MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => General => Topic started by: MannyUK on October 2, 2019, 21:33

Title: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: MannyUK on October 2, 2019, 21:33
Quick one

Do facelift headlights fit on a pre facelift?
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: Joesson on October 3, 2019, 09:04
My understanding is that the physical size and shape fit but the electrical wiring requirements differ, exactly what is required I believe has been mentioned on here but may take some finding.
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: Carolyn on October 3, 2019, 09:21
The PFL headlights do stand up to internal yellowing much better than the later ones. I was told this by the headlight restorer who attend Shing Ding.

He said the reflective surround inside the FL lights is the culprit.

And yes, the later headlight uses a relay to switch from high to low beam, so wiring modification is required.
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: Chilli Girl on October 3, 2019, 20:05
That would account to when I see pfl 2's their lights are so much better looking than fl ones.  Thanks for info C.  That's another thing I've learnt about our 2's. :)
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: MannyUK on October 3, 2019, 20:56
interesting thanks for advice.  Mine have gone all yellow crap and i was toying with buying a couple of new ones until i saw the price!
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: Fin on October 5, 2019, 19:31
I have PFL's on my FL. There is a way around the wiring issues for the changeover... The PFL uses a single bulb, which is either dipped or high beam. The FL uses 2 bulbs, which are both on for high beam. A way was found, with a relay, but it disables the High Beam Indicator on the instrument panel (all depends whether you mind that, or whether you're happy to run one bulb at a time like I do, and how friendly/observant your MOT tester is ;) ).
Also worth noting, I found that the beam on the PFL is actually better than the FL (personal opinion, and prepared to be shot down in flames on that one!!)
Before panicking, and splashing out vast sums on new headlights, these units are plastic, and respond extremely well to many of the Headlight restoration kits currently in the market.
It is generally the UV protection which discolours. A good restoration kit, including UV protective cream or polish is well worth the £15 to £20 outlay.
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: 2ZZ_mofo on May 28, 2023, 20:38
I'm having a headlights nightmare!

I have a PFL car which had FL headlights fitted. I got a local garage to try to convert back to PFL lights but they can't get them to work properly. They say they are very dim and only one of the 2 filaments in each bulb are lighting.

Any ideas? Not sure if it makes any difference but it's a 2ZZ conversion with engine from a Celica TSport - I think it's the original MR2 with some modifications.
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: Gaz mr-s on May 28, 2023, 21:14
It's more common for the the pfl-FL conversion as your car has had. The FL's lights in the dark are not great at speed, but they're a damn sight better than an H4 bulb.

If your car has properly-working FL's I'd keep them in. On hi-beam, dipped stays on.   

There is a little wiring-loom conversion that has a couple of plugs on it,  (I believe American origin) which converts pfl to FL,  BUT when on hi-beam, only it works.

I have read online of a conversion (also American) of using at least two relays & 8 feet of wiring to do it.....

And of a guy in North West England who did it in 20 minutes & supposedly had them fully working.  But the twat couldn't be bothered to write a post explaining.

Also, as of the middle of last year, Toyota GB said pfl lights were no longer available.  True still or not, I don't know.
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: 2ZZ_mofo on May 29, 2023, 08:17
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on May 28, 2023, 21:14It's more common for the the pfl-FL conversion as your car has had. The FL's lights in the dark are not great at speed, but they're a damn sight better than an H4 bulb.

If your car has properly-working FL's I'd keep them in. On hi-beam, dipped stays on.   

There is a little wiring-loom conversion that has a couple of plugs on it,  (I believe American origin) which converts pfl to FL,  BUT when on hi-beam, only it works.

I have read online of a conversion (also American) of using at least two relays & 8 feet of wiring to do it.....

And of a guy in North West England who did it in 20 minutes & supposedly had them fully working.  But the twat couldn't be bothered to write a post explaining.

Also, as of the middle of last year, Toyota GB said pfl lights were no longer available.  True still or not, I don't know.

I got brand new PFL lights from MR2BEN which weren't exactly cheap. The FL lights that came off had cracked quite badly so not fit to re fit. Now I have a car that isn't road legal..
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: Gaz mr-s on May 29, 2023, 09:17
Quote from: 2ZZ_mofo on May 29, 2023, 08:17I got brand new PFL lights from MR2BEN which weren't exactly cheap. The FL lights that came off had cracked quite badly so not fit to re fit. Now I have a car that isn't road legal..

Sorry to hear.  MR2Ben is usually more expensive than TCB.  Paul at TCB has said though that is little wriggle-room selling lights.  Would it help to have a pic of the H4 plugs & wiring colours?
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: 2ZZ_mofo on May 29, 2023, 09:57
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on May 29, 2023, 09:17Sorry to hear.  MR2Ben is usually more expensive than TCB.  Paul at TCB has said though that is little wriggle-room selling lights.  Would it help to have a pic of the H4 plugs & wiring colours?

If you could provide that it would be very much appreciated! 👍
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: Gaz mr-s on May 29, 2023, 10:04
Quote from: 2ZZ_mofo on May 29, 2023, 09:57If you could provide that it would be very much appreciated! 👍

pm me your email address....should manage it today.
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: 2ZZ_mofo on May 29, 2023, 10:31
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on May 29, 2023, 10:04pm me your email address....should manage it today.

You're a star, PM sent 👍
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: Petrus on May 30, 2023, 12:39
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on May 28, 2023, 21:14It's more common for the the pfl-FL conversion as your car has had. The FL's lights in the dark are not great at speed, but they're a damn sight better than an H4 bulb.

H4 Osram Nightbreakers solve that quite nicely.
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: 2ZZ_mofo on May 31, 2023, 22:18
8)

(https://i.ibb.co/Kr0c9Dq/PXL-20230531-205936979.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Kr0c9Dq)
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: Gaz mr-s on May 31, 2023, 23:50
Quote from: 2ZZ_mofo on May 31, 2023, 22:188)

(https://i.ibb.co/Kr0c9Dq/PXL-20230531-205936979.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Kr0c9Dq)


Wiring info work?
Title: Re: Facelift headlights on pre face lift
Post by: 2ZZ_mofo on June 1, 2023, 01:42
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on May 31, 2023, 23:50Wiring info work?

Well, they worked it out before I had a chance to pass it to them. But it's the same diagram they eventually used that you sent me so it's in the tech file for future reference.

Really appreciate the assistance Gaz! 👍👍