Retrofit HLWW and light height adjusters

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Grrrmachine
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Post Sat Oct 19, 2013 9:31 am

Just got my new Polish MOT, and the tester informed me that to have HIDs I need to have headlight wash-wipe and height adjusters. He passed me anyway, but warned that the plod might take a dim view of them in the future.

So, how hard is it to retrofit these systems?
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Brianmoooore
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Post Sat Oct 19, 2013 9:49 am

I'm sure it's all in the wiki somewhere!
Wash wipe system is just bolt in the parts, but you might want to simplify the triggering arrangements, so that it's controlled directly by the intensive wash button on the stalk.
Height adjusters will need E34 electric motors to get a working system.
Check up on your local MOT regs. There's quite a few MOT testers in the UK who wrongly believe the same as you have been told.
Grrrmachine
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Post Sat Oct 19, 2013 9:55 am

Yeah, the Wiki has magazine articles on getting existing systems working, but I don't think it has the useful info that you bring, Brian :D E34 parts would be a lot easier to source than the odd E30 setup.
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Brianmoooore
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Post Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:40 am

Headlamp wiper motors need an earth on the brown wires, ignition switched live (purple/black screen washer supply) to the black wire, and a half second pulse of 12 volts to the red wire to start them off. Fourth wire from one of the motors goes directly to the headlamp washer pump.
Once the system is triggered, the whole wash/wipe sequence is automatic until it finishes and parks the wipers.
Because of the complex way the standard system is triggered, you may have problems convincing a tester that the system is working, even if it is, so, if you don't need the intensive wash system as well, just use the BC button on the column stalk (or any other retractive switch of your choice) to control a relay to apply 12 volts +, also from the purple/black, to the red wiper motor wires.
bigwinn
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Post Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:44 am

I remember chatting this through with Ant, way back before the regs were hinted at. He said the E30 system was pap and it was well worth retrofitting an E34 pressure wash instead. He may be a good resource on this for you.

I cant help as I just retrofitted E30 system to be an OEM homo
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DanThe
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Post Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:47 am

Find a new test station I say :)

What temp bulbs do you have out of interest? Its usually only the blue 6000k + that attract attention
Grrrmachine
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Post Sat Oct 19, 2013 11:17 am

oh, only 4300k but he pulled me up because the beam angle was all wrong (too high), and then told me the other stuff. He still passed me, but it was a friendly warning.