Help! Euro light problems - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mbtjc · #1 05-13-2002, 10:45 PM

Hello, tonight I got my euro lights. I ran into many problems! I'll split them up.

1) When I simply plug them in and turn on the marker lights, the turn signal bulb comes on, when I turn on the actual lights, only the city light works, and the actual headlight will only work when I hit the high beams.

2) I also got euro turn signals, and they are two prong, while my euro benz was converted to three. I think it was originally two because there looks to have been a high quality (yeah right) electrical tape job done. The "third" wire is red. What is the third wire for on US cars and can I restore mine back to two?

3) When I just plugged the lights in, the turn signals wouldn't flash, only stay on.

4) Where is the place on the euro lights that you plug in the vacuum aim adjust?

Remember, all this applies to a european car that was converted to US lights and now I am converting it back. I'm not sure exactly what was messed with as far as wiring and what wasn't except for that third wire on the signals. I don't know if the plug is the same or not. I love the city light feature, and want to definitely keep that.

Sorry for all the questions, but I didn't expect this many problems, esp. since mine is already a euro car. Any help will be greatly appreciated!!

JCE · #2 05-13-2002, 11:09 PM

If you haven't already seen Barries post on wiring Euro lights, it is at Procedure to convert connectors for Euro headlights . The connectors and wiring are different, and this post explains it all, including how to install the 6 pin connectors. The vacuum take off is about the size of the button on a ball point pen, and is located at the top of the light, right at the fender side of the light (close to where the fender and the hood would meet when the hood is closed.)

mbtjc · #3 05-13-2002, 11:13 PM

Ok, I was toying around with it and figured out that that third wire on the signal had been soldered onto a wire that was oringinally inside that 6 hole plug. 4 of those holes are used on US cars, and 5 on mine...the 5th one being that third wire which is the city light I think. So I undid the electrical tape and popped open that 6 hole plug. It will fit in there just fine...but....if I put it in the correct bottom hole to align it with the holes on the headlights, the plug is backwards. To now my question....does anyone where which wire end goes in which hole? Perhaps the order is different for US cars which would explain why the city lights turned on when the light was supposed to be on and so forth. So which wire corresponds with the male end on the headlight or how can I figure out??? Anyone? Please??

mbtjc · #4 05-13-2002, 11:14 PM

I was writing as you posted...I'll take a look at that. Thanks

Ashman · #5 05-14-2002, 03:40 AM

The turn signals and parking lights for the US, have the 3 wires. Just use the bulb holder formt he US converted ones ont he parking lights fromt he euro. you may have to make some slight adjustments.

Alon

#6 05-14-2002, 08:00 AM

Dont forget that your euro headlights and turn signals wont have the wiring in place for driving / running lights (i think thats what you call them) as we dont have them here in the UK

mbtjc · #7 05-14-2002, 02:09 PM

Well I am using the euro 2 post signals, because that third wire goes into the 6 hole plug. I just need to shorten it and resolder it. Matt....are you saying that when your headlights are on, the turn signals lights are completely off? I think they are called marker lights, the first click on the headlight switch...you don't have those? Thanks guys.

yhliem · #8 05-14-2002, 02:51 PM

as nice as it would be to have a 100% euro car, i recommend you check with your local constabulary as to the legality of running without side markers and reflectors as euro lighting did not accomodate either of these. ie, the turn signals were turn signals only and not side markers so they were normally off, even with headlights on.

to install euro lights onto my 16v i simply soldered a wire from the turn signal/side marker to the city light and retained the 2 filament bulb and 3-pronged socket, but used the euro turn signal lens.

this setup allows me to use the citylights and retain the side markers. I no longer have side reflectors, however.

I've driven the car with the side markers disconnected and found myself constantly worried about someone not seeing my car from the side at night. the implications if i were to get in a collision and it were discovered that i had non functioning side markers were just to great for me to ignore.

I arranged the wiring inside the connector through trial and error. it's pretty easy to figure out which wire has what function. just takes a little patience. : )

mbtjc · #9 05-14-2002, 06:01 PM

Ok, let me see if I understood this. In pure euro form there are no side markers or reflectors. Got that. So the wire that they soldered and connected to the third post on the signal was originally for the city light...right? So how do you use both again? Do you have to solder on a fourth wire (like to make a Y out the city light wire) so one wire runs to the city light and the other runs to the signal? Is this correct? Thanks for the help.

yhliem · #10 05-14-2002, 08:18 PM

that's correct. this additional wire will server to power the parking/side marker light.

the original 2 wires that are on Euro installs will be the flasher power source and the ground wire.

What would probably work best for you, if you've not already completed your install, is rather than change around the configuration of the side markers, leave them as they were originally (ie. North American setup) and just run the extra wire from the side marker power source to the city light. if you've already figured it out then it's a moot point.

#11 05-15-2002, 03:57 AM

MBJC

Yeah you are right, in normal daytime driving there are no lights glowing on the car whatsoever, of a nighttime, when the headlights are switched on the tail lights and headlight operate, there are no orange markers, reflectors or anything. The orange turn signals only operate when turning, or when the hazards are switched on, no other reason.

mbtjc · #12 05-15-2002, 10:52 AM

Well maybe NHTSA or DOT has a point here with our system. The euro way, can you really see a car that well from the side at night? Do you find it a problem/do you think our system is better?

#13 05-15-2002, 10:58 AM

I think side markers are a good idea to be honest, but the trouble is, it could cause confusion, as we have things called side repeaters (have we discussed this before?) which are turnsignals on both front wings just back from the wheel. These flash in time with the normal turn signals, and make it easier to see from the side.....if we did adopt side markers as standard they would have to be a different colour to orange id imagine.

as for seeing a car at night, the general feeling i get is that the design of euro lights compared to the US version is much more effective in lighting the road ahead, therefore seeing a car side on in the dark isnt too much of a problem.

Just a guess?

yhliem · #14 05-15-2002, 01:13 PM

Matt,

It may cause some confusion in Europe as side markers have never been a requirement, however, i think ppl will be quick to pick up on the difference as we use dual filament bulbs to accomodate the purpose. as a result, even with side markers on, you can easily see that a car has his flasher on.

Another option that is used here is to have the flasher override the side marker function so that side markers are normally on, but when using the flasher, the light will alternate between on and fully off. IMHO the former system works better.

We are starting to incorporate repeaters here in north america as well. Particularly on the european imports

. However, as in eurpoe, the repeaters remain unlit unless used as a turn signal or hazard function (4-way blinkers). Basically, they are not wired to coincide with the standing/parking/marker lights.

The side markers serve not only to make a car more visible from the side, but also to help discern which direction it's travelling in as the rear sides are red.

I think that the drivers in europe are generally more alert than drivers in North America and are used to IDing cars after dark w/o side markers.

I reactivated my sides because I just don't have that much confidence in the drivers around here, and since it's regulated that all vehicles here have some form of illumination for side-on situations, i don't want to risk getting pinned for an accident that wasn't my fault on a technicallity.

Strictly speaking, my car is illegal right now because i haven't got side reflectors up front.

I believe that european specced cars tend to be far superior in most areas, however, i think that they could also stand to benefit from the addition of side markers.

#15 05-15-2002, 01:23 PM

Yhliem

I have to agree with you there, any device that makes motoring safer, and cars easier to spot is a good idea. The only car i can think of in the UK at the moment that has side markers is the Volvo V40....has orange permanent lights on the front and rear sides of the car.

What is needed here is a UK and a US spec of exactly the same model stood side by side so we can spot all the differences!!

Volvo's and i think some Saabs have hard wired headlights that are on permanently, this again is a good visual idea, but you must go through a fair few bulbs!

Again, i think it should be standard in all countries to have side repeaters, as they are a godsend if you are flying along level with another car, and he wants to change lanes a bit sharpish!