Countdown to Xenon/Angel Install- Final Q's!

[Mindfull]

Good Afternoon everyone!
I'm ticking down to my Xenon/Angel install, and want to make sure I'm not missing anything. I'd appreciate any insights & details more than you know- As a good friend of mine always says: "Others have lived before you!"

So I've purchased the following (prices incl for reference):

• 2002 X5 3.0i with Sport pkg, but no Xenons (yet!)
• NEW OEM Pre-03 Xenon Headlight units w/bulbs ($500- WooWoo!)
• Aftermarket Xenon Ballasts which should arrive by the weekend ($79x2)
• JLevi's Angel Eyes, which arrived w/in 48 hrs of clicking through their site!! ($190)
• Standard tools from my kit, plus a Dremel Multi for clearing the ambers
• Stealth Turn Signal bulbs ($?Don't recall)

Provided the ballasts come in, I'll be tackling this within the week.
A few remaining questions (I'd LOVE to avoid hitting a roadblock & posting HEEELLLP! like many others!):

1. Several posts searched mention needing either a homemade Relay or pulling a fuse to avoid a Halogen Bulb missing-error. Though I've worked with 1/2 the power tools known to man & built houses, I don't solder or build relays, soooo...
2. Is there any problem in pulling the halogen-error fuse in an X5. Any loss of functions/warnings re: headlights?
3. One thread mentioned that the dealer can reprogram the ECU for Xenons for $30-50. Is this in addition to relay or fuse-pull... or does it address the same issue? NE1?
4. Which wire to connect the Angels to? I'd like to avoid digging into the 'black box' if possible and esp if I do pull that fuse, to make sure I'm tapping into the right wire(s). I'll dig into the WSD, but if NE1 can say "tap the ____-color wire", I'll name my next child after you (LOL- I've already had my kids for this life, but I'll appreciate it!)
5. Clearing ambers & waffles- Specific part to take out- the side-oranges are easy to locate, but will I need any other lenses/ projectors on hand? Pics of the surgery?

Can't wait to get it done- just want it done right. TIA!
M

[Zulu95]

You have PM.

[Mindfull]

Thx- Sounds like you've been there!

[nicknick1]

Mindfull:

I am in the same boat as you, doing them this weekend, do I need a dremel?, thought u could just take the amber right out?

On the Jlevis kit, do you have two different types of connectors on the red wires?, doesnt make sense?

[BMERGRL]

Would you mind posting the important info in the PM.....I know there are alot of us out here that want to do the DIY and are learning from your experiences/insight...TIA

By the way...Loooovvvvee your Sig/Pic....very cool!!!!!

[Mindfull]

Originally Posted by nicknick1

I am in the same boat as you, doing them this weekend, do I need a dremel?, thought u could just take the amber right out?

On the Jlevis kit, do you have two different types of connectors on the red wires?, doesnt make sense?

The Dremel: There's a clear plastic piece which is relatively easy to remove and re-set if desired but it's attached/fused to the amber, here:


A Dremel or similar tool would be the only way to actually trim the amber off without breaking (or removing) the whole piece. I'm not sure I'd want it completely gone, but I'd love others' opinions who've done it... Digging into the AE Retrofit article, I found this detail:

Another option is to trim off the amber portion of the insert, which is part of the beveled clear piece. Using a dremel, you can trim off the amber portion and put the clear part back in . Simply use
a few drop's of hot glue to secure them. Those look like this once installed:

The full article is here: http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/l...02-bmw-x5.html

As for JLevi's kit, I trust the connections since so many have installed them successfully. I can fill in more details once I've done "Phase 1" (baking/ AE's/ clearing ambers/resealing), but I wouldn't worry as long as your kit says X5 on it as mine does. Update: It looks more complicated than this! See this thread on wiring JLevi's DDE's:
http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...unit-ddes.html.

Originally Posted by BMERGRL

Would you mind posting the important info in the PM.....I know there are alot of us out here that want to do the DIY and are learning from your experiences/insight...TIA

By the way...Loooovvvvee your Sig/Pic....very cool!!!!!

Thanks Bmergrl! The Sig was fun to make! It looks like you've got a very similar X! FYI, I posted the raw pic as well in the photo gallery and it would make a nice pic on a screen saver slideshow or something.

Re: the PM info, I got an incredibly helpful email from Zulu95 last night that I'd love to post here- I'll make sure that's alright with him. I think one of the reasons he emailed it is that it has several photos mixed into the text, but I'd be happy to upload those as needed so the info can be shared. I'll update as soon as I know.

Good luck & feel free to post more Q/A's here about the process- It helps all of us make sure we're covering all the bases!

[Zulu95]

I'm going to turn that e-mail into an article for the X5World site. Just need time to make it look a little more tidy!

[Mindfull]

Is it OK to post what you sent over, Zulu? It was totally helpful to me & it looks like there are several others who might benefit- Totally up to you though, since you authored it. Just let me know, k?
Also, for folks planning this project, there are more articles than I first thought for the retrofit, since many have links inside them to other articles & resources. Be sure to click those as you're reading through.
I sorted the ones I plan on referring to into a Section in OneNote, so there all paperless & in the same place, in order of operation. So when project-day comes, I've got the vitals on hand. Just an idea, since I figure most folks here are tech-savvy.

[nicknick1]

Originally Posted by Zulu95

I'm going to turn that e-mail into an article for the X5World site. Just need time to make it look a little more tidy!

Hey Zulu:


Would you mind PM'ing me with the details, gonna crack mine open on Sunday, cant wait...

[Zulu95]

FYI

THe Halogen to Xenon article has been submitted to xoutpost.com. Look out for it being put up for viewing.
Regards,
Zulu95