Installed CCFL AE's into OEM Hellas - * Now upgrading to LED AEs and Clear Corners.*

[jamesdc4]

My brother just finished a CCFL AE install on his 2000 540i,...
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/AEs.jpg
...and I have ordered a set for my car.
I haven't been able to find a DIY or threads pertaining to AEs being installed on stock 98 Hellas.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_9524.jpg
Does anyone have any info at all on doing this? Will I be able to put them behind the lenses?

TIA

:)

[PJB]

All the info you need is contained in this excellent and definitive DIY by 540IForMe:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=930893

You CAN elect to put them behind the lenses. VOKS7780 did it on his 2000 528i.

[Orxan4ik]

mine are behind lense as well

[jamesdc4]

All the info you need is contained in this excellent and definitive DIY by 540IForMe:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=930893

You CAN elect to put them behind the lenses. VOKS7780 did it on his 2000 528i.
PJB,
Thanks for the post.

I am already aware of and quite familiar with that DIY. I should have been more specific.
I'm looking for info on installing the AEs into NON-xenon, NON-HID 1998 OE Hellas.
Does anyone know if the procedure is identical as long as it is pre-2001?

[PJB]

Found a pic of CCFLs behind lenses on VOK's car from this thread (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=891477). I've seen the lights in person and there's cosmetically very little difference in putting them behind the lenses. So little that I wouldn't have known they were behind if it wasn't told to me:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh284/VOKS7780/2000BMW528042.jpg


PJB,
Thanks for the post.

I am already aware of and quite familiar with that DIY. I should have been more specific.
I'm looking for info on installing the AEs into NON-xenon, NON-HID 1998 OE Hellas.
Does anyone know if the procedure is identical as long as it is pre-2001?

My bad. I figured you would've already known about that post since you're obviously very familiar with that DIY section so I felt there was something I wasn't understanding in your question. The answer is YES, the procedure is identical whether the lights are xenon or halogen. You can kind if tell on post #17 (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=11482135#post11482135) on VOK's car from the disassembled view that the installation will be similar regardless.

[Orxan4ik]

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/ae2.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/ae.jpg

[jamesdc4]

Found a pic of CCFLs behind lenses on VOK's car from this thread (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=891477). I've seen the lights in person and there's cosmetically very little difference in putting them behind the lenses. So little that I wouldn't have known they were behind if it wasn't told to me:

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh284/VOKS7780/2000BMW528042.jpg



My bad. I figured you would've already known about that post since you're obviously very familiar with that DIY section so I felt there was something I wasn't understanding in your question. The answer is YES, the procedure is identical whether the lights are xenon or halogen. You can kind if tell on post #17 (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=11482135#post11482135) on VOK's car from the disassembled view that the installation will be similar regardless.
Thanks again.

I would disagree on there being little difference between "in front of" as opposed to "behind" the lenses. I think Fab posted something once about AEs not looking good in front of the lenses and my brother had a very strong opinion about them needing to be behind the lens.
So far, I have this on the wiring...

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________
harness adapter
(archive link: http://www.bimmer.org/5series/messages/archive/msgsy2001w40/27588.html (http://www.bimmer.org/5series/messages/archive/msgsy2001w40/27588.html))

Posted by OCJeff (rzgkane@aol.com) on October 05, 2001 at 14:02:01:

In Reply to: Angel eye install help... (http://www.bimmer.org/5series/messages/messages/27572.html) posted by Jeff on October 05, 2001 at 13:38:57:

(posted from: spider-ntc-ta071.proxy.aol.com (198.81.16.51))http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/AEwiring.jpg
be "Y" shaped. One end plugs directly onto the plug that used to go to the turn-signal/park-light socket on the old lights. The other two ends plug onto the new turn-signal socket and the halo bulb. You can email me directly if you like and I'll talk you through it.


More from OCJeff. Message Title: Here goes......Posted by: OCJeff (rzgkane@socal.rr.com) on 2002-01-26 at 01:57:45

(posted from: Host: sc-66-27-141-15.socal.rr.com IP: 66.27.141.15)
Message:



First, here are the wire colors applicable to my 1998 528. I believe they are the same for all pre-2001 E39's (except that weird deal where there were only two wires going to the old turn-signal/parking-light socket. I have no idea what to do there. Most of you guys will have three wires going to the old socket, and these directions should do the trick. The A/C tube will need to be **gently** bent out of the way to accomodate the new halo socket.


For both sides, the brown wire is the common ground that you will use to ground both the turn-signal and halo lamps.


Left side wire colors:
Blue with green tracer is the hot wire to the new turn-signal socket
Grey with green tracer is the how wire to the halo socket.


Right side wire colors:
Blue with brown tracer is the hot wire to the turn-signal socket
Grey with blue tracer is the hot wire to the halo socket.


First, on the new four-wire connector there is one wire that makes a u-turn and goes back into the connector. Snip that wire flush with the plastic connector body at terminal #3. That terminal will not be used in the fabrication, and you'll need all the remaining wire's length for use later.


*You should have four mini-harnesses in your hands that were supplied with your kits. Three of the connectors at the ends of those harnesses will be used to make the final product (one goes to the original plug that used to hook to the old turn-signal/parking-lamp socket, and one each for the halo socket and the new turn-signal socket). The fourth one (the biggest of the four with the tubular pins) is not used and will be trashed.


**When soldering all these connections, I suggest sliding a piece of heat-shrink tubing (any electronics store, Radio Shack) over the longest pieces of wire before soldering, so that you can slide it down over each soldered joint when you are done, and heat it up with a lighter or match to make a weather-tight connection.**


*Turn your focus to the only four-pin connector you have. We will deal with the *left side* harness in this step.
Terminals #1 #2 and #4 of the new four pin connector will be used, and terminal #3 is unused. This connector is what plugs directly onto the plug that used to go to your old turn-signal/park-light socket. Make sure it fits before you proceed.


*Splice the wire leaving terminal #4 of the four pin connector to one of the wires feeding the connector that fits the halo socket, and one of the wires feeding the turn-signal socket (the turn-signal wires will be only about 2-3 inches due to the close proximity of the turn-signal lamp socket to the four-wire connector that hooks to your old plug). Your new lamps will be grounded when you are finished with this step.


*Connect the only remaining wire on the new plug that hooks to the new turn-signal (remember, the other is already used up in the prior step) to the #1 terminal at the back of the four-pin connector (again, you only need a couple inches of wire between the four-wire connector and the new turn-signal plug because there is a very short distance for these wires to travel). When you have completed this step you will have completed the ground and power circuits to the turn-signal.


*Next, measure how much wire you need to go from four-wire connector to the halo socket. I figure about ten inches should be enough (that's what she said! :-} ) Solder the only unused wire in the halo lamp connector (again, the ground was already establised in the first step) to the wire at pin location #2 of the four-pin connector. Once you have completed this step you will have completed the power and grounds for the halo lamps and this entire adapter harness should be done.


*For the right side harness, you follow the same procedure as the left except you solder the hot wire of the new turn-signal connector to the wire located at terminal #1 of the four-wire connector, and the hot wire from the halo connector to the wire located at terminal #2 of the four-wire connector. The wire at terminal #4 will again be used to splice into the ground wires of both the halo and turn-signal connectors. Terminal #3 is again not used, and the wire leading out of terminal #3 at the four-wire connector should be cut flush with the back of the connector.


I went over this pretty quick, and may not have been clear about some things. I invite anyone to email me with questions, or even post them to the board so all can see the answers. Good luck. It's easier than this diatribe makes it seem!


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/AEwiring2.jpg

Message Title: OK, here is a diagram I've drawn to show how to doPosted by: Derek (derekngo@pacbell.net) on 2002-01-26 at 20:01:13
(posted from: Host: adsl-64-165-200-33.dsl.snfc21.pacbell.net IP: 64.165.200.33)

Message:


how to modify the harnesses that come with the Hella Angel Eyes Kits. I've read many are confused with the actual photos and discription so I made this diagram to simplify it a little bit. The graphics that symbolized the corresponding parts on the actual harness may not look real, but you get the picture(pun intended). I'm not trying to take any credit away from OCJeff(whom I learned this from when I did mine AE 3 months ago) or anyone else. Just trying to lend a hand.
Hope this helps.
Derek
'90 M3
'99 540i/6 (*OO 00 OO*)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/AEwiring3.jpg


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/ae2.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/ae.jpg
Thanks, Orkhan.
Mine should be identical to yours. Looks great.

[FP5241]

Alright!
:alrightbmw

You're finally gonna get em in there!!!
The process is the same for all pre 01 lights.
I experimented with them behind the glass, but I love the way they look in front. IMHO they are nice and clear with zero light bleed. (but not as easy to install as behind)
Also keep in mind, they will be more visible when off.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1500/10054600749265.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1605/10054530780807.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4247/10054560770738.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2882/10054620759858.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7135/10062721126940.jpg

[Jason5driver]

That's the shiznit right there!!!! ^^^^^^^!!!!

[jamesdc4]

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/ae2.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/ae.jpg
Orkhan,
Are yours mounted behind the lens?

Alright!
:alrightbmw

You're finally gonna get em in there!!!
The process is the same for all pre 01 lights.
I experimented with them behind the glass, but I love the way they look in front. IMHO they are nice and clear with zero light bleed. (but not as easy to install as behind)
Also keep in mind, they will be more visible when off.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1500/10054600749265.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/1605/10054530780807.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4247/10054560770738.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2882/10054620759858.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7135/10062721126940.jpg
Fab,
They look good lit. Any pics of them off and what kind are they?

[dgz32]

Crikey! Those ambers look hawt! Seeing these pics kinda makes me wish the PO of my car didn't 'upgrade' to the facelifted lights.


Orxan, what fogs are you running??

[Orxan4ik]

James, they are behind the glass. I didnt want them to be seen during the day, + its much easier to install behind the lens. There is no distortion though, you can count on that

Here is one more

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/DSC06733-1.jpg




dgz32, they are regular eBay 6K HIDs :) Worked better than DDM stuff, for fog lights anyway :) Here's the light from fog lights alone

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/DSC05022.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/Orxan4ik/DSC05015.jpg

Dont ask wghich ebay seller I got them from, just type in 6000K HID H7 and buy the cheapest set =)

[BrandonWA]

Don't bend them like I did and break the glass inside ;)
Just install them behind the lens.

[PJB]

I would disagree on there being little difference between "in front of" as opposed to "behind" the lenses...

You're probably right because I'm sure it differs slightly from car to car. I just know that when I saw VOK's car I couldn't tell at first...who knows how it'll look on a different color, individual car, etc..

[Scopare212]

<---is in the same boat. havent really found any useful DIY writeups for installing them in my 99' 540i

[FP5241]

I thought you would ask James, so I snapped a few just now after a quick grocery run... :P
Please excuse the durrty car :shifty

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6461/10065662854409.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9614/10065732821524.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8880/10065682864885.jpg

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/8404/10065762832621.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/319/10065772843508.jpg


Now I do agree with PJB, my cars dark color make them stand out more. and for a while it bugged me. However, I have gotten used to em, and I am gonna use some VHT on them to tint them a little bit.

:)

Mike's DIY was spot on to me... but i also used this one:

http://www.netikka.net/anninajathomas.laine/angeleyes.htm

I couldnt understand any of it, but the pics compliment Mike's DIY very well. Leaves almost no questions unanswered.
:)

[Orxan4ik]

fp, that actually looks good :)

[FP5241]

Thank you sir. :)

[Justin394]

Just a shot in the dark but has anyone tried the Umnitza orion V2s in the 4300k flavor?

[FP5241]

Just a shot in the dark but has anyone tried the Umnitza orion V2s in the 4300k flavor?


When these AE's decide to go out on me, I think I will give those a try... of course, that is unless I get my 01+ Hella project done before that.

:)

[Al's540i]

Just a shot in the dark but has anyone tried the Umnitza orion V2s in the 4300k flavor?

I'm thinking about it because my CCFL's on my passenger side keep failing on me in cold weather and it's pissing me off! :mad

[Justin394]

I think im going to give them a shot. I like more of the stock light color. The 6000k is just too white for me.

[jamesdc4]

Please excuse the durrty car :shifty
Now I do agree with PJB, my cars dark color make them stand out more. and for a while it bugged me. However, I have gotten used to em, and I am gonna use some VHT on them to tint them a little bit.
:)
Mike's DIY was spot on to me... but i also used this one:
http://www.netikka.net/anninajathomas.laine/angeleyes.htm
I couldnt understand any of it, but the pics compliment Mike's DIY very well. Leaves almost no questions unanswered.
:)
That does look good, Fab.
BTW, your car is not that dirty. The car in that DIY IS!
http://www.netikka.net/anninajathomas.laine/kuvat/ccfl_angeleyes/11.jpg
:D

[Justin394]

Well i just pulled the trigger on the Umnitza Orion 2's in the 4300k temp. Ill be sure to post pics once i get em installed and get the headlight covers presentable :)

[Al's540i]

Well i just pulled the trigger on the Umnitza Orion 2's in the 4300k temp. Ill be sure to post pics once i get em installed and get the headlight covers presentable :)

Please do. I'm anxious to see how they look.

[jamesdc4]

Many thanks to my Bro (12cooldude) for perfecting the procedure and his long distance help while I did the install.

I used RTV silicone adhesive/sealant to mount the AEs inside the lenses where they fit perfectly. I used the included plastic clips to hold the AE's top plastic bar in place while the adhesive set.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_9562.jpg
I put a small bead along the entire top of the plastic bar and two spots just below where the wire connects to the AE.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_9559.jpg
You can also see in this photo where I've decided to run the wires. I didn't want the resistors inside the headlight assembly and drilling a hole was the only option.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_9565.jpg
I used a blow dryer on the adhesive for 5-8 minutes to heat and speed up the curing process. I let them set for approx. one hour before removing the plastic clips. Here is a photo taken after I put the headlight housing back together.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_9557.jpg
These pics are the best I could do with my camera. I had to point the camera at a light, push the button down half way, back away to center the car, then snap the pic. You can see enough to get an idea of how it turned out.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_9578.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_9579.jpg

Somehow, some moisture got into the passenger side housing between the clear outer plastic and the lenses, so I'm going to have to take them apart again, remove the lenses and clean the inside of the clear outer plastic.:(

Thanks to everyone for their help and thanks to the DIYers for providing the DIYs!

[mdorton]

I did this same install awhile back, the only difference being that I installed the rings in front of the lenses. I got some moisture in one of my headlight assemblies shortly afterwards as well.

My solution to get rid of the moisture was to just turn on my low and high beams and let the heat from the bulbs evaporate the moisture out of there for 10-15 minutes. It worked like a charm.

The finished product looks good BTW, James.

Just out of curiosity, how long did the install take?

[jamesdc4]

My solution to get rid of the moisture was to just turn on my low and high beams and let the heat from the bulbs evaporate the moisture out of there for 10-15 minutes. It worked like a charm.
I used the blow dryer to heat up the clear plastic and to blow warm air into the level bubble opening on the top of the housing. Unfortunately some of the moisture beaded and left water marks. It just needs to be cleaned.


The finished product looks good BTW, James.

Just out of curiosity, how long did the install take?
Thank you.

It took me longer then it should have (3.5 hours) because I wanted to "measure twice, cut once". And yet, here I am having to take them apart again.
My Bro has taken his apart twice now and is about to do it again. :D He's been experimenting with different adhesives. He suggested the RTV to me and is going to go with it as well.

[mdorton]

Good deal. I think the entire process took me about 4 hours. I ended up just using super glue to hold the CCFLs in. It has held up for almost a year now, so I'm happy with the overall results.

I think I'll be getting some DEPO 5k HIDs within the near future though.

Some pics of the finished product (bad camera though).

[FP5241]

Yea, it's a pain in the @$$ to keep moisture out once you crack these lights open.. but it's worth it IMO.

Good job James!
:thumbup:

[jamesdc4]

Finally getting around to upgrading my AEs from CCFL to LED as well as the amber corners on my pre-facelift Hellas to clear corners. These arrived today.

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/3718/img2012081300006.jpg

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/6766/img2012081300007.jpg




Clear corner covers should arrive tomorrow and the project will commence. :)

[JaimeZX]

Those look a lot like my OrionLite Ambers, but not "Opaque." What are they?

:)

[AK_5eries]

Hey James, where did you get those LED angel eyes from? Also, what is that harness on the right?

[JaimeZX]

Harness at right is the relay & associated wiring.

[jamesdc4]

Those look a lot like my OrionLite Ambers, but not "Opaque." What are they?

:)
It's a WeissLicht (Gesundheit :)) LED AE kit.

Hey James, where did you get those LED angel eyes from? Also, what is that harness on the right?
Bimmian.
http://www.bimmian.com/WeissLicht-Halo-Rings-Kit-for-BMW-5-Series
The harness is part of the wiring kit.

[jamesdc4]

You can also see in this photo where I've decided to run the wires. I didn't want the resistors inside the headlight assembly and drilling a hole was the only option.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_9559.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/IMG_9565.jpg

The above is not true. I eventually moved the inverters into the housing because my inverters kept burning out. The problem seems to have been caused by the heat in the engine bay as I've not had a problem since. I also ran the wiring through the vent tube.

Update:
One of my inverters went out again, so, Fab and Orkhan insisted I place the inverters inside the housing as per this DIY. I have a couple of things to add to the DIY.
1- The DIY is on a light housing that doesn't have a circular window for viewing the level bubble. I had to route the AE ring cables with a slight deviation around the window (will post pics tonight).
2- The double sided tape I used to secure the inverters inside the housing was too thin to reach the curved housing wall. I doubled up the tape and it adhered to the housing with no problem.
Props to Orkhan for the CCFL Inverter! (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1484297)
1-
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/0701001607a.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/0701001607.jpg

2-
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/0701001610a.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a282/jamesdc4/0701001610.jpg





My brother had a problem with one of the inverters arcing which almost caused a fire in his engine bay. That's one of the main reasons I've decided to upgrade to the LEDs. I plan on running the wires in the final configuration above except I'll be making a notch to run the wires as per Mike's DIY because I'll be mounting these in front of the lenses.