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      01-17-2011, 04:53 PM   #1
Reflex_nl
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Post AMBER delete ? US => EU spec

===================
DIY on 2nd page!
===================

Hi Guys,

I just moved to Europe and took the US spec Z4 2006 3.0i with me. Unfortunatelly I cannot get it approved for the road because the amber signals lights are "on" when I turn the lights on. However, this is not allowed in EU country... amber blinkers are ok, but not in an always on state.

My plan was to replace the bulb with white ones... but unfortunatelly these are already white. It's the amber reflector that makes the colour.

Solution:

1) Make an electronic bypass... cumbersome but possible. (seen it done on a US spec 3series)
2) Update US software to EU software, making the amber signals stop from lighting "always" on. Very risky... and dealer not intrested in helping me out.
3) Replace casing? or remove amber light?

Any help, suggestion is welcome... it's a pitty not using my car already for 3 months.

Reflex.

Last edited by Reflex_nl; 01-22-2011 at 01:19 PM..
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      01-17-2011, 05:28 PM   #2
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http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=461083
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      01-18-2011, 03:38 AM   #3
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Thanks.

3) shatter the glass is an option. Would you recommend to remove the full unit before doing this? I haven't seen a DIY on the head-light disassembly/replacement.
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      01-18-2011, 05:39 AM   #4
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Ok I believe you can swap the LCM (light control module) to a Euro one and that should do what your asking
It has to be a brand new one, not used,
BMW logs all the miles in this stupid module and if you replace it with a used one the car thinks your trying to tamper with the miles and the warning lights go off,

This has been my theory since 06 but I have never tried it,
The module is around $200,
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      01-18-2011, 12:54 PM   #5
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actually stand by on this,

after some more research I think its possible using your existing LCM,

I'm going to try to get my personal car euro coded and see if it works,
I know it works for the E46 M3 guys, They share a similar platform as us so I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can finally crack this and get rid of those ugly amber lights that light up with the headlight
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      01-18-2011, 05:06 PM   #6
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Ok the guy who does the coding wants me to send him my LCM and he will re-code it with Euro coding,
turning off the amber turn signals when the headlights are on,
and there is a bunch of other stuff too,
(like one touch roof close for roadsters)

Keeping my fingers crossed this works as I too have wanted this for years,
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      01-18-2011, 06:51 PM   #7
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Very interested.
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      01-18-2011, 07:21 PM   #8
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^^^ + 1
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      01-18-2011, 07:51 PM   #9
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Yup fingers crossed guys!

It means our headlights will illuminate like this



and get rid of that ugly amber crap thats mandated over here,
I didn't grow up in the US so I am not really used to seeing the amber lights come on with the headlights and never liked it,

Headlights should just be "headlights" amber turn signals should only come on when switching lanes IMO,
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      01-18-2011, 08:01 PM   #10
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Is this an under the table thing, or can any dealer do it?
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      01-18-2011, 08:47 PM   #11
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No dealer will do it for you,
Your car will no longer be DOT legal after the mod,

But I have a way around that too,

First is getting it to work,
Then details
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      01-18-2011, 09:32 PM   #12
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jamie - you are the man! keep us all posted. so in the euro version, is the amber completely gone at ALL times, or does it light up ONLY when the turn signal is utilized.

damn if this works i'd be almost content to stop here and forget the angel eyes. $200 and not having to really fudge with the expensive oem headlights is worth giving up the AA look...
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      01-19-2011, 05:34 AM   #13
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The amber will only light up when you use the turn signals or 4 way flashers,

When you turn the sidelights on, instead of the three amber lights and the single angel eye, Only the inner angel eye will come on,

When the headlights are on, it will look like that picture above,

There are some other features too and I shall try to compile a list, But the most important one for me is amber delete,
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      01-19-2011, 08:26 AM   #14
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Btw is the coding done via gt1 or do you actually need to send the unit back to Europe? I tried disabling the drl thinking that would accomplish it but I ended up losing both amber and outer halo.
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      01-19-2011, 09:13 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubbedown View Post
Btw is the coding done via gt1 or do you actually need to send the unit back to Europe? I tried disabling the drl thinking that would accomplish it but I ended up losing both amber and outer halo.
You have a gt1?
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      01-19-2011, 10:07 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Starscream View Post
You have a gt1?
nope, went to a shop not too far from us who has one, and their rates were really reasonable. i went to activate the oem alarm, change the blinker setting, and then turn off the drl (when i used to think drl = amber, not amber + halo)... i think they charged me like $40 for all of it.
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      01-19-2011, 10:11 AM   #17
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I shall find out if thats what its loaded by,

The guy said I can either send him my LCM or we can meet in person for more of a custom code,
He said he can do more when he has the car,

So we shall see,
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      01-19-2011, 10:26 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Starscream View Post
I shall find out if thats what its loaded by,

The guy said I can either send him my LCM or we can meet in person for more of a custom code,
He said he can do more when he has the car,

So we shall see,
sounds good, like i said keep us posted. i just wanted to make sure that his approach was different from what i attempted, which was simply disabling the drl's via gt1.
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      01-19-2011, 03:02 PM   #19
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Yeah Starscream, this sound like a great solution. I wasn't looking fw to start dismounting the front of the car. I've read that the LCM controls more than just the lights (even ODO meter etc) and the EURO spec version of the LCM also has a rear fog light button.

Keep us posted, amber = not cool :-)
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      01-19-2011, 06:04 PM   #20
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It looks like they might will be illegal on US roadways:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automot...ication_lights

or

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...px?reg=571.108 (I haven't sifted through this thing)

The front position lamps can be either white or yellow. The reflector delete is also illegal, but I think our cars are uncommon enough no one really notices.

However, there might be a way around it. According to Wikipedia, "Since the late 1960s, front position lamps have been required to remain illuminated even when the headlamps are on, to maintain the visual signature of a dual-track vehicle to oncoming drivers in the event of headlamp burnout. Front position lamps worldwide produce between 4 and 125 candelas."

I don't know how many candelas our angel eyes are, but they might suffice for "front position lamps." I don't have time to look further into it right now.
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      01-19-2011, 06:33 PM   #21
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I know its not legal to turn the amber off,

But I'm working on a solution for that,
I might, MIGHT setup the top "egg yoke" amber light for the one and only amber running light to keep the fuzz happy,

This is only if I ever get bother, But I'm going to try running amber free and see how the reactions are,

Never got a problem for the painted reflector, and I even went through inspection with it
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      01-19-2011, 06:33 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dubbedown View Post
sounds good, like i said keep us posted. i just wanted to make sure that his approach was different from what i attempted, which was simply disabling the drl's via gt1.
yeah its a different thing,
Should know this weekend
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