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Electrical Santa brought me OEM driving lights...

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Old Dec 25, 2005 | 11:09 AM
  #1  
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Santa brought me OEM driving lights...

Unfortunately, Santa didn't install them for me. I'm not particularly handy, is this something I should leave for the pros? I've downloaded MINI's instructions from MotoringFile but they're a little over my head. I've not seen any postings which include detailed photos and instructions - any suggestions? I'm about ready to return them to Santa's workshop. FYI, they're aux driving light installation kit p/n 63 12 0 144 132.
 
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Old Dec 25, 2005 | 11:10 AM
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$450 or so installed by MINI dealer.
 
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Old Dec 25, 2005 | 01:52 PM
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go to your local club I am sure if you feed someone and maybe toss them $20 they would help you install them so you can learn and have cool driving lights. I know I would! If you would rather part with $400+ go to the dealer...

-Josh
 
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Old Dec 25, 2005 | 02:31 PM
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I had my local mechanic help me since I am not incredibly clever with electrical stuff. I installed the lights and brackets and had my mechanic help me to complete the wiring. I paid less than 1 hour labor for his help.
 
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Old Dec 25, 2005 | 02:51 PM
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I like the $20 and a meal solution. Thanks for the suggestions, all. I'm not too worried about the mechanical installation or the electrical - just things like removing the radio. The instructions refer to removing it but don't tell me how! I guess I need to do a little more research. I look forward to more suggestions and how-to photos of those who have already successfully completed the task.
 
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Old Dec 25, 2005 | 03:44 PM
  #6  
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removing the radio??????what! I installed 8 lights... never touched the radio! Maybe they are just twisted... then again I didn't install the OEM ones...

-Josh
 
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Old Dec 25, 2005 | 04:33 PM
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I thought the lights had to be activated in some way by the dealer?
 
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Old Dec 26, 2005 | 08:27 AM
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I was very surprised by the 'remove the radio' step as well, but check out the description from the MINI instruction sheet...

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]
21. Route the two wires ([/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]F[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]) GR/RT and VI/BL of the
supplemental harness through the open areas
for the radio.
22. Connect the GR/RT wire from the supplemental
harness to the GR/RT wire going to pin 14 (58G)
of the radio ([/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]1[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]) using a quick connect ([/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]aa[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]).
23. Connect the VI/BL wire from the supplemental
harness to the VI/BL wire going to pin 16 (R) of
the radio ([/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]1[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]) using a quick connect ([/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]aa[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]).[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]It seems that it's either drawing power or ignition power from the back of the radio. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[/SIZE][/FONT]
 
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Old Dec 26, 2005 | 08:28 AM
  #9  
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Sorry for all the HTML...my bad.
 
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Old Dec 26, 2005 | 08:51 AM
  #10  
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FWIW, you can edit the message and remove the HTML - for whatever reason it doesn't show up in the initial paste, but does after it's posted.


To answer an earlier question, the driving lights do not need dealer activation, though a front fog retrofit would, as they use a toggle switch.
 
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Old Dec 26, 2005 | 08:59 AM
  #11  
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Fog lights...I knew I had read something about lights that needed to be activated.

Thanks for correcting me.
 
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Old Dec 27, 2005 | 09:19 AM
  #12  
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The OEM driving lights remove the radio primarily to tap into the backlight supply so that the driving light switch backlight works.

Most aftermarket lights don't bother with a backlight - or even a switch! They often are installed simply with a relay off the high beams and no user on/off, so they just always come on with high beams.

The OEM kit on the other hand has a switch to arm/disarm the driving lights so they only come on with high beams when required by the driver. Thus, the wiring is more tricky.
 
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Old Dec 27, 2005 | 10:09 AM
  #13  
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Thanks for the clarification - it makes sense now. I'm inclined to return the rather expensive OEM lights and choose a little less expensive set with a simpler wiring set-up. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of the $100 range.
 
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Old Dec 27, 2005 | 02:12 PM
  #14  
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chows4us
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Originally Posted by rond
Thanks for the clarification - it makes sense now. I'm inclined to return the rather expensive OEM lights and choose a little less expensive set with a simpler wiring set-up. Any suggestions? I'm thinking of the $100 range.
Many choices. Check out http://www.piaa.com the have kits for MINIs for 510s I think

Also check out http://www.hellausa.com They have mini cooper kits for FF200s.
 
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Old Dec 29, 2005 | 12:45 PM
  #15  
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Are the OEM lights the Hella FF200? A rock busted one of mine and the dealer says I have to replace the whole kit! I have a found a replacemnet lens for the Hella for about $50.00.
 
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Old Dec 29, 2005 | 05:14 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by mahaneyrobkathie
Are the OEM lights the Hella FF200? .
No way. Oem lights are just that, MINI's (or BMWs)

Your dealer is full of BS. See http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...53&hg=63&fg=95

If its just the lens, call Classic MINI, one of NAM's vendors, and give them the correct part # which looks like
63120137303
 
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Old Dec 29, 2005 | 07:42 PM
  #17  
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southriver
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Originally Posted by chows4us
No way. Oem lights are just that, MINI's (or BMWs)

Your dealer is full of BS. See http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...53&hg=63&fg=95

If its just the lens, call Classic MINI, one of NAM's vendors, and give them the correct part # which looks like
63120137303

Thanks Chow!! I'll give that a try.
 
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Old Jan 3, 2006 | 09:08 PM
  #18  
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Rawhyde
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Originally Posted by rond
I was very surprised by the 'remove the radio' step as well, but check out the description from the MINI instruction sheet...



[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]
21. Route the two wires ([/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]F[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]) GR/RT and VI/BL of the
supplemental harness through the open areas
for the radio.
22. Connect the GR/RT wire from the supplemental
harness to the GR/RT wire going to pin 14 (58G)
of the radio ([/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]1[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]) using a quick connect ([/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]aa[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]).
23. Connect the VI/BL wire from the supplemental
harness to the VI/BL wire going to pin 16 (R) of
the radio ([/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]1[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]) using a quick connect ([/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]aa[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]).[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][SIZE=3][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]It seems that it's either drawing power or ignition power from the back of the radio. [/SIZE][/FONT]



[/SIZE][/FONT]
Just be aware that these color abbreviations such as GR/RT are in German and that particular one means Grau/Rot (grey with red stripe) GB is gelb with is yellow if it ever comes up.

I haven't retrofitted the driving lamps, but I have retrofitted the heated seats in a friend's MINI....I ran into it there.

Rawhyde
 
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Old Jan 11, 2006 | 12:49 PM
  #19  
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anyone know where u can buy the mounting plates for these lights??
 
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Old Jan 13, 2006 | 05:46 PM
  #20  
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I'd be willing to help you do the install if you came to my garage...(have plenty of space). I'm thinking about doing the same to my mini, but santa wasn't as nice to me as he was you I live just 20 minutes south of Ft.Wayne, IN. Drop me a PM or something (if interested), and we can do this on a weekend or when you're available
 
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