*UPDATED NIGHT PICS* Sonar Clear Lights

[imp75]

Took the plunge and bought aftermarket headlights last week. Intalled yesterday and look much better. But a couple teething problems - bulb out warning is on (think I damaged old h7 [DippedBeam?] bulbs from OEM when transplanting, well i hope that the case cos they dont work when turned on!!)

If anyone who also fitted these can confirm install of h7 bulbs (ones not working) id appreciate the tip. I just took off the rubber cap (see pics below) and held the bulb in with the retaining clip/holder. Maybe Ive been a div and missed something obvious!

Also, had to tape up the smaller second plug going into back of the OEM lights, as had no socket to plug it into. Can anyone confirm if this is the adjuster motor plug??? searched for what this is but to no avail.......

No new techniques or tips to add to those pioneers from the forum, thanks guys made it a lot less daunting for a non-mechanical type like me.

All in took 4 hours single handedly, including working out how to wire up AE and LED and nearly half hour spent trying to figure out how to get the bulbs out of the OEM!!! like i said Non-Mechanical Type.


















i was a bit concerned when i saw this in the advert but its just sealant that is a bit rough around edges and cant be seen on the car.




then the time to be brave ha ha




no real difficulties getting even centering




sidelights (hooked up to led, AE and top strip) with indicator on



with full beam. AE not very bright in daytime but not bothered as aim was to de-tango not add AE.





As you can see AE pretty good at night just cant show dipped beam Now i just wish i had spare bulbs to see if i have cocked up or just have damaged bulbs. Osram Night Breaker on their way...........

 

[imp75]

Emailed the seller re the non working dip beam. Got a message back explaining that I had made a totally ridiculous error. It's so bad. I'm not even able to admit to it. Needless to say I'm even happier

 

[gannet]

they look better than Ive expected

 

[Wondermike]

They look nice, how much were they?

 

[imp75]

Real bargain; 85 pounds. They had been returned to the seller, so technically second hand, but by all apperance haven't been used so just like brand new

 

[powerontap]

Nice how long did it take you to do the whole work (including bumper)?

 

[imp75]

Four hours from parking up behind the in-laws house to doing the job and driving home. Included nearly half hour trying to figure out how to get the h7 bulbs out of oem headlights and about 45 mins figuring out how to wire up the led and AE to sidelights.

A lot of time taken due to uncertainty of how to do it. But if did it again. I bet I could do it in total in less than 90 mins.

 

[powerontap]

^^^^^Thanks. Last 2 questions; Is the light warning indicator on or is all in order? Am I to assume that the wiring instructions were not all that good?

 

[ksher]

Nice.

 

[aquazi]

Wow really transform the car.

Personally I dont like the drl at the top AND the halos...but I like the smaller indicators on the side. Have you driven at night yet.... How do you find the projectors... Compared to stock?

When I had a celica lots of people bought aftermarket headlights... All had a spidering issue on the lens after 6 months... So might be worth keeping and eye on making sure the same don't happen to these.

 

[soundboy10]

They look really good mate. Have recently just bought a black z4 and was thinking of changing. And after seeing yours I am definitely going to do it. I was going to hol out for some post facelift halogens, as they would be a straight swap, but might just get these, and will save me cash in the end I think.

I am really uncertain about the wiring though, not too good at stuff like that. Would be good if you could post some pics or instructions on which wires went where exactly.

Cheers

 

[gazzamill]

Is it easy to access bulbs if they need changed. Read somewhere that some of these aftermarket headlamps involve taking the bumper off to change a blown bulb as there is no rear access panel

I do think they look good though, and an easier option to get angel eyes and de-tango.

 

[srhutch]

they look better than Ive expected

X2

 

[imp75]

^^^^^Thanks. Last 2 questions; Is the light warning indicator on or is all in order? Am I to assume that the wiring instructions were not all that good?

The light warning indicator is on, but that's because I was a total rub and didn't plug the h7 bulb into the power socket! I just placed the bulb into the lamp housing and secured the unconnected bulb into the place. Idiot! Hopefully when I get chance to actually plug the bulb in and get warning lamp extinguished it ll stay off. As for instructions I have to admit that I didn't look underneath all the packaging so they may be there but I didn't use them. If I have them, then it may have saved school boy error above :s ill look in the boxes when I get home and let you know if I have them. To be fair they were a returned set so instructions may not have been returned..........the only wiring needed is the led and AE. And it can be configured however you want I guess.

 

[imp75]

How do you find the projectors... Compared to stock?

When I had a celica lots of people bought aftermarket headlights... All had a spidering issue on the lens after 6 months... So might be worth keeping and eye on making sure the same don't happen to these.

Aquazi, I've not connected up the projector yet (see error above ) but I have a set of osram night breaker on order. In the interest of fairness I ll connect the old bulbs and try to see how they compare tonight.

Ps thanks for tip re spidering.

 

[imp75]

I am really uncertain about the wiring though, not too good at stuff like that. Would be good if you could post some pics or instructions on which wires went where exactly.

Cheers

If you look at the pic of the rear of the light you ll see three thin red wires and three thin black wires knotted together. These are the only ones you may need to connect up. Each AE and the led (in centre of the light) each have a red and black. With a little logic you can configure them to come on how you want. I copied what zedfour (i think) did with his. As explained in another recently updated post. I don't have pics but if I have to take out headlamp again ill photograph it got you.

 

[imp75]

Is it easy to access bulbs if they need changed. Read somewhere that some of these aftermarket headlamps involve taking the bumper off to change a blown bulb as there is no rear access panel

I do think they look good though, and an easier option to get angel eyes and de-tango.

The rear of the lamps are not as enclosed as the oem, the bulb holders are secured in the usual way to the lamp housing but are protected from the elements by rubber 'cups/covers' they can still be accessed VIA the front wheel arch and as such should be slightly Easier than oem to swap bulbs over. I'll be attemping access tonight to correctly install dipped beam bulbs. Will let you know how I get on.......

 

[ranski]

Is it easy to access bulbs if they need changed. Read somewhere that some of these aftermarket headlamps involve taking the bumper off to change a blown bulb as there is no rear access panel

I do think they look good though, and an easier option to get angel eyes and de-tango.

The rear of the lamps are not as enclosed as the oem, the bulb holders are secured in the usual way to the lamp housing but are protected from the elements by rubber 'cups/covers' they can still be accessed VIA the front wheel arch and as such should be slightly Easier than oem to swap bulbs over. I'll be attemping access tonight to correctly install dipped beam bulbs. Will let you know how I get on.......

Damn, as i have retro fitted xenons and have the ballast/wiring etc all stowed away in my OEM light - looks like i need to get rid of my xenons if i want these :thumbsdown:

 

[powerontap]

I had the same concern about spidering of such aftermarket lenses... guess there's no other way to find out then to wait for one of you guys to report back next year.

 

[ZED_NOT_ZEE]

Is it easy to access bulbs if they need changed. Read somewhere that some of these aftermarket headlamps involve taking the bumper off to change a blown bulb as there is no rear access panel

I do think they look good though, and an easier option to get angel eyes and de-tango.

The rear of the lamps are not as enclosed as the oem, the bulb holders are secured in the usual way to the lamp housing but are protected from the elements by rubber 'cups/covers' they can still be accessed VIA the front wheel arch and as such should be slightly Easier than oem to swap bulbs over. I'll be attemping access tonight to correctly install dipped beam bulbs. Will let you know how I get on.......

Damn, as i have retro fitted xenons and have the ballast/wiring etc all stowed away in my OEM light - looks like i need to get rid of my xenons if i want these :thumbsdown:

there is a xenon version of these headlights available.

Imp:
I heard these have motors inside for auto-levelling too? Once you get those bulbs in let me know if they dip on start-up. I remember reading on another forum something about BOTH oem plugs fitting into the single headlight connector?