HID lights

[benben]

This may seem strange but i actually need to go from HID lights to the standard lights for my E85. This is to pass an inspection.
I think it is only a matter of replacing the bulbs?! How would you go about doing that? there doesn't seem to be enough room to play around.
Any DIY will be appreciated.

[ranski]

plenty of threads on this - just search

[benben]

Damn, I went on How to forums and there was only a few threats in total!!!

[ranski]

Damn, I went on How to forums and there was only a few threats in total!!!

unfortunately not everything is that organised on the internet

some pics are now missing but this will get you started

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic ... ilit=xenon

[benben]

Thanks ranski, But that thread is mainly for upgrading rather than downgrading and i cant see any proper instructions as how to actually do it. They seem to already know what to do. I will have a look around on google. Thanks again.

[ranski]

Ah I'm with you

Just remove the hids ballast and any non oem wires, then connect up the halogen bulb

Or take some pics of the wires and we should be able to tell you what needs removing/replacing



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[benben]

Ah I think i figured it out. You access it from where the tyre is

[aquazi]

Will that even work?

The h7 bulbs are keyed, while the hid bulbs not quite the same? Wont the normal bulb sit strange and fail the inspection?

Also dont think you'd even find a 2 prong connector going into the ballast which would fit a h7 bulb without getting some sort of loom/ wire from bmw.



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[Wildfire]

If it's an aftermarket HID kit fitted correctly you should be able to just unplug the feed to the ballast (these are usually spade connectors into the original light fixture), remove the HID burner and re-fit the original H7 bulb for MOT.

1. Remove the HID burner as you would a standard H7 bulb, trace the wire back to the the 2 connectors and disconnect. Store safely.

2. Trace the thick cable from the ballast and you should see where it connects in to the car's main feed. this should be 2 spades plugged into a black connector block. disconnect these.

3. Take aforementioned connector block and connect to the rear of the H7 bulb.

4. Done

5. Refitting is reverse of removal.

[benben]

Thanks guys, I have come across some new information saying the E85 when it came out, had an option from the manufacturer to have Xenon HID lights...If that is the case and the HID lights are not after market, I can still pass the inspection with them on. Is there a way to verify that and prove it to the inspector?

[Brasseye]

Does the module with thick wire going to hid bulb have any bmw markings?

Maybe some pictures could help.

[Wildfire]

Do you have headlight washers?

[benben]

they were after markets, and i dont have washers so had to swap em over to pass the inspection. Now that ive passed ill put the HIDs right back on

[benben]

So Im trying to put the HIDs back on. watched a few youtube videos. managed to take the standard bulb out. connected the HIDs to the ballast but don't know where to connect the ballast spades to.
I am guessing it has to be connected to the connector block somehow! the cable connected to the standard bulb seems to go behind things and really hard to get to. Must be doing something wrong
Had to reconnect the standard globes back on for now untill i figure it out.
Any tips?

[Wildfire]

The ballast spades should connect in to the terminal that the original H7 bulb connected into. Usually this would connect flush to the H7 bulb. You should have:

Wiring harness connector > ballast spades > ballast > HID burner