HIDs in High Beams (or Low Beams) Write-up!!! - PICTURES!

[p.a.r.t.y]

Thank you. It didn't make sense to me either, so I guess it was probably something else.
Also, I would like to submit a photograph of my bimmer lights to this thread, how would I go about doing that?

[clumpymold]

Thank you. It didn't make sense to me either, so I guess it was probably something else.
Also, I would like to submit a photograph of my bimmer lights to this thread, how would I go about doing that?

If you can't post it in your post, try using Bimmerboard.com and uploading it there then linking it.

[incuflds5]

bump for me

[pig4bill]

Are all hid bulbs the same, whether they are in a "correct" housing or somehow put into the standard housing? I have a bulb out and need to replace it. I didn't buy or install these lights so I'm clueless about them.

[J.L]

gr8 job !
i'd go for it as soon as i get some cash !

[clumpymold]

Are all hid bulbs the same, whether they are in a "correct" housing or somehow put into the standard housing? I have a bulb out and need to replace it. I didn't buy or install these lights so I'm clueless about them.

I believe so. And they're not actually "bulbs". No filaments. More like capsules.

You'd need to find out what headlights you have first before you can figure out the "bulb" you need to replace it. Search for it. I know it's out there but I always forget which is which. Good luck!

gr8 job !
i'd go for it as soon as i get some cash !

[pig4bill]

I believe so. And they're not actually "bulbs". No filaments. More like capsules.

You'd need to find out what headlights you have first before you can figure out the "bulb" you need to replace it. Search for it. I know it's out there but I always forget which is which. Good luck!

They are ZKW's. I've been searching my butt off. I find tons of references to them, but so far no specific model number or types. If a local store had them, I could take the dead one out and ask them to give me one just like it that worked, but so far I can't find any HID bulbs anyplace local.

[clumpymold]

They are ZKW's. I've been searching my butt off. I find tons of references to them, but so far no specific model number or types. If a local store had them, I could take the dead one out and ask them to give me one just like it that worked, but so far I can't find any HID bulbs anyplace local.

I dunno. Look harder. Once you find the type, just search eBay.

[raoke]

Do those PNP kits from umnitza draw power from the battery?
I'm guessing not.

Either way, how would someone go about doing it the correct way and like others said, not get expensive surprises later on. Great writeup, but I'd look into drawing the power from the source.

[e36_m3_turbo]

do you have problems of fogging up with the hole in the back

[clumpymold]

do you have problems of fogging up with the hole in the back

You shouldn't since the hole in the back should be sealed.

[brandobot]

bringing this back from the dead..
I replaced both low beam with 15 amp fuses. i realized that there are TWO fuses for the fog lights, but the OP recommended only replacing ONE fuse. Is there any explanation on this?

[clumpymold]

bringing this back from the dead..
I replaced both low beam with 15 amp fuses. i realized that there are TWO fuses for the fog lights, but the OP recommended only replacing ONE fuse. Is there any explanation on this?

There are TWO fuses for your fog lights? Which car do you have? According to post #2, I only have ONE fuse for my fog lights. Which I changed to 30 amps. I'm assuming if you have TWO, then change EACH fuse to 15 amps.

[brandobot]

i have a 95 M3. I remember reading the back cover and seeing there were 2 fuses, one where u circled, and one near the bottom right? Or maybe i'm reading the diagram wrong? It's number 15 then theres a comma, and another number. What does the second number refer to. I notice Low beams say 11,25 and 12,25

I've also have been reading that with newer HID kits, it wouldn't be neccessary to change the fuses because they only pull up to 6-7amps during initial startup, is that true? If that is true, is there a risk from running higher rated fuses when all that power isn't needed?

[clumpymold]

i have a 95 M3. I remember reading the back cover and seeing there were 2 fuses, one where u circled, and one near the bottom right?

I've also have been reading that with newer HID kits, it wouldn't be neccessary to change the fuses because they only pull up to 6-7amps during initial startup, is that true? If that is true, is there a risk from running higher rated fuses when all that power isn't needed?

Well, I made THREE circles in that diagram. If you're setting up FOG lights, then there should only be ONE fuse but it MAY be different for your vehicle.

The BEST way to test this is to just leave the fuses as they are. Turn on your HIDs. If the fuse blows, up the amperage. If they don't, you're good to go. That's actually how I learned to up my fuses.

And yes, it's best to run the least amount of amps as possible without blowing the fuses. If you can run your HIDs without changing the fuses, more power to you (and the HID company).

[brandobot]

seems like the stock fuses in my 95 m3 is holding up. if it blows, i guess i'll up it. thanks!

[OrientBlue740il]

Very good write up good job.

[clumpymold]

Very good write up good job.

Thank you!

[M3Alpine99]

This is old school!

nice!

[pig4bill]

Well, I made THREE circles in that diagram. If you're setting up FOG lights, then there should only be ONE fuse but it MAY be different for your vehicle.

The BEST way to test this is to just leave the fuses as they are. Turn on your HIDs. If the fuse blows, up the amperage. If they don't, you're good to go. That's actually how I learned to up my fuses.

And yes, it's best to run the least amount of amps as possible without blowing the fuses. If you can run your HIDs without changing the fuses, more power to you (and the HID company).

That may be the problem I have with one of my lights. I ended up replacing the one that doesn't work with a standard H1 halogen bulb and when it didn't work either, I discovered the fuse was blown. So I plugged the HID back in with a new fuse. It tried to ignite for a moment, then popped the fuse. The standard fuse is 7.5 amps. So even though the passenger side HID may run fine on 7.5 amps, I may need a 10 amp or higher fuse for the drivers side HID?

[clumpymold]

That may be the problem I have with one of my lights. I ended up replacing the one that doesn't work with a standard H1 halogen bulb and when it didn't work either, I discovered the fuse was blown. So I plugged the HID back in with a new fuse. It tried to ignite for a moment, then popped the fuse. The standard fuse is 7.5 amps. So even though the passenger side HID may run fine on 7.5 amps, I may need a 10 amp or higher fuse for the drivers side HID?

Well, just to be on the safe side, I'd replace BOTH the fuses with 10 amp ones. Possibly even 15.