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DIY Facelift Coupe Angel Eyes

314K views 376 replies 109 participants last post by  sillieidiot 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
LeontiyZHP's DIY For Facelift Angel Eyes

I'm not a professional installer and I'm not going to be held liable for anything that may go wrong with the install. I'm simply stating the instruction I followed when installing my CCFL Angel Eyes. Anything you do wrong is your own fault. I've never done anything like that before, but still was able to accomplish this on my own. So do this at your own risk! Some of these steps might sound just like the ones that are listed in the sources I've used, which are very helpful BTW.
MAKE SURE TO TEST THE ANGEL EYES PRIOR TO GOING THROUGH ALL THE TROUBLE OF INSTALLING THEM. MAKE SURE THEY WORK!



I would recommend to start with the wiring in order to make sure that you have proper connections and that angel eyes are in working condition.



I followed the instructions of "FastM," which are found in the e46fanatics DIY forum. http://www.fastm.com/m3/angeleyes.html

Begin with taking off the headlight.
• Remove trim, under the headlight.
• Remove 4 screws, 2 on top, and 2 on the bottom, can be seen between the headlight and the bumper. (I used an 8mm driver)
• Unplug all of the headlight connectors, should be 5.
• Take out the headlight, have to wiggle it around some and get the right angle for it. (My left came out a lot easier than the right, not sure why.)
• You can also use "Sillieidiot's" instructions on removing the headlight. http://www.socale46.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1541#1541

Disassembling the Headlight.
• Torque wrench/screw driver needed
• Remove the connectors on the bottom of the headlight, 2 silver blocks with connectors, 3 screws each.
• Take off, 2 rubber tubes on each side of the headlight
• Remove the rubber trim on the side of the headlight
• Remove the turn signal bulb
• Remove 2 screws on the back
REMEMBER WHERE EVERYTHING NEEDS TO GO BECAUSE YOU WILL NEED TO PUT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER



Heating and Taking apart the Headlight (Followed instructions from http://www.jlevisw.com/Bake.pdf)
• Preheat the oven: 250' F
• Make sure to have: a flathead screwdriver, Mittens, and Heat Protective gloves.
• Place the headlight onto an aluminum sheet
• Set timer to 15 minutes
• Place the headlight into the oven
• Watch the progress, make sure the headlight doesn't start to melt for some reason, 250' is not hot enough to melt the headlight, and did nothing to mine.
• Once the timer runs out, take out the headlight with the mittens or something to protect you from the heat, IT WILL BE HOT!!
• Start to wiggle the screwdriver in between the clear and black parts of the headlight. Make sure to unclip the clips between the pieces. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BREAK THEM!
• Pull the headlight lens apart from the base
• There will be a couple of screws that you will need to unscrew to take the interior pieces of the headlight apart.




Installing the Angel Eyes• Once the headlight is apart, place the angel eyes in the desired location and make sure to use double sided take to secure them in place.
• Run the wire to the back. Once the headlight was assembled back, I ran mine through the cap of the xenon headlamp.



Assembling everything back together
• Assemble the interior of the headlight back.
• Assemble the headlight together. Basically undo everything that you needed to do to take it apart.

I decided to smoke my corners at the same time.




• DO NOT SCREW ANYTHING BACK YET.
• Once everything is placed together, place the Headlight back in the oven just like you did the first time. This will allow the glue to heat up again, and will enable you to ensure that the headlight is glued back together. Once you take out the headlight, IT WILL BE HOT!!! Make sure to push everything back into place, and make sure that the clips are in the desired position. Make sure not to break anything.
• After the headlight is together in one piece, you can safely screw everything back into place, and place the rubbers back on it.
• You can now place the headlight back in place and test it out.

Complete setup Pictures




Sources:
1. Wiring - http://www.fastm.com/m3/angeleyes.html
a. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=570822&page=2
This contains a video of the second trigger wire that I had to connect
2. Baking the Headlight - http://www.jlevisw.com/Bake.pdf
3. Sillieidiot's Guide to taking the Headlights off http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpost.php?p=9217044
4. There's might have been other sources that I've looked through, but cannot remember which ones, so I apologize for not quoting.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=551767 - Another thread I used.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=576910 - Questions I had.
 
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#144 · (Edited)
No I got the 4 screws out and I understand you can't take it off. What I am saying is that it won't come away from the headlight. If I pull on the trim the headlight comes with it thus I can pull the whole thing (trim and headlight) partially out together but I can't pull the trim away from the headlight itself in order to get the headlight out on its own. How does the trim connect to the headlight itself?
 
#161 ·
Hey, you need 4 of the same size rings.. Not sure the measurement on them, but make sure you get them for "FACELIFT COUPE" Usually 04+ but I guess yours is 03, but it's going to be the same..

E.G. Go to Modbargain.com from the "Application" the select "E46 FACELIFE 2dr Coupe.." There are a lot of companies that sell them, they even have LEDs now, check "Umnitza" website..
 
#165 ·
I am going to do this for my next mod. What did you use to smoke your corners?
 
#166 ·
i am going to do this for my next mod. What did you use to smoke your corners?
Good Luck! Make sure you look through all DIYs so you don't get stuck in the middle of it!

ty! :thumbsup:
I got it from the hobby shop. It's the testors spray lacquer: Transparent black window tint. There were some other brands and styles there, like smoke, but i have no idea what it looks like. Gl on doing yours! :thumbsup:
My latest pick of the smoked corner look..

 
#168 ·
so use spray lacquer: Transparent black window tint? Is there anyway I could clean the inside of the casing while i am in there? Because mine looks a little dirty..should I just use soap and water? Thanks, Drew.
 
#175 ·
I just installed my Angel Eyes but after connecting the headlight again, the side blinker on the driverside comes on with the parking lights but when I turn on the primary lights it gets turned off. It's not blinking, it's just a little lit. When I turn on the blinker it works as normal. Can anyone see what my problem is?

I only disconnected the wire and connected it again after mounting the angel eyes. :s
 
#176 ·
I half-installed my CCFL AE's with one of the pre-made harnesses in my 325i, and wired the relay's trigger to the positive wire for light in the footwell, and attached the ground wires to the relay and the ballasts to a body ground, but did NOT yet install the wire to the power in the empty mystery cavity ("drug box") or the main trigger in the wiring box in front of the driver.
Needless to say, when I pushed the key to unlock the passenger door, the AE's were working! So either my car is haunted or the relay is putting enpugh power through via the footwell light trigger to power these. It seems kind of ridiculous to hook them to the main battery terminal when they have such a low power requirement (1.4 amps=16 watts).
Q:Is there an easier-to-access power point near the lights than on the opposite side of the engine compartment? How about for 'Accessory' only 12v power? I still need to wire the AE's in the 323Ci, and just want to have the AE's come on in that car when the key is turned on.
 
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