trouble fitting projector lights
 

Hi,
So i have bit the bullet and purchased the projector lights/indicators from PFS.

Now i know this job is supposed to be a piece of cake to change these over but nothing is easy for me. Out this morning with fingers dropping off and couldnt even disconnect the electrics. ( do the spring clips just flick off or is there a knack ) Do not want to break anything.

My car has electric beam adjustment but the projectors seem to be manual only as there is only one power connector or am i totally wrong.
If they are manual only do you just make the power plug safe.
Help with procedure much appreciated. Ernie.

Ernie

On both mine the elects are the same would be most surprised if yours any different, squeeze the steel spring clip and they should simply pull apart.

Headlamps held by 3 x 10?mm bolts. I have big hands and found that I could only fit / remove the lamps with a combo of short / deep sockets and a ratchet spanner.

Yep was bloody cold this morning ( not so bad at 0700 ) and has now really warmed up to 5 degrees !

Be careful not to overtighten bolts on refit - cheaper lamps have a tendency for the brass threaded insert to pull out

And as for the manual / elec adjustment projectors might be different.

On standard lamps it is possible to retro fit the elec adjusters. Just don't ask me how. Like you I have elec adjusters on the old lamps but not on the new. I fitted the new ones because I needed am MOT but have never made the time to work out how you convert them.

Bernie at Braydons told me it was a 2 minute job to convert to elec adjustment - before he walked off that afternoon never to be seen again.

Those who know him say he is a strange bugger !

Thanks Bigfella666,

I am not to bothered about the electric adjusters if they dont fit so be it. Anyhow when they are manually adjusted they should not need doing again.

About the electrics you are probably right about them being the same but they just seemed different looking from above. I just gave up anyway with the cold.

Like yourself i am thinking of the MOT so i am praying it warms up a bit soon although the forecast is not good.

I can get the bolts out no problem and will be careful tightening them up. Cheers Ernie.

If you bought the ABM projectors from PFS then you can use the electric adjusters from your old lights. If I remember, think the manual adjusters just pull off and the electric adjusters will pop back on. Think it’s like a ball and socket fitting.
I did these on my C70.

Thanks Spawned66.

It will probably become a lot clearer when i manage to get the original ones off. Cheers.

Ernie
Seems Spawned agrees with Bernie and it is indeed a 2 minute job !

Yep know what you mean about the weather - an hour after my post started snowing here ! Tomorrow looking like a much better day, must be lovely to be retired and having the luxury to choose !

Adjuster removal: rotate adjuster body 1/8th turn anticlockwise then pull out of light to release the adjuster shaft from the reflector.
Insert adjuster shaft ball into the reflector socket, place adjuster body against headlight unit and turn to vertical to lock it in place.
The PFV projectors have a large spring fitted to stop the main beam reflector battering around during shipping, this spring should be removed before you fit the lights.

Cheers Jim

Hope I get round to this task before forgetting your instructions !

Thanks also from me Jim,

Hoping to fit mine tomorrow and had no idea about the spring. Useful info.Ernie.

Looking at your first post is it seems your having trouble with the spring clips on the electrical connections? Simply press the spring clip in and pull the connector off, I know it sounds simple and it is. The system is used all over the car.

Thanks Steve440,

Yes it was so dammed cold with my fingers dropping off so the springs were giving me a little trouble. ( now sorted ).

Fitted the projector headlamps this morning but now i cant seem to clip the projector indicators in place. Should i clip them both together before offering up to the car or even loosen the 3 bolts to give a bit more wiggle room.

I suppose because they are aftermarket items these problems occur.
Thanks Ernie.

Indicators fit after the headlights are fitted to the car - they're awkward though.
I found the best method was to insert just the tips of the indicator tabs into the headlight slots then push the unit into place whilst applying light pressure inwards (towards the engine) near the back of the unit so the rear tab would locate in the wing.

The PFV transport spring (if it's fitted) is obvious when you remove the big round bulb access cap on the back of the light.

Thanks Jim again.
Will follow your advice re the sidelights.

Springs have been removed. Regards Ernie.