How do I wire Angel Eyes without a relay? - BMW Forum

rockblock · 07-09-2009, 10:53 PM

OK, so I got this set of CCFL Angel Eyes as a gift (4 rings + 4 clips + 2 inverters), but NO relay, NO fuse...

All the DIY threads on this topic that I've found thus far show how to connect the rings using a relay...but what about if you don't have a relay? On the inverter it says (-) to ground and (+) power from DRL, so how exactly do I do that...open the ECU box and tap the (+) into the red/white + yellow stripe wire?...if yes, would that also dim my Angel Eyes to 30% power, as per the DRL?

Any help with wiring these without a relay would be greatly appreciated.
Thx

yammahamma · 07-10-2009, 12:46 AM

I chose not to wire mine to the DRL becuase they turn off when the headlights are on. I don't know why you'd want your angel eye on in the day and off at night.

I wired mine to the red accessory wire in the ECU (I also didn't have a relay). I like this because my angel eye's are always on when the car is on...and they even stay on for 5-10 seconds after the car is off, which I think is kinda cool.

Some people don't like the idea of not being able to turn the AE off so they wire them into the fog lights so you can manually turn the AE's on when you turn on the fogs.

Here's the DIY that I followed. However, my inverters wouldn't fit into the same spot that this guy did so I had to mount them somewhere else.

DIY: Fucy626 CCFL Angel Eye Kit installation - BMW M3 Forum.com (E30 M3 | E36 M3 | E46 M3 | E92 M3)

rockblock · 07-10-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yammahamma

I wired mine to the red accessory wire in the ECU (I also didn't have a relay). I like this because my angel eye's are always on when the car is on...and they even stay on for 5-10 seconds after the car is off, which I think is kinda cool.

DIY: Fucy626 CCFL Angel Eye Kit installation - BMW M3 Forum.com (E30 M3 | E36 M3 | E46 M3 | E92 M3)

I love this idea !!!...just have the following questions:

The pic with the ECU box shows just one set of wires going in

1. Did you connect the (-) AE wire to the same chassis screw?
2. Did you tap both AE (+) wires (L+R) to the same red aux wire in ECU? Did you just cut the red aux wire and used a 4-way connector (2 for L+R AE and 2 for ECU aux wire)?

Thx

yammahamma · 07-10-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockblock

1. Did you connect the (-) AE wire to the same chassis screw?

I used the same chassis screw as the DIY did. I ran a single wire from that screw and then butt spliced the two (-) AE wires into that one wire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockblock

2. Did you tap both AE (+) wires (L+R) to the same red aux wire in ECU?

I tapped a single wire with a 10 amp in-line fuse into the red wire and then ran it out of the ECU. Once outside the ECU I butt spliced both (+) AE wires into this wire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockblock

Did you just cut the red aux wire and used a 4-way connector (2 for L+R AE and 2 for ECU aux wire)?

I used the same tap in splice connector that the DIY used.

Hope that helped. Let me know if you have any more questions.

rockblock · 07-10-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yammahamma

I used the same chassis screw as the DIY did. I ran a single wire from that screw and then butt spliced the two (-) AE wires into that one wire.

I tapped a single wire with a 10 amp in-line fuse into the red wire and then ran it out of the ECU. Once outside the ECU I butt spliced both (+) AE wires into this wire.

I used the same tap in splice connector that the DIY used.

Hope that helped. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Thx for your prompt response...just a few final clarifications:

1. Does it have to be 10 amp, or will other values do? do you find that the 10 amps creates a load that dimms your AE a little?

2. is the ECU red wire that you tapped into pulling power straight from the battery?

Thx again for all your help, I'll try this setup

yammahamma · 07-10-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockblock

1. Does it have to be 10 amp, or will other values do?

I don't know. After a lot of research someone recommended using a 10 amp fuse to avoid frying something else...I just followed the advice because I didn't know any better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockblock

do you find that the 10 amps creates a load that dimms your AE a little?

I haven't noticed them to be any dimmer. When I first tested them out I hooked them straight to the battery and they seem just as bright using the 10 amp fuse. I HAVEN'T compared them side by side, so I can't say for sure if one is brighter than the other.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockblock

2. is the ECU red wire that you tapped into pulling power straight from the battery?

I don't know, sorry.

rockblock · 07-10-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yammahamma

I don't know. After a lot of research someone recommended using a 10 amp fuse to avoid frying something else...I just followed the advice because I didn't know any better.

I haven't noticed them to be any dimmer. When I first tested them out I hooked them straight to the battery and they seem just as bright using the 10 amp fuse. I HAVEN'T compared them side by side, so I can't say for sure if one is brighter than the other.

I don't know, sorry.

Ok, thx for your help & very useful feedback !

yammahamma · 07-10-2009, 04:44 PM

Good luck dude. AE's have been my fave cosmetic upgrade so far.

Lemme know if you need any more help.

BimmerE39 · 07-10-2009, 05:22 PM

I did an install with Umnitza's DRL harness not too long ago. I know you're asking without a relay but for $40 with shipping I think it's worth it.

There's a thread on here in the DIY section and I put a video on YouTube. It's pretty easy.
Click Here To View Thread

YouTube - DDE/AE Daytime Running Light Wiring Harness Install

However, they were originally wired to my parking lights.

rockblock · 07-10-2009, 09:58 PM

Thx for the video, very useful, even though I don't have a relay...

I was wondering: If I want to introduce an extra fuse on the (+) wire between the battery and inverter, what fuse should I use? My AE specs says it accepts 5A, while the inverter 0.85A...so, what amp value am I looking at? (I looked for a 10A glass fuse as per yammahamma, but all I could find were the following fuses: 2,4,8,15,25 & 30A)

yammahamma · 07-10-2009, 11:21 PM

I used a regular blade fuse like this:

rockblock · 07-11-2009, 08:15 AM

OK, thx...I was looking for a glass fuse as they are smaller, but I guess the blade one will do. Thx again for your prompt response !

rockblock · 07-27-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yammahamma

I used a regular blade fuse like this:

Hi, I managed to install my CCFL AE and also used a blade fuse...but I measured the current and all 4 rings together pull 1.4A, so I went with a 3A fuse and works great...the specs say 850mA/inverter, but I noticed that they actually pull a bit less (700mA each), which is good...just thought you should know...cheers !

BimmerE39 · 07-27-2009, 09:58 PM

Thanks for the update. Glad they're working the way you want.

marti5 · 07-28-2009, 02:21 AM

Bimmer 39,

I see you don't have any inverters for the A/E's,you just wire in to the new harness is this correct ? , also do you have the web site for the harness as we are unable to get these here in the UK.

Also I see on the picture of the harness there's only one cable to the passengers side I presume this is +, so do you have to find a separate ground?

Mine are set up to the parking lights with an inverter on each side so is it possible to undertake what you have done with the harness.

Cheers,

Marti.