DIY: Pre LCI to LCI Headlamp Retrofit

[6MT_Addict]

Posted this as a reply in another thread, posting here to consolidate. This focuses primarily on wiring adjustments needed, and utilizes an 'external' modification to the cars wiring. You can 'internally' modify the headlight to do the same thing.

To remove and install the headlights, please visit that DIY, on this site.

You will need:

-X-Acto Knife (box cutter)
-Solder
-soldering pen
-3M/Scotch Electrical tape (3m is just the best stuff out there in my experience. Cheaper tape will lose tack when going through expansion and contraction due to hot/cold. Think how warm that engine compartment gets... I've got about 8 or so years working on vehicle electrical systems as a professional so I do know from experience)
-Diagonal Cutters
-Wire strippers
-small screw driver or pick

1. Remove bumper, old headlights (reference the thread "Lets install Euro headlights" http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219345), cut back existing electrical tape VERY carefully to expose about 3" of wire. Remove the cover on the rear of the harness.

Then... Remove the blue 'plug' in Pin 7 with your pick



2. Pin in the new pin into Pin 7





3. Tap the wire powering AE's (Pin 1). Use the box cutter to carefully cut the sheath off the wire. Slice it along the wire diagonally like you would peel an apple skin off with a knife. Work your way around carefully. Use the diagonal cutters to cut the new eyebrow wire to length, then use the wire strippers to strip about 1/2" off. Twist the end in your fingers to get a nice braid then wrap it around the AE wire.





4. Solder. Use soldering pen + solder. Youtube is your friend if you don't know how...



5. Tape the connection with electrical tape.

6. Tape the bundle of wire back together. Make sure all tape is taped on TIGHTLY. Otherwise it will tend to come off over time. If you are anal a zip tie around the bundle of wire where your electrical tape ended will prevent it from ever coming off.



7. Install new AE and Adaptive headlight ballasts



8. Test

[ianc]

Backslashes should be forward slashes?

ianc

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by ianc

Backslashes should be forward slashes?

ianc

??

[ivad32]

Originally Posted by 1AddictsAnonymous

??

None of your images are showing

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by ivad32

None of your images are showing

They show up fine for me, is it just listing the address?

[Nasserdamus]

Nice diy I've been debating this for a while

[p][m]

Hi guys,

Anyone knows the part number for the pin and the wire seal to connect into the pin 7 position of the headlight plug?

[6MT_Addict]

Originally Posted by p

[m;26133038]Hi guys,

Anyone knows the part number for the pin and the wire seal to connect into the pin 7 position of the headlight plug?

Some more info here, including PN: https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=18085159

[p][m]

Thanks a lot for that 6MT_Addict.

[sims_drk]

Hello I have a 2008 pre lci 135i bi xenon headlight " without eyebrows " and want to upgrade to the lci bi xenon headlight " with eyebrow " found the headlighrs on ebay but not the same part numbers . Any help please . The seller says i need to replace the car unit control and do coding . What do you think ? Thanks

[Victor1985]

Hello! Does this setting also work on the bmw x1 e84? I put LCI headlights on the pre lci. Both factory xenon only with self-leveling. Everything works except the Angel eyes which flicker. Does this setting by default keep the angel eyes at maximum intensity always? Or does it decrease when the low beam is turned on?