DIY: 2004 5 Series Halogen to Xenon Conversion
03-09-2006, 08:48 PM
#21
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New method!!!!!
I discovered a new way to do it, that will keep all the BMW service techs int he dark!!!! here it is
Well it turns out that only three changes have to be made, 2 of which can be made to the lights themselves. the original changes to the ground wire, and the Angel Eye/Parking Lamp wires. The big difference is what makes it much cleaner install. This is actually an alternative. Here is the parts list:
4x 6A, 50V Rectifier Diodes (2 Spares)
2x SPST 12V 30 Amp Automotive Relay
12x Tap-In Connectors (2 spares)
6x Butt Connectors (2 Spares)
~10ft 14 Guauge Min! Wire
12x Female disconnect connectors (2 extra)
Electrical Tape
Heres the instructions, you shouldn't have any ill effects at all, so heres the instructions for the other wiring.
1) Open the drivers side foot panel (The panel above your feet in the drivers well)
2) Locate the LCM (its at the farthest forward point to the outside) un latch it, its jsut clips that hold it on.
3) Remove the connector on the top, and dismantle the connector, note the left and right connectors, DON'T confuse them.
4) (Make sure you put the taps far enough down the wire to put the connector cover back on) Tap one wire to each of the LARGE RED WIRES, Tap a wire to each of the LARGE yellow wires, Tap a wire to each of the LARGE BROWN WIRES, you will also have to tap the fog lamp wires, which i can't remember the color on, you can look at the wires when you are installing the lights, or at least have them out. The fog taps are optional they only make it so the car sends no messages when the lights are off.
4a) I would make sure that you are finished installing the lights now.
5) Now clip the LARGE YELLOW WIRES just after the taps.
6) Your gonna install two more taps about 1/2 inch after the cut with a wire on each.
7) Your gonna install a diode into the clip between the LARGE YELLOW WIRES. The side with the line or the cathode on the side away from the module.
8) Now your gonna install the disconnects on the end of each of the new wires that you tapped into the factory wires.
9) Next is installing the relays, they will both be wired identically. But pay attention. There are the followuing connections : 85, 86, 87, 87a, and 30. Here are the connections.
85 goes to the tapped connections to the brown wires
86 goes to the LARGE YELLOW WIRE (The tap on the side closer to the module)
87 goes to the wire on the fog lamp
87a goes to the LARGE RED WIRE tap
30 goes to the second LARGE YELLOW WIRE tap
10) Test with the ignition on!!! move a bit (about 10-15 ft) (if it flickers somethings wrong, if it doesn't go on somethings wrong) Get out of the car, check the fogs, are they on? then you got the 87 and 87a connections mixed up, or i did, either way flip em, and try again.
11) Make sure you turn them off, if they don't go off the diode is backwards.
12) The plus side of this diode, is that you will get a fail message if the diode is bad, or the lights won't turn off. Not sure about which would happen but only those would happen.
13) Close it all up and your done.
14) Enjoy!!!
NO MORE FOGS ON ALL THE TIME, NO CHANGES TO FACTORY OPERATION!!!! AND NO DAMN MESSAGES!!!
I discovered a new way to do it, that will keep all the BMW service techs int he dark!!!! here it is
Well it turns out that only three changes have to be made, 2 of which can be made to the lights themselves. the original changes to the ground wire, and the Angel Eye/Parking Lamp wires. The big difference is what makes it much cleaner install. This is actually an alternative. Here is the parts list:
4x 6A, 50V Rectifier Diodes (2 Spares)
2x SPST 12V 30 Amp Automotive Relay
12x Tap-In Connectors (2 spares)
6x Butt Connectors (2 Spares)
~10ft 14 Guauge Min! Wire
12x Female disconnect connectors (2 extra)
Electrical Tape
Heres the instructions, you shouldn't have any ill effects at all, so heres the instructions for the other wiring.
1) Open the drivers side foot panel (The panel above your feet in the drivers well)
2) Locate the LCM (its at the farthest forward point to the outside) un latch it, its jsut clips that hold it on.
3) Remove the connector on the top, and dismantle the connector, note the left and right connectors, DON'T confuse them.
4) (Make sure you put the taps far enough down the wire to put the connector cover back on) Tap one wire to each of the LARGE RED WIRES, Tap a wire to each of the LARGE yellow wires, Tap a wire to each of the LARGE BROWN WIRES, you will also have to tap the fog lamp wires, which i can't remember the color on, you can look at the wires when you are installing the lights, or at least have them out. The fog taps are optional they only make it so the car sends no messages when the lights are off.
4a) I would make sure that you are finished installing the lights now.
5) Now clip the LARGE YELLOW WIRES just after the taps.
6) Your gonna install two more taps about 1/2 inch after the cut with a wire on each.
7) Your gonna install a diode into the clip between the LARGE YELLOW WIRES. The side with the line or the cathode on the side away from the module.
8) Now your gonna install the disconnects on the end of each of the new wires that you tapped into the factory wires.
9) Next is installing the relays, they will both be wired identically. But pay attention. There are the followuing connections : 85, 86, 87, 87a, and 30. Here are the connections.
85 goes to the tapped connections to the brown wires
86 goes to the LARGE YELLOW WIRE (The tap on the side closer to the module)
87 goes to the wire on the fog lamp
87a goes to the LARGE RED WIRE tap
30 goes to the second LARGE YELLOW WIRE tap
10) Test with the ignition on!!! move a bit (about 10-15 ft) (if it flickers somethings wrong, if it doesn't go on somethings wrong) Get out of the car, check the fogs, are they on? then you got the 87 and 87a connections mixed up, or i did, either way flip em, and try again.
11) Make sure you turn them off, if they don't go off the diode is backwards.
12) The plus side of this diode, is that you will get a fail message if the diode is bad, or the lights won't turn off. Not sure about which would happen but only those would happen.
13) Close it all up and your done.
14) Enjoy!!!
NO MORE FOGS ON ALL THE TIME, NO CHANGES TO FACTORY OPERATION!!!! AND NO DAMN MESSAGES!!!
03-10-2006, 03:16 AM
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Originally Posted by xrsxj' post='252587' date='Mar 10 2006, 05:48 AM
NO MORE FOGS ON ALL THE TIME, NO CHANGES TO FACTORY OPERATION!!!! AND NO DAMN MESSAGES!!!
03-10-2006, 11:12 AM
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I"ll see if i can go back and take some pics of it all.
I used OEM lights altogether, don't try to use the aftermarket h7 hid kits, sorry but thats plain not worth the money, 300 for that or about 450-500 for oem, i think its a plain choice. And its just not very nice to other drivers, or yourself, the output is usually marginally better at best, using the projector headlamps is worth it EVERYTIME!!!! with that in mind if you used an aftermarket HID kit with OEM Xenon Lights, i'm willing to bet it was a nightmare to install and mount, not to mention it will void a good portion of your waranty (the electrical system, check control system, and the headlamp system). Feel free to reply with questions if you want about the install, a friend of mine is doing this and i may be able to grab some pics from our install on his car. I'll let you all know.
Good luck, and have fun!
I used OEM lights altogether, don't try to use the aftermarket h7 hid kits, sorry but thats plain not worth the money, 300 for that or about 450-500 for oem, i think its a plain choice. And its just not very nice to other drivers, or yourself, the output is usually marginally better at best, using the projector headlamps is worth it EVERYTIME!!!! with that in mind if you used an aftermarket HID kit with OEM Xenon Lights, i'm willing to bet it was a nightmare to install and mount, not to mention it will void a good portion of your waranty (the electrical system, check control system, and the headlamp system). Feel free to reply with questions if you want about the install, a friend of mine is doing this and i may be able to grab some pics from our install on his car. I'll let you all know.
Good luck, and have fun!
08-22-2006, 02:46 PM
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My Ride: 2006 525xi 3.0 215 horsepower 185lb/ft torque
Monocobleu Metallic paint, on beige interior..
Cold Weather Package... Heated front seats, steering wheel and headlamp washers.
Standard 10 speaker soundsystem.
so let me get this straight, you installed xenon headlamps w. projectors, however ur angel eyes/parking lamps dont come on when the headlghts are on??? thas weird..... also are your lights adaptive?
08-23-2006, 09:30 PM
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My Ride: Gone: 2004 525i Jet Black, Built 03/04, Premium Package, Black Dakota Leather, Halogen to Euro Spec Bi-Xenons Retrofit, Dark Poplar Wood Trim, Steptronic Breyton Spirit Reps 20x9F 20x10R - Nitto NT555 245/35/20F-275/30/20R, M5 Front Bumper, H&R Sport Springs, Chrome Grills, 20% Tint, Euro Reflectors, Debadged, Aux Input, CIP v19.x
I had the same issue when I retrofitted. I found that the halogen wiring harness pin for the angel eye's did not have power. I tapped into the eyebrow power. IIRC You have to keep in mind the pinout for the halogen and xenon's are NOT pin to pin.
08-24-2006, 01:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Busta' post='326079' date='Aug 24 2006, 06:30 AM
I had the same issue when I retrofitted. I found that the halogen wiring harness pin for the angel eye's did not have power. I tapped into the eyebrow power. IIRC You have to keep in mind the pinout for the halogen and xenon's are NOT pin to pin.
08-24-2006, 06:53 AM
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My Ride: Gone: 2004 525i Jet Black, Built 03/04, Premium Package, Black Dakota Leather, Halogen to Euro Spec Bi-Xenons Retrofit, Dark Poplar Wood Trim, Steptronic Breyton Spirit Reps 20x9F 20x10R - Nitto NT555 245/35/20F-275/30/20R, M5 Front Bumper, H&R Sport Springs, Chrome Grills, 20% Tint, Euro Reflectors, Debadged, Aux Input, CIP v19.x
Originally Posted by Dav530d' post='326142' date='Aug 24 2006, 02:25 AM
Busta, still no write up yet? have you a wiring diagram for Halogen vs Xenon?
09-01-2006, 05:53 AM
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My Ride: 2006 525xi 3.0 215 horsepower 185lb/ft torque
Monocobleu Metallic paint, on beige interior..
Cold Weather Package... Heated front seats, steering wheel and headlamp washers.
Standard 10 speaker soundsystem.
Originally Posted by E60Speed' post='166546' date='Sep 3 2005, 10:30 AM
Just buy the OEM BMW retrofit kit, with all the correct control boxes and retrofit wiring adaptors
09-01-2006, 05:36 PM
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My Ride: Gone: 2004 525i Jet Black, Built 03/04, Premium Package, Black Dakota Leather, Halogen to Euro Spec Bi-Xenons Retrofit, Dark Poplar Wood Trim, Steptronic Breyton Spirit Reps 20x9F 20x10R - Nitto NT555 245/35/20F-275/30/20R, M5 Front Bumper, H&R Sport Springs, Chrome Grills, 20% Tint, Euro Reflectors, Debadged, Aux Input, CIP v19.x
Originally Posted by AceBMW5' post='329570' date='Sep 1 2006, 06:53 AM
where do you get this kit from? is it avalible in the us?
I know my dealer would not help me out..with ordering or installing the OEM retrofit.
You can find the part number on realoem.com
http://realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.do?model=NA...hg=63&fg=95
roveractive from ebay also sells them:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-Genuine...sspagenameZWD1V