Wiring US elipsoids on pre '88

[EtaSport]

I got a set of US elipsoid lights off an 88 325i at the scrapyard along with my front valance. Even though the highbeam lenses arent in very good shape I got a steal on them. So I go to install them in my 87 and of course I have the three wire sealed lowbeams and only two wires on the elipsoids. I wired the ground in along with the 'hot' wire for the low beam. The third wire I suspect keeps the light fired when the highbeams are switched on. I only have the two wires going to the new light, so when I turn on the highbeams my lowbeams shut off. How do I wire them to keep my lowbeams on in conjunction with the highbeams? I know lots of you out there have done this, so if you can help me out I'd really appreciate it

Also, how much does it cost for the replacement high beams? I can't imagine it would be nearly as bad as replacing one of the lows. And which bulbs should I run? Im pleased with the highs, but the lows seems to be a bit weak.

Thanks

[James Crivellone]

http://www.archercc.net/tech/lighting.htm

Bottom of that page


Thank Ryan Stewart for the tech article, thats what helped me get that going

[Ryan Stewart]

The relay trick and dropping the white high beam wire is the only thing you really need. Just get some ellipsoid plugs off a junker and solder them in on your wires.

[KenC]

You don't even have to solder. I just got some male spade crimp on connectors and crimped them onto the ends of the connectors and then plugged them into the sealed beam connectors.

[EtaSport]

Okay, I will try the relay trick tomorrow. I have all the connectors already, so good to go. Everything is already wired up and works pretty good. They are much better than the old sealed beams. Thanks for the link, that is a good write-up. Any info on bulbs?

[Ryan Stewart]

I believe that for US lenses the pink packaged Sylvanias are your best bet. You can modify the high beam to go in the low to a pretty good effect.

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/More_light.htm

[KenC]

I believe that for US lenses the pink packaged Sylvanias are your best bet. You can modify the high beam to go in the low to a pretty good effect.

http://www.bmwe34.net/E34main/Upgrade/More_light.htm

Do it! It's SO much better with a 9005 in the lowbeam.

[EtaSport]

Sounds good... When i get some free time this week maybe I will go look for the bulbs. I could tell tonight that my lowbeams were aimed a bit too low so Im not getting the full effect. I need to take it somwhere so i can adjust them. I am guessing (from looking at the e34 site) that I need to pull 25 feet away from a wall then make sure the center of my beam (on the wall) is 7 inches below the center of the beam on the car. Sound right?

On another note, I jumped the relays and low beams stay on now. Thanks for the info, I'm glad i found out how to do it.