Euro Light Adaptation in Early 300E

What is necessary for wiring adaptation when putting Euro lights from a Euro car into a US 300E. As I understand the Euros use H4 bulbs which are a different connector than the 900X on the US lights.

Any recommendations or comments are appreciated.

Have a great day,

[JimSmith]

Larry,

Are you just replacing the rectangular sealed beam units with Halogen reflectors and bulbs or are you putting in the European model lamp fixtures?

If you are replacing the lamp fixtures you will need to get some six pronged connector plugs, as the European lamp fixtures have high beam, low beam, fog and "city" lights, as well as the blinker and side marker bulbs to light. The US models do not have the "city" lights, and do with a four pronged plug. You also have to decode the arrangement of the prongs in the plug as the ones that handle the same functions are not in the same positions for some reason, and then you have to get an extra one connected to the side marker lamp wire to connect to the "city" light. I believe someone on this site has a key and posted it on their website, I just cannot remember who.

I am less sure of what is needed if you are just changing the high/low beam sealed beam over to a separate reflector and bulb arrangement. Good luck, Jim

[JCE]

Larry:

My Euros were from a German Grey market car. These posts by Barrie helped!

Procedure to convert connectors for Euro headlights

Headlight Wipers & Euro Headlights

Ebennz has the dope on the manual adjusting system installation.

Aiming the new lights was at:

http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/aim/

It seems to be a blank page, but I think I have a copy in my files I can send to you when you are ready.

[suginami]

You really need to install the euro's.

I have read that they put out 400% more light (not an exaggeration).

It is really very simple. You're basically doing the hokey pokey with the wires in the new plug. You can do each side in 30 min. or less.

Further, you don't need to hook up the city lights. Most of us haven't.

[MikeTangas]

Larry,

The plug for the H-4s is identical to the three prong plug for old sealed beams (at least it looked the same to me). The plug is part of the complete assembly. The only adaptation you'll have to do is pick up a pair of 6 pin connectors and covers, about $7.00 at the dealer, and rewire the connector ends of the harness. Very simple.

[JCE]

Don't the Euros already have an H4 plug built into them? Mine had an internal harness that went from the H4 connector to a pass-thru recepticle on the back of the light shell.

[MikeTangas]

Yes they do John. I was just commenting on how they are the same as the old sealed beam connector rather than the newer style with replaceable bulbs.

[JCE]

OK, it just takes me a while. I thought I had misread the question and gave the wrong answer (been doing that since high school!).

Thanks for the responses.

Okay, I have not yet seen the Euro lights, these are from a Euro car. My 300E has 9003's or something like that. From your responses it sounds like there is a connector that goes to the assembly and then the bulb connection is within the assembly. This is the same deal as with 123 Euro's, you just have to move the pins around in the connector. When I did it on the 123 I did not have any instructions, I just had to use a voltmeter and figure out which was which.

These posts will give me what I need to know I'm sure.

I emailed the seller that I will take the lights, so I hope I can execute the deal. I am getting the level switch and trim plate with the lights.

I should've done this years ago before hitting so many animals because the 2 cell flashlight headlights didn't allow me to see them in time. The car would look much better today.

Thanks again for the responses,

[Zeus]

Larry - make sure you get the 6-hole euro connector for the lights to replace the US one...the part number is in the post that JCE gave you. It's a simple pull-and-plug job. Let me know if you need the number, I still have it somewhere.

[suginami]

Originally posted by Zeus
Larry - make sure you get the 6-hole euro connector for the lights to replace the US one...the part number is in the post that JCE gave you. It's a simple pull-and-plug job. Let me know if you need the number, I still have it somewhere.

You might ask the seller first if they come with the lights or not.

They came with mine (oem Bosch), but they also have come with those who have bought the DEPO aftermarket lights, which by the way, are hard to tell apart from a Bosch or Hella light.

[speedy300Dturbo]

Hey Larry,

I think you can use a six pin connector from a W123 tail light. Easy and cheap to get one off a parts car.

[2phast]

All the info you need for this install is available on my web site, although for a W201, its basically the same.