VW mirror

Fit a HID kit

2012-01-11T22:07:53Z

Paulc: spelling

This guide by [[http://forums.seloc.org/m/Janitor Janitor]] outlines the steps required to fit [[HID]] headlights to an S2. There are different versions of the kit, but the principles remain pretty much the same.

The 1st step is to remove the front wheels – clear and easy access is the only way to go. Observe recommended [[jacking points]] and safety here. Once wheels are removed, start on the front section of the wheel arch liner. I’m not personally familiar with fixings and methods before the MY06 models, but I think they may differ slightly

== Procedure ==
'''1. [[Remove the headlamp cover]]'''

'''2. Fit new Xenon bulbs'''
<gallery>
Image:hid installation 6.jpg|Note how the lugs on the bulb base locate in designated positions on the housing
</gallery>
Unplug, unclip and remove the existing dipped headlight bulb and install the HID bulb. I chose to do this first of all so that it’s safely stowed and kept clean whilst you’re sorting the cabling. Due to the lack of easy access, placing the HID tube into the holder is difficult, but be patient and avoid touching the bulb itself with fingers. (It can be cleaned with alcohol & lint-free cloth if accidental contact is made)

'''3. Trim grommet'''
<gallery>
Image:hid installation 7.jpg
</gallery>
Next up, poke through the rubber grommet from inside (1) and trim the inner edge a little (2) to free things up a little for when it comes to pushing the HID bulb cable connectors through. Take much care here – don’t cut the cables or yourself and remember that your precious paintwork is barely a couple of inches away!

'''4. Thread cables'''
<gallery>
Image:hid installation 8.jpg
Image:hid installation 9.jpg|New cables & connectors viewed from inside the arch
</gallery>
Thread all the appropriate connectors through the grommet (1) and refitting the grommet is best done by poking the whole thing through the hole in the clam and manipulating back into place from the inside of the arch. Attach the HID unit feeds to the original headlight bulb connectors (2) and tape them up for insulation and a little extra mechanical fastening (3). Tuck excess cable neatly away under the cable entry point away from the bulb housing and the hole for the glass fixing bolt (4)

(Note that the grommet supplied on the replacement HID bulb cables is not needed in this case. Either remove or carefully slide it up to the existing entry grommet as an extra drip-break)

'''5. Power on test'''
<gallery>
Image:hid installation 11.jpg|The Ballast
</gallery>
Take this opportunity to connect the HID feeds or ‘ballasts’ and run a quick power-up test – there is really only one way this kit can go together (unless you’re trying really hard!) and it beats stripping everything apart again afterwards should something not be quite right!

'''6. Secure ballast'''
<gallery>
Image:hid installation 10.jpg|Bracket for fixing ballast
Image:hid installation 12.jpg|Ballast in place
</gallery>

Being unsure exactly what is what under there, I found it tricky to locate a safe & secure place into which I felt confident of tapping screws for mounting the ballasts. There are twin oil-coolers on the SportsRacer and not knowing what was behind any other panels, I elected to utilise the supplied bracket and then a ‘known’ fixing. One 10mm socket later and all was firmly attached to one of the light unit mount bolts (not the glass securing bolts!). This is ideal as it is away from all other components and pipes etc whilst not interfering when arch liner is refitted.

'''7. Refit sidelight bulbs'''
<gallery>
Image:hid installation 13.jpg
</gallery>
Replacing the sidelight bulbs is dead simple. The holder is fixed into the top side of the main beam light housing and you simply turn the sidelight bulb holder through 90 degrees, substitute the standard bulb with a direct LED replacement and refit

The headlight fuse needs upgrading from 10A to 15A. Although the HIDs actually draw less power, they have a high power draw on startup. Fuses under passenger side bonnet panel

[[Category:DIY]]
[[Category:Electrical]]
[[Category:Lotus Elise]]
[[Category:S2]]

==TUTORIAL: Fitting of £60 HID kit by steve1978.==

[[http://thumbnails17.imagebam.com/4540/8ee86b45397141.gif]] [[http://thumbnails8.imagebam.com/4540/4adb0045397145.gif]]

Kit consists of:
2 ballasts
2 Bulbs
all connections
nuts and bolts
cable ties.

Other kit required.
trolley jack
flat head screw driver
cross head screw driver
electricians tape.

Time taken approx 30 mins per light.

Step1: Remove the wheel

Step 2: Remove the 3 flat headed larger thumb screws. Now the light lense will come off

Step 3: Back under the wheel remove the screws holding the wheel arch lining in place. when complete ease the lining out

Step 4: On the top of the liner there is a void. this is where the ballast will be fitted (between the body and the lining), if you look through the bonnet vent you may just be able to see the location of the ballast.

Step 5: Remove the existing light bulb and insert your new one, you may find it easier to remove the lighting unit, we did (3 cross headed screws on the inside of the arch). feed the cables through the hole and connect them up. there is only one possible way to connect them.

Step 6: Insert the liner back in to the wheel arch and connect the lights back to the ballast, now test the lights. if all is working then reassemble

Step 7 Stand back and be proud!

[[http://17.imagebam.com/dl.php?ID=45397141&sec=7658bdc643c587d162bb668fe80a12ff]]

[[http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=232203&page=1]]

Windscreen wipers

2011-06-22T12:56:04Z

Paulc:

The windscreen wipers on the elise can be a bit sucky, so here is a list of things you can do to aid visibility in wet weather.

'''1) Rain-X.''' A liquid windscreen coating that costs about £5 from halfords. This causes water to form beads and run off, greatly improving visibility. At high speeds, windscreen wipers are not always necessary even in heavy rain.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10151&productId=222433&categoryId=31293

'''2) S2 Wiper arm''' (If you have an S1 or older S2). The OE S1 wiper arm requires a special blade, and also does not pivot away from the windscreen fully. For about £25 you can replace this with an S2 arm and a standard blade. The Lotus part number for the S2 Wiper Arm is A117MO105F. Fitting the arm is easy:

- take note of the blade position (it's a good idea to stick some masking tape to the windscreen and draw a line on the masking tape showing the blade position).

- lift the plastic cap at the bottom of the arm.

- undo bolt and remove the existing arm. Don't prise the arm away with a screwdriver levered against the windscreen; this will likely crack the windscreen glass.

- locate new arm in position noted earlier and then tighten the bolt. The splines on the fitting will cut into the smooth plastic of the wiper arm as you tighten the bolt. It may be necessary to use a file to increase the size of the hole on the arm so that it sits low enough on the spindle.

- check that the front service compartment lid will close properly and does not touch the arm. Tighten the bolt further if necessary. Be careful not to chip the paint on the bonnet when you close it (if the arm is not low enough on the spindle, or the arm is positioned wrongly, the bonnet will make contact with the arm). Masking tape is recommended here to protect the bonnet while testing to see if it closes. It may be necessary to have the S2 arm a little higher at rest than the S1 arm so that it clears the bonnet.

'''3) Valeo VM15 wiper blade with Spray bar.''' About £12 for a 24" blade from http://www.wiperblades.co.uk (Do a search for Renault, Espace, 1994 - quote <s>'stidrivers'</s> <u>This code no longer appears valid, nor the stdrivers variant. Use ''''polepos10'''' instead, working on 26/10/9</u> on the checkout for 10% discount). This blade comes with a spray bar fitted, which replaces your windscreen washer jets (see [[Windscreen washer mod]]). Requires the S2 wiper arm. Extremely good, and very easy to attach the washer fluid bottle to the blade instead of the jets (you'll need about 1 m of 3 mm inner diameter tubing, £4 or so from ebay, to hook it up). Make sure you buy the wiper blade for the correct side of the car.

'''3a) SWF 116153 wiper blade with Spray bar''' 26" long. Again £12(ish) but from a local motorfactors. This is the drivers side blade from a 1996-2002 Espace (also fitted to Citroen C8 02on, Fiat Ulysee 02on, Lancia Phedra 02on, Merc Benz Vito and V-klasse and finally Pug 807 02 on). The only "issue" some might have with the drivers side blade is that the washer hose comes in from the roof end of the wiper and not the bonnet.

'''4) Aero Blades.''' Some drivers have reported these work really well, although they do lift a little bit at the edges.

If you notice the edges of the wiper are lifting away from the windscreen, you can '''gently''' bend the inner part of the blade frame using pliers to increase the amount of travel available to the brackets.

By far the best blade I’ve ever fitted to a vehicle is the '''Aero Blade''' from autobulbs, one piece rubber construction, no moving metal parts to bend or rust, the sweep rubber is still as new after one year on my vehicle. You will need an S2 arm to fit these, and about bending the end, which does lift off the screen over by tax disc, why bother it has no affect whatsoever on its cleaning or viewing area. Make sure it clicks securely into the arm, might require some force, have seen these badly fitted and then not sweep correctly.

'''5) Tesco 24 inch flat blade. £1.46''' No kidding, works a treat (IF you have the later S2 universal J clip type arm). The blade is very pliable and moulds itself to the shape of the elise screen. Quiet, works well and smear free.
I found these blades are no longer available. So I bought the whole wiper for £3, took the blade of and fitted it to my old 'holder'. Simple and works great!

[[Category:Body]]
[[Category:Lotus Elise]]
[[Category:S1]]
[[Category:S2]]