lights, sadly i couldn't find any clear ones at the right price.

If i were going clear i would DEFINITELY tint the bulbs, otherwise it would bug you every time you look at them and all for $15 lol
 
I have cut my lights open ready to put back together but my angle eyes are taking ages in the post.

I bought two pairs of these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2x-80mm-White-Angel-Eyes-Ring-Halo-Car-light-Lamp-416-/280608203690?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item41558d63aa

Have you got a link to the Lumenux ones? The only reason i went for the cheap ebay ones is that i was having major trouble trying to locate a set of 80mm white CCFL rings. Plenty of crappy LED ones but not the exact spec i need.

So i'm keeping an eye out for some long term replacements should the ones ive ordered go pop after a week!
 
Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160560116096&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT

I went with these because other members have purchased these and installed, and vouched for there quality.
 
Does anyone know if i can use the halo rings instead of sidelights without triping the canbus? Likwise what if one fails and the other stays working? I often see new BMW's driving around with one failed halo ring and they look stupid. But it may be the only way to find out is by checking everytime you start the car!
 
I swapped my halos to be the sides and took a feed from the sidelight to do it. Used bullet connectors inside so I could reverse it to standard bulbs if 1) an mot tester has issue or 2) the ccfls' failed.

I may go one further soon and make then combined drl's and sidelight given all new cars are going that way.

Since they draw at least 5w to drive the transformers there's no light out issue.

ccfl's should last for years but I'll not tempt fate on that one :wink:
 
Finally found some mirror tint film for cheap today, still waiting for my AE's to come in. I have managed to separate both lights and all the internal parts. I will post some pics when the mirrored tint arrives.
 
BettyBmw03 said:
Finally found some mirror tint film for cheap today, still waiting for my AE's to come in. I have managed to separate both lights and all the internal parts. I will post some pics when the mirrored tint arrives.
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Making progress :thumbsup:

Don't forget to clean all the dust ouf of the light as if it were an operating theatre. You can be sure tht over time some tiny black fleck of platic or adhesive will find their way onto the front of the lens
 
When testing the lights before sealing them finally, can I unplug my original lights and plug them into the original wiring harness? I would like to tap the AE's into the parking light and remove the parking light bulb to allow just the AE's to be on. By doing this will any fault lights be tripped and have to be reset?

Or is there a better way or wiring / checking the AE's / beams? My only request is for the AE's to be on by themselves by turning on the parking lights....
 
I see no reason not to plug in the shells to test them. If xenon take extreme care due to the voltage!!

If you turn the steering wheel, open the access door there is enough loom to conect the light under the wheel arch.

Can't advise on setting the AE as running lights as US are wired different
 
I know the actual internal light wiring is different but what about the harness? I ask because I would like to use the donor lights I purchased and they are euro's....and on the euro version how would I wire them?
 
BettyBmw03 said:
I know the actual internal light wiring is different but what about the harness? I ask because I would like to use the donor lights I purchased and they are euro's....and on the euro version how would I wire them?
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Sorry - no idea. Time to crack out the multimeter and see what's 'live' when the drl's are on
 
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