Xantia Headlamp wiring Mod........Help needed

[Stickyfinger]

Xantia Headlamp wiring Mod

SO, when you did yours how did you feed the new larger wires thru into the back of the headlamp body ?
I take it you did not use the original connector ?
Where did you place your relays ?
Where did you run your new h/duty earths to ?
Where did you place the additional fuse box ? (Fitting with a 4 x blade box as other supplies will be needed later)

Input would be helpful as I hate those loose wires

[addo]

I've just done a 405 to accept high power globes. I used 5 Pin NO relays with diode protection (check the trigger coil polarity!) these relays meant I had one pin per side per high or dipped beam. Mounted on a stainless bracket from the hardware, high and dipped each have their own fused supply from the battery clamp.

Ceramic sockets to the bulbs, you can buy these naked and also the click in brass female inserts from the same supplier - saves buying the one with tails and having to splice them in. I used 25A wire (DC12V rating) and bundled it in split convoluted tubing "banded" every 6" with double wall heatshrink.

Each headlight had its own new ground on the adjacent inner wing. All my connections are crimped with a professional ratchet crimper then soft soldered and sheathed in dual wall (glue lined) heatshrink using a heat gun. After clipping back and individually insulating all the redundant wires (more heatshrink!) I was able to squeeze the three new heavy gauge wires in under the bottom lip of the covers. A Xantia lamp might need "adjusting" with a hot tool to create a tidy recess there. I just used the main harness wires to trigger the relays, picked them up a long way from the headlights.

[Stickyfinger]

Cheers Addo.

I am going to use 35amp and 25amp wires vai the correct amperage relays. I will solders all joints and heat shrink them, all will be wrapped in "loom tape" and made into two feed looms with matching colours.

It is the layout and the "fittings & connectors" into the headlamps (that I am struggling with) so that I can keep them "Plug&Play" as per the original.....it keeps it all neat.~ the last thing I need is 5 wires to disconnect if I remove the lights.

Thinking about these
http://www.electricalcarservices.com/Co ... 11-181-603" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[wurlycorner]

What headlight wiring mod is this Sticky? (thread rather jumps in without saying that! )

[Stickyfinger]

Hi


to feed the lamps from a pair of relays rather than via the ignition switch.....

[wurlycorner]

Voltage drop issues as on CX's?
Or burning out the ignition switch?

[Stickyfinger]

Voltage drop issues as on CX's?
Or burning out the ignition switch?

Both, this is pre-emptive strike

[Stewart(oily)]

I had a great result with this mod on a BX, will my 1999 Xantia benefit from it too ?

[DickieG]

I had a great result with this mod on a BX, will my 1999 Xantia benefit from it too ?

To check if it's worth doing either connect up a voltmeter to the back of the headlamp positive connector and earth then compare the voltage with the battery voltage, or simply make up a fly lead from the battery positive terminal and touch it on the same connector on the back of the bulb, if the bulb is then brighter you have your answer, simples

[Stickyfinger]

For me the ignition switch is the concern more so than the lights, that and the inadequate earthing.

did this


I retained the side lights via the original wires/plugs just to have them on another system.

[elma]

I've been avoiding this but I just know my car needs it doing. I will be following closely.

[DickieG]

I fitted the relay mod to something like the last four Xantias I owned, such was the difference I've also fitted it to my DS, allow a couple of hours, job done.

[Stickyfinger]

Laying up the new loom, as I hate loose wires (they confuse me) I thought I would make it neat & tidy


I have made up twin earth wires running to both inner wings, twin relays, plug to original feeds (for the relays), plugged feeds to each bulb and twin maxi fuse box running 25/35amp fuses fed direct from the battery.
I have inserted the relays into the fuse box and mounted them in the original relay carrier (the twin Maxi-fuse carrier lives under these)
I have used recovered Citroen original plugs throughout (Ignition plugs rated at 60amps) , soldered any wire joints & shrink wrapped. I have taped those joints with amalgamating tape then wrapped the loom in water-proof loom tape.

Test fitting for loom length and the feeds out to the lamps/the main feeds to the fuses from the battery via a new opening in the side of the box.



note to self:......must remove and paint the battery tray

[Stickyfinger]

Loom finished, just the earths & headlamp internals to do.......

[Stewart(oily)]

Very neat, has anyone tried HIDs in dipped beam ? the ones I have fitted for people come with a relay and are effectively pre-wired.