headlamp unit connector wiring connections

[john.errington]

I'm trying to wire some additional front position lights in. I've stripped back the cable harness at the drivers side headlamp unit plug to expose a couple ofinches of wires.

Can anyone tell me what the connections are (pin numbers/ wire colours) on the headlamp plug?

[andyvee]

This may play havoc with the CANBUS system if you put additional lights or relays in parallel with the existing lights

[john.errington]

so what do you suggest Andy? The new ones are leds so no current drain to speak of, and the bulbs I have in the sidelights are canbus led's so resistors in circuit already.

[alberg]

Do you mean daytime running lights?

[andyvee]

so what do you suggest Andy? The new ones are leds so no current drain to speak of, and the bulbs I have in the sidelights are canbus led's so resistors in circuit already.

I only said 'may'. If they are LEDs then you may get away with it. Best bet would be to tuen off the CANBUS monitoring, then you don't even need the resistors in the existing sidelight bulbs.

Have a search for the guides on fitting aftermarket DRL's - someone will have identified the wiring colours when fitting those.

What happens if you just pull the sidelight holder out and put them in parallel with the existing LED sidelight bulb - do any bulb warnings come on?

The problem is if the CANBUS thinks there is a fault or a blown bulb it cuts the power to that bulb, so you can end up with 'good' bulbs going out because the CANBUS monitoring doesn't like them

[RainbowFire]

Pin 2, (IIRC yellow wire, it was February when I did it) does the side-lights, on the drivers' side connector, on RHD cars.

I relayed a set of LED DRLs to this without any warning issue.

[john.errington]

Answering my own question - according to a diagram i found, the pin connections on the headlamp plug are as follows: (colours for right headlamp unit - left is different but pins are the same)

10: sidelight - 0.5 grey/red.

9: turn - 0.5 black/green

8: main beam - 1.0 white

return for all these is pin 7: 1.5 brown

6: dip beam - 1.0 yellow return on pin 5 1.5 brown

brown seems to be a common color for connections to chassis ground.

two useful links:

http://www.dimebank.com/LucasColours.html

http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=651

[andyvee]

Good info - others will find that useful

You wired them up yet?

[john.errington]

Hi Andy, yes they are working fine just paralleled with the sidelights, as described above.

 

I've got CAN-bus compatible LEDs in the sidelights, so the current drain is just fine, no warnings.

 

The units I've used are these; not 5W but bright enough to be easily seen in reflection from car in front in daylight.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-5W-SMD-5-LED-Daytime-Running-Car-DRL-Front-Fog-Lamp-Driving-Light-White-12V-/390600209701?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5af1963525

 

I'll post a pic when i have one.

Edited 5 March, 2014 by john.errington

[flat-eric]

If it was me I would take a direct feed from the battery and use a relay, then simply use the wiring from the headlights as a signal feed to turn them on.

[Kelgane]

On 25/08/2012 at 04:36, john.errington said:

Answering my own question - according to a diagram i found, the pin connections on the headlamp plug are as follows: (colours for right headlamp unit - left is different but pins are the same)

10: sidelight - 0.5 grey/red.

9: turn - 0.5 black/green

8: main beam - 1.0 white

return for all these is pin 7: 1.5 brown

6: dip beam - 1.0 yellow return on pin 5 1.5 brown

brown seems to be a common color for connections to chassis ground.

two useful links:

http://www.dimebank.com/LucasColours.html

http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=651

 

[Kelgane]

Hi John, Thanks for providing me the headlamp wiring connection details. I have bought a led strip for turn and installed on the headlight between the gap in the body and headlamp. Wanted a connection for the turn light which I got from your post. Just split the covering of the wire no 9 and connected the wire and gave the negative from the body. It's working fine. Took a contention for the positive for the DRL from the unused slot from fuse box. Is just working fine. Thanks a lot. Will try to share the images later. Just finished the work.