Need help wiring my ccfl in my Headlights

[jrizzle]

Can someone give me some tips on wiring my ccfl rings to my headlights.... Like wich wires to wire them to? Driving light's running lights etc... I also read something about tripping codes in the computer....

[Vampyrate]

i think it would look best if it was wired to the amber 194s that way during the day (if you havent disabled drls) they can be own, but also turn off when your headlights are on during the night.

[tenspeed]

I just took power from the cigarette lighter circuit. It has a 20 amp fuse and can handle a ton of lights.

My switch is in the roof of the cubby right next to the lighter and comes out with the trim. Run a pair of wires through the firewall to the eyes and you can turn them on and off when you want to.

[jrizzle]

amber 194's? Sorry im new to modding....

[Vampyrate]

in the headlights you will see two tiny bulbs near your turn signals... they are orange in color, but produce an amber light. the size of the bulb is 194NA (where 194 tells you the size and NA tells you that it is a natural amber color)

[jrizzle]

I kinda want them to be switched, the fogs sound like a good i dea since they already have a switched source in the console. It would just be a PITA to make the wire reach. Any ideas on what type of glue to use to get them to stay still inside the headlight fixture?

[Vampyrate]

super glue or hot clue, the choice is yours

[tenspeed]

Originally posted by jrizzle
Any ideas on what type of glue to use to get them to stay still inside the headlight fixture?

I used silicone glue. I also left sort of a gap. The silicone has some give to it and the CCFL's do not, they are tiny glass tubes.

If there is any movement from heat, cold or bumps in the road, the silicone gives and the bulb dosen't break.

[jrizzle]

U dont think the heat from the light will melt it? That would bite if they fell after i modded them and put them back togther... Oh and btw thank's for the help and responses... If i did go with the fogs should i use the wires behind the fogs or inside the car behind the switch. The ccfl's have not arrived yet just trying to get my ducks in a row, I assume the ccfl's have one lead in wire and one ground wire coming out of the jumper pack thingie...

[TA^Guy]

Do not use SuperGlue on them. Most SuperGlues have a vapor released from them when they get hot which will cause the inside of your headlights to haze.

[jrizzle]

Good call. I am assuming i glue them flat side down onto the bottom of the light housing. . i will post some pics when i am done if any one is interested.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

Originally posted by Vampyrate
in the headlights you will see two tiny bulbs near your turn signals... they are orange in color, but produce an amber light. the size of the bulb is 194NA (where 194 tells you the size and NA tells you that it is a natural amber color)


amazing idea to hit up the DRL, never thought of doing it that way before. :bigok: I need to rewire the pair in my fogs, might try to t-tap that now.

[jrizzle]

how do u post pics? I wanna post my finished product..

[RickHigginsHtbr]

get a photobucket or somethin similar account, the rest is easy

[jrizzle]

OK photobucket is set.. what now Sorry im new :)

[jrizzle]

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/jrizzle4220/jerradsride007.jpg

[jrizzle]

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/jrizzle4220/jerradsride006.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/jrizzle4220/jerradsride005-1.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/jrizzle4220/jerradsride003.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/jrizzle4220/jerradsride002.jpg

[jrizzle]

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/jrizzle4220/jerradsride004.jpg
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t64/jrizzle4220/jerradsride001.jpg

[RickHigginsHtbr]

lookin good, but i would run that wiring through the bottom of the headlight... makes it look better / it wont catch fire with the heat of the headlamps. just snip it, run it through, and reconnect it.

[boost21]

looks good, just fix the wires
where did u get the ccfl rings from?

[jrizzle]

Ebay, 49.99 plus 19.00 shipping. Yeah i do need to do something about the wires. My first project (besides stereo and door modifacation)

[jrizzle]

I was thinking about selling these on ebay since i have a pair of clear ones here i ordered incase i screwed these up. I also have two left over ccfl rings...I might just make another pair, It wasnt that hard.

[tenspeed]

You got them in there and they light up. How did you wire them? separate switch or off the parking lights?

I drilled small holes at the base of each lamp, cut the wire and pushed them through. I fill the holes with RTV and soldered them back together after it set up.

Here's a shot of my first attempt. I cut the brace off the bottom and had the groove with RTV at the top.

[tenspeed]

Here's a shot of version two. It has the braces on the bottom and a larger groove because I broke the tube in the passenger side light. I also added vinyl to the base to upgrade the lights and hide the holes from the original tubes.

These puppies are bright. They look like I have the low beams on when they're lit.

[jrizzle]

That is freakin Sweet! I dont have those type of skills. i am a novice. I definatly want to try again with my clear ones, I drilled wholes in the back of the lamp large enough to fit the huge connector at the bottom of the ccfls then sealed it with rtv. I didnt cut the wires on the ccfls, Cause i dont have a sodering gun. Mine are kinda bright dont provide much of a light source though. I got the Helix e36. BTW, Do u have a white GA or black??

[jrizzle]

Oh... I forgot i wired them with a led switch went around my fender through firewall in door got power from the power post (Where my amps draw from) and used same ground as battery.

[RickHigginsHtbr]

Originally posted by jrizzle
That is freakin Sweet! I dont have those type of skills. i am a novice. I definatly want to try again with my clear ones, I drilled wholes in the back of the lamp large enough to fit the huge connector at the bottom of the ccfls then sealed it with rtv. I didnt cut the wires on the ccfls, Cause i dont have a sodering gun. Mine are kinda bright dont provide much of a light source though. I got the Helix e36. BTW, Do u have a white GA or black??

you get get a cheap soldering iron at walmart for $10. Really isnt all too hard to do, I taught myself how to use it in 5 minutes like 2 years ago.

[jrizzle]

hmm..sound like a good investment. I'll keep ya posted.

[tenspeed]

Originally posted by jrizzle
That is freakin Sweet! I dont have those type of skills. i am a novice.

You are on your way to learning those skills. The single bulb was the first one I ever did. I read a lot about taking the lights apart and followed other instructions. I kept the mirror clean by covering it with post it notes and masking tape on the outside edge. That let me make measurements and marks in pencil before I drilled the first hole. Flip it over and use it on the other side. I also made cardboard replicas of the tubes so I could position them without breaking the real tubes.

I definatly want to try again with my clear ones, I drilled wholes in the back of the lamp large enough to fit the huge connector at the bottom of the ccfls then sealed it with rtv. I didnt cut the wires on the ccfls, Cause i dont have a sodering gun. Mine are kinda bright dont provide much of a light source though. I got the Helix e36. BTW, Do u have a white GA or black??

Get a cheap soldering iron (35 or 50W), some thin solder, flux and tape. It makes the best electrical connections. Just don't ever set it down anywhere inside the car. It will burn through vinyl and rug fast.

I have a white GA.

[Nick_Wa]

Is that photo with your angel eyes on only?? If so thats damn bright. Did you get teh E36/46 kit too?

[sunrunner_pei]

I got this shot of Jim's lights in Albany last summer...

http://www.gaownersclub.com/gallery/albums/albany%202006/IMG_4174.JPG

[jrizzle]

those look great....I'll post some night pics of mine tonight, i have the e46. Also im gonna make some new one's so if anyone wants these :) (sorry wrong forum but while we are on the subject)

[Nick_Wa]

Yeah those are sick, definatly hope mine turn out that well. So this e46 kit would work well? Put the bigger pair in my heads and I think I heard you can fit the smaller inside the fogs?? I think RickHiggins has that if Im not mistaken???

http://cgi.ebay.ca/99-04-BMW-E46-323-M3-HALO-CCFL-HEADLIGHT-ANGEL-EYE-WHTE_W0QQitemZ110111006877QQcategoryZ33710QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem

[RickHigginsHtbr]

Originally posted by Nick_Wa
Yeah those are sick, definatly hope mine turn out that well. So this e46 kit would work well? Put the bigger pair in my heads and I think I heard you can fit the smaller inside the fogs?? I think RickHiggins has that if Im not mistaken???

http://cgi.ebay.ca/99-04-BMW-E46-323-M3-HALO-CCFL-HEADLIGHT-ANGEL-EYE-WHTE_W0QQitemZ110111006877QQcategoryZ33710QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem

you know I thought I grabbed the e46 kit myself, but i guess i didn't cause all 4 of mine are round, not a big semi circle like the one is. when i grabbed mine it was $24.99 + shipping. Just realized I don't have any pics with all 4 on, need to do that....

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a44/rickhigginshtbr/CCFLAngelEyes007.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a44/rickhigginshtbr/CCFLAngelEyes006.jpg

and a day time shot with just the fogs
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a44/rickhigginshtbr/cleanpicswithrims015.jpg

[jrizzle]

Yeah ricks look damn near perfect, I dont think the factory could even produce better looking ones. Rick you said u used rtv to get them to stay in place??? They look like they are suspended in mid air.

[Nick_Wa]

Yeah, that looks awesome, like it was meant to be especially with those black heads.