Interior/Exterior Installed PIAA 540's today...they do not work(FIXED)!!!
#1
Insatalled my new PIAA Plasma fog lights today, but they do not work! The switch has a green light for on, red for off, and they operate. I checked for bulbs (you never know) and they are both installed. I suspect the relay is bad. Anybody else have similar problems? I will call PIAA on Monday
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2004 MCS - Pepper White/ Black
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2004 MCS - Pepper White/ Black
#2
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I installed mine two weeks ago. One thought I have and you may be way beyond it-
If you follow the instructions and tap into the green and yellow headlight wire, they will only work with the highbeams on. If you tap into the red striped wire, they will work with low beams and high beams. They work great with snow that way!
If you follow the instructions and tap into the green and yellow headlight wire, they will only work with the highbeams on. If you tap into the red striped wire, they will work with low beams and high beams. They work great with snow that way!
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They work!! PIAA had great customer service. After telling them my story, they sent a new relay out in 4 days for no charge. I installed the new relay tonight and guess what; they still did not work! No way are both relays bad. I feel like an idiot. I had already checked the bulbs and they were fine by a visual inspection. The green and red lights on the relay lit up before, so I never checked the 20A PIAA fuse. Thinking swiftly, I knew it had to be simple because I was meticulous in my installation procedure. I then pulled out the 20A fuse. You guessed it, I had a blown fuse! I replaced it and wallaaa....I had foglights and I love 'em!!! Here are some pics
With DRL's on...
DRL's and new PIAA Plasma Ion Fogs...
Xenon's and PIAA fogs...
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2004 MCS - Pepper White/ Black
With DRL's on...
DRL's and new PIAA Plasma Ion Fogs...
Xenon's and PIAA fogs...
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2004 MCS - Pepper White/ Black
#12
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Burning-Ham Alabama
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speltzer, before anyone calls you an idiot for not checking the fuse, I want to say that you are a brave and honorable soul for admitting that so honestly.
As one who is known for having once set my entire vehicle's wiring harness on fire after connecting a battery backwards (not my MINI, thankfully), I applaud you
So glad they work. Tomorrow I will report back what happens when I put higher rated 85watt replacement bulbs in the PIAA's instead of the 55watt ones that came stock
I've got my box of 20A fuses ready, although PIAA has assured me that the harness is just fine with their brand 85Watt bulbs. Don't call PIAA to return the extra harness, as I might be needing it tomorrow
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SE Regional, BAMA Club Moderator: PM me
As one who is known for having once set my entire vehicle's wiring harness on fire after connecting a battery backwards (not my MINI, thankfully), I applaud you
So glad they work. Tomorrow I will report back what happens when I put higher rated 85watt replacement bulbs in the PIAA's instead of the 55watt ones that came stock
I've got my box of 20A fuses ready, although PIAA has assured me that the harness is just fine with their brand 85Watt bulbs. Don't call PIAA to return the extra harness, as I might be needing it tomorrow
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SE Regional, BAMA Club Moderator: PM me
#13
Thanks YUCCAPATROL...I was totally embarrased. I spent over over 6 hours total on the installation making it as factory looking as possible. I KNEW I had plugged all the wiring harness terminals firmly. This is what threw me; I would turn on the ignition and get a red and green light on the PIAA on/off switch. I could also hear the relay click. I did not think the fog light switch would illuminate if the fuse was bad. Chalk up another learning experience...
#14
So how well do the fog beams work?
I've got the 540 driving lights on my MCS and they work great. But my car did not come with fog lights and I am debating whether I should get the MINI retrofit kit or go with a pair of 510 fog lights (slightly smaller) on these brackets and move the 540 driving lights to a new pair of brackets more in the center. Going with the PIAA fogs will cost more, but it would give me the 4-light rally car look and should provide better illumination.
Any thoughts?
I've got the 540 driving lights on my MCS and they work great. But my car did not come with fog lights and I am debating whether I should get the MINI retrofit kit or go with a pair of 510 fog lights (slightly smaller) on these brackets and move the 540 driving lights to a new pair of brackets more in the center. Going with the PIAA fogs will cost more, but it would give me the 4-light rally car look and should provide better illumination.
Any thoughts?
#15
>>They work!! PIAA had great customer service. After telling them my story, they sent a new relay out in 4 days for no charge.
You mean they didn't require you to send the bad relay back first? Or charge you for a new relay until they get your bad relay back???? Heck...they don't know how to run a proper business hee heee...
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You mean they didn't require you to send the bad relay back first? Or charge you for a new relay until they get your bad relay back???? Heck...they don't know how to run a proper business hee heee...
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#16
#17
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Burning-Ham Alabama
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Update on my experiment to install higher wattage bulbs in the PIAA 540's
I installed the PIAA 85watt H3 "xtreme" white bulbs in my PIAA 540's today. The added brightness is very significant. 2 lights now put out the equivalent of almost 4 regular lights (well 3 and then some).
PIAA customer service was correct that the wiring harness and fuse could handle the additional wattage.
The rally lights now appear to be as bright as the xenons and regular high beams put together!
I installed the PIAA 85watt H3 "xtreme" white bulbs in my PIAA 540's today. The added brightness is very significant. 2 lights now put out the equivalent of almost 4 regular lights (well 3 and then some).
PIAA customer service was correct that the wiring harness and fuse could handle the additional wattage.
The rally lights now appear to be as bright as the xenons and regular high beams put together!
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