Halogen to Xenon Conversion

[Chappio]

OK guys, had a go at fitting mine this morning. After all the f**king about getting to the bulb, I removed it from it's holder, banged the spade connectors into where the halogen bulb once lived, connected at the looms together (can't really get that wrong) and ..........nothing. So set up the up the looms and everything for the otherside connected it and same result.

Check the voltages at the spade connectors and was getting a steady 14.4Volts, taking my life into my hands I cautiously went to the battery and touched the spade connectors to the battery terminals. The bulbs light up a treat.

So I have at there, scratched my head, had a brew, looked at the wiring diagrams and am now seeking help. Is it something about the car not being able to provide enough current? Or have I got the wrong kit?? I have being looking at wiring diagram figure 1.

 

[Chappio]

I have checked and re-checked all connections, earthed the ballast and still nothing. Does the fact the car is a 56 Plate change anything? I am slowly losing the will.

 

[doofus4000]

how exactly have you fitted the spade terminals to the bulb holders? I was going to go out now and give mine a go at fitting them. and which colour wire to what side at the bulb holder?

 

[Chappio]

I have pm'd you my number doofus.

 

[andmas]

Chappio: I think that all you need to do is change the black and red wires with spade terminals over in the original connectors. On mine it was not possible to connect anything else up wrongly.


doofus4000: The spade connectors on the black and red wires simply push into the original connectors - as above make sure that they are the right way round - if the lights don't work first time just swap them over.

 

[Chappio]

Andmas is that what you had to do? That was the only thing I didn't do, as it didn't seem slightly logical. That would mean the wiring would go:

Connector Brown to HID Loom Black
Connector Black to HID Loom Red

That goes against everything I have ever learn't electrically!

 

[doofus4000]

doofus4000: The spade connectors on the black and red wires simply push into the original connectors - as above make sure that they are the right way round - if the lights don't work first time just swap them over.

ok so I wont blow anything if I put them in the wrong way then? It think reading a post from cj10 that brown in negative and black is postive for the low beam halogen headlight. was just sloting the spades into the connector enough for a good connection - should they be soldered or anything?

 

[doofus4000]

Andmas is that what you had to do? That was the only thing I didn't do, as it didn't seem slightly logical. That would mean the wiring would go:

Connector Brown to HID Loom Black
Connector Black to HID Loom Red

That goes against everything I have ever learn't electrically!

Yea chappio this sounds right from what Ive figured! brown to hid black (-ve) and black to hid red (+ve). The HID lights are like old skool colours and the BMW ones - well I dont know lol

 

[Chappio]

HA. Surely not. Have you fitted them yet doofus? They won't need soldering, let me know if your wiring logic works.

 

[doofus4000]

No I havnt, maybe give it a go tomorrow after a wee wash and wax. logic..yea lol

 

[andmas]

Andmas is that what you had to do? That was the only thing I didn't do, as it didn't seem slightly logical. That would mean the wiring would go:

Connector Brown to HID Loom Black
Connector Black to HID Loom Red

That goes against everything I have ever learn't electrically!

Yes that's what I did and they worked - don't forget that the wiring colours on BMW's (and cars generally) differ from mains electric wiring colours which is why it seems illogical.

doofus4000: The spade connectors on the black and red wires simply push into the original connectors - as above make sure that they are the right way round - if the lights don't work first time just swap them over.

ok so I wont blow anything if I put them in the wrong way then? It think reading a post from cj10 that brown in negative and black is postive for the low beam halogen headlight. was just sloting the spades into the connector enough for a good connection - should they be soldered or anything?

No nothing blew on mine when I swapped them over. I've found that the spades into the connectors works fine - no need to solder (also enables easy change back to halogen lights when selling or if an over eager MoT inspector!)

 

[doofus4000]

andmas, how did you secure the bulb in the light unit where the old bulb holder would have secured it?

 

[andmas]

andmas, how did you secure the bulb in the light unit where the old bulb holder would have secured it?

From memory the kit had a metal clip.

 

[doofus4000]

my kit definitely does not! should it then? anyone else know if there should be a clip?

 

[Chappio]

Awesome, so i have proved that I couldn't make it as an auto electrician. Well now that is cleared up I won't be sending back the lights just yet.

Doofus mine didn't come with clips either so I cut the exsisting metal holding plate (if you can call it that) bent it, to enable the wires to go through and then reshaped as close to original as possible. Worked a treat. If you get onto the hids-direct and get some sent out, let me know.

 

[J4YMO]

Chappio - have you got yours working? I'm 95% certain the pic you posted doesn't include the error cancellers.

Been a while since I fitted mine but you will see earlier in this thread that mine was missing the cancellor when they sent it out.

 

[doofus4000]

Awesome, so i have proved that I couldn't make it as an auto electrician. Well now that is cleared up I won't be sending back the lights just yet.

Doofus mine didn't come with clips either so I cut the exsisting metal holding plate (if you can call it that) bent it, to enable the wires to go through and then reshaped as close to original as possible. Worked a treat. If you get onto the hids-direct and get some sent out, let me know.

yea I was thinking that too - didnt want to bend the metal clip tho incase I broke it. It was ever so close to fitting over the hid cable connections. Ill maybe try again later tonight and bend the middle of the clip to get them cables through. yours working a treat then?

 

[ranski]

Thanks for the info phil - i will order these http://www.hids-direct.co.uk/501-error-free-8-smd-led-sidelights-bulbs-white-p-497.html and feedback once they are fitted

Eventually got round to replacing the orginal sidelight, 501 bulbs with new LEDS ones - looks much better and matchs up with my xenons


OLD

NEW

 

[Chappio]

Chappio - have you got yours working? I'm 95% certain the pic you posted doesn't include the error cancellers.

Been a while since I fitted mine but you will see earlier in this thread that mine was missing the cancellor when they sent it out.

JAYMO your 100% right. I rang the HIDS-Direct, the lad remembered me. I described the looms and he said that he had forgot to put the error cancellers in. So he was putting them in the post today, I should have them tomorrow. So thankyou for that.

Doofus - I mentioned the clips, he said you can buy the clips from them, or modify the existings ones like I did.

 

[doofus4000]

thanks for the info on the clips and cancellors, looks like il have to email them to get the cancellors sent out to me!