HID Xenon 4300k fog light conversion doityourself

[MrMaico]

I installed a 4300k 9006 HID conversion kit that I've had laying around for a couple of years into my fog lights yesterday. Very simple to do.

One screw holds the fogs in after removing the plastic shroud from the front. Remove the screw and slide the light assy slightly toward the center of the car to release the tab on the outer edge and then out of the car. Unplug the power connection and remove the light with bulb in place. I had always noticed a cloudiness on my lenses so I released the two plastic tabs on the fog light assy and cleaned out the inside and lens. Not necessary to mess with the adjuster to take them apart.

I used double sided tape to stick the ballasts in behind where the fogs mount. It's actually the back side of the fender liner. Just plug the connector from the car into the ballasts and the two single wire connectors into the bulb wires. It's pretty much self explanatory. Depending on the brand you might have two extra connectors on the bulb wiring, I just plugged them into each other. Not sure if that was even necessary or not, those wires are for a different style vehicle I assume.

Mount the lights back up and your done. I didn't actually drive mine yet but I checked them out in the garage after dark and they are WAY BRIGHTER than the old halogen ones. My lights looked to be shining too low so I cranked them up a ways and will check them out and aim them this weekend.

You can find the kits lots of places. Mine came from VVME. They have been selling them for years.....around $50. A great, cheap upgrade.....

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574947307&toolid=10001&campid=5336776893&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Febaymotors%2F50W-55W-XENON-HID-KIT-H1-H3-H4-H7-H9-881-9007-9006-9005-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem230fe3434eQQitemZ15059 0407502QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccesso riesQQautorefreshZtrue

There are other places that are even cheaper, $35 to $40 but I can't vouch for their service or quality.

A look at where I mounted the left ballast....

http://mrmaico.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-ZHP-misc/IMG0846/1248526853_G9FEd-M.jpg

Left ballast mounted.....

http://mrmaico.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-ZHP-misc/IMG0847/1248527501_VncQu-M.jpg

Left side done. It's hard to tell in this pic just how much brighter and whiter they are....

http://mrmaico.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-ZHP-misc/IMG0850/1248528251_yTES7-M.jpg


Both done......

http://mrmaico.smugmug.com/Cars/BMW-ZHP-misc/IMG0852/1248528522_yKiQq-M.jpg

Feel free to ask if you have any questions.....

Barry

[MrMaico]

I had meant to put this in the DIY section. If someone wants to move it...

Got a chance to try them out last night. Much better! Basically twice the light when used with the low beams. I'd like to get my coding changed now so that they don't go off when you use the high beams.

I had to adjust them up quite a bit more than I already had. If nothing else, people should check the adjustment of their fogs.

For someone with ZKW lights with bad bowls this should be a must-do mod.

[danewilson77]

Nice writeup bro. Thanks for the time and effort.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[M0nk3y]

Great write-up.

Did you experience your cluster flickering upon ignition of the HIDs?

[MrMaico]

Nice writeup bro. Thanks for the time and effort.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW! Thanks Dane, I didn't take a whole lot of pics but it's pretty self explanatory once you take things apart.


Great write-up.

Did you experience your cluster flickering upon ignition of the HIDs?

Thanks, I have noticed a few times a flash of the blue highbeams symbol if the fogs haven't been on for a while. If they're warmed up it doesn't do it. I take it this is a known issue? Will it cause any other issues? I might have to do some searching. I hope I don't have to run a separate power wire and relay setup.

Barry

EDIT: Hmmm.....thanks for the heads-up Monk3y. Maybe this isn't such a good idea....

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=832845&highlight=

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/HID-Kit-Wiring-Harness

It looks like I should install a relay kit if I leave these in. Have you heard of people frying their LCM? I was a little surprised to see the small size of the fog wiring but I had read of other people doing this with no mention of needing a relay setup. I had mainly just wanted them for use as a DRL and for out on the backroads where there isn't much traffic (lots of deer around here) because I am aware of the issues with putting an HID in a halogen housing. They do seem to have a decent beam pattern though, there is a good sharp cutoff across the top. I can't see them being a problem for oncoming drivers.

[M0nk3y]

Thanks, I have noticed a few times a flash of the blue highbeams symbol if the fogs haven't been on for a while. If they're warmed up it doesn't do it. I take it this is a known issue? Will it cause any other issues? I might have to do some searching. I hope I don't have to run a separate power wire and relay setup.

Barry

EDIT: Hmmm.....thanks for the heads-up Monk3y. Maybe this isn't such a good idea....

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=832845&highlight=

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/HID-Kit-Wiring-Harness

It looks like I should install a relay kit if I leave these in. Have you heard of people frying their LCM? I was a little surprised to see the small size of the fog wiring but I had read of other people doing this with no mention of needing a relay setup. I had mainly just wanted them for use as a DRL and for out on the backroads where there isn't much traffic (lots of deer around here) because I am aware of the issues with putting an HID in a halogen housing. They do seem to have a decent beam pattern though, there is a good sharp cutoff across the top. I can't see them being a problem for oncoming drivers.

With fogs being so low, you won't annoy drivers as long as they are aimed properly.

I'd look into installing a relay. All you're going to do is tap into your positive terminal so the start-up isn't as rough as it is right now. Thank you for searching so I don't have to explain much :)

I've heard stories of LCMs going, but nothing first hand.

I knew Khoa use to sell them, I have no clue where they went on the new website though

[MrMaico]

Thanks, I went ahead and ordered a relay kit off Ebay. DDM wanted $16 for shipping so I found the same harness on Ebay for the same price with free shipping. I should have known......that DIY was just too easy.nono

[Cadeez]

I installed Xenon M3 fogs from Umnitza in my car and they work beautifully, but they do the same thing you're experiencing when I hit the fog button. The blue brights indicator flashes and it sounds like my stereo cuts out for a brief second as well. I didn't think much of it, and I'll probably just keep it as is, hopefully it's all good. Let us know how it works after you install that harness!

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/fogballast.jpg
http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/DSCN0868.jpg

[MrMaico]

I installed Xenon M3 fogs from Umnitza in my car and they work beautifully, but they do the same thing you're experiencing when I hit the fog button. The blue brights indicator flashes and it sounds like my stereo cuts out for a brief second as well. I didn't think much of it, and I'll probably just keep it as is, hopefully it's all good. Let us know how it works after you install that harness!



How long have you had them installed? I'm worried about frying the light switch. I really didn't want to have to screw with the electrical system if I didn't have to though either. But it's not like I'll be cutting any wires to install a relay harness.

[Cadeez]

Well I've only had the car for ~2 months, installed a week after I bought it. I don't use them a ton either, they are seriously blinding bright at night. So frying the switch would be the issue if there were to be one? I'm not super electrical savvy so any info would be helpful.

[MrMaico]

Well I've only had the car for ~2 months, installed a week after I bought it. I don't use them a ton either, they are seriously blinding bright at night. So frying the switch would be the issue if there were to be one? I'm not super electrical savvy so any info would be helpful.

Yup, at least according to that E46f link it's not good for the LCM (lighting control module). When I get my harness I'll do a DIY so you can decide if it's something you want to do. It should be pretty simple. Basically just running a couple of wires from the right side of the engine compartment and down to each light and plugging the harness into your ballasts.

Barry

[Cadeez]

Sounds pretty easy, and the harness is cheap, I suppose it could be worth it. Keep me posted!

[ronierogers]

I installed Xenon M3 fogs from Umnitza in my car and they work beautifully, but they do the same thing you're experiencing when I hit the fog button. The blue brights indicator flashes and it sounds like my stereo cuts out for a brief second as well. I didn't think much of it, and I'll probably just keep it as is, hopefully it's all good. Let us know how it works after you install that harness!

http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/oo184/jcadell/fogballast.jpg


Hi buddy! i would just like to ask what is the function of the part on your left side image. i dont have that one when my friend installed my fog light. what will be also the advantage of having a relay connection? so that connection will be connected directly to the battery is that right? sorry for being noob and sorry for making introductions in here. i am just researching if my friend did it correctly. thanks

[Cadeez]

I think I'm confused about the question...? The item on the left is the new fog light, item on the right is the ballast. The fog light connects to the ballast which plugs into the terminals in your engine compartment on the passenger side. FYI nothing should ever hook directly to the battery in the trunk. A wiring harness or relay makes it so the power surging through these upgraded lights doesn't fry any stock components not built to handle the power of the aftermarket parts.

[danewilson77]

In short..the white box you have, you have because you have performed the 8tch eye dee conversion. None of us have this white box, stock....with halogens. No?

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[MrMaico]

Yup, at least according to that E46f link it's not good for the LCM (lighting control module). When I get my harness I'll do a DIY so you can decide if it's something you want to do. It should be pretty simple. Basically just running a couple of wires from the right side of the engine compartment and down to each light and plugging the harness into your ballasts.

Barry

I thought I'd update on what I'm doing.....I received the harness I ordered but wasn't impressed with the quality plus it looks like it might not even be long enough so I ordered one of these from DDM Tuning...

http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DDM-HID-Kit-Slim-Ballast-35W-or-55W

These supposedly draw under 6 amps at startup where the one I have now shows 10 amps. I'm hoping this will take care of the flash from my dash on startup of the fogs. I ordered almost 3 weeks ago and today they tell me it's in customs and should be here in 4 or 5 days.....we'll see.:facepalm I was leery of ordering from them due to troubles I've read about of other people having with DDM. If this doesn't do the trick I may just end up taking them out. I'd hate to fry my LCM.....especially since I don't have a nearby dealer since I'm pretty sure a new LCM needs to be coded to your car. Not to mention they cost $270!

I tried to find a similar low-draw kit on Ebay but they were all about twice the price of the DDM kit. Wishing now I had just gone that route.

Barry

[Johnmadd]

Do I have to worry about the lcm frying with a 35 watt kit?

[az3579]

Do I have to worry about the lcm frying with a 35 watt kit?

Shouldn't be an issue. The LCM doesn't send pulses to the fog lights (they are not monitored by the CANBUS system). I think that'd be more of a concern with the lights that do get monitored by the hot and cold checks.

[Johnmadd]

Thanks BP!

[az3579]

Thanks BP!

No problem, though what I said there isn't proven to be fact, it's just my feelings on the subject. I don't think there is any way to prove whether the mods anyone does to their car kills LCMs; I personally believe the ones that die just die anyway but I have no proof of either side being true.

[terraphantm]

Shouldn't be an issue. The LCM doesn't send pulses to the fog lights (they are not monitored by the CANBUS system). I think that'd be more of a concern with the lights that do get monitored by the hot and cold checks.

I don't know if they cause problems with the LCM specifically, but they do cause odd electrical issues. On older E46s, they've fried a number of instrument clusters. I don't think a relay harness would help since the factory foglight wiring is essentially a relay harness already.

[Johnmadd]

Ugh, what should I beware/look for Terra?

[terraphantm]

Ugh, what should I beware/look for Terra?

Instrument cluster freaking out is typically what one looks for. Sometimes it'll be something minor like the rear fog indicator coming on at the same time as the front fog indicator for a second. Sometimes the cluster will reset when you turn them on.

After I noticed a couple issues in my own case and reading of those pre-facelift E46s having failed instrument clusters, I decided to go back to halogen fogs.

[az3579]

Instrument cluster freaking out is typically what one looks for. Sometimes it'll be something minor like the rear fog indicator coming on at the same time as the front fog indicator for a second. Sometimes the cluster will reset when you turn them on.

After I noticed a couple issues in my own case and reading of those pre-facelift E46s having failed instrument clusters, I decided to go back to halogen fogs.


Before I had the X5 LED fog retrofit done, I had 35W HID fogs from the previous owner. Zero issues to report, even though every single time I turned them on, the highbeam indicator would flash for a split second. This was before I had rear fogs, so I don't know if that indicator came on, but the cluster wouldn't freak out after the lights went out.

[Johnmadd]

Ok, I'm gonna risk it.... I'm fully insured, let it burn, I'm facelifted. :)

[Johnmadd]

Charlie said he had no problems after 3 years, I trust his judgment.

[az3579]

Why don't you try LED ones? No ballasts to worry about, are plug and play, and consequently have no cluster issues to worry about.

[Johnmadd]

Why don't you try LED ones? No ballasts to worry about, are plug and play, and consequently have no cluster issues to worry about.

Because I want super bright.

[az3579]

Because I want super bright.

LEDs are super bright if you buy the right ones...

[jakksfor20]

LEDs are super bright if you buy the right ones...

Most definitely! There are multiple places to get good ones. My friend is a photographer for Beyond Driven Auto and has used our cars for pics. I liked them so much that I've bought sets for both of our cars. They provide 30 day money back guarantee AND lifetime warranty. These are bright enough to get beneficial use out of them and not worry about replacing them every year. They run so much cooler than halogen. I can get a discount code for anyone interested.

Edit: they now have sets that match the 4300k a lot closer.http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/01/9c863e280d38051884e3b719a562e305.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/01/f714db69f08192aa74f9971a2552c903.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/01/c40ce5549ccfe4d7839bd747a75acc00.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ELCID86]

Before I had the X5 LED fog retrofit done, I had 35W HID fogs from the previous owner. Zero issues to report, even though every single time I turned them on, the highbeam indicator would flash for a split second. This was before I had rear fogs, so I don't know if that indicator came on, but the cluster wouldn't freak out after the lights went out.

I was about to ask if anyone else got this. My blue high beam indicator flashes briefly when i activate my front HIDs.



---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

[NickZHP]

Can anyone recommend some fog light HIDs or LEDs for around $50? I am looking at this set http://www.amazon.com/Innovited-Xenon-Conversion-Slim-ballast/dp/B00BX5D9I6/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1456079459&sr=8-11&keywords=9006+hid with 3000k but it would be nice if there are good LEDs out there for the same price. Also is the final consensus that a relay isn't necessary for an HID kit?