355 xenon installation headlamp questions | FerrariChat
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355 xenon installation headlamp questions

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by kyopo, Jul 16, 2007.

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  1. kyopo

    kyopo Rookie

    Jul 16, 2007
    5
    #1 kyopo, Jul 16, 2007
    Hi,

    New member here. I'm about to do a xenon/ballasts/relay installation on a '99 355. I tried removing just the headlamp per the owner's manual and got to the point where I needed another inch of clearance or so to pull the headlamp out. It didn't feel right to have to exert so much force to get the headlamp out so I abandoned that approach.

    Searching here, I found a few posts suggesting the best way to do this is by removing the entire headlamp pod with motor and all, which means moving the fuse box or washer bottle depending on the side and removing the 4 bolts for each pod.

    Is this the best way? Do I need to get under the car to disconnect the wiring or can I do that after I loosen the pods? Any other tips folks would recommend?

    I promise to post a nice FAQ with pictures once this is done as I'd like to save the next guy some trouble. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
    U.S.A.
    Full Name:
    goth
    #2 gothspeed, Jul 16, 2007
    I would like to know this "removal" info too :)!
     
  3. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,614
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    #3 ernie, Jul 16, 2007
    If all you want to do is lift up the head light housing, there is a knob that you will need to turn, that is on the top of the motor.

    Open your hood and then look down between the back of the headlight housing and the body, you should see the knob. A word of caution, BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR FINGERS. The lift motor is VERY strong and can bust your finger. SERIOUSLY! Once the housing gets to a certain height it will open AUTOMATICALLY. I suggest disconnecting the power to the battery. But when you reconnect the battery you will need to let the ecu's go through the warm up parameters. Anyway, turn that knob to get the housing to lift up.

    Here is a good link for you to read. It's provided care of the 348 Brotherhood :D http://www.club348.com/technical/Tech/348.html#lightsPopUp
     
  4. kyopo

    kyopo Rookie

    Jul 16, 2007
    5
    #4 kyopo, Jul 16, 2007
    Thanks. Yeah, I tried that, but I still need another 1" or so of clearance to be able to pull the headlamp out and I don't want to force it.

    I think the better route is to remove the entire headlamp pod anyways so I can install the xenon relays at the same time.

    My questions are:

    - Do I need to remove the undertrays and disconnect the wiring for the motor and headlamp before removing the pod?

    - Is there a better way or a trick to removing the headlamps?

    - Any other suggestions?
     
  5. AVMotorsport

    AVMotorsport Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 11, 2004
    255
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    Alex V
    #5 AVMotorsport, Jul 17, 2007
    Hi,

    You might find most, if not all of your questions answered here:

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72653&highlight=355+HID

    Go to post #5.

    Cheers, Alex
     
  6. zero

    zero Guest

    Apr 24, 2007
    776
    #6 zero, Jul 17, 2007
  7. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,614
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    #7 ernie, Jul 17, 2007
    You can remove one nut on the side of the housing to disconnect it from the lifting arm. That way you can tip the housing all the way up if you like. But that does require you to get under the car, and remove the front under tray. You are gonna have to remove the under tray anyway, so may as well get the front of the car in the air and take it off.
     

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