Halogen to Xenon Conversion - 2001

[cj10jeeper]

OK so it's a really simple question but has me scratching my head.

I'm all set to replace the standard halogen headlight units for OEM single HID's. I have all the wires matched, ready to fix the ballasts, etc, but there is a single wire coming out of the rear of each unit below the HID / above the ballast (grey on one black on the other)

Logic tells me it's just an earth, but best check as there there seems no correct place to connect it to.

Any thoughts welcome

[Zulu95]

Ground to the ballast ground or vehicle ground. Some ballast have a terminal on the retainer screw to allow this. I just grounded it to screws either side.

[cj10jeeper]

Thanks for the quick response. Ground makes sense, but best to ask than wreck something

Thanks

[cj10jeeper]

So I did the switch today and it's not only the easiest mod I think I've ever done on a car, but was also just about to only option not fitted to my X5

I replaced the amber indicator bulb with Silver. I had planned on splitting the front off removing the amber corners and fitting angel eyes, but my units are post 2003 and the adhesive does not come apart (as far as I can tell)

I think it brings it a bit more up to date

All I need to do is fit relays that are on their way to clear the 'check bulbs' signal

See what you think...

The original Halogens:


Urgraded to Xenon, but still with amber corners and black insides

[xnsf]

very nice job

are your drls running along with your low beams?

[cj10jeeper]

Not sure I understand the 'drls' acronym, but it's a UK spec X5. First position on the switch activates small 5w sidelights inside the mainbeam unit. 2nd position is the dipped beam, which is what's shown in the photo

[Zulu95]

That's what he meant. US spec do not have the 5W bulb in the headlight unit. Pity as it makes an angel eye conversion so much easier as you just grab that bulb supply for the AE's.

[cj10jeeper]

OK so I did the conversion the other day and all the electrics worked a dream, but I thought I could do better....much better.

I fancied the clean silver look with angel eyes, keep my new Xenons and have clear lenses (silver turn bulb signals) get rid of the amber and the heavy black internals. I also wanted to keep the self levelling electrics that many aftermarket units lack.

I can do a detailed write up if anyone is interested but basically found that the shells of my old 2001 halogen are identical to my Xenon so opened the old units (easy with a heat gun) to re-use. I trashed the Xenon cases to get the internals and dremelled away all I didn't like on the reflectors. Sprayed the internal shell silver and put it all back together with some Angel Eyes. I brought them a year ago for this project but forgot I had them...

Apologies for the poor photograph as it's raining so damned heavy I can't get out and will take some decent photos

Personally It think the new clean look is fantastic

What do you think?

Final result - clear corners, silver inners, angel eyes and OEM auto adjustment

[EKS PYB]

looks awesome...wish i could put AEs on my 2003 X5...i know i can with aftermarket headlights from ebay but i wish i could use the original ones and just put AEs on them.

will just have to drool and admire everyones' beautiful looking AEs!

[cj10jeeper]

Here's a slightly better view of the front end now at last its stopped raining....

I think its really cleaned up the front end look