So I'm looking to switch my Xenons out for Halogens on my 03 R53. I'm having troubles with my Xenons, sometimes they want to work, sometimes not. And I personally do not like the color or strength of the lights when driving at night.

I have read on a couple forums that doing this change is plug-n-play. I've also read that it isn't due to the differences in the plugs (one is 3-prong, one is 4?). I realize I will lose my sprayers, which is no big deal, I'll just pull the fuse or something (I'll deal with that when I get there).

Can anyone shed light on whether or not this is actually a plug-n-play type deal?

If so, do I just purchase the halogen assembly (part #s: 63126911705 & 6312 6911706)? I spoke with a guy at the dealership (he obviously did not support this whole decision at all) and he said the assembly lacked the bulbs and wiring. So I would have to buy the halogen bulbs obviously, but if it is plug-n-play I would just use the existing wiring?

Thanks ahead of time. Just recently purchased the Mini, and it's a whole world different than the Jeep I had before.

 

Some suggestions before you spend some big bucks on new lamps.

If a lamp works only half the time, remove the ballast under the lamp, open it up and check for corrosion and clean it.

If you don't like the white/blue color, you can buy bulbs that's yellow. I got some a pair online for about $20.

 

Ignitors might be loose...but to elimnate a bulb or ballast issue, swap one of them from side...one at a time...see if it follows the item (issue).
I fear swapping xenons to regular, you will need a different wiring harness, relays, rtc...much harder than it sounds on the surface....

 

I have checked the ignitors, which appear clean. The problem is not just turning them (it is both lights, not just one) on, it's keeping them on. They turn off at what appear to be random intervals, one at a time, or both.

Sometimes I can turn my lights on, and both will stay on for the duration of the trip, sometimes one will shut off 2 minutes down the road, sometimes the other.
Sometimes both will turn on, sometimes neither, sometimes just one.

Upon searching forums, it seems that I am not alone in my problem. Many of the people in my situation have attempted replacing bulbs, ignitors, and ballasts, only to find that the problems persisted regardless. Then they shelled out some big dollars to replace the whole assembly which seemed to be the only solution for many of them.

I wouldn't say I am a gambling man, but I would rather put some Halogen assemblies in (still waiting on the verdict if this is an easy solution or not) for a couple hundred dollars knowing it will solve the problem, than to take the chance that my Xenon's may be fixable for less than that amount (and the equal chance that it could cost more than that amount).

 

Have you tried Zippy's suggestion of swapping xenon components from side to side? Do both sides flicker off at the same time?

 

I have not, since both sides flicker and turn off, and not simultaneously. The drivers side does it more often (or maybe I'm just noticing it more often), but the passenger side does as well.

Today they both stayed on all the way to work.

 

New headlight assemblies come with bulbs....MINI guy I know recently installed Halogen HD assemblies in his 04'. It was plug and play.

http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...ad.php?t=13357

 

Sounds like a ballast issue...check out Raven's post for the halogens though.