Hi, I have recently purchased an original MC40. If you know about this package, it came with the factory driving lights. The previous owner removed the lights. I would like to replace them, perferably with OEM but if you guys have aftermarket ones that you would recomend, I am open to suggestions. Also, from what I can see, the switch and relay are still there and the light in the swtich comes on. Do you know what I would need to get them back on? I have brackets for the lights on order.

Thanks,
Hayden

 

best place to start is by looking at the install instructions for the factory kit
http://www.minimania.com/pdfile/NMA3030_INSTR.zip

if the cabin wiring is still there you just need to see how much of the under the bonnet stuff can be found. If you are lucky they either just pulled the wires back and tied them off, or at least left enuf for you to work with.

getting the OEM brackets back on may be easy or not - if there are already holes for the old brackets then all you need to is remount using those holes (install instr' says use pop rivets but I always used stainless bolts and nylox nuts). If you DON'T find the holes, then it sounds like this is not the original bonnet . . .

There's nothing special about the lights themselves, you simply end up with two wires for each light, a hot power and a ground, so you can use any PIAA or HELLA that looks good to you. Each lite should have a red and a brown - brown is the ground. I'd stay away from the actual OEM kit cuz you'll be buying the full wiring harness and it sounds like you don't need that.

I've installed several of these sets over the years so if you have additional questions feel free to PM

 

I'd hold out for used factory lights. Enough people are removing them (like your car's PO), that they come for sale from time to time. A lot of people selling take offs are selling them without the wiring anyway. I bought Wipacs (sig pic) because they are stainless, but kind of wish I held out for OEM. One because they are the only non- factory item on the car. And two, the Wipac brackets don't have a gusset stamped in, so they vibrate a bit.

 

Thank you Capt, I looked upnder the bonnet and found connectors at each corner, each has a blue/yellow wire and a brown wire. Is this the correct wire for the lights or was the wire that went to the side reflectors on the front arch on the bumper cover? (I no longer have these, aftermarket body kit)

I have holes in the grill for the brackets already but what I ordered is the aero kit with the brackets used.

Blackbomber, I have a lot of non-OEM things on my car so that is not too much of a worry but like you, I would like to keep them OEM just because the car is of limited production and I'm hoping to keep it as factory as possible. Thank you for your help.

 

Taking another point of view, the Wipacs LOOK pretty much like stock (not sure if covers fit). They use a single wire, so you just take the negative from your existing wiring, and run it to the bracket, or a ring terminal on the stud mount - no biggie. There is a thread on here about them. I got mine for $110 shipped WITH brackets and duty. You can buy them without brackets, since you already have that sorted. That would solve the vibrating issue I have. Again, I got all starry eyed because the brackets were stainless, too. I got mine from jonspeedracing.co.uk

Oh, and I lied. My stripes are not OE, either. And a few extra chrome pieces in my interior are aftermarket, but I do have the full factory Chrome Line interior package.

 

Which lights to get depends on how you'll use them: if they're mostly going to be ornamental, then you'll be fine with the OEM lights (which I happen to have myself) -- preferably used, given the cost. If you want something that's actually functional, there are probably better alternatives. Lighting guru Daniel Stern suggested Bosh Compact 100s when I asked for his recommendation; if you want something that's a better match to the aesthetics of the OEM driving lights, Cibie Tangos seem hard to beat. That's what's on my wish list.

 

found connectors at each corner, each has a blue/yellow wire and a brown wire

check the install instructions - that's not the right color and the wires to the dl's don't run to a connector, one would have had a ring connector and the other a lug - in removing the wires from the lights those would probably be cut off - I'd expect to see just a pair of wires in one wrap. Wiring diagrams I have says the side markers had black/green on one side and black/blue (both pair with a brown ground); the only blue yellow wire I find in the neighborhood is part of the headlight . .

BUT I don't have hands on experience with an MC40 and there could be wiring differences SOOOOOOO - I'd rig up a little test light and see if I could answer this question for sure . . . or use a volt meter

 

Hayden, just for DIY reference (we utilized OEM lights): http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...stallation.htm

-Jorge

 

sell him a set of lights w/out the wiring?