Retrofit xenons

bigwinn

bigwinn

Elite
 Lincoln UK
Site Supporter
Evening all

I've read several threads where owners have attempted to retrofit standard halogens with xenons on pre-facelift cars

Checking that I understand this to be:

Replace headlight units and ballasts
Replace the LCM and code accordingly using DIS/similar
Install level arms to suspension front and rear
Install headlamp washing

Is that it?

Anyone done this before?

Not sure if its really worth the hassle... but as a project may be interesting

Cheers

Stuart
 
In theory it should relatively simple but I think the coding has been the problem in the past. Not sure there is a straightforward retro option in the coding.
 
Scooba_Steve said:
In theory it should relatively simple but I think the coding has been the problem in the past. Not sure there is a straightforward retro option in the coding.
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I've seen posts about flickering etc
 
bigwinn said:
I've seen posts about flickering etc
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Which should be an easy fix but I have a feeling there would be a lot of faffing in NCS to do it! Took me ages just to get 3rd brakelight flashing with BFD!
 
Scooba_Steve said:
bigwinn said:
I've seen posts about flickering etc
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Which should be an easy fix but I have a feeling there would be a lot of faffing in NCS to do it! Took me ages just to get 3rd brakelight flashing with BFD!
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You may need to give me a guide on how to do that too!!
 
AFAIK, the washers aren’t needed on our cars. They’re required on post 2009 cars?! So won’t be an MOT/legal issue to run without. They don’t add any value so I wouldn’t bother adding if I were you. It’s just a pain, especially when your washer cap cover flies off an you got to spend like £40 for a tiny piece of plastic!

The only other nugget of wisdom I have, is the xenons have 8 pin plugs on the headlight unit themselves. Halogens only use 7 (with one left empty). So as well as the list you’ve got, you’ll need to wire that in too.

Let me know how you get on? As you said, it’s been discussed a few times but nothing really concrete out there.
 
bigwinn said:
I've seen posts about flickering
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I know someone that did a retrofit on a BMW mini . I believe the flickering is due to voltage differences and is solved by fitting a relay .
 
kis said:
AFAIK, the washers aren’t needed on our cars. They’re required on post 2009 cars?! So won’t be an MOT/legal issue to run without. They don’t add any value so I wouldn’t bother adding if I were you. It’s just a pain, especially when your washer cap cover flies off an you got to spend like £40 for a tiny piece of plastic!

The only other nugget of wisdom I have, is the xenons have 8 pin plugs on the headlight unit themselves. Halogens only use 7 (with one left empty). So as well as the list you’ve got, you’ll need to wire that in too.

Let me know how you get on? As you said, it’s been discussed a few times but nothing really concrete out there.
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Cheers Kis- good spot
 
Voltage is controllable via the LCM, it will all be entirely possible via coding. But it is finding the settings that is the issue!
 
I notice you’re selling the lights Stu? Not taking the xenon project on?
 
kis said:
I notice you’re selling the lights Stu? Not taking the xenon project on?
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Nah

Not being lazy but I didn’t see that much difference having xenons on previous cars so…
 
In case it helps someone - there is another option to convert a halogen lit car. I and several others on here I believe have used the Morimoto HID projector units which are a straight swap for the Halogen projector unit within the headlamp body. You need to add the ignitor, HID bulb, and a very minor wiring addition to operate the dip. It is not the cheapest solution but I found the difference in performance night and day....

Re MOTs - my headlight units were already marked HID on the front lens so I suspect the same body may be used for both factory options. Others may know more on this. I have had 2 MOTs since fitting and no issues. On levelling - the current MOT manual at section 4.1.5 only says that they must work - manual or auto. No requirement for the system to be auto. On washers at 4.1.6 - it only applies to cars first used on or after 1st September 2009. Herewith the link. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-for-private-passenger-and-light-commercial-vehicles/4-lamps-reflectors-and-electrical-equipment#section-4-1-1

Just to add - I had no issues with coding or error messages - it all just worked.
 
Spriteracer said:
I and several others on here I believe have used the Morimoto HID projector units which are a straight swap for the Halogen projector unit within the headlamp body.
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A good write up in the how-to would be useful.

Spriteracer said:
I had no issues with coding or error messages - it all just worked.
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Because it's a kit upgrade and the ballast will draw the same power, CANBUS etc.
 
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