Headlights, Switching Euro and US spec
 

I have a 1984 300CD with euro headlights and a 1982 300CD with US spec headlights. I want to switch the euro headlights into the 1882 and the US headlights into the 1984. (Don't ask why)

I put one of the Euro headlights into the 1984 car and I'm not sure about the electrical connections. This 1984 car which has the euro headlights, seems to have two different connectors. Is there some secret to making this switch? The electrical connections seem schizophrenic.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...oth-coupes.jpg

I did this and I used the plastic connectors from the taillights of a junked car....

You'll have to make sure each wire goes to the correct position but no need to cut any wires / ends .

They both look nice, your cars .

I don't want to cut any wiring. I'm tempted to just go back and put the headlights in the cars they came in.

No need to cut any wires. The wires can be moved to a different position inside the plastic connector. Assuming the lights work properly on their respective cars, observe what color wires go to what pin position on each connector (they are numbered). Make a diagram of each one, and use it to configure the wires on the other car. I believe only two wires need to be switched, but don't quote me on that. It should be pretty easy once you make a diagram for both cars. Having both styles of lights on two different cars will make it easy for you. Good luck!

What I Said
 

The black plastic conneter is different, you open it and all the wires are connected to terminals that will come loose and get out of order if you're careless .

As Rich said, it's a simple hing to have a paper and pen handy and not the wires and circuit numbers :

White is high beams, 56a

Yellow is low beams 56b

Brown is ground 31

Parking lamp is......? gray I think, no idea what the #is, in VW & Posrches it's a 58 but Mercedes doesn't quite use the exact DIN numbers .

Go get the plastic connectors and do it, you'll be nervous but it's not impossible if you pay attention and only do one side at a time .

Euro headlight wiring
 

It is fairly simple - as Rich stated the pins just get moved around inside the plugs depending on how you want the side markers or city lights to function. No cutting, splicing or soldering required (unless you break something, of course).

See this URL for a wiring diagram. It says its for a W126 but works for W123 and W124 as well. Wire colors are even the same.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/attachments/diesel-discussion/32553d1144089923-installing-w126-euro-headlights-euro-wiring-diagram.jpg


PM me if you have more questions - I've done it to all three chassis.

As Nate stated the rear taillight plugs from a W123 sedan will work. You can also buy the part from our sponsor for a few bucks: 0065458028. You need two.

I found posts several places how to move the wires and connector shell PN's. Google "Euro Headlights" AND "From Dieselbenz.info Wiki" should pull up a page I filed away w/ good photos. I also attach info from somewhere else below. I got plastic shells, probably new here on P-P or a web seller, since I don't recall procuring any from a junkyard taillight.

Your posts have been very helpful. My rewiring took a strange turn today. When installing the US spec headlights into the red car which formerly had euro lights, I discovered that there are two separate headlight connectors in this car. The one on the top is the one that is the one that was connected to the old euro headlights along with the ground (brown) that is separate from the connector and connects onto euro PIN #2. That one (on the top) has the colors of wires that correspond to the diagram. (gray/green, white/black and yellow/black) The ground is separate from the connector in this case. When I plug it into the new US spec headlights, the headlights work, but are rather dim.

If I plug the other connector (bottom) to the US spec headlights, the headlights are bright as they should be. BUT, they are on ALL OF THE TIME. Even when the headlight switch is turned off. Also the connector on the bottom has wires that don't even correspond to the colors in any of the diagrams.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...ght-wiring.jpg

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/members/gregp1962-albums-repairs-picture6109-headlight-wiring.jpg