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

[TwinsPoppa]

* IN PROGRESS*


Tips:
- Read the instructions all the way through before starting so that you know overall what needs to be done. This will save you time in the long run.

- I used a lot of information from the AE DRL article by SuaveX5. However, the differences are that he did it on a 2002 model that had been face-lifted, he left the stock AE bulbs, and used a harness with a realy. This DIY is for 2004-06 models AND using LED AE bulbs - no relays. However, you can use this DIY with stock angel eye buls too.


Simple wiring diagram (you probably want to add a fuse between the angel eyes and the ECU tap)




Step I - Wiring at the Angel Eyes (AE)


a) Remove the cover for the angel eye on the passenger side. Look for the black stock harness connector, positive (white)/ pegative (brown) going to the angel eye bulb.

ALTERNATE WIRING (best method):
Tap the positive wire (white). I chose to use a T-tap but be careful as the wire is small gauged. From here, the other end of the wire will go the ECU Key-on power source (make sure the wire is long enough - especially the driver side). Put back the cover. You're done here. No need to mess with the negative (brown) wire. Do this same method for both the driver and passenger side. You can now proceed directly to Step II - skip the rest of Step I.

b) You will connect a wire from the positive terminal of the angel eye bulb to the ECU Key-on power source (make sure the wire is long enough - especially the driver side). Right now we are only worried about the connection to the positive terminal of the angel eye bulb. You will also connect a small jumper wire from the positive terminal of the angel eye bulb to the positive connector of the stock harness (black connector with white/brown wire). White is the positive.

So, basically you will have a Y-cable. Long wire of the Y goes to the ECU and the short goes to the stock harness positive connector. Both ends of those wires connect to the positive terminal of the angel eye bulb. You can use different methods to connect the wire to the AE bulb terminal. I used a large female spade quick-disconnect then cut it in half. For a cleaner install, use the correct size. I just had the large ones lying around at the time.

Do this for both sides.



Step II - Run positive wires from angel eyes to ECU Key-on power

a) Locate the red/white wire at the ECU box for key-on power. This is for the 4.8 only. 4.4 & 3.0 are probably different so double-check. The wires from the angel eye positive terminals will need to be connected to it. You can use a T-tap or do what I did. I didn't want to cut into the wire so I just stripped one end of the wire from the angel eye and shoved it into the connector. I taped the wire to the harness so it wouldn't accidentally popw-out. Also, you may want to add a fuse here. Not sure what amp it should be though.



b) Passenger side first. Look for a grommet near the hood shock. Make a tiny hole with something sharp. Now run the wire from the positive terminal of the angel eye along the side of the engine bay through this grommet and to the ECU key-on re/white wire.



c) Driver side. Look for the same grommet near the hood shock at the driver side. Do the exact same thing. Run the wire from the angel eye positive terminal up the side of the engine bay through the grommet.


However, you will have to do a few extra steps for the driver side. You will need a good place to run the wire to the ECU.

A good place to run the wire across is under the microfilter housing (wiper arm cover). Remove the plastic push-in twist-locks but pay attention how it sits near the windshield. It can be tricky to put back in place correctly. Run the wire across and make sure you tie it down so it does not get caught in the wiper assembly.

Once through to the passenger side you can tap directly into the same ECU red/white connector or just tap the passenger side that you should already have connected to it. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.


FINISHED! Now whenever you turn the key on the AEs will be on. If you had your DRLs turned off then it can serve as your DRLs. Also, when you turn the key off, your angel eyes will stay on for a few seconds as that's how key-off works.


Results:

[jayjay_dee]

wow, nice...

how did i miss this thread?

Jose, i need to do this to my X...

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by jayjay04x5

wow, nice...

how did i miss this thread?

Jose, i need to do this to my X...

Its really easy ... don't know why someone has not done a DIY yet. Sorry its not done yet but soon.

I'll show you at the NJ meet anyways.

[RPX5]

Is it not a smart idea to just "splice" angel eyes into fog light wires? I was going to install mine after work today, but really hesitant to start splicing wires.

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Gotcha!

No, really .. just give me some time to do a half-decent write up. Pics will have to follow later.

I - Remove driver side lower dash panels

a) Remove the lower plastic panel. Remove the lower dash and steering column cover.


II - Run wires from AEs to the inside of the X

b) Open the hood. Look for a firewall grommet located near the corner of the windshield on the driver's side. Use something with a sharp point and make a small hole in the grommet. Fish the wire through. You should see the wire come through above the footrest inside.


III - Tap the Angel Eyes

IV - Tap ignition wire for power

V - Connect to switch

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by RPX5

Is it not a smart idea to just "splice" angel eyes into fog light wires? I was going to install mine after work today, but really hesitant to start splicing wires.

Okay, just to be clear this DIY is NOT for pre-facelit Xs - that you are trying to install aftermarket angel eyes into the headlights.

I mean you COULD use this DIY but just simplify it more. I can show you guys how to do it here too. But pretty much there's ton of info. wiring AEs for pre-facelift. This is the article I based this DIY on:

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/l...-aes-drls.html

I can't tell you if connecting AEs to the fog lights is fine. Is the fog harness powered all the time? Are you gonna swithc it separately or always on only when fogs are on? Really dependson what you're trying to accomplish.

This DIY is SPECFICALLY geared towards the problems asssociated with the stock AEs (facelift X) being run as DRLs on a switch. We cannot use the euro-switch mod as far as I know. We cannot use the DIY in that link above.

[RPX5]

I have a whole aftermarket assembly that is pretty much plug and play, i do not have a face lifted X5, but an 03 4.4. Obviously the AEs arent plug and play, but they didn't come with a ballast and when i asked about a ballast the simple reply from the retailer was "you don't need a ballast for this set up, splice into fog lights, i.e. white (power) wire splices to yellow on the fog light, brown (ground) wire splices to brown on the fog light. I posted a pic on the below thread if you'd like to see what I'm working with here.

Thanks in advance for any input, sorry if im intruding on a thread that wasn't meant to get this deep into the subject, but im new with the DIY thing on my X5 and weary of blowing it up (or causing a small fire in my fog light)

http://www.xoutpost.com/parts-accesso...switch-up.html

[TwinsPoppa]

Sorry my bad. I didn't mean to come off pissed or anything. You're not intruding at all to me.

I was just trying to communicate that this is not the typical AEs wiring for pre-facelift X. I didn't want someone just coming in here and assuming.

Lemme look at your thread and get back with you.

[BruinMan]

So does the Angel Eyes turn on when you start the car? Can you please explain how this mods works.

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by BruinMan

So does the Angel Eyes turn on when you start the car? Can you please explain how this mods works.

Refresh every now and then .. I'm trying to do the write-up now ... LOL ... patience please .. I only have so much time and I'm doing all this from memory for now.

But since you and others can't wait .. here's the quick shot.

Tap the positive (+) wire of the AEs which should be white the brown is the negative. Do this for each angel eye then run the wires to a 12V power source directly. I used the "big green" ignition wire in the steering column.

The secret/key is: KEEP THE WIRES SEPARATE!

Run the wires directly to your power source each connecting at a separate place. If you connect with one to the power source then tap that with the other - you will get an ERROR!

Since its powered by the ignition the angel eyes automatically come on whenever you turn on the car. If you turn your headlights on auto or manually, doesn't matter, it will not conflict with the AEs - they will still be on just like normal. But best thing is NO ERRORS!

That's it . No worries with the negative wires. Now, go turn off them DRLs!

You can also run it to a double switch, which is what I have now but will probably re-wire it directly to the ignition wire. Can't use a single switch as you need to keep the wires separate.

The other suggestion from mrbmwX5 is to do like I'm saying but use a single switch or run it to the ignition on one end. However you cut the AE positive wire, connect the wires from the ignition or switch to the AE positive, then wire a small bulb onto the cut AE positive wire - so that you won't get an ERROR! I didn't like cutting the wires and having extra lights in my lights! But this way you can run one wire to a power source and tap it with the other because you're not using the original AE wiring. I think my way is cleaner and simpler.

You can use this DIY link as reference pics on wire routing but I did NOT wire it like this.
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/l...-aes-drls.html

Got it? .... you're welcome.

BTW ... do I get a cookie?!

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Refresh every now and then .. I'm trying to do the write-up now ... LOL ... patience please .. I only have so much time and I'm doing all this from memory for now.

But since you and others can't wait .. here's the quick shot.

Tap the positive (+) wire of the AEs which should be white the brown is the negative. Do this for each angel eye then run the wires to a 12V power source directly. I used the "big green" ignition wire in the steering column.

The secret/key is: KEEP THE WIRES SEPARATE!

Run the wires directly to your power source each connecting at a separate place. If you connect with one to the power source then tap that with the other - you will get an ERROR!

Since its powered by the ignition the angel eyes automatically come on whenever you turn on the car. If you turn your headlights on auto or manually, doesn't matter, it will not conflict with the AEs - they will still be on just like normal. But best thing is NO ERRORS!

That's it . No worries with the negative wires. Now, go turn off them DRLs!

You can also run it to a double switch, which is what I have now but will probably re-wire it directly to the ignition wire. Can't use a single switch as you need to keep the wires separate.

The other suggestion from mrbmwX5 is to do like I'm saying but use a single switch or run it to the ignition on one end. However you cut the AE positive wire, connect the wires from the ignition or switch to the AE positive, then wire a small bulb onto the cut AE positive wire - so that you won't get an ERROR! I didn't like cutting the wires and having extra lights in my lights! But this way you can run one wire to a power source and tap it with the other because you're not using the original AE wiring. I think my way is cleaner and simpler.

You can use this DIY link as reference pics on wire routing but I did NOT wire it like this.
http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/l...-aes-drls.html

Got it? .... you're welcome.

BTW ... do I get a cookie?!

TP dont add my name in there .....No you dont get the cookie....I do