Sealed Beams to US Hella Ellipsoids Wiring Help

[Das Delfin]

^ There are a couple ways to do it..

this is the easy way

http://www.rtsauto.com/e30-euro-smiley-conversion-from-sealed-beams-or-us-ellipsoids/

this is the better way

http://forum.roadfly.com/threads/9247659-US-Sealed-Beam-to-Euro-Ellipsoid-Smiley-wiring

I'm about to do the same thing. Just be aware in the US there's a law which states you can't have more than 4 headlights (lows/highs/fogs) on at a time. If your fogs are wired to shut off when your high beams go on (which they should be if you have a sealed beam car) then you're okay. Just remember to check. It's a stupid law but some police will use whatever they can to write tickets

[hankolerd]

With sealed beams, the low beam (outer light) goes OFF when highs are ON, and you get a high beam in all four locations. Ellipsoids are low only, so you need a relay modification to allow the Ellipsoid lows to stay on as designed.

PM me with your VIN and I'll look at your wiring diaram to determine the correct mods. Usually it's plug and play after you perform a little trickery in the power distribution (fuse) box, no cutting or soldering, and reversible if you decide to later return to stock workings.

Do you have a guide available for making the necessary changes in the fuse box, for a 1990 M3 from Sealed Beams to US Ellipsoid? I want my low beams to remain on when my high beams are on, but don't want both on the same circuit like the sealed beams were.

[itsonlygeorge]

I used the pigtails and spliced on some spade connectors and plugged them in to the sealed beam connector.


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[blazinxpk]

If you come to San José I can help you out. Send me a message if you're interested.

[Mo Brighta]

US vs Euro low beam operation

In stock form in the US, the lows on ellipsoids turn off when the highs are turned on. Only euro cars keep both on.

Wouldn't you know it! Thanks, AndrewBird.

I would wire them to the Euro standard, but that's just me. I did it this way on my E28 535i when I installed the Cibie 'CSR' H1 lows in place of the sealed beam crap it came with by 're-training' the logic of the stock relays; uses the same wires, fuses, relays, everything. And of course they are properly aimed, so I get no objections from other drivers.

iso_hi -- What is your input here? Do you have an preference on low beam operation?

What lamps do those new lights take? Those plugs look like HB4 (9006). There are some very nice high output options available if you find they aren't as bright as you'd like... stock wattage of course, with almost twice the output. Let me know if you are interested in learning more... I sell these if you need them.

Andy

[AndrewBird]

With sealed beams, the low beam (outer light) goes OFF when highs are ON, and you get a high beam in all four locations. Ellipsoids are low only, so you need a relay modification to allow the Ellipsoid lows to stay on as designed.

PM me with your VIN and I'll look at your wiring diaram to determine the correct mods. Usually it's plug and play after you perform a little trickery in the power distribution (fuse) box, no cutting or soldering, and reversible if you decide to later return to stock workings.

In stock form in the US, the lows on ellipsoids turn off when the highs are turned on. Only euro cars keep both on.

[Mo Brighta]

With sealed beams, the low beam (outer light) goes OFF when highs are ON, and you get a high beam in all four locations. Ellipsoids are low only, so you need a relay modification to allow the Ellipsoid lows to stay on as designed.

PM me with your VIN and I'll look at your wiring diaram to determine the correct mods. Usually it's plug and play after you perform a little trickery in the power distribution (fuse) box, no cutting or soldering, and reversible if you decide to later return to stock workings.

[AndrewBird]

Unwrap the harness back a bit and you will see the purple on the low beam runs over to the high beam plug. You do not need this wire, just remove it. Then on the low beam plug, connect brown to brown and yellow to yellow. On the high beam, connect brown to brown and blue to purple.

[iso_hi]

I just picked some new lights up but need help wiring. I've looked at videos and photos but the wires look different.

I tried searching so hopefully someone can help me, I provided photos.



High Beam


City Light



Any help is appreciated.