Is it possible to install a halogen bulb in xenon headlight?

rogerkiu · #1 03-06-2007, 12:16 AM

Hi everyone! I just bought a pair of OEM xenon headlight from eBay to upgrade my old halogen headlight. Just a stupid question: is it possible to modify the xenon headlight so that can install halogen bulb instead of installing xenon bulb for the low beam location? Thanks for input! Forgive my naive and stupid question. What I think is that if it can be done, then I can do it without changing OBC computer to eliminate the error alert.

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wees1234 · #2 03-06-2007, 12:23 AM

Why would you buy a xenon light to put a halogen light in there? Just put the xenon bulbs that are supposed to go in there

JayX5 · #3 03-06-2007, 12:37 AM

The halogen bulb will not fit in the xenon socket but with work and money, it is definitely possible, but I would not recommend it.

bmwe53fan · #4 03-06-2007, 12:40 AM

For less than $20 you can splice in a simple automotive lightbulb holder and type 194 bulb and the LCM message will be gone forever. It's not pretty, but it works, is easy, and is easily reversible.

rogerkiu · #5 03-06-2007, 12:58 AM

I know this is very stupid, but the oem retrofit kit costs too much (especially in Hong Kong). It really sucks to see and hear OBC alert each time you start and stop engine. I guess this is the cheapest way to get the xenon look headlight with projector. I will give a try to see if it works and if it looks good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwe53fan

For less than $20 you can splice in a simple automotive lightbulb holder and type 194 bulb and the LCM message will be gone forever. It's not pretty, but it works, is easy, and is easily reversible.

Thanks for your reply, bmwe53fan! What the holder looks like? Do you have a picture? And where can I buy the type 194 bulb? Thanks!

bmwe53fan · #6 03-06-2007, 01:05 AM

Here is a link to the original write-up I did on Roadfly.

http://bimmer.roadfly.com/bmw/forums/e39/5283130-1.html

The pictures are gone now but the holder is a simple bulb holder you can buy at any automotive parts store and so is the bulb...

Good luck.

bmwe53fan · #7 03-06-2007, 01:11 AM

Forgot to mention that I will also be installing some Xenon's this weekend and I plan to reuse my old system which I took out when I traded in the 540. The bublolders basically have two wires that you connect to the low beam wires -- they provide enough resistance so that the LCM thinks the bulb is there...

I'll try to post pictures after I am done so you can see what I mean.

rogerkiu · #8 03-06-2007, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmwe53fan

Forgot to mention that I will also be installing some Xenon's this weekend and I plan to reuse my old system which I took out when I traded in the 540. The bublolders basically have two wires that you connect to the low beam wires -- they provide enough resistance so that the LCM thinks the bulb is there...

I'll try to post pictures after I am done so you can see what I mean.

Thanks a lot! I will be waiting for you pictures.

So you mean that you still use xenon bulbs, but you install xenon bulbs onto the bulbholder so that it will cheat the LCM, do I understand right?

bmwe53fan · #9 03-06-2007, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerkiu

Thanks a lot! I will be waiting for you pictures.

So you mean that you still use xenon bulbs, but you install xenon bulbs onto the bulbholder so that it will cheat the LCM, do I understand right?

Yes, except that the little bulbs that are attached are halogen bulbs with a filament, so they provide the resistance theLCM is looking for.

I'll try and take some picturs this weekend.

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