[68882]

I've been watching the pricing and availability of used factory xenon headlights on ebay and they've come down quite a bit. Anyone do this conversion? I'm wondering what is needed to do a proper change over. I'll note I have a 95 series of lamps in there now (Much improved over the 92 H4 version). These contain H7-H1-H1 bulbs.

So what do I need to replace? The headlight relays, the headlight switch, the wiring harness, and what about the lamp leveling system, and the bulb out indicator?

I realize of course I could toss a set of lamp assembles in and fiddle with the wiring so I get them lit on both high/low beam and jury rig something to keep the bulb out indicator happy and forgo the automatic leveling.

But it would be nice to have it work as designed.

I'll note after replacing the A/C evap, the trunk vac system, engine wiring, blower regulator, power steering pump, rotors & caps, among other things it's cheaper to keep this car and modify it, versus looking for a 98-99 with xenon lights (and other non-fixed issues).

 

[68882]

A simpler question:

On 95 non-xenon, on low beam you have the H7 bulbs lit, then if you flick the control stalk to high beam do you get the H7 AND the H1 lit?

Or does the H1 bulb come on, and the H7 go out?


I'll note on the pre 95 with the H4-H3 bulb setup the control stalk turns on either the low beam or high beam filiment in the H4 bulb depending on position, unless you pull to the flash position.

My dealer says there are three version of the control stalk, two pre 95 depending on serial number, the other post 95.

 

[68882]

In looking at some wiring diagrams it appears there is a headlamp range adjustment control box (right passenger foot area) that takes input from sensors (ADS or none ADS type ) located on the rear and front axles, then it feeds a decision to the motors in the lamp assemblies, also supplies a wire to the diagnostic port.

What's unknown as yet is:

a) Which version of the control stalk I need.
b) If I need a different exterior lamp failure monitoring unit.

 

[pchansen1]

I'm sure it's possible to retofit your car to the exact part numbers so as to have true HID low beams but it may just be easier to retofit the low beam bulb and and stay with your original control stalk. You will have the alternating hi/low beam syatem but at least you'll have HID low beams. As for the auto-level function, I would assume that would require an "over the top" amount of work. I would carefully align your headlights as you do now and 99% of the time they'll be spot on- especially given that you have the auto leveling system (rear suspension) installed.
I think your only hope would be to find a slavage W140 body somewhere and canabalize as much as you can.
Good luck!
Paul

 

[68882]

Ok, well the only thing unanswered is how the high/low beams behave in a 95+ car with the H7-H1-H1 bulbs. One reason to confirm this is that my existing control stalk is flakky, hitting it just right with your finger/hand when turning causes it to run a windshield washing cycle, that shouldn't happen. So I was looking at replacing it anyways.