... on our BMW E46 convertible. I think they look stupid on a Honda but OK on a BMW. I got the LED rings from a company called Umnitza in CA. On this model BMW it requires removing the headlights from the car and baking them at 250 deg F for 15 minutes to get them open because they are glued together.
When I opened them and removed the innards of the adaptive bi-xenons, this is what I found:
What a mess! Most of the wire insulation had crumbled, exposing the bare wires. I have no idea how the headlights continued to work this way? So I spent 6 hours re-insulating all the wires with shrink tubes before installing the AE's. There goes the Sunday!
But the end result does look good (and provides much-needed extra visibility to other driers here in crazy-driver Miami)...
[This message has been edited by yellowstone (edited 10-29-2014).]
I just realized that this had to go to the "Other Car" subforum. Cliff, if you read this, could you please move the thread? Thanks...
Not necessarily, a lot of guys, myself included post question and tips here. But I got to ask, those wires were inside the headlights themselves? Or were they going to the headlight because I thought I saw a plug that plugs into the outside of the headlight. also di you originally have aftermarket bulbs or something as that doesn't look like normal wear and tear on a newer car, nevermind a newer BMW with factory lights. I would check to see if there was a recall for that on the NHTSA's or WTF ever it is.
Not necessarily, a lot of guys, myself included post question and tips here. But I got to ask, those wires were inside the headlights themselves? Or were they going to the headlight because I thought I saw a plug that plugs into the outside of the headlight. also di you originally have aftermarket bulbs or something as that doesn't look like normal wear and tear on a newer car, nevermind a newer BMW with factory lights. I would check to see if there was a recall for that on the NHTSA's or WTF ever it is.
Yes, these wires are inside the headlights themselves as I had to take them apart prior to baking them. The threads on the BMW forums indicate that I'm not the only one with this issue but there's no recall and the car is no longer under warranty. Everything was stock on the headlights before now.
Yes, these wires are inside the headlights themselves as I had to take them apart prior to baking them. The threads on the BMW forums indicate that I'm not the only one with this issue but there's no recall and the car is no longer under warranty. Everything was stock on the headlights before now.
Is it possible the baking you did, did that to the wires? Just asking because that doesn't look like what would be considered normal as the car manufacturers usually use wires that are rated for the temps they will encounter in high heat areas.
quote
Originally posted by yellowstone: If you don't understand something it's often better to ask or just shut up. Otherwise you risk showing your ignorance.
Not what I think, the only stupid questions are the ones we never ask.
Steve
[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 10-29-2014).]
an older German born gentleman told me stuff like that is illegal to write or say in Germany. Of course he lived there when there was an east and west Germany. Dunno if stuff changed
How are you able to display foreign plates in the US? Shouldn't the car be registered and licensed in the states? Most states it is illegal to display two different tags.
How are you able to display foreign plates in the US? Shouldn't the car be registered and licensed in the states? Most states it is illegal to display two different tags.
Just asking, not judging.
I was stopped by police in my DOHC Fiero for no plate in front several times. I had a german 450sel and I kept the original european numbers on front for nostalgia and never even got a look.
How are you able to display foreign plates in the US? Shouldn't the car be registered and licensed in the states? Most states it is illegal to display two different tags.
Just asking, not judging.
I've had a Russian plate that my father-in-law gave me for Christmas on the front of my Volvo for over two years, in two stated (OK and AZ) and only time a "cop" has ever asked about it was a Border Patrol Agent at a checkpoint here in AZ. He asked what country the plate was from said "Cool!" when I told him Russia and then proceeded to tell me his parents had a 240 and how great a car it was.
Not giving legal advice, as I'm not really sure, but my guess would be that the Euro plate that is not currently registered in a foreign country would be considered an accessory, much like putting a "Dallas Cowboys" or "Yosemite Sam" front plate on your car. Areas (like CA) where both front and rear plates must be displayed will likely not allow it, other areas (like AZ and OK) don't care.
[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 10-29-2014).]
I also have the front plates on my Fiero now that it had when in Germany. Cops here don't care about that, even when I was stopped by one and he questioned the legality of my (stock!) green tint on the windshield...
I also have the front plates on my Fiero now that it had when in Germany. Cops here don't care about that, even when I was stopped by one and he questioned the legality of my (stock!) green tint on the windshield...
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Your Fiero is one of the best looking I've seen, Yours and... Curly is it? The Silver choptop, I'm spacing on who owns it all of a sudden.
[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 10-29-2014).]
Im working on a BMW with those same headlites (adaptive Xenon). They rear ended someone and crushed the front. The wiring isnt like that at all. They ARE some expensive headlites though...theyre $1500 from the dealer...my cost. Maybe someone had put in some different bulbs at one time and burned it up, then replaced them with oem bulbs.
Those images of the wires with the crumbly insulation remind me so much of the wiring I found in the engine compartment of the 1986 Volvo 740 that my Ex once owned years ago. I've never seen wires looking anything like that on an older American cars (or even Japanese or Korean). Is this a problem with various European manufacturers?
Those images of the wires with the crumbly insulation remind me so much of the wiring I found in the engine compartment of the 1986 Volvo 740 that my Ex once owned years ago. I've never seen wires looking anything like that on an older American cars (or even Japanese or Korean). Is this a problem with various European manufacturers?
I read on a BMW forum that they started to use bio-friendly and degradable plastics and that was the reason for the issue. Don't know if that's accurate, though.
I read on a BMW forum that they started to use bio-friendly and degradable plastics and that was the reason for the issue. Don't know if that's accurate, though.
I had read on a Volvo forum that the wiring in old Volvos was "bio-degradable", but I believe they were being facetious.
... on our BMW E46 convertible. I think they look stupid on a Honda but OK on a BMW.
Really? Hmm.........
Well, to each their own I guess. I like them on just about anything or maybe I should say, I've never seen them mounted on any vehicle I didn't like them on. Would mount them on my Dodge Ram Diesel or my Honda Valkyrie if anyone made them for those models.
Nice Install.
Interesting to note that even BMWs have issues although, I already knew they have some. I generally respect German engineering but, really don't want to work on one. They take a different approach to many designs that I'm not familiar with. But, I'd much rather work on them than just about any British designed car. Brit wiring always confuses me.
------------------ Ron Count Down to A Better America: http://countingdownto.com/countdown/196044 Isn't it strange that after a bombing, everyone blames the bomber, his upbringing, his environment, his culture, his mental state but … after a shooting, the problem is the gun?
My Uncle Frank was a staunch Conservative and voted straight Republican until the day he died in Chicago. Since then he has voted Democrat. Shrug
Well, to each their own I guess. I like them on just about anything or maybe I should say, I've never seen them mounted on any vehicle I didn't like them on.
You're right, sorry.
quote
Originally posted by blackrams: Interesting to note that even BMWs have issues although, I already knew they have some. I generally respect German engineering but, really don't want to work on one.
Technically, the headlights are made by AL, a subsidiary of an Italian company, and they say "Made in France" on them... so there!
Technically, the headlights are made by AL, a subsidiary of an Italian company, and they say "Made in France" on them... so there!
Interesting, who knew. Guess I'll have to add Italian and French to my list.
------------------ Ron Count Down to A Better America: http://countingdownto.com/countdown/196044 Isn't it strange that after a bombing, everyone blames the bomber, his upbringing, his environment, his culture, his mental state but … after a shooting, the problem is the gun?
My Uncle Frank was a staunch Conservative and voted straight Republican until the day he died in Chicago. Since then he has voted Democrat. Shrug
To truly appreciate German engineering, you would have to see the throttle linkage on my Mercedes. I bet there are at least 25 components and 4 different pivot points.
To truly appreciate German engineering, you would have to see the throttle linkage on my Mercedes. I bet there are at least 25 components and 4 different pivot points.
Gene, Long time, no posts. Glad you're back. Knowing you, I am sure, you just love all those gizmos. You were born to be an engineer, maybe or maybe not a German one but, an engineer you should be. ------------------ Ron Count Down to A Better America: http://countingdownto.com/countdown/196044 Isn't it strange that after a bombing, everyone blames the bomber, his upbringing, his environment, his culture, his mental state but … after a shooting, the problem is the gun?
My Uncle Frank was a staunch Conservative and voted straight Republican until the day he died in Chicago. Since then he has voted Democrat. Shrug
[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 10-30-2014).]
Yea, not seen you in a while. Would like to stop bye and say hi some time. I am living back in town. Bought the old house on Limestone where I lived 11 years ago when we met.
I've had a Russian plate that my father-in-law gave me for Christmas on the front of my Volvo for over two years, in two stated (OK and AZ) and only time a "cop" has ever asked about it was a Border Patrol Agent at a checkpoint here in AZ. He asked what country the plate was from said "Cool!" when I told him Russia and then proceeded to tell me his parents had a 240 and how great a car it was.
Not giving legal advice, as I'm not really sure, but my guess would be that the Euro plate that is not currently registered in a foreign country would be considered an accessory, much like putting a "Dallas Cowboys" or "Yosemite Sam" front plate on your car. Areas (like CA) where both front and rear plates must be displayed will likely not allow it, other areas (like AZ and OK) don't care.
Arizona did away with the requirement of a front plate years ago. You can put any plate you like on the front.
[This message has been edited by spark1 (edited 10-30-2014).]
I've seen lots of wires like that, but on old 1940s and 1950s era vehicles. Studebaker was notorious for their under-dash wire insulation degrading in about 15 years.
I have also seen it happen in NM Romex cable--the outside looked fine--nice and flexible, but the insulation on the inner individual conductors would fall apart as soon as you stripped the outer sheath off.
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