I just compeled my headlight install. It took a while, because it was a somewhat complex affair. Plan on a day when you have nothing else planned (except for beer, of course ).
First, inspect the new headlights to see how they are mounted. The parking light unit slides out in a very ingenious way!
On the car, slide out the parking light assembly to reveal a mounting bolt. Undo this bolt and the 2 screws that hold the headlight assembly in place. It's a bit tricky, but you'll figure out how to do it. Inspect the mounting bolt assembly below the parking light for a few moments to figure out how it works. I found I had to turn the black plastic bolt CLOCKWISE a few turns to remove, and COUNTERCLOCKWISE to tighten after installation.
You may also need to remove the grille mounting screws to get everything out...I ended up breaking off the tabs on the grille, but that's another story.
The parking light bulb & socket on the new lights ARE NOT CORRECT for North America. They use a 168 single filament bulb and connector, but the North American lamps use a 2357 dual filament bulb. Fortunately, the socket from the original parking lights fits in the new socket. Use it instead.
I have the factory xenon HID headlights, but I replaced them with halogens. In this situation, the wiring for the headlight leveling servo is not used...just tie it out of the way.
After I got everything installed, I discovered the high beams did not work. It turned out the be the included relay wiring harness for high/low beams. As it was wired, the relay DOES NOT WORK. I don't see how it could possibly work the way it was configured. I figured out how the change the wires in the base of the relay connector so it would work. If others have low beams only after installation, I will post re-wiring instructions.
Finally, note that the hood may be a little hard to close until the rubber grommet settles in a bit. Make sure it latches completely when closing.
That's about it. They look great and work great. It was just a bit challenging here and there along the way!
UPDATE: At first, I was not thrilled with the lighting pattern, but now I am. What had happened was that one of the adjusting mechanisms had come loose on each side -- the sideways adjuster on the left and the vertical adjuster on the right. Probably the UPS truck shook them loose. I spent some time fiddling and getting them hooked up. I now have full adjustment.
Conclusion: The lighting pattern is very European with a sharp cutoff. I am using GE Nighthawk 9003 bulbs. The lighting pattern is excellent (IMHO) and the bulbs are highly recommended. In fact, I prefer the lighting of these over the stock HID units. So save your money and buy the halogen kit. You can always upgrade to HID later, but properly aimed halogens work very well in this case.
I am really tempted to buy the halogen fixture and gut it. The clear lens finally opens the door to retrofitting a real set of projector beam bi-xenons. I know several who have done this already with Honda's so I only really need to get the bucks set aside to buy all the parts and then find the time to do it.
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I thought this was supposed to be a plug and play type install as far as the wiring goes. I sure do hope when I install mine the high beam works. Thats why I ordered them because I was under the impression it would. I may be hitting you up for the re-wiring guide for this!
I may be hitting you up for the re-wiring guide for this!
If it doesn't work, just let me know. It merely involves changing the way the wires are put into the relay socket plug. No big deal...once I figured it out!
Thanks for posting up, I really don't know anything about the Halogen install due to mine being HID's, I'm sure that information will come in handy to a few. I didn't even think about putting the blinkers after putting the headlights on the car, I'm sure that would have made things easier
so did anyone else order the chrome turn signal bulbs? the ones in the unit already are the orange and have one contact on the back. the chrome ones have two contacts on the back. the box for them says they are used for stop and taillight (1157) the ones for the blinkers should be the (PY21W) with the one contact on the back. next, the parking light feature, are there supposed to be bulbs for these? it didnt come with them. last, did anyone order the interior lights, if so where do they go? they look strange. thanks for the help. actually, i dont think i even got the interior lights i ordered, the ones i though were them seem to be the parking lights(LED?) help!!! want to be sure i have the right parts before i install so i can email the people we got these from if i got jipped at all.
Last edited by peckels01 : 10-31-2006 at 07:46 PM.
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