DIY - Wiring Facelift (2004 -06) Angel Eyes as DRLs

[RPX5]

Sorry the pics took so long. I didn't wire my AEs to the ignition, a simple connection to my fog lights were good enough for now. Check below for pics!

They look pretty cool, but I'm having some CPU problems. I keep getting certain error prompts, but I suspect it has to do with the aftermarket ballast. If anyone has any experience with DEPO headlights, feel free to chime in!

If all else fails, I may return the DEPOs and do a "bake and switch" on my stock headlights (I found the stocks to have a manufacture date of 02, the car is an 03)

[TwinsPoppa]

Okay, I'm disappointed and sad to say I THINK this DIY is not safe to use. I added a warning to the first post NOT to use this DIY until further notice.

Until I can confirm, please DON'T follow this DIY or you MAY damage your X!

Now to the symptoms. Currently, I have the AEs wired to a dual-flip switch. I used to turn the AEs on/off every time I got in the car. However, I was curious to see what would happen if I just left the dual-flip switch in the ON position - that way everytime I turned the car on the AEs were on as DRLs. Seemed to work fine. No errors on the dash and the X ran fine. I figured, heck, I don't need this switch if they're gonna be on all the time. I should just wire them directly to the ignition and be done with it. I was going to do it but never got around to it yet - good thing.

After several days of running it this way, I received TRANS FAILSAFE PROGRAM on the dash after I parked the X. It was in Park and I could not change gears. I can't remember now but I could have sworn I turned the key to Position 0 and the X kept running! Now, I can't remember how I got the X to stop running but I did. I re-started immediately and it was still there. I shut the X down, waited a few seconds, re-started and the message was gone. Took the X out for a road test and everything was back to normal.

Ran fine a couple more days then it happened AGAIN. And the same conditions, right after parking. My wife encountered it and she said she had to flip the switches for the AEs to turn the X off!

So for now, to be safe, I assume the intermittent Trans Failsafe Program message is caused by something in the wiring for the AEs - not a failure elsewhere. There's a chance that may not be the case but I doubt it.

So ... now I have to investigate if the fix is as simple as going back to using the switch to turn the AEs onoff or maybe its more complicated than that.

One thing peculiar to note:

The X definitely, once the ignition is turned to Pos 2, sends power to the AEs and knows when they are disconnected or have a problem. I don't know if its just a quick burst or is sent all the time. The reason I know this is because when I tapped the positives of the AEs then connected those two wires together and nothing else - the AEs would flicker/flash for like 2-3 secs then go off and I would also get a CHECK SIDE LIGHT message. So, the AEs tapped wiring was NOT connected to the switch or the ignition yet - yet they flickered and gave the message on the dash when the key was turned to Pos 2.

I'm not good at electrical stuff but maybe the AEs cannot be powered from two sources at the same time?!

Like from the ignition tap and from the regular light switch/harness. Assuming the X only gives a quick burst on startup, even with the regular light switch turned off, then that means I should just keep the AEs dual-flip switch turned off until after I startup the X. Then whenever I need to use the headlights, I need to also make sure I turn off the dual-flip switches before using the headlights.

If its that simple then I'll be happy but I'm not going to assume that. I'll try my best to investigate as thoroughly as I can.

Anyone care to speculate?

[TwinsPoppa]

I think I finally beat this thing. Maybe not the best way but works for me. Will be updating the first post soon.

[AndySDU]

Jose Nice pic of your sons

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by AndySDU

Jose Nice pic of your sons

Thanks Andy ... of course, I need to update my pics - they're almost five now!

You gonna be at the meet in Connecticut? Hope to see you there!

[TwinsPoppa]

The DIY is pretty much complete. I will add pics later.

I just want to say that I can't be the only one that's wired their AEs as DRLs on a facelift model. If you have any suggestions/recommendations, please share.

I guess people can just choose to live with dash errors as its not affecting the performance of the vehicle.

I guess the next step is to try capacitors/resistors for a cleaner install.

[JumpmanJunkie]

hmm, i think ill try this on the x- TP, what k are your AE's? Im actually looking for the whitest, and yours seem to be the closest

great write-up btw

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by JumpmanJunkie

hmm, i think ill try this on the x- TP, what k are your AE's? Im actually looking for the whitest, and yours seem to be the closest

great write-up btw

Thanks! I use the AngeliBright version 3.0. Not sure what kelvin but I'd say 5000-5500k. I had 6000k ebayers and they were whiter (not brighter) than these by just a little bit.

I wish there were bulbs that are brighter but I don't know of any other options than these. I'd really like CCFLs.

Here is a comparison I did:

http://www.xoutpost.com/563548-post44.html

[AndySDU]

Jose I am trying to back out of an meeting this Sat, so I can come to the meet. I hope I can make it too. Looking forward to seeing all those nice cars :P plus nice folks too !!!!

[TwinsPoppa]

Okay, its pretty much done. I will try and add more pics later. Any questions, let me know.

Also, disregard my warning about errors or anything like that. I have re-done my wiring so many ways that not sure what was causing problems then - too many factors to contend with.

So, I have zero errors. I have been running my exisiting wiring method for a long time now (years?). If things change, I will certainly post.