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Lost H1 Retainer Clip. How screwed am I?

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    Lost H1 Retainer Clip. How screwed am I?

    So I was trying to adjust the new used smileys I got from Ireland from RHD to LHD cutoff pattern and the right side was a breeze. The left side, I don't even know if there is a phillips head screwdriver short enough to get between the ABS pump and the headlights. Anyway, 2/3 screws on the left side, no problem. The last screw is completely unreachable because of the freakin' Pump. Whilst fighting with it, the end cap of the lowbeam became loose and for whatever reason, the retainer clip that holds the H1 bulb in place popped out and is now somewhere below the ABS pump. All search and rescue attempt have been fruitless as the magnetic grabber won't fit under the pump and there is no sign of it anywhere on the tray immediately to the front, the left, or under of the pump. Without this clip, the H1 bulb is loose in the cap and won't make good contact with its ground. I don't know what to do. Paperclips, maybe, but it's being a real **female K9** to shape it in such away that it does its job correctly. So, wat do? It's going to get extremely hot, so tape of any sort is out of the question. No junkyards around here would have it, let alone have E30s at all. The dealer doesn't sell it. It has to be replaceable so glue won't work either. Wat do?

    The whole "This clip is the only thing that holds the light in place so it's extremely important. I know, let's make it nonstandard and loose so it's easily losable and practically non replaceable." was an extremely douchy thing for the engineers to do. What were they thinking?


    If you are a wind player and you aren't a woodwind, you are just being a brasshole...

    #2
    I am going to ask a phenomenally stupid question: is something preventing you from removing the smileys from the car?

    Comment


      #3
      The mounts have become very brittle and are already relatively damaged. Installation of the smileys was very difficult and its repetition would be best to be avoided. Adjustment on the car was the best way.

      Also, it took very much patience, but a paperclip was shaped into a clip that makes the lights usable. My question does remain, though. If someone loses a clip like that (and they are indeed easily losable) what do they do. Clearly a paperclip is not a longterm or permanent solution but it does work. I can imagine I'm not the only one who's ever lost a clip.


      If you are a wind player and you aren't a woodwind, you are just being a brasshole...

      Comment


        #4
        I tried buying a replacement clip. Supposedly you need to buy the entire housing setup.
        sigpic

        Comment


          #5
          How is it easily lost? There is a cap that screws on to cover it. You take the cap off, unhinge the clip, and re-install. If you happen to drop said clip, pick it up and put it on before you put the cap back on...
          sigpic

          Comment


            #6
            Lol, I had the same thing happen to me.....sorta. I bought a set of smileys without one of those clips.

            Here is what I did, and it worked perfectly for 5 years.
            I found an old thin antenna from a cb radio.....(spring steel), and with two sets of needle nose pliers, made an exact replica of the one from my other light.

            It needs to be spring steel to hold itself in place properly without vibrating loose.
            Originally posted by codyep3
            I hope to Christ you have looks going for you, because you sure as fuck don't have any intelligence.
            2001 silver/Blk 325 cabby. SOLD
            1988 Blk/Blk e30 factory wide body kit car SOLD
            1992 DS/BLK 325 m-tech II apperance pack cabby SOLD!
            2002 325xit Sil/blk. SOLD
            2012 328i xdrive touring. Wht/blk. SOLD
            2009 135 cabby. monacoblue/blk leather SOLD
            2007 Z4m coupe. Silver grey/black/ aluminum. 1of50
            2010 F650gs twin
            2016 M235i cabby. Mineral grey/Red leather

            Comment


              #7
              What VW said, TBH. I wouldn't be overjoyed with an unaccounted-for spring steel metal clip in my engine compartment.
              As to removal... there are three screws and I can't imagine undoing and redoing those should put any undue stress on even fairly mangled mounts.

              Comment


                #8
                I have a clip from my bosch euro projecors. What is it worth to you. ?

                Comment


                  #9
                  Do 5 series Us ellipsoids have the same clip? Plenty of those at yards around here..

                  Comment


                    #10
                    all H1 clips should be relatively similar, right? Maybe a little tweaking with some pliers...
                    AWD > RWD

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by rhE-30 View Post
                      Do 5 series Us ellipsoids have the same clip? Plenty of those at yards around here..
                      No, all US ellips are 9006 twist in type.

                      I have this

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by Kershaw View Post
                        all H1 clips should be relatively similar, right? Maybe a little tweaking with some pliers...
                        maybe if its hella or bosch. Ive seen many different h1 type holders

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by e30trooper
                          What is it worth to you. ?
                          Forty thousand US dollars + shipping.
                          -----Zen and the Art of e30 Maintenance - / - Zen TOC - / - Zen Summary

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