GUIDE: Changing P1 to P2 headlights (4 pin)

[JSeaman]

Step 1 - The P1 headlights are quite notorious for being sub-optimal, the P2 offer an upgrade without too much fuss. I believe there are at least two different types (4 pin and 5 pin), this will deal with the more awkward 4 pin version. I was changing mine because I fell victim of the terrible plastic headlight adjusters giving up in my P1 lights. Pop the bonnet and we'll start work on removal



Step 2 - Between the headlight and indicator you will find a posidrive screw, slacken this off (it clamps the indicator in place but only needs to be slackened to let the unit slide out, no need to take the screw out completely)



Step 3 - Now simply slide the indicator unit outwards and shown

[JSeaman]

Step 4 - Pull the light (gently) right out and then slide the connector off by lifting the tab, you can't see it on the first picture as it is on the underside so I took another one to show the tab




Step 5 - Remove the indicator from the car



Step 6 - You have now revealed two 10mm nuts that hold the light in, remove these completely

[JSeaman]

Step 7 - A further two 10mm nuts hold the light in place from behind, these can be accessed already in the engine bay as shown




Step 8 - Removing the light is a bit awkward, the corner of the lens likes to hit the bumper so you need to force this down at the corner with one hand whilst wriggling the light out. It will come nad is probably easier if you can get two people on it. You need to pull forwards first then slide the unit towards the middle of the car to come off the 4 studs you removed the nuts from in steps 6 and 7

[JSeaman]

Step 9 - Squeeze and remove the 3 pin connector for the headlight level adjuster



Step 10 - Twist and remove the black cap so you can get to the bulbs and then remove the 3 pin multi plug and 2 pin connector for the sidelight



Step 11 - You can now remove the old lamp and throw it in the bin

[JSeaman]

Step 12 - If you need to disassemble the unit, simply remove the clips (3 at the top, 3 at the bottom and one either side) as shown with some pliers/a screwdriver. You can then remove the glass (second picture) and set to work on any repairs




Step 13 - Repeat the process on the other side, it is exactly the same

[JSeaman]

Step 14 - Now get yourself some of these pretty things, P2 clear headlights



Step 15 - This is the 4 pin connector we will be using



Step 16 - We will start by making some pigtails of wire up, cut to size (~8-12inches) with some scissors/snips (picture 1). Then Strip the ends of the wires (picture 2). Get some small red ferrule spade clips (picture 3) and drimp them onto the wires (picture 4)

[JSeaman]

Step 17 - Once you have the small crimps on for the headlight end, fit some larger blue spade clips to go onto the wiring loom and you will end up with this

You will need 3 wires for each headlight, 6 in total





Step 18 - Pop out to the car and grab the two connectors you removed (headlight and side light), cut each of the wires of the connectors in turn and crimp with some spade clips of the opposite gender to those in step 17

[JSeaman]

Step 19 - On your new headlights, locate the sidelight. You will see a pink (+12V) wire and a yellow (common ground)



Step 20 - Cut the wires leaving as much slack as you can, then fit spade connectors to them (I used male on the light and female on the car throughout)




Step 21 - On the car, cut the wires as close to the sidelight connector as possible and put spade connectors on these to match those from step 20. The orange (+12V) goes to the pink and the black (ground) goes to yellow

Note on the driver's side (offside), the wires are pink (+12V) and black (ground) as shown in the final picture

[JSeaman]

Step 22 - Now onto the standard headlight wiring, cut the 3 pin connector and change each wire to spade connections



Step 23 - First we'll deal with the driver's side



Step 24 - Connect the blue with white stripe (ground) on the car to the third pin down on the light unit (the bottom pin is unused as this was for sidelights)

[JSeaman]

Step 25 - Connect the blue with orange stripe on the car to the top pin on the light connector




Step 26 - Connect the blue with yellow stripe on the car to the second pin down on the light connector




Step 27 - Now to the passenger side