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Depot headlight question

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Old 10-18-2005, 11:51 AM
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Depot headlight question

As you can see I have them in. I also changed the projectors to Bixenon. The only thing I have a problem with is the self leveling unit. Couldn't hook it up. On my OEM Xenon lights they have a electrical plug for the leveling system. On the new Depot lights there is a vaccum hose connection. Did I get the wrong lights? When I orderer I asked for a 2000-2002 w210. Someone please help. ZAM I know you are out there
Old 10-19-2005, 04:15 AM
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Sorry, I know this is off topic, but what parking lights are those? I like the color thats why. Im still running the ugly stockies
Old 10-19-2005, 05:41 AM
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Originally Posted by mike430sport
As you can see I have them in. I also changed the projectors to Bixenon. The only thing I have a problem with is the self leveling unit. Couldn't hook it up. On my OEM Xenon lights they have a electrical plug for the leveling system. On the new Depot lights there is a vaccum hose connection. Did I get the wrong lights? When I orderer I asked for a 2000-2002 w210. Someone please help. ZAM I know you are out there
They don't auto level. You lose that feature w/ the depo lights. Bixenon owns. I love mine!
Old 10-19-2005, 11:42 AM
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parking lights

The parking lights are LED's,model: WLED-x6led wedge base bulb which take away the ugly yellow look. If you have depot lights the will plug in perfectly. If you have oem you have to cut the parking light plug off and buy a wedge bulb plug from Radio Shack or auto parts place to make work. You can buy them @ superbrightleds.com
You also need a load resistor kit for each light, (sold in pairs). The resistors fool the computer that there isn't a blown out bulb, since the leds use diffrent wattage.
To find pictures on how to do this, do a search on this site MBworld.org:
Help with Inner Parking Bulbs

there are pictures on how to do it
Old 10-19-2005, 05:37 PM
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I did the LED's conversion but the light output from the LEDs were way too low for my taste. I still have 4 of these LEDs plus 2 load resistors that are now just sitting in my tool cabinet. Wanna buy them?
Old 10-22-2005, 02:56 AM
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converting to projectors...

Do you mind if I ask you how much your depot projectors/bixenon conversion ran you? I want to switch out my stock headlamps to the projectors. In doing so, i will probably have to do what you did - switch to bixenons. Btw... your lights look awesome!

Thanks.
Old 10-22-2005, 01:01 PM
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Cost of Depot lights

I payed $399 for the Depot lights and $150 for the projectors. I did the conversion myself. But had the depot lights installed at a local European body shop for $200.
Old 10-22-2005, 01:22 PM
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Hi MIKE
i was wondering where you got the silicone and is there a specific type to use when sealing the lights.
During the torrential downpour that we had in NEW YORK last week,
i see that ZAM might not have sealed them too well. They seem to have fogged a bit. He is probably to busy to answer my question so i am sorry to pose it to you.
Thanks,

Rob
Old 10-22-2005, 03:05 PM
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Wow... that's not bad... did you order your parts online? If so, can you hook me up? Thanks!
Old 10-22-2005, 10:23 PM
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Autodynamic.com seems to be towards the lower price end for the Depo
lens. Figure another $25+ for shipping. Their price is about $380 right now.
I have a pair of E55 bixenon projector if anyone needs. $180 shipped to
CONUS. These are darn near drop ins for the Depo projector mounts. The
shutter/solenoid wiring is connected to the high beam leads with in-line
connector. Just finished my 2nd retrofit recently.
Old 10-22-2005, 11:16 PM
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Rob

I didn't receive any mail nor PM from you. Can you pls clarify ? How bad is the foggy ? How hard is the rain ? Notice that if you drive with the light on for a while it rains hard, you might have a bit of fog (due to heavy moister in the air & heated headlight assembly), even OEM projector headlight have that, but that should go away quickly. Just like fog in car windshield when it rains and you turn on heater in car.
If you have lot of fog while going through car wash, then it's the seal problem, but if heavy rain cause a bit foggy, it's all normal. I can send you a pair of mosterize absorber that Acura put in their headlight, kind of work wonder. If the fog problem is severe, I can reseal them for you. You can use sillicon 2 from Lowes or HD. The headlight shouldn't be sealed completely, there're couple hole in the back for the hot air to ventilate.

Mike

None of the aftermarket headlight came with auto leveling. I wouldn't bother with it much. If you aim your light 4-5 degree down (park car on flat ground), all should be good. You should use 4300K bulbs, light output is almost double 8000K. Put a washer or two in the shield will give your light flicker purple color of the 8000K bulb & twice the light .

Originally Posted by Mrhappy71
Hi MIKE
i was wondering where you got the silicone and is there a specific type to use when sealing the lights.
During the torrential downpour that we had in NEW YORK last week,
i see that ZAM might not have sealed them too well. They seem to have fogged a bit. He is probably to busy to answer my question so i am sorry to pose it to you.
Thanks,

Rob

Last edited by zam2000; 10-22-2005 at 11:29 PM.
Old 10-23-2005, 01:34 AM
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Thanks for the information raymond-g... i definitely need to look into doing this. Btw... what would I need to do to make the bixenon's you have work with the DEPO lights on autodynamics? How complex is it?

Last edited by skimfisher; 10-23-2005 at 01:44 AM.
Old 10-23-2005, 12:52 PM
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Apprehensive initially, as some would when approaching a project with little
experience....like some card trick. Now that I've done two retrofits, it's
laugh-ably simple and I wondered what the worry was all about. Will PM
you...
Old 10-23-2005, 02:00 PM
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Hey Zammmmmmmm

I just recently noticed that my driver side headlight is brighter than the passanger headlight. Could it be the light control module. Also when I hooked up the Leds (Parking lights) the passanger side was dimmer. I had to run a wire from the drivers led(positive wire) to the passangers side led positive to correct the problem. I want to have both lights with the same out put. Also some times the passenger headlight dosen't come on, on the first try.
Old 10-23-2005, 04:15 PM
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Mike

What ballast do you use for your headlight ?

Originally Posted by mike430sport
I just recently noticed that my driver side headlight is brighter than the passanger headlight. Could it be the light control module. Also when I hooked up the Leds (Parking lights) the passanger side was dimmer. I had to run a wire from the drivers led(positive wire) to the passangers side led positive to correct the problem. I want to have both lights with the same out put. Also some times the passenger headlight dosen't come on, on the first try.
Old 10-23-2005, 04:31 PM
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4 wheeled car.
Old 10-23-2005, 05:15 PM
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headlight problem

I have the OEM Xenon that came stock with my car. It can't be the ballast if you read my previous thread. I think I'm not getting the same voltage on both sides. My wifes mother has a 91 300E and it looks like she is having the same problem. She has regular halogens. On her car it is more noticable, passenger orange and the drivers side normal (yellow). Thats why I think it might be a faulty
Light Control Module (LCM). If thats the problem I'll buy a new one. I just want to be reassured. I could install myself. Just need to know where it is located.
Old 10-23-2005, 07:53 PM
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Thanks ZAM
it kinda gets foggy also thru carwash
i will go to HD and get some sealant
to see if that helps
Love my headlights
you are the MAN

Wish you would do some LED tailights
lol
Old 10-24-2005, 01:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Mrhappy71
Thanks ZAM
it kinda gets foggy also thru carwash
Wish you would do some LED tailights
lol
I can send you a set of moister absorber (sp??) that I got from Acura ? Acura put them in everypair of headlight, since their new TL (also have projector) have that problem. Email me your address.

I tried the tail light, but unfortunately, it doesn't come out as good as headlight (where I know it enhance driving experience for driver alot & more safety). The taillight isn't as bright (both for driving & brake) as OEM tailight. Dangerous for both car driver & other drivers, and they look a bit cheap.

Mikey430Sport

I think your problem might have to do with the LED or (aftermarket) Xenon bulb. You might want to put in regular W6W, and measure the voltage at both side first. I have couple people whom I did headlight for, they replace OEM Philips 4300K with some high Kelvin aftermarket bulb (like 8 or 10K) for more color, and have problem. Once they put back the good Philips one, problem go away, you might want to give it a try (along with the W6W halogen one). The LCU is part of the entire computer unit on the post 98 model, very expensive to replace. Btw, Philips 4300K actually give best purple hue (and of course, BEST light) when your car move, due to flicker from the lens (all Audi, BMW, and Porches use them). 8000K and 10000K make the light look purple when station, but the look when the car move is more like fake xenon one (permanent purple, not flicker).

Here's a pix of the Philips Ultinon 6000K compare to the (best !!) Philips 4300K, look how much light lost. The 8000K is probably about 20-25% less compare to 6000K, so roughly half light output as the 4300K. Pix take w/ same projector, same ballast.


Last edited by zam2000; 10-24-2005 at 01:47 AM.
Old 10-24-2005, 01:54 AM
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Originally Posted by zam2000
I can send you a set of moister absorber (sp??) that I got from Acura ? Acura put them in everypair of headlight, since their new TL (also have projector) have that problem. Email me your address.

I tried the tail light, but unfortunately, it doesn't come out as good as headlight (where I know it enhance driving experience for driver alot & more safety). The taillight isn't as bright (both for driving & brake) as OEM tailight. Dangerous for both car driver & other drivers, and they look a bit cheap.

Mikey430Sport

I think your problem might have to do with the LED or (aftermarket) Xenon bulb. You might want to put in regular W6W, and measure the voltage at both side first. I have couple people whom I did headlight for, they replace OEM Philips 4300K with some high Kelvin aftermarket bulb (like 8 or 10K) for more color, and have problem. Once they put back the good Philips one, problem go away, you might want to give it a try (along with the W6W halogen one). The LCU is part of the entire computer unit on the post 98 model, very expensive to replace. Btw, Philips 4300K actually give best purple hue (and of course, BEST light) when your car move, due to flicker from the lens (all Audi, BMW, and Porches use them). 8000K and 10000K make the light look purple when station, but the look when the car move is more like fake xenon one (permanent purple, not flicker).

Here's a pix of the Philips Ultinon 6000K compare to the (best !!) Philips 4300K, look how much light lost. The 8000K is probably about 20-25% less compare to 6000K, so roughly half light output as the 4300K. Pix take w/ same projector, same ballast.

zam you get my recent pm?? i need to know what you think asap man.....
Old 10-24-2005, 02:19 AM
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Originally Posted by alex@modbargains
zam you get my recent pm?? i need to know what you think asap man.....
I answered them. Pls check your PM.
Old 10-24-2005, 02:22 AM
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Originally Posted by zam2000
I answered them. Pls check your PM.
thanks man, right back at you

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