Switching from driving on the right to driving on the left

[Seum]

Hello Experts :-)

I have moved from a country with right-hand-side-of-the-road-driving to
one with left-hand-side-of-the-road-driving and I am having problems
finding headlamps that dip down to the left as I drive. My car is a 1984
Mercedes Benz 240D with Chassis No. WDB 1231231A124698.

I still have my Sylvania Halogen right-hand sealed beam headlights with
markings A04 and 2D1 and I can't drive at night. It seems that my car
may be banned unless I get the right lamps.

In the past few months I have sent emails to about 50 possible auto
sales outlets and 100 were sent to car breakers in Ireland - no luck!

TIA

[DAS]

I had no trouble sourcing lenses with my W123 when I moved it from Germany
to the UK, but it was many years ago.

How about official masking tape in meantime?

Have you asked any Mercedes garage?

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--

Post by Seum
Hello Experts :-)
I have moved from a country with right-hand-side-of-the-road-driving to
one with left-hand-side-of-the-road-driving and I am having problems
finding headlamps that dip down to the left as I drive. My car is a 1984
Mercedes Benz 240D with Chassis No. WDB 1231231A124698.
I still have my Sylvania Halogen right-hand sealed beam headlights with
markings A04 and 2D1 and I can't drive at night. It seems that my car may
be banned unless I get the right lamps.
In the past few months I have sent emails to about 50 possible auto sales
outlets and 100 were sent to car breakers in Ireland - no luck!
TIA

[Seum]

Post by DAS
I had no trouble sourcing lenses with my W123 when I moved it from Germany
to the UK, but it was many years ago.

Very interesting DAS. How on earth could you drive on the left and dip
your lights to the right without blinding the traffic coming towards
you, or did you drive only by day? Daylight driving is what I have been
doing for the past 6 months.

Post by DAS
How about official masking tape in meantime?

This is not allowed here in Ireland but the people here do it regularly
when they visit the European continent.

Post by DAS
Have you asked any Mercedes garage?

Have I? I had emails sent out to 100 car breakers here and I sent about
50 others to Germany, UK, and USA. A few came close but not close enough.

Post by DAS
DAS

Thanks for your interest :-)

Seu(mas) :-)

[DAS]

Seumas

Special permitted lens masks were (and are still, as far as I know) readily
available in the UK, at least in motoring organisation shops, especially at
the border such as the Channel Tunnel entrance. As you know, directional
dipping was achieved by the lens.

More recent lenses do not lend themselves to such treatment, AFAIK, so it's
useless when I take my newer RHD vehicle to the Continent.

I brought my LHD W123 from Germany to the UK. I drove it legally in the UK
with a mask, until one day I smashed one glass, which needed to be replaced,
so I replaced both lenses with RHD-compliant ones (even though the steering
wheel was still on the left...).

(Slightly OT: Amusingly, when I sold the car 2 years later (still in UK) the
buyer complained about the UK-compliant lenses...:-)
He was a Portuguese who was planning to take the car to Portugal...)

I am also reminded of a later incident (in 1986) with a W124. I had taken
delivery of a UK-spec car in Germany and managed to have an accident in
Germany (snow and ice are my excuses), which needed new headlight lenses. I
had expected LHD lenses as an interim measure, until I brought the car to
the UK but, in the 48 h Merc Hamburg needed to fix the car completely
(severe body damage at the front) they also supplied the correct RHD lenses.

When I mentioned Merc garages, I meant a main dealership. They should be
able to source parts even for much older cars.

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--

Post by Seum

Post by DAS
I had no trouble sourcing lenses with my W123 when I moved it from
Germany to the UK, but it was many years ago.

Very interesting DAS. How on earth could you drive on the left and dip
your lights to the right without blinding the traffic coming towards you,
or did you drive only by day? Daylight driving is what I have been doing
for the past 6 months.

Post by DAS
How about official masking tape in meantime?

This is not allowed here in Ireland but the people here do it regularly
when they visit the European continent.

Post by DAS
Have you asked any Mercedes garage?

Have I? I had emails sent out to 100 car breakers here and I sent about 50
others to Germany, UK, and USA. A few came close but not close enough.

Post by DAS
DAS

Thanks for your interest :-)
Seu(mas) :-)

[Tiger]

Just buy them used on ebay... plentiful in UK.

[Seum]

Post by Tiger
Just buy them used on ebay... plentiful in UK.

Hello Tiger,

It's not as easy as you think. I have been sending emails asking about
those headlamps for many months. One garage sent out my email to 100 car
breakers in Ireland and had no response. I have sent at least 50 more to
UK and Germany with little success. For some weird reason the UK does
not bother with sealed beam lamps like the US Sylvania ones. It makes me
wish to return to USA again.

[Tiger]

You are looking at the wrong type.

In UK and auro, they have euro light units... which is one solid glass
instead of two round lights.

Otherwise, you need to look at Cibie 7" round headlight... NOT SEALED... but
rather use H4 bulbs.

Post by Tiger
Just buy them used on ebay... plentiful in UK.

Hello Tiger,

It's not as easy as you think. I have been sending emails asking about
those headlamps for many months. One garage sent out my email to 100 car
breakers in Ireland and had no response. I have sent at least 50 more to
UK and Germany with little success. For some weird reason the UK does
not bother with sealed beam lamps like the US Sylvania ones. It makes me
wish to return to USA again.

[Seum]

Post by Tiger
You are looking at the wrong type.
In UK and Euro, they have Euro light units... which is one solid glass
instead of two round lights.

They're the ones I like best.

Post by Tiger
Otherwise, you need to look at Cibie 7" round headlight... NOT SEALED...
but rather use H4 bulbs.

I have found an outfit that seems to be Valeo related.

http://www.birminghamonline.org.uk/info/26424/
http://www.birminghamonline.org.uk/contact/
From them I found:
http://www.birminghamonline.org.uk/local/Motoring/Car_Component_Manufacturers/
But there is no mention of headlamps anywhere that I could see. It is
very poorly organized.

I also found a Cibie outfit: http://www.motoscope.co.uk/lighting.htm
I sent them 3 emails about Cibie 082441 +H4s over the past month and had
no reply. I have found a different address (from a web page) for them
and I have sent another message there. One contact I have is thinking
about approaching the company for me.

So the struggle goes on.

Thanks again Tiger for your attention. :-)

Post by Tiger

Post by Tiger
Just buy them used on ebay... plentiful in UK.
Hello Tiger,
It's not as easy as you think. I have been sending emails asking about
those headlamps for many months. One garage sent out my email to 100 car
breakers in Ireland and had no response. I have sent at least 50 more to
UK and Germany with little success. For some weird reason the UK does
not bother with sealed beam lamps like the US Sylvania ones. It makes me
wish to return to USA again.

[t***@optonline.net]

Post by Seum

Post by Tiger
You are looking at the wrong type.
In UK and Euro, they have Euro light units... which is one solid glass
instead of two round lights.

They're the ones I like best.

Post by Tiger
Otherwise, you need to look at Cibie 7" round headlight... NOT SEALED...
but rather use H4 bulbs.

I have found an outfit that seems to be Valeo related.
http://www.birminghamonline.org.uk/info/26424/http://www.birminghamonline.org.uk/contact/
 From them I found:http://www.birminghamonline.org.uk/local/Motoring/Car_Component_Manuf...
But there is no mention of headlamps anywhere that I could see. It is
very poorly organized.
I also found a Cibie outfit:http://www.motoscope.co.uk/lighting.htm
I sent them 3 emails about Cibie 082441 +H4s over the past month and had
no reply. I have found a different address (from a web page) for them
and I have sent another message there. One contact I have is thinking
about approaching the company for me.
So the struggle goes on.
Thanks again Tiger for your attention.  :-)

Post by Tiger

Post by Tiger
Just buy them used on ebay... plentiful in UK.
Hello Tiger,
It's not as easy as you think. I have been sending emails asking about
those headlamps for many months. One garage sent out my email to 100 car
breakers in Ireland and had no response. I have sent at least 50 more to
UK and Germany with little success. For some weird reason the UK does
not bother with sealed beam lamps like the US Sylvania ones. It makes me
wish to return to USA again.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Maybe I'm missing something, but since they are the old style sealed
beams,
can't they just be adjusted via the normal adjusting screws that align
the
headlights? Or is there not enough range in the screws?

[DAS]

....nor has Seum said if he tried, say, Mercedes-Benz UK (unless I missed
something).

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
<***@optonline.net> wrote in message news:92be3122-1246-41a7-b7c9-[...]

Maybe I'm missing something, but since they are the old style sealed
beams,
can't they just be adjusted via the normal adjusting screws that align
the
headlights? Or is there not enough range in the screws?

[Seum]

Post by DAS
....nor has Seum said if he tried, say, Mercedes-Benz UK (unless I missed
something).
DAS

Those lights can be adjusted. To align lights correctly, you have to
place the car on a flat surface a certain distance from a wall that
carries certain markings. You then adjust the lights until the beams hit
the right spots on the wall.

[t***@optonline.net]

Post by Seum

Post by DAS
....nor has Seum said if he tried, say, Mercedes-Benz UK (unless I missed
something).
DAS

Those lights can be adjusted. To align lights correctly, you have to
place the car on a flat surface a certain distance from a wall that
carries certain markings. You then adjust the lights until the beams hit
the right spots on the wall.

Now I'm even more confused. Since they can be adjusted, then why
can't you just adjust them?

[Seum]

Post by t***@optonline.net

Post by Seum

Post by DAS
....nor has Seum said if he tried, say, Mercedes-Benz UK (unless I missed
something).
DAS

Those lights can be adjusted. To align lights correctly, you have to
place the car on a flat surface a certain distance from a wall that
carries certain markings. You then adjust the lights until the beams hit
the right spots on the wall.

Now I'm even more confused. Since they can be adjusted, then why
can't you just adjust them?

The point is that you CAN adjust them, simply by turning some screws.
My BIIIG problem is finding the right kind of lights, and the adjustment
is kid stuff.

[t***@optonline.net]

Post by Seum

Post by Seum

Post by DAS
....nor has Seum said if he tried, say, Mercedes-Benz UK (unless I missed
something).
DAS

Those lights can be adjusted. To align lights correctly, you have to
place the car on a flat surface a certain distance from a wall that
carries certain markings. You then adjust the lights until the beams hit
the right spots on the wall.

Now I'm even more confused.  Since they can be adjusted, then why
can't you just adjust them?

The point is that you CAN adjust them, simply by turning some screws.
My BIIIG problem is finding the right kind of lights, and the adjustment
is kid stuff.

You said in the first post you had the lights:

"I still have my Sylvania Halogen right-hand sealed beam headlights
with
markings A04 and 2D1 and I can't drive at night. It seems that my car
may be banned unless I get the right lamps. "

Which raised my question that I would think with the adjusting screws
you could make them point in the correct direction provided there is
enough adjustment range on the screws, no? When I've worked on
the US lights that used sealed beams, seemed the screws would
move them around a lot in any direction.

[DAS]

At some stage Seum will have to decide whether 'becoming legal' is more
important than having "the right kind of lights", if all else fails. I
would have thought standard headlamps for RHD W123s are fairly readily
available via any Merc main dealer in Ireland and Britain. Just ring the
ruddy parts department.

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
<***@optonline.net> wrote in message news:ee99f649-8b08-4382-acd7-***@t9g2000vbs.googlegroups.com...
[...]

You said in the first post you had the lights:

"I still have my Sylvania Halogen right-hand sealed beam headlights
with
markings A04 and 2D1 and I can't drive at night. It seems that my car
may be banned unless I get the right lamps. "

Which raised my question that I would think with the adjusting screws
you could make them point in the correct direction provided there is
enough adjustment range on the screws, no? When I've worked on
the US lights that used sealed beams, seemed the screws would
move them around a lot in any direction.

[Tiger]

Sealed beam raised an issue... If I recalled correctly, US sealed beam are
basically flat headlight... they don't have the typical angle up side light
built in Euro headlamps... All US headlights were flat. So I don't see any
issue with driving on the 'wrong' side of the road with flat headlamp...

If anything needs to be done... reaim the headlight.

If he somehow got the angle up headlamp, then he must have the euro
headlight... but there is no euro headlight with round headlights... all
euro headlights are one big glass.

[t***@optonline.net]

Post by Tiger
Sealed beam raised an issue... If I recalled correctly, US sealed beam are
basically flat headlight... they don't have the typical angle up side light
built in Euro headlamps... All US headlights were flat. So I don't see any
issue with driving on the 'wrong' side of the road with flat headlamp...
If anything needs to be done... reaim the headlight.
If he somehow got the angle up headlamp, then he must have the euro
headlight... but there is no euro headlight with round headlights... all
euro headlights are one big glass.

Sounds like we're thinking along the same lines. It would seem to me
that there is enough adjustment in the sealed beam screws to point
them wherever you want.

[Seum]

Post by Tiger
Sealed beam raised an issue... If I recalled correctly, US sealed beam
are basically flat headlight... they don't have the typical angle up
side light built in Euro headlamps... All US headlights were flat. So I
don't see any issue with driving on the 'wrong' side of the road with
flat headlamp...
If anything needs to be done... reaim the headlight.
If he somehow got the angle up headlamp, then he must have the euro
headlight... but there is no euro headlight with round headlights... all
euro headlights are one big glass.

The Sylvania sealed beam headlamps that I still have are NOT flat in
front. I used my measuring tape today and found that the radius of
curvature of the front of the headlamp is about 6" - 7" - not flat.

See here:

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motorsport/Lighting_Accessories/Headlights/Cibie_7_Inch_EApproved_Headlight_Conversions/1604/2734

This one seems to be a sealed unit and I'm going for it.

Now, another no no here - about the two little lights at the front outer
corners of the car. There seems to be one bulb in front and another one
just around the corner. The law says no.

Here is a note that a local expert sent me:

"You will need to drill the rear of the plastic housing assembly to
clear the sidelight socket; US cars have the sidelight function built
into the front indicators. Amber front sidelights like this are legal in
the USA, but not in the UK, so you'll need to snip the wire feeding the
sidelight filament of the present side/indicator bulb and route it to
one of the new headlamp optic's two sidelight terminals, the other of
which gets earthed. Fit the new lamps with one T4W sidelight bulb and
one H4 dip/main globe (I recommend Philips Xtreme Power) and after the
lamps have been aimed you'll be all set. "

Anyone understand that?

[Tiger]

I meant the light pattern is flat.... shine a piece of white paper in front
of the headlight... if it is a flat line, then there is no issue. If you got
a flat and an angle light go up the right, then this is not okay for UK.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-W123-SPARES-GETTING-RARE-NOW-/220809834469?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item33694aafe5

Post by Tiger
Sealed beam raised an issue... If I recalled correctly, US sealed beam are
basically flat headlight... they don't have the typical angle up side
light built in Euro headlamps... All US headlights were flat. So I don't
see any issue with driving on the 'wrong' side of the road with flat
headlamp...
If anything needs to be done... reaim the headlight.
If he somehow got the angle up headlamp, then he must have the euro
headlight... but there is no euro headlight with round headlights... all
euro headlights are one big glass.

The Sylvania sealed beam headlamps that I still have are NOT flat in
front. I used my measuring tape today and found that the radius of
curvature of the front of the headlamp is about 6" - 7" - not flat.

See here:

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motorsport/Lighting_Accessories/Headlights/Cibie_7_Inch_EApproved_Headlight_Conversions/1604/2734

This one seems to be a sealed unit and I'm going for it.

Now, another no no here - about the two little lights at the front outer
corners of the car. There seems to be one bulb in front and another one
just around the corner. The law says no.

Here is a note that a local expert sent me:

"You will need to drill the rear of the plastic housing assembly to
clear the sidelight socket; US cars have the sidelight function built
into the front indicators. Amber front sidelights like this are legal in
the USA, but not in the UK, so you'll need to snip the wire feeding the
sidelight filament of the present side/indicator bulb and route it to
one of the new headlamp optic's two sidelight terminals, the other of
which gets earthed. Fit the new lamps with one T4W sidelight bulb and
one H4 dip/main globe (I recommend Philips Xtreme Power) and after the
lamps have been aimed you'll be all set. "

Anyone understand that?

[t***@optonline.net]

Post by Seum

Post by Tiger
Sealed beam raised an issue... If I recalled correctly, US sealed beam
are basically flat headlight... they don't have the typical angle up
side light built in Euro headlamps... All US headlights were flat. So I
don't see any issue with driving on the 'wrong' side of the road with
flat headlamp...
If anything needs to be done... reaim the headlight.
If he somehow got the angle up headlamp, then he must have the euro
headlight... but there is no euro headlight with round headlights... all
euro headlights are one big glass.

The Sylvania sealed beam headlamps that I still have are NOT flat in
front. I used my measuring tape today and found that the radius of
curvature of the front of the headlamp is about 6" - 7"  - not flat.
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motorsport/Lighting_Accessories/Headlig...
This one seems to be a sealed unit and I'm going for it.
Now, another no no here - about the two little lights at the front outer
corners of the car. There seems to be one bulb in front and another one
just around the corner. The law says no.
"You will need to drill the rear of the plastic housing assembly to
clear the sidelight socket; US cars have the sidelight function built
into the front indicators. Amber front sidelights like this are legal in
the USA, but not in the UK, so you'll need to snip the wire feeding the
sidelight filament of the present side/indicator bulb and route it to
one of the new headlamp optic's two sidelight terminals, the other of
which gets earthed. Fit the new lamps with one T4W sidelight bulb and
one H4 dip/main globe (I recommend Philips Xtreme Power) and after the
lamps have been aimed you'll be all set. "
Anyone understand that?

Sounds like the issue is the car has US sidelights at the front
corners.
With the replacement assembly, you apparently need to do some
drilling so it will clear what is already there. Then disconnect the
wire
from the existing sidelight, re-connect it to the new sidelight and
ground
the other new sidelight wire. Beyond that, without having the stuff
in
front of us, going to be real hard to speculate.

If that advice is coming from a local expert, have you considered
paying him to do the conversion?

[Tiger]

http://cgi.ebay.ie/MERCEDES-BENZ-W123-LEFTHAND-BOSCH-HEADLAMP-/180692801091?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a12215643

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Mercedes-Benz-W123-280CE-Headlights-and-indicators-/140575681947?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20baf6ad9b

Call up your local MB breaker yard... they should have some over there for
cheap. Glass replacement are easy to get.

[DAS]

In the first link it is not clear what they mean by "lefthand". If it is
left-hand drive, then it is unsuitable, as the car is in the Irish Republic,
where the steering wheel is on the RIGHT.

DAS

[Tiger]

Yes, it is tricky. However, you can always buy new correct lens. At this
age, it is best to buy new glass.

"DAS" wrote in message news:ivh93h$1lk$***@dont-email.me...

In the first link it is not clear what they mean by "lefthand". If it is
left-hand drive, then it is unsuitable, as the car is in the Irish Republic,
where the steering wheel is on the RIGHT.

DAS

[Seum]

Post by DAS
In the first link it is not clear what they mean by "lefthand". If it is
left-hand drive, then it is unsuitable, as the car is in the Irish Republic,
where the steering wheel is on the RIGHT.
DAS

There is indeed a lot of confusion about the left or right hands. I
prefer to write it as:

headlamps that are for-left-hand-side-of-the-road driving

It doesn't matter whether the driver is on the left or right side of the
car.

[Seum]

Post by Tiger
http://cgi.ebay.ie/MERCEDES-BENZ-W123-LEFTHAND-BOSCH-HEADLAMP-/180692801091?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a12215643
http://cgi.ebay.ie/Mercedes-Benz-W123-280CE-Headlights-and-indicators-/140575681947?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item20baf6ad9b
Call up your local MB breaker yard... they should have some over there
for cheap. Glass replacement are easy to get.

Thanks Tiger again,

These two lamps are different from mine, even if they are for the WDB123
cars. Is there a place where I could sent the picture of mine so that
you can see the difference?

TIA

[Tiger]

I do know what yours is... W123 has two different headlights.

In USA, they are two round headlights... actually one is yellow for
foglight.

In Europe, they are one glass rectangle headlight. I prefer this style and
they put out much better light than any USA headlights. I would say about 3
times better light output with this euro type headlight.

[Seum]

Post by Tiger
I do know what yours is... W123 has two different headlights.
In USA, they are two round headlights... actually one is yellow for
foglight.
In Europe, they are one glass rectangle headlight. I prefer this style
and they put out much better light than any USA headlights. I would say
about 3 times better light output with this euro type headlight.

Thanks again Tiger,

Are you sure that the lamps shown in the two links you gave me will
actually fit into my car? Some seem to be much more sloped back in
front, whereas mine are almost straight up and down.

The front blinkers seem to be a problem here and I think the blinking
lamps have to be removed but what about the parking light then? - hmmm,
maybe I should cut one of the connections - the one that blinks.

[Seum]

Post by Seum

Post by Tiger
I do know what yours is... W123 has two different headlights.
In USA, they are two round headlights... actually one is yellow for
foglight.
In Europe, they are one glass rectangle headlight. I prefer this style
and they put out much better light than any USA headlights. I would
say about 3 times better light output with this euro type headlight.

Thanks again Tiger,
Are you sure that the lamps shown in the two links you gave me will
actually fit into my car? Some seem to be much more sloped back in
front, whereas mine are almost straight up and down.
The front blinkers seem to be a problem here and I think the blinking
lamps have to be removed but what about the parking light then? - hmmm,
maybe I should cut one of the connections - the one that blinks.

I just found the blinker lamp (turn signal) on my MBZ wiring diagram.
The color of the wire I need to cut is sw/gr, which I interpret as
schwarz/gruen. Deutsch, jawohl! I'll just cut that wire. Seems the right
thing to do?

Next problem though, what happens if I want to make a turn and there is
oncoming traffic towards me? Do I need to install a front blinker to
show the direction I want to travel in?

[Seum]

Post by Seum

Post by Seum

Post by Tiger
I do know what yours is... W123 has two different headlights.
In USA, they are two round headlights... actually one is yellow for
foglight.
In Europe, they are one glass rectangle headlight. I prefer this
style and they put out much better light than any USA headlights. I
would say about 3 times better light output with this euro type
headlight.

Thanks again Tiger,
Are you sure that the lamps shown in the two links you gave me will
actually fit into my car? Some seem to be much more sloped back in
front, whereas mine are almost straight up and down.
The front blinkers seem to be a problem here and I think the blinking
lamps have to be removed but what about the parking light then? -
hmmm, maybe I should cut one of the connections - the one that blinks.

I just found the blinker lamp (turn signal) on my MBZ wiring diagram.
The color of the wire I need to cut is sw/gr, which I interpret as
schwarz/gruen. Deutsch, jawohl! I'll just cut that wire. Seems the right
thing to do?
Next problem though, what happens if I want to make a turn and there is
oncoming traffic towards me? Do I need to install a front blinker to
show the direction I want to travel in?

I forgot to ask about the 4 sets of lights and I have made an offer
almost at the asking price. Could you please have a look at the
following URL and tell me if you think it will work for my car?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-W123-SPARES-GETTING-RARE-NOW-/220809834469?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item33694aafe5

Thanks again Tiger for all you help :-)

[Tiger]

Back to the first question... yes, the european headlight will fit your car.
The only thing you need to change is the harness plug. On USA car, there is
only 4 wires. Euro headlight got 5 wires... the extra wire is the city
light... that little light above headlight. Other 4 wires are the same but
arranged in a different order.

Now, your later post tells me something about UK light law... I am not
familiar with that. I know for a fact that Euro blinker light is strictly a
blinker light... it only lights up when you turn on signal. Their side light
is also "Orange" color rather than yellow-orange in USA... the orange match
the tailight orange signal light.

To determine which one is the side market always on circuit... just use a
voltmeter... there will be three wires... one is brown... which is ground...
one will be side marker and one will be turn signal. So when you get 12V
with light on... that's the wire you need to remove from the socket and
reroute it to your separate side marker... which I believe is that 5th wire
on the headlight.

Like DAS said, it is tricky to see if the headlight are in fact UK lens...
the only difference is the glass... you can buy new glass that conforms to
UK law. It is very easy to tell when you look at the glass... You will see
in the middle of the headlight portion... you will see a line and then you
will see the angle upward at about 40 degree angle...

USA and other countries that drive on right hand side of the road... you
will see that slant go up on the right hand side of the car. On UK, Ireland,
Japan and others... you will see that slant go up on the left hand side.

I am glad you are now understanding that those flat glass auro headlight...
does fit on all W123. I change al my MB to euro headlight when I buy the
car. It is the way the car should look and I get better light on the road.

[Seum]

Post by Tiger
Back to the first question... yes, the european headlight will fit your
car. The only thing you need to change is the harness plug. On USA car,
there is only 4 wires. Euro headlight got 5 wires... the extra wire is
the city light... that little light above headlight. Other 4 wires are
the same but arranged in a different order.
Now, your later post tells me something about UK light law... I am not
familiar with that. I know for a fact that Euro blinker light is
strictly a blinker light... it only lights up when you turn on signal.
Their side light is also "Orange" color rather than yellow-orange in
USA... the orange match the tailight orange signal light.
To determine which one is the side market always on circuit... just use
a voltmeter... there will be three wires... one is brown... which is
ground... one will be side marker and one will be turn signal. So when
you get 12V with light on... that's the wire you need to remove from the
socket and reroute it to your separate side marker... which I believe is
that 5th wire on the headlight.
Like DAS said, it is tricky to see if the headlight are in fact UK
lens... the only difference is the glass... you can buy new glass that
conforms to UK law. It is very easy to tell when you look at the
glass... You will see in the middle of the headlight portion... you will
see a line and then you will see the angle upward at about 40 degree
angle...
USA and other countries that drive on right hand side of the road... you
will see that slant go up on the right hand side of the car. On UK,
Ireland, Japan and others... you will see that slant go up on the left
hand side.
I am glad you are now understanding that those flat glass auro
headlight... does fit on all W123. I change al my MB to euro headlight
when I buy the car. It is the way the car should look and I get better
light on the road.

Thank you Tiger. You are an expert :-)
I'm curious to know where you live now. Recently I moved from USA to
Ireland, and I miss the California climate :-( You seem to know a lot
about the UK market.

My lamps should be here by midweek and I will start work on them then.
The harness you mentioned, is it readily available at MBZ garages?

It seems that the flickering lights at the front corners of cars here is
unacceptable. I had a look today at the wiring diagram today and saw
that the sw/gr = (schwarz/gruen - jahwohl, das is Deutsch :-) ) goes
directly into the turn signal lamp. I have never opened that little side
light. Is there one bulb there or just one bulb with two filaments for
turning and parking?

Here is what one of my communicants sent me recently about that problem:

You will need to drill the rear of the plastic housing assembly to clear
the sidelight socket; US cars have the sidelight function built into the
front indicators. Amber front sidelights like this are legal in the USA,
but not in the UK, so you'll need to snip the wire feeding the sidelight
filament of the present side/indicator bulb and route it to one of the
new headlamp optic's two sidelight terminals, the other of which gets
earthed. Fit the new lamps with one T4W sidelight bulb and one H4
dip/main globe (I recommend Philips Xtreme Power) and after the lamps
have been aimed you'll be all set.

Does that ring a bell with you?

Thanks again Tiger and have a great weekend :-)

[DAS]

Terminology, at least as far as the UK is concerned (IE may be different):-

Sidelights or 'parking lights' are those low-level ones that come on
*before* the main headlight and are *not* orange.

The indicator lights (or even 'flashers') are orange. They are not know as
sidelightsto my knowledge, even though some can be at the side.

However, I think we know which lights Tiger means..

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--

Post by Seum

Post by Tiger
Back to the first question... yes, the european headlight will fit your
car. The only thing you need to change is the harness plug. On USA car,
there is only 4 wires. Euro headlight got 5 wires... the extra wire is
the city light... that little light above headlight. Other 4 wires are
the same but arranged in a different order.
Now, your later post tells me something about UK light law... I am not
familiar with that. I know for a fact that Euro blinker light is strictly
a blinker light... it only lights up when you turn on signal. Their side
light is also "Orange" color rather than yellow-orange in USA... the
orange match the tailight orange signal light.
To determine which one is the side market always on circuit... just use a
voltmeter... there will be three wires... one is brown... which is
ground... one will be side marker and one will be turn signal. So when
you get 12V with light on... that's the wire you need to remove from the
socket and reroute it to your separate side marker... which I believe is
that 5th wire on the headlight.
Like DAS said, it is tricky to see if the headlight are in fact UK
lens... the only difference is the glass... you can buy new glass that
conforms to UK law. It is very easy to tell when you look at the glass...
You will see in the middle of the headlight portion... you will see a
line and then you will see the angle upward at about 40 degree angle...
USA and other countries that drive on right hand side of the road... you
will see that slant go up on the right hand side of the car. On UK,
Ireland, Japan and others... you will see that slant go up on the left
hand side.
I am glad you are now understanding that those flat glass auro
headlight... does fit on all W123. I change al my MB to euro headlight
when I buy the car. It is the way the car should look and I get better
light on the road.

Thank you Tiger. You are an expert :-)
I'm curious to know where you live now. Recently I moved from USA to
Ireland, and I miss the California climate :-( You seem to know a lot
about the UK market.
My lamps should be here by midweek and I will start work on them then.
The harness you mentioned, is it readily available at MBZ garages?
It seems that the flickering lights at the front corners of cars here is
unacceptable. I had a look today at the wiring diagram today and saw that
the sw/gr = (schwarz/gruen - jahwohl, das is Deutsch :-) ) goes directly
into the turn signal lamp. I have never opened that little side light. Is
there one bulb there or just one bulb with two filaments for turning and
parking?
You will need to drill the rear of the plastic housing assembly to clear
the sidelight socket; US cars have the sidelight function built into the
front indicators. Amber front sidelights like this are legal in the USA,
but not in the UK, so you'll need to snip the wire feeding the sidelight
filament of the present side/indicator bulb and route it to one of the new
headlamp optic's two sidelight terminals, the other of which gets earthed.
Fit the new lamps with one T4W sidelight bulb and one H4 dip/main globe (I
recommend Philips Xtreme Power) and after the lamps have been aimed you'll
be all set.
Does that ring a bell with you?
Thanks again Tiger and have a great weekend :-)

[Tiger]

The empty 6 hole socket is available at the dealer... or simply get one from
junkyard. All Euro cars has those on their headlamp.

From that statement, then what I wrote is correct. The little light above
the headlight will be your 'sidelight'

[Seum]

Post by Tiger
The empty 6 hole socket is available at the dealer... or simply get one
from junkyard. All Euro cars has those on their headlamp.
From that statement, then what I wrote is correct. The little light
above the headlight will be your 'sidelight'

Thank you DAS and Tiger. Will be back soon :-)

[Seum]

Post by Seum

Post by Tiger
The empty 6 hole socket is available at the dealer... or simply get
one from junkyard. All Euro cars has those on their headlamp.
From that statement, then what I wrote is correct. The little light
above the headlight will be your 'sidelight'

Thank you DAS and Tiger. Will be back soon :-)

Hello again Dear Buddies :-)

I have a few more things to report. I have the lamp units imported from
Scotland, installed in my 1984 240D. These lamps are one piece. My old
front lamps have a 7" diameter headlamp wired with 3 flat prongs and a
smaller fog lamp that is clear, not orange.

The present lamp has 5 electric contacts or prongs, 3 in one row and 2
in the other. Now I have to get the "harness", as someone called it, and
do some wiring. I assume this harness has 3 holes for one row and two
for the other one.

The next task is to do the wiring or unwiring.

One of them is to knock out the front blinker lights on each side.
The container that these are located in is glued firmly together and I
cannot see whether there are two bulbs or just one with 2 filaments.
More wires than 2 or 3 go into that container. Is the other filament or
bulb a parking light or? The wiring diagram shows 2 bulbs, one for
blinking (turn signals) and the other for parking.

Thank you for your kind attention :-)

TIA :-)

[DAS]

:-) Good luck.

Just curious: how far are you from a franchised Merc workshop/garage?

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--
"Seum" <***@nowhere.con> wrote in message news:***@mid.individual.net...
[...]

Post by Seum
Hello again Dear Buddies :-)
I have a few more things to report. I have the lamp units imported from
Scotland, installed in my 1984 240D. These lamps are one piece. My old
front lamps have a 7" diameter headlamp wired with 3 flat prongs and a
smaller fog lamp that is clear, not orange.
The present lamp has 5 electric contacts or prongs, 3 in one row and 2 in
the other. Now I have to get the "harness", as someone called it, and do
some wiring. I assume this harness has 3 holes for one row and two for the
other one.
The next task is to do the wiring or unwiring.
One of them is to knock out the front blinker lights on each side.
The container that these are located in is glued firmly together and I
cannot see whether there are two bulbs or just one with 2 filaments. More
wires than 2 or 3 go into that container. Is the other filament or bulb a
parking light or? The wiring diagram shows 2 bulbs, one for blinking (turn
signals) and the other for parking.
Thank you for your kind attention :-)
TIA :-)

[Seum]

Post by DAS
:-) Good luck.
Just curious: how far are you from a franchised Merc workshop/garage?
DAS

My current searches resulted in:

1 A Mercedes Benz repair ship at Bray.
Ace Autobody Group - Fairgreen Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Tel [phone],
email: ***@aceautobody.ie


2 German Autoparts
GLENBROOK LODGE KILLARNEY ROAD, Bray, Ireland

and both are about 31Km away from me.

[DAS]

Neither is mentioned in the Mercedes Eire list.

http://e-services.mercedes-benz.com/dsc_ie/globalsessionid/DSC_ger3435376A3C336565FF54060155560300/dsc_locale/en_IE/appId/DSC_ger/siteLocale/en_IE/DLChoosePage.jam2;jsessionid=0000E-zKpYYINeAMQaVKxjzrEVS:15hadrjhr?OffsetPageNumber=2

Nor in Northern Ireland

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/media_library/unitedkingdom/mpc_unitedkingdom/passenger_cars_ng/ownership/Service_and_maintenance_new/official_workshop.object.Single.File.tmp/retailer_finder_100211.swf


Best regards.
DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--

Post by DAS
:-) Good luck.
Just curious: how far are you from a franchised Merc workshop/garage?
DAS

1 A Mercedes Benz repair ship at Bray.
Ace Autobody Group - Fairgreen Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Tel [phone],
2 German Autoparts
GLENBROOK LODGE KILLARNEY ROAD, Bray, Ireland
and both are about 31Km away from me.

[DAS]

Sorry, direct link failed for IE. Have to go back a step or two:

Maybe this one will work:
http://www.mercedes-benz.ie/content/ireland/mpc/mpc_ireland_website/enng/home_mpc/passengercars/home/contact_form/contact_us.0005.html

Click on Dealer Locator on bottom left.

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--

Post by DAS
Neither is mentioned in the Mercedes Eire list.
http://e-services.mercedes-benz.com/dsc_ie/globalsessionid/DSC_ger3435376A3C336565FF54060155560300/dsc_locale/en_IE/appId/DSC_ger/siteLocale/en_IE/DLChoosePage.jam2;jsessionid=0000E-zKpYYINeAMQaVKxjzrEVS:15hadrjhr?OffsetPageNumber=2
Nor in Northern Ireland
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/media_library/unitedkingdom/mpc_unitedkingdom/passenger_cars_ng/ownership/Service_and_maintenance_new/official_workshop.object.Single.File.tmp/retailer_finder_100211.swf
Best regards.
DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--

Post by DAS
:-) Good luck.
Just curious: how far are you from a franchised Merc workshop/garage?
DAS

1 A Mercedes Benz repair ship at Bray.
Ace Autobody Group - Fairgreen Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow. Tel [phone],
2 German Autoparts
GLENBROOK LODGE KILLARNEY ROAD, Bray, Ireland
and both are about 31Km away from me.

[Seum]

Post by DAS
http://www.mercedes-benz.ie/content/ireland/mpc/mpc_ireland_website/enng/home_mpc/passengercars/home/contact_form/contact_us.0005.html
Click on Dealer Locator on bottom left.
DAS

Thank you DAS and DAS. Most kind of you both :-)

There are dozens of Mercedes dealers in Ireland but very few of them
have parts that are 25 years or so old.

I sent an email to ACE Autobody a couple of days ago but no response
yet. I'll buzz them in the morning.

[DAS]

No, Seum, there are not dozens and dozens franchised (!) Merc dealers and
especially garages in Ireland. My point is that you did not, apparently,
consult a Merc-franchised dealer.

Do correct me if I am wrong.

Do you understand the difference between an independent and a franchised
one?

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--

Post by Seum

Post by DAS
http://www.mercedes-benz.ie/content/ireland/mpc/mpc_ireland_website/enng/home_mpc/passengercars/home/contact_form/contact_us.0005.html
Click on Dealer Locator on bottom left.
DAS

Thank you DAS and DAS. Most kind of you both :-)
There are dozens of Mercedes dealers in Ireland but very few of them have
parts that are 25 years or so old.
I sent an email to ACE Autobody a couple of days ago but no response yet.
I'll buzz them in the morning.

[Seum]

Post by DAS
No, Seum, there are not dozens and dozens franchised (!) Merc dealers and
especially garages in Ireland. My point is that you did not, apparently,
consult a Merc-franchised dealer.
Do correct me if I am wrong.
Do you understand the difference between an independent and a franchised
one?
DAS

Hello again DAS and thanks for your interest

I entered Google with:
"merc franchised dealer" +Ireland

Here is what I got:

"
3 results (0.14 seconds)

1.
JLA FORUMS - Switching from driving on the right to driving on
the ...
www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=110149941
7 hours ago – especially garages in Ireland. My point is that you
did not, apparently, consult a Merc-franchised dealer. Do correct me if
I am wrong. ...
Get more results from the past 24 hours
2.
Re: Switching from driving on the right to driving on the left
alt ...

www.web-shelf.com/.../Re-Switching-from-driving-on-the-right-to-driving...
7 hours ago – Merc dealers and especially garages in Ireland. My
point is that you did not, apparently, consult a Merc-franchised dealer. ...
Get more results from the past 24 hours
3.
Courtesy car......What was yours like? - uk-mkivs
uk-mkivs.net/forums/p/164116/1078340.aspx - United Kingdom - Cached
31 posts - 29 authors - Last post: 22 May 2008
Joined on Tue, Jun 13 2006; Location: Northern Ireland .... that
wanted to charge me for insurance - my supplying Merc franchised dealer! ...
Get more discussion results

In order to show you the most relevant results, we have omitted some
entries very similar to the 3 already displayed.
If you like, you can repeat the search with the omitted results included."

Was that exciting? There was nothing!

[Cordy]

Post by Seum

Post by DAS
No, Seum, there are not dozens and dozens franchised (!) Merc dealers
and especially garages in Ireland. My point is that you did not,
apparently, consult a Merc-franchised dealer.
Do correct me if I am wrong.
Do you understand the difference between an independent and a
franchised one?
DAS

Hello again DAS and thanks for your interest
"merc franchised dealer" +Ireland
"
3 results (0.14 seconds)
1.
JLA FORUMS - Switching from driving on the right to driving on
the ...
www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=110149941 7 hours ago –
especially garages in Ireland. My point is that you
did not, apparently, consult a Merc-franchised dealer. Do correct me if
I am wrong. ...
Get more results from the past 24 hours
2.
Re: Switching from driving on the right to driving on the left
alt ...
www.web-shelf.com/.../Re-Switching-from-driving-on-the-right-to-

driving...

Post by Seum
7 hours ago – Merc dealers and especially garages in Ireland. My
point is that you did not, apparently, consult a Merc-franchised dealer. ...
Get more results from the past 24 hours
3.
Courtesy car......What was yours like? - uk-mkivs
uk-mkivs.net/forums/p/164116/1078340.aspx - United Kingdom -
Cached 31 posts - 29 authors - Last post: 22 May 2008 Joined on
Tue, Jun 13 2006; Location: Northern Ireland .... that
wanted to charge me for insurance - my supplying Merc franchised dealer! ...
Get more discussion results
In order to show you the most relevant results, we have omitted some
entries very similar to the 3 already displayed. If you like, you can
repeat the search with the omitted results included."
Was that exciting? There was nothing!

I'd suggest to forget google and try the usual approach: start from the
internation mercedes benz web site, than select Ireland. Than, Dealer
locator (for example)... Here's my link, obtained as I wrote.

http://e-services.mercedes-benz.com/dsc_ie/Dispatcher.jam?
businessCase=DLp&dsc_locale=en_IE

Short version:
http://tinyurl.com/433w25k

[Seum]

Post by Seum

Post by Seum

Post by DAS
No, Seum, there are not dozens and dozens franchised (!) Merc dealers
and especially garages in Ireland. My point is that you did not,
apparently, consult a Merc-franchised dealer.
Do correct me if I am wrong.
Do you understand the difference between an independent and a
franchised one?
DAS

Hello again DAS and thanks for your interest
"merc franchised dealer" +Ireland
"
3 results (0.14 seconds)
1.
JLA FORUMS - Switching from driving on the right to driving on
the ...
www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=110149941 7 hours ago –
especially garages in Ireland. My point is that you
did not, apparently, consult a Merc-franchised dealer. Do correct me if
I am wrong. ...
Get more results from the past 24 hours
2.
Re: Switching from driving on the right to driving on the left
alt ...
www.web-shelf.com/.../Re-Switching-from-driving-on-the-right-to-

driving...

Post by Seum
7 hours ago – Merc dealers and especially garages in Ireland. My
point is that you did not, apparently, consult a Merc-franchised dealer. ...
Get more results from the past 24 hours
3.
Courtesy car......What was yours like? - uk-mkivs
uk-mkivs.net/forums/p/164116/1078340.aspx - United Kingdom -
Cached 31 posts - 29 authors - Last post: 22 May 2008 Joined on
Tue, Jun 13 2006; Location: Northern Ireland .... that
wanted to charge me for insurance - my supplying Merc franchised dealer! ...
Get more discussion results
In order to show you the most relevant results, we have omitted some
entries very similar to the 3 already displayed. If you like, you can
repeat the search with the omitted results included."
Was that exciting? There was nothing!

I'd suggest to forget google and try the usual approach: start from the
internation mercedes benz web site, than select Ireland. Than, Dealer
locator (for example)... Here's my link, obtained as I wrote.
http://e-services.mercedes-benz.com/dsc_ie/Dispatcher.jam?
businessCase=DLp&dsc_locale=en_IE
http://tinyurl.com/433w25k

Cordy, my experience is that most of those MBZ dealers have little or no
interest in 1984 cars. There are a few places in Ireland that deal with
older components but they are very few. The garages do repairs and
maintenance on the more recent cars. I have sent emails to many and got
nothing for my efforts. One garage sent out my email request for parts
to 100 different companies - no response. I even stuck my nose into the
Mercedes Classic club, again with no success. So it's not as simple as
you think.

[Tiger]

Seum. the empty 6 sockets plugs are available in junker cars... all W123,
all W124, all W126 and even W201. All european cars headlight sockets are 6
holes socket... you can even ask then to cut the wire off along with it so
you can match the wires on your car. Color coding is same.

With this many cars choices... any junker yard should have them... maybe
only cost you 2 quid or 2 euro. If you still can't get them, I can send you
a pair of the empty sockets from USA. I have spares.

[Cordy]

Post by Seum
Cordy, my experience is that most of those MBZ dealers have little or no
interest in 1984 cars.

That's not my experience (related to my country: Italy). I have a 1982
motorhome, based on Mercedes 207 D. EVERY single part is readily
available from the local stock or can be ordered and arrives in a maximum
of 48 hours from order, directly from the European spare parts center.
It's expensive, but I could buy (just as an example) the original fuse-
holder. A comparable fuse holder in the after market business was
available, but the cost was only 5 euro lower and required extensive
modifications to the wiring...

Just try to ask... ;) Mercedes is not Rexton or Ford... luckily for you!

If I may suggest a small hint: forget about email. Garage people is...
old fashioned... :D

[Tiger]

Yes... garage people really are old fashioned... call.

The last resort is Mercedes Benz Classic division... they handle all classic
parts.

[DAS]

Cordy/Stefano, several times I asked Seum if he had contacted a franchised
garage and I already posted the links to the Mercedes-Benz Irish dealer
locators, both for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but he
doesn't seem to grasp it...

Of course there is no guarantee of sucess but M-B would always be my *first*
port of call.

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
--

Post by Cordy
Just try to ask... ;) Mercedes is not Rexton or Ford... luckily for you!
If I may suggest a small hint: forget about email. Garage people is...
old fashioned... :D
--
Ciao!
Stefano

[Seum]

Post by DAS
Cordy/Stefano, several times I asked Seum if he had contacted a franchised
garage and I already posted the links to the Mercedes-Benz Irish dealer
locators, both for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but he
doesn't seem to grasp it...
Of course there is no guarantee of sucess but M-B would always be my *first*
port of call.
DAS

It is true that I did a search for Mercedes Benz franchised dealers and
came up with exactly three zeroes. If I can get my modem running today,
I will paste the 10, or more, Dublin MBZ garages with faxes. The vast
majority of emails I sent out were not even acknowledged.

In any case, my thanks to you all for your efforts.

[Tiger]

If you have reread my post... you would understand.

New headlight got 5 prongs... need a 6 holes plug... which you can get from
dealer or wrecker yard... they comes apart... just like your 4 holes harness
now. A flat screwdriver to one side will release the whole thing.

It has been a while so I don't remember which wire go to which hole... All
you have to do is rearrange the wires to it is in proper location... if you
look inside the headlight unit... you will at least recognize brown wire...
which is ground and match the position to brown wire on the wire harness.

All other connectors are easy to trace by using the ohmmeter (part of
multimeter) one would be to low beam... high beam... parking light... and
fog light.

The parking light on the headlight would be where the parking light on the
side light is suppose to connect to. A simple voltmeter will tell you which
one is for parking light. Using ground on body and positive probe into one
of the three holes on the signal light harness.

So once you find the wire you need... simply take it out of the plug... cut
and splice the wire so it is longer to reach your headlight if needed... you
do need that round plug thing to go into the headlight new harness in proper
location.

Any mechanic with electrical knowledge can do it... it is so easy.

Post by Seum

Post by Tiger
The empty 6 hole socket is available at the dealer... or simply get one
from junkyard. All Euro cars has those on their headlamp.
From that statement, then what I wrote is correct. The little light
above the headlight will be your 'sidelight'

Thank you DAS and Tiger. Will be back soon :-)

Hello again Dear Buddies :-)

I have a few more things to report. I have the lamp units imported from
Scotland, installed in my 1984 240D. These lamps are one piece. My old
front lamps have a 7" diameter headlamp wired with 3 flat prongs and a
smaller fog lamp that is clear, not orange.

The present lamp has 5 electric contacts or prongs, 3 in one row and 2
in the other. Now I have to get the "harness", as someone called it, and
do some wiring. I assume this harness has 3 holes for one row and two
for the other one.

The next task is to do the wiring or unwiring.

One of them is to knock out the front blinker lights on each side.
The container that these are located in is glued firmly together and I
cannot see whether there are two bulbs or just one with 2 filaments.
More wires than 2 or 3 go into that container. Is the other filament or
bulb a parking light or? The wiring diagram shows 2 bulbs, one for
blinking (turn signals) and the other for parking.

Thank you for your kind attention :-)

TIA :-)

[Seum]

Thanks again Tiger,

Yesterday I traced, on the MBZ wiring diagram, a black/white wire from
the turn signal lamp, on the left side of the car, down to a harness in
the car's trunk. There is also a wire from the same point on that
harness going to the rear left turn signal lamp and a wire that goes
back, from that same point on the harness, to the dashboard area. Now it
seems to me that if I cut the black/white wire coming out of the front
left turn signal lamp, that lamp would be dead and the rear turn signal
lamp would be ok. Right or?

Post by Tiger
If you have reread my post... you would understand.
New headlight got 5 prongs... need a 6 holes plug... which you can get
from dealer or wrecker yard... they comes apart... just like your 4
holes harness now. A flat screwdriver to one side will release the whole
thing.
It has been a while so I don't remember which wire go to which hole...
All you have to do is rearrange the wires to it is in proper location...
if you look inside the headlight unit... you will at least recognize
brown wire... which is ground and match the position to brown wire on
the wire harness.
All other connectors are easy to trace by using the ohmmeter (part of
multimeter) one would be to low beam... high beam... parking light...
and fog light.
The parking light on the headlight would be where the parking light on
the side light is suppose to connect to. A simple voltmeter will tell
you which one is for parking light. Using ground on body and positive
probe into one of the three holes on the signal light harness.
So once you find the wire you need... simply take it out of the plug...
cut and splice the wire so it is longer to reach your headlight if
needed... you do need that round plug thing to go into the headlight new
harness in proper location.
Any mechanic with electrical knowledge can do it... it is so easy.

Post by Seum

Post by Tiger
The empty 6 hole socket is available at the dealer... or simply get
one from junkyard. All Euro cars has those on their headlamp.
From that statement, then what I wrote is correct. The little light
above the headlight will be your 'sidelight'

Thank you DAS and Tiger. Will be back soon :-)

Hello again Dear Buddies :-)
I have a few more things to report. I have the lamp units imported from
Scotland, installed in my 1984 240D. These lamps are one piece. My old
front lamps have a 7" diameter headlamp wired with 3 flat prongs and a
smaller fog lamp that is clear, not orange.
The present lamp has 5 electric contacts or prongs, 3 in one row and 2
in the other. Now I have to get the "harness", as someone called it, and
do some wiring. I assume this harness has 3 holes for one row and two
for the other one.
The next task is to do the wiring or unwiring.
One of them is to knock out the front blinker lights on each side.
The container that these are located in is glued firmly together and I
cannot see whether there are two bulbs or just one with 2 filaments.
More wires than 2 or 3 go into that container. Is the other filament or
bulb a parking light or? The wiring diagram shows 2 bulbs, one for
blinking (turn signals) and the other for parking.
Thank you for your kind attention :-)
TIA :-)

[Tiger]

Just follow this link.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=143980

"Seum" wrote in message news:***@mid.individual.net...

Thanks again Tiger,

Yesterday I traced, on the MBZ wiring diagram, a black/white wire from
the turn signal lamp, on the left side of the car, down to a harness in
the car's trunk. There is also a wire from the same point on that
harness going to the rear left turn signal lamp and a wire that goes
back, from that same point on the harness, to the dashboard area. Now it
seems to me that if I cut the black/white wire coming out of the front
left turn signal lamp, that lamp would be dead and the rear turn signal
lamp would be ok. Right or?

Post by Tiger
If you have reread my post... you would understand.
New headlight got 5 prongs... need a 6 holes plug... which you can get
from dealer or wrecker yard... they comes apart... just like your 4
holes harness now. A flat screwdriver to one side will release the whole
thing.
It has been a while so I don't remember which wire go to which hole...
All you have to do is rearrange the wires to it is in proper location...
if you look inside the headlight unit... you will at least recognize
brown wire... which is ground and match the position to brown wire on
the wire harness.
All other connectors are easy to trace by using the ohmmeter (part of
multimeter) one would be to low beam... high beam... parking light...
and fog light.
The parking light on the headlight would be where the parking light on
the side light is suppose to connect to. A simple voltmeter will tell
you which one is for parking light. Using ground on body and positive
probe into one of the three holes on the signal light harness.
So once you find the wire you need... simply take it out of the plug...
cut and splice the wire so it is longer to reach your headlight if
needed... you do need that round plug thing to go into the headlight new
harness in proper location.
Any mechanic with electrical knowledge can do it... it is so easy.

Post by Seum

Post by Tiger
The empty 6 hole socket is available at the dealer... or simply get
one from junkyard. All Euro cars has those on their headlamp.
From that statement, then what I wrote is correct. The little light
above the headlight will be your 'sidelight'

Thank you DAS and Tiger. Will be back soon :-)

Hello again Dear Buddies :-)
I have a few more things to report. I have the lamp units imported from
Scotland, installed in my 1984 240D. These lamps are one piece. My old
front lamps have a 7" diameter headlamp wired with 3 flat prongs and a
smaller fog lamp that is clear, not orange.
The present lamp has 5 electric contacts or prongs, 3 in one row and 2
in the other. Now I have to get the "harness", as someone called it, and
do some wiring. I assume this harness has 3 holes for one row and two
for the other one.
The next task is to do the wiring or unwiring.
One of them is to knock out the front blinker lights on each side.
The container that these are located in is glued firmly together and I
cannot see whether there are two bulbs or just one with 2 filaments.
More wires than 2 or 3 go into that container. Is the other filament or
bulb a parking light or? The wiring diagram shows 2 bulbs, one for
blinking (turn signals) and the other for parking.
Thank you for your kind attention :-)
TIA :-)

[Seum]

That was interesting Tiger. So the "harness" is just simply soldered
caps for each prong. Was the color of the wires in the pictures the same
as when the car was manufactured? They look a bit strange to me - not
the schwartz/weiss oder grau/rot, usw. Nein?

I have been trying to send a fax to a bunch of MBZ garages but I can't
get my new Zoom modem to work with Win 7. Ooohhhh, when will it ever end :-(

Post by Tiger
Just follow this link.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=143980
Thanks again Tiger,
Yesterday I traced, on the MBZ wiring diagram, a black/white wire from
the turn signal lamp, on the left side of the car, down to a harness in
the car's trunk. There is also a wire from the same point on that
harness going to the rear left turn signal lamp and a wire that goes
back, from that same point on the harness, to the dashboard area. Now it
seems to me that if I cut the black/white wire coming out of the front
left turn signal lamp, that lamp would be dead and the rear turn signal
lamp would be ok. Right or?

Post by Tiger
If you have reread my post... you would understand.
New headlight got 5 prongs... need a 6 holes plug... which you can get
from dealer or wrecker yard... they comes apart... just like your 4
holes harness now. A flat screwdriver to one side will release the
whole thing.
It has been a while so I don't remember which wire go to which
hole... All you have to do is rearrange the wires to it is in proper
location... if you look inside the headlight unit... you will at least
recognize brown wire... which is ground and match the position to
brown wire on the wire harness.
All other connectors are easy to trace by using the ohmmeter (part of
multimeter) one would be to low beam... high beam... parking light...
and fog light.
The parking light on the headlight would be where the parking light on
the side light is suppose to connect to. A simple voltmeter will tell
you which one is for parking light. Using ground on body and positive
probe into one of the three holes on the signal light harness.
So once you find the wire you need... simply take it out of the
plug... cut and splice the wire so it is longer to reach your
headlight if needed... you do need that round plug thing to go into
the headlight new harness in proper location.
Any mechanic with electrical knowledge can do it... it is so easy.

Post by Seum

Post by Tiger
The empty 6 hole socket is available at the dealer... or simply get
one from junkyard. All Euro cars has those on their headlamp.
From that statement, then what I wrote is correct. The little light
above the headlight will be your 'sidelight'

Thank you DAS and Tiger. Will be back soon :-)

Hello again Dear Buddies :-)
I have a few more things to report. I have the lamp units imported from
Scotland, installed in my 1984 240D. These lamps are one piece. My old
front lamps have a 7" diameter headlamp wired with 3 flat prongs and a
smaller fog lamp that is clear, not orange.
The present lamp has 5 electric contacts or prongs, 3 in one row and 2
in the other. Now I have to get the "harness", as someone called it, and
do some wiring. I assume this harness has 3 holes for one row and two
for the other one.
The next task is to do the wiring or unwiring.
One of them is to knock out the front blinker lights on each side.
The container that these are located in is glued firmly together and I
cannot see whether there are two bulbs or just one with 2 filaments.
More wires than 2 or 3 go into that container. Is the other filament or
bulb a parking light or? The wiring diagram shows 2 bulbs, one for
blinking (turn signals) and the other for parking.
Thank you for your kind attention :-)
TIA :-)