None wrencher ‘report’ on installation of Radioflyer ACA headlight kit.

First of all I purchased my 2001 M6 coupe off the showroom floor in 2010 and it currently has 162,000 miles on it. Obviously this is my daily driver. Over the years I have made minor changes for the sake of the driver’s comfort that a non-mechanical minded owner could easily make. Recently I purchased an ACA HID low beam kit from Radioflyer. He has been very responsive to all of my inquiries and helpful on the install.

Removal of the original headlights – WHAT A PAIN. Obviously on a car that is 13 years old, most, if not all, connections are frozen. I gave up trying to gain access to the headlight assembly per the instructions (these were written for much younger cars) and just removed the entire assembly from the frame, disconnected the electrical connections and walked it over to the work bench. There the headlight removal was simple and quick. Next was to test fit the new headlight – I needed to remove a small portion of the metal frame that was in the way of the projector housing. I used a hand grinder – really carefully – and successfully.

Next was the re-installation of the assembly to the frame – no problem. When I hooked up the new ballast to the low beams they wouldn’t fire. After communicating with Radioflyer, I realized that the factory connector for the ballast needed to be reversed – just turning it around and not using the locking mechanism solved the problem.

I proceed to mount the ballast, install the other headlight and waited for nightfall.

HOLLY **** – After adjusting the headlight beams, the light level from the low HIDs was unbelievable. Much brighter than I’ve seen on any vehicle. Now I’m ready for the next 162,000 miles.

rr

 

Nice write up, glad everything worked out for you. Please post pics.

 

Glad to hear you got everything worked out.

I'd like to know what part of the old headlight removal you had trouble with so I can make appropriate notes for the installation guide.

 

Radioflyer - step 2 - the removal of the 4 torx 15 screws that hold the headlight cover in place - the ones that contain the plastic or metal sleeves - there is no way to get these out. I broke my torx driver inside the first bolt that I tried to remove. All of them are 'welded' on from age. That's when I decided just to remove the headlight assembly and not bother with all of this.

 

Totaly unrelated but I am courious...

You state: "First of all I purchased my 2001 M6 coupe off the showroom floor in 2010 and it currently has 162,000 miles on it."

Did you buy it in 2002 or 2010? just wondering.

 

I had the same problem when installing my ACA HD's. I rounded off the torx heads on those pivot bolts but, after much effort, removed them and replaced them. If you also want/need to replace your pivot bolts, here is a non-GM alternative (translation: much less expensive) offered by JW Motoring:

http://www.shop.jwmotoring.com/produ...categoryId=331

The Lizzard

 

I purchased it in 2010

 

Man-oh-man, had I know this going into the project I wouldn't have stressed so much, I would have just cut the off and replaced them. Thanks for the information.

 

PB blaster may have helped in this instance.

 

That's precisely what our Forum is for...helping you and me do things to our beloved C5s with a lesser chance of screwing it up and/or stressing out.

The Lizzard

 

Glad the mod went well, I too recently changed out my stock lights for the HID Bi-Xeons from RadioFlyer, and holly white light Batman, night turns into day, an Awesome mod!!!!