xenon headlights help please

[cochito]

Hi can anyone help me? I picked up my new cooper s conv Thurs last and do not know how to alter the xenon lights for continental driving on the right. My garage thinks there is a switch somewhere on the unit but really don't know where (helpful or what!!!) The handbook just says "have them switched" really that's all. Thanks.

[claire_82]

I also asked about this. Dealer said they will automatically switch to the other side when they detect oncoming lights from the other side of the road, stopping you dazzling them. He said there was no permanent way to switch them, other than buying a separate set of LHD lights!

[M111 CGC]

Quote: Originally Posted by claire_82

Dealer said they will automatically switch to the other side when they detect oncoming lights from the other side of the road, stopping you dazzling them.

What a complete load of cobblers!! Sounds like a dealer to avoid IMO.......

[KPKalle]

So how do you switch them? I'm bringing my LHD MINI to the UK in a week and was just thinking of buying those stickers you put on the headlights. But maybe they don't work with xenons?

[Olly.]

Don't know about the MINI, but I put the stickers on my dad's xenons when I took it to germany. Seemed to work fine

Can't see why they won't work for the MINI

[CHRIS COOPER]

Asked my dealer the same question before I took my MCS to France two months ago.

They put the car up against a wall and turned the lights on, the beam was flat and level all the way across and whilst in France, not a single person flashed or complained about my lights. And yes, they were turned on.

Personally, I wouldn't worry.

Hope thats of help.

[Stupot]

Guys,

It is so easy. See the image below of the LH headlanp viewed from the rear (RH is mirror image) but basically make sure your lights and ignition are off so you don't fry yourself. Remove the square cover from the back of the headlights. Look inside and you will see the light coming through the rings round the xenon and in doing so will notice a little metal level. On a RHD car, the LH headlight lever will be up and the RH headlight lever down. Flick them with a pen or screwdriver down and up respectively to change for continental use. When you get home flick them the other way.

Could not be simpler and no idea why they don't just tell you in the handbook !

Stupot

[claire_82]

Wicked!

Dont know why my dealer told me different? Is this the same for all year models. I have a 05

thanks

Claire.

[MikeTango75]

Thanks very much Stupot for your post. I've just come in from checking my 05 MCS and it looks identical to the picture you posted.

The metal slider to move is quite a way in so a long thin screwdriver seems to be the best to use. I moved the switch in the offside headlight from the down to the up position to see how easy it was to do. The up position appears to look more like a middle position (as can been seen from stupots photo). Very easy to do though.

Stupot,

I'm curious how you found this out. There have been a number of inconclusive threads on the subject and also a trip to my dealer had several techies scratching their heads. They also didn't know...how did you find out ??


Thanks very much

[rentagas]

Quote: Originally Posted by claire_82

Wicked!

Dont know why my dealer told me different? Is this the same for all year models. I have a 05

thanks

Claire.

the "old" xenons (ie pre Jun/Sept 04) could not be switched. The new xenons can be switched (ie all convertibles and facelift hatchbacks)

[MikeTango75]

A quick update....

The black plastic cover that is removed to access the switch has a hook moulded into it. This hook carries a small wiring loom and to remove the cover the loom has to be gently pushed out of the hook.

I managed to snap the hook on one of the covers when changing the lights back for UK use.

The dealer had a real problem getting the part number for a replacement cover so I thought I should post the number here.

It's B63.12.6.964.402 and cost a whoping £2.30

Cheers

[ALD0]

Quote: Originally Posted by MikeTango75

A quick update....

The black plastic cover that is removed to access the switch has a hook moulded into it. This hook carries a small wiring loom and to remove the cover the loom has to be gently pushed out of the hook.

I managed to snap the hook on one of the covers when changing the lights back for UK use.

The dealer had a real problem getting the part number for a replacement cover so I thought I should post the number here.

It's B63.12.6.964.402 and cost a whoping £2.30

Cheers

-Ditto-I did that my Drivers side!
Not bother to replaced Housing-Will do when it next goes in