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3-Series (E36)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1992-1999. Autodoodad
Specific models include: BMW 316i, BMW 318i, BMW 318iS/ti, BMW 320, BMW 323, BMW 320, BMW 324, BMW 325, BMW 328.
Hey guys. This is my first post so bare with me. I just bought my first BMW 323is coupe. I decided to buy a HELLA conversion kit and try to install it with the help from my brother. However, after hooking everything up and trying the lights, we had no success. Everything supplied in the kit is pretty simple; just your basic female/male couplings and the only actual installing you have to do is place one cable to the positive terminal (near the rear right of the engine, because the battery is obviously in the back) and another needs to be grouded to the body. I have the light in the housing and the ballasts and relays are all connected properly. ghead So, I was wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with this type of thing. Is there anything I need to do to get these working that isn't in the directions; some type of trick or magical process? Please help me. THANKS.
I grounded it to the body of the car. Do you think I would be better off grounding it to the negative battery terminal? I thought the car body would be sufficient and the instructions say to do that. My main concern with the negative battery terminal is that the supplied wire for grounding is only about a foot long. I really don't want to add wire to the connection to make it long enought to hit the negative terminal. The positive wire is about 6 feet, which would allow for a battery that isn't near the headlights, like my own. This would seem as if the kit was made to be grounded to the car. I have a 9006 light kit. This also happens to fit a GMC van that my dad uses for deliveries. Anyway, I tried installing it on that car and it didn't work either. The set up was the same. It was grounded to the body...etc. I bought the kit brand new, so I would like to think that is not the problem. I am hoping it something I have overlooked. Maybe you guys can help.
When you turn the light switch to see if they light, do any of the other lights (I.E. tail lights) light up? You could have a problem with all your lights. That's probably not it though, but it is something for you to check.
Also, try calling up the customer service if they have techs and see what they say. I'd also borrow a volt meter if you don't have one and see that they've got power as MrM3 said. Good luck.
Kevin
__________________ Kevin (President TBEA)
"WAAAAAAARRRRRIORS, come out to plaaaaay."
Yes. The lights in the car work just fine. Actually, I only installed one light and the other original halogen worked just fine. There is one thing though. I have the optional trip computer installed and it tells me that I have a LOW BEAM FAILURE. Could this be caused by improper grounding? I talked to the company I bought the kit from and was asked if I had them properly grounded, which is similar to what MrM3 asked. I'll have to check, but I am quite positve that I am grounding the ballast to the car's frame.
I have tried both ballasts. I saw on your bimmer that you had HID's. What type of conversion kit did you use? I have the HELLA kit with the built in ignitors, so I am hoping the bad ignitor problem is not true. Do you guys know what types of places would install something like this? I talked to my local BMW dealer, and they don't do conversion/customization. I need help...
my HID, when it finally arrives (long story), is a bohmen kit. The ballast and igniters are kept separate. Any BMW garage (non dealer) would probably be more than willing to install them. Since both ballasts aren't working for you, I have a link to a write up that details a person who had a similar problem and his fix. I'll post it when I get home.
__________________ <span style='color:gray'><span style='font-family:Courier'>1995 e36 3 Series RIP
1999 e46 3 Series BURN IN HELL
2000 MR-S Roadster= Current</span></span>
One thing that I didn't do was replace the fuses from 7.5 to 10. Could this be the problem? I figured the 7.5 fuse would have blown but it never did. Is it possible for the 7.5 to not blow yet still be the problem?
make sure you hooked a relay correctly and make sure that they are working fine and not blown. Also get a volt meter or at least test light and see if you're getting power each step of the way.. go until you find where it stops.
Yeah. The bulb was definately in. I just don't understand what the hell the problem could be. It seems rediculously simple. There are literally zero ways to make the connections wrong. I just don't know if it's the fuses or improper grounding. If you guys know of anybody that has done something like this, or know any troubleshooting problems, please let me know. I am about to cry because my baby doesn't have bright blue eyes.
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ghead So, I was wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with this type of thing. Is there anything I need to do to get these working that isn't in the directions; some type of trick or magical process? Please help me. THANKS.
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