How To Interior/Exterior ::Halogen headlights - remove orange indicator lenses

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Old 02-11-2009, 06:06 AM
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Interior/Exterior ::Halogen headlights - remove orange indicator lenses

If like me you didn’t spec the orange indicator lenses when buying your R56 I’m sure you have often kicked yourself, however fear not anymore.
Having read different reports from people who said it wasn’t possible and other who said it was I decided to give it a go and I thought I would post my results.

Tools Required:
- 8-10mm spanner
- t25 Torx Screwdriver
- Flat Head Screwdriver
1: Here is a pic of my R56 Cooper with the Orange Indicator lenses in the headlights ...



2: Unfortunately it is impossible to do this mod without removing the headlight from the vehicle, fear not though this is not as daunting as it may seem. The Headlights are held on with 4 bolts (marked with the circles on the Pic Below)



3: The next job is to completely remove the wiring loom from the headlight (see below)



4: Once both headlights have been removed you should be left with the following:



5: Now we need to get at the awful orange indicators, first job is to remove the rubber covering from the headlight (sorry about the poor pic quality here)



6: Now you’ll need to gain access to the orange lenses, to do this you must remove the indicator bulb and wiring module, this is held onto the headlight using 2x T25 Torx Screws (Marked with white circles on the pic)



7: Once removed you will be able to see the Indicator lenses in all its glory.



8: Now the bit we have been waiting for, to remove the orange indicator, the lense is held on with 2 clips (white circles on pic), I found it best to prise the clips out using a small flat head screwdriver, and to pop the lense out just place your thumb through the hole and push hard. The lense will fall out into the headlight.





9: To get the lenses out, just move the headlight around, there is a gap at the bottom and the orange indicator lense will just slide out.





10: The next job is to change the bulbs, you will need to get a set of bulbs which are silver in colour but flash orange, other wise you will not have the proper legal requirement for indicator lenses at the front of your car. The bulbs can be obtained from the MINI2 Sponsor New MINI Stuff.



11: Once you have all the above steps completed just do the steps in reverse and put all the items back in their proper place. Re-Connect the main wiring loom back into the headlights and replace the bolts. Once all that is completed you should be left with a fantastic new set of “clear” indicator lenses



Although this may seem quite a bit of work it took me approx 30min to complete the mod and refit the headlights and I didnt have any instructions to work from.
[SIZE="2"]
All of the above is guide to help others change the indicator lenses on the halogen headlight on their MINI and anyone that follows the guidelines does so at their own risk and I take no responsibility for anything which may go wrong whilst following the guidline[/SIZE]
 
  #2  
Old 02-11-2009, 09:25 AM
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Good job on the write up! Thanks for taking the plunge and documenting it. Guess I'll be doing this soon! Eh, any chance the bults(looks silver but flashes orange) can be purchased through a local auto store?
 
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Old 02-11-2009, 01:14 PM
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Really handy write-up. I might do this myself. Have you taken a look at getting at the rear taillights? I actually hate the taillight's orange lenses than anything else.
 
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Old 02-12-2009, 06:55 AM
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Thanks for the write up and the pics. Seems a little easier to tackle now.
 
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Old 03-03-2009, 05:44 PM
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"Clear" lenses

11: Once you have all the above steps completed just do the steps in reverse and put all the items back in their proper place. Re-Connect the main wiring loom back into the headlights and replace the bolts. Once all that is completed you should be left with a fantastic new set of “clear” indicator lenses

I may be a bit un-educated about this mod ; are you saying that the "clear" lenses are, in fact, NO lenses??
 
  #6  
Old 03-03-2009, 08:00 PM
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MiniPHan: Yes, this clear lens mod means no lens. Only thing is, with no lens, the OEM bulb won't blink amber(which is unlawful in many states). So you need to replace that with the mentioned bulbs.

I just did this mod and even though there's no lens, it looks frigging cool. :D
 
  #7  
Old 03-03-2009, 09:27 PM
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What about rear lights?
 
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Old 03-04-2009, 03:58 AM
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"clear" indicator lights

IzzyG
Muchos gracias, amigo
now for some warmer weather to get out there and do the mod

Thanks
 
  #9  
Old 10-13-2009, 12:19 PM
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Please say me where to buy these clear lenses!!! Thank you!
 
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Old 10-15-2009, 07:23 AM
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The instructions are clear. Are they the same for Xenon headlights too???
 
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Old 10-19-2009, 05:35 PM
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Hmmm...might have to try that soon..
 
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Old 10-21-2009, 08:11 PM
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What is the bulb number please?
 
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Old 10-22-2009, 04:23 PM
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Nicely done--thanks for the well-documented writeup!
 
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Old 02-18-2010, 03:05 AM
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AHHH such a relief to get rid of those uglllyyy eggs in my headlights! Thnx so much for the pics! Has anyone tried the mod on the tail lights?? i cant figure out how to get the lens out in the back
 
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Old 02-21-2010, 02:39 PM
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anyone know if this is possible with xenons?
 
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Old 02-21-2010, 02:57 PM
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nice write up...anyone else tried?
 
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Old 02-21-2010, 03:16 PM
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I removed mine a while back. I already had the clear bulbs from the factory.
 
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Old 02-21-2010, 03:44 PM
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FANTASTIC!!! Looking forward to some nicer weather to do this project!
 
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Old 03-03-2010, 09:07 AM
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great write up
mod section
 
  #20  
Old 03-03-2010, 06:33 PM
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where can i order these lenses from to do this
please help
i have been dieing to this, since the day i bought my car
 
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Old 03-03-2010, 10:08 PM
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Originally Posted by LittleBlueBEAST
where can i order these lenses from to do this
please help
i have been dieing to this, since the day i bought my car
guessing you didn't read the guide?
 
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Old 03-03-2010, 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by LittleBlueBEAST
where can i order these lenses from to do this
please help
i have been dieing to this, since the day i bought my car
The side marker lenses can be purchased. The front and rear lenses cannot be purchased without getting the entire light assemblies.
 
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Old 03-08-2010, 01:58 AM
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I did mine about a year and a half ago, except I have xenons. Same idea though. Took all of 30 minutes with the help of a friend.
 
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Old 03-08-2010, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Sketch
I did mine about a year and a half ago, except I have xenons. Same idea though. Took all of 30 minutes with the help of a friend.
Same process for the xenons..?
 
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Old 03-30-2010, 11:10 AM
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subscribed! a nice addition the mini and free! did you have any problems with condensation?
 


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