Headlights and other questions

[Unregistered]

BMW 535iA - 1990
I have read the guides on replacing the headlights to 9005 instead of 9006. I would rather just buy new 9006 bulbs and replace my current ones in hopes of improving visibility. Will this have a positive impact? Right now it is very, very poor; they look like flashlights with almost completely drained batteries. In the rain, they do not help at ALL.

Whenever I turn on the lights, I also almost always seem to get a License plate light warning. The license plate light is turning on, however. Occasionally it will also alert me as to a fog light being out...most of the time it works fine.

Finally, is there a safe way to clean the visible parts of the engine (i.e. when you pop the hood, the engine) all the dirt and deposits on the outside; would soap and water be a bad idea?

Thanks
-IdontKnowShitAboutCars

[talltorontoguy]

I had the same problem with apparently dim lights, made more problematic by sand blasted lenses etc.

I did the 9006 / 9005 conversion as outlined on Bruno's site, and in some other areas.

The difference was dramatic. This modification is really easy, particularly so if you have a dremel to cut the plastic to correctly fit the bulb. If not, I'm not sure what you would use but it wouldn't be too hard with some sharp cutting tools.

With respect to the fother ault alerts, I don't know much about them but I do know that the car senses voltage / resistance on each circuit (somebody jump in here) to determine if the light is working or not.

If you have multiple "false alarms" AND you have very very dim headlights you may have an electrical issue that is causing the combination of problems. Perhaps you should have your charging / battery systems checked out, I've heard that low power can cause some weird things to happen.

Good luck.

Rod

[632 Regal]

Mine were as bad as yours, the conversion was unbelievable. Use a small pearing knife to "pop" out the little plastic bastard, works like hot knife in butter. I'm going to be selling the "converted" ones on Ebay someday for the folks that fear fear itself.

On your other issues it sounds lkee you might have to check/clean all your bulb connections. Use a little dielectric grease if you see any corrosion after you clean it.

Microsofts eating letters again...:|

[Warren N.CA]

is a no-brainer. It cost nothing. You don't NEED a dremel. I think I used a rusty pocket knife and a file.

If your low beams have a circle in the middle of the lenses, they are ellipsoids.

BMW says "Run a rag around the engine compartment when you wash the car." My indy says to avoid water in the engine compartment. If you need a cleaning agent, try pure, odorless mineral spirits from the hardware store. Don't go for perfection here (Unless you are Gordon or George!).

BMW 535iA - 1990
I have read the guides on replacing the headlights to 9005 instead of 9006. I would rather just buy new 9006 bulbs and replace my current ones in hopes of improving visibility. Will this have a positive impact? Right now it is very, very poor; they look like flashlights with almost completely drained batteries. In the rain, they do not help at ALL.

Whenever I turn on the lights, I also almost always seem to get a License plate light warning. The license plate light is turning on, however. Occasionally it will also alert me as to a fog light being out...most of the time it works fine.

Finally, is there a safe way to clean the visible parts of the engine (i.e. when you pop the hood, the engine) all the dirt and deposits on the outside; would soap and water be a bad idea?

Thanks
-IdontKnowShitAboutCars

[shragon]

conversion is easy and cheap.

the difference in brightness is dramatic.

[Unregistered]

conversion is easy and cheap.

the difference in brightness is dramatic.

thanks for the responses; i'm going to try my hand at the 9005 conversion...maybe i'll be able to see where i'm going at night

[silver-e34]

i have the same problem even with the 9005 bulbs. what i did was take my fog lights apart they should be ellipsoids just like your low beams but the have a metal plate covering half of the the light going to the lense i remove it completely and now i get way better visibility even in the rain

[silver-e34]

the warnings may just be a loose or dirty connection or a faulty lkm module for more info on the lkm module look here http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/mainte...trical/LKM.htm

[535ise]

BMW 535iA - 1990

Finally, is there a safe way to clean the visible parts of the engine (i.e. when you pop the hood, the engine) all the dirt and deposits on the outside; would soap and water be a bad idea?

Thanks
-IdontKnowShitAboutCars

WD40 is good for cleaning up the engine bay,apply it with a rag.

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

Put that metal shutter back in "silver e34". With it removed the beam pattern is no longer a low beam. You'll be blinding everyone...

To achieve a Euro headlight pattern, the shutter can be trimmed to allow an upswept light pattern to the right.

Anthony