Freelander 2 (2007) Halogen / Xenon Conversion

Hi folks, as the title says I want to convert to the new style Xenon headlights as the halogens just don't cut it for me anymore (especially after having had a taste of the xenon experience with a different car!).
From what I have gathered from older threads, I can purchase the full Xenon headlight units that the newer freelander models have, swap with halogen headlight units i currently have fitted, and then have a diagnostics tool update the cars settings to be compatible with the new units, and then i will have awesome Xenon headlights lighting up the roads at night. Please can anyone tell me if I have this wrong?

And if I am correct, does anyone know where i might come by these headlight units? So far i have an offside unit on gumtree at a reasonable price that i may be able to get my hands on. Let me know, cheers folks! Danny.

Danj246 said:

From what I have gathered from older threads, I can purchase the full Xenon headlight units that the newer freelander models have, swap with halogen headlight units i currently have fitted, and then have a diagnostics tool update the cars settings

Click to expand...

Correct.

Danj246 said:

Please can anyone tell me if I have this wrong?

Click to expand...

You'll also need to add the headlight washers and get the headlight auto levelling working or it'll fail the MOT.

Nodge68 said:

Correct.

You'll also need to add the headlight washers and get the headlight auto levelling working or it'll fail the MOT.

Click to expand...

Hi Nodge68, thanks for your reply - Ok I wonder if they will be a pain to source/install?
Would a potential option be to keep the original halogen units and swap em out again prior to MOT, or would that be more of a hassle?
I have seem some supposed MOT testers quote their procedures as stating IF these items (washer/auto levelling) are present then they must be working.... not that they are an actual requirement - anyone shed some light on that statement?
Cheers

Danj246 said:

Hi Nodge68, thanks for your reply - Ok I wonder if they will be a pain to source/install?
Would a potential option be to keep the original halogen units and swap em out again prior to MOT,

Click to expand...

That would mean your MOT and insurance would be invalid while you had the Xenon (HID to use the correct term) units fitted.

Danj246 said:

I have seem some supposed MOT testers quote their procedures as stating IF these items (washer/auto levelling) are present then they must be working.... not that they are an actual requirement - anyone shed some light on that statement?

Click to expand...

If HID lights are fitted, then levelling and washers MUST also be fitted. If levelling and washers are fitted to a vehicle, then they MUST also be working correctly.
The HIDs lights will only get European Type Approval for use on a new vehicle if the washers and levelling are also fitted. So it stand to reason that if HIDs are fitted later on, then the washers and levelling should also be fitted to maintain EU TA.

The MOT rules do say that HID/ LED lights "MAY" be fitted with levelling and washers and if so, these must be working. It's all a bit of a grey area, but whatever you do, you must tell your insurance company or they will reject a claim if one becomes necessary.

Yeah I agree it is a grey area. Ultimately the lights are from a newer model and are not some knock off HID kit thats going to dazzle everyone, nor am I looking to simply just put HID/Xenon bulbs straight into the halogen unit where the relefction will throw the light in an inappropriate way.
Plus i also read that in an MOT scenario they would mark this down and would tell you to sort it out for the next MOT so effectively that would buy me 2 years of safer night driving before I'd need to worry about re-fitting the halogens.
Has anyone ever retro fitted auto leveling and washers, should i decide to go ahead with that? I know a little about the lights but next to nothing about the auto level/washers.
Cheers

Levelling and washers were always fitted to the FL2 when fitting xenon at manufacture for uk market. It's true some swop out the headlights to pass the mot but it's also true some dazzle the police and get stopped for it. As said above yer need to do the job correctly. You will also need the levelling computer added.

Cheap FL2 xenon headlights... Sounds suspect to me. More like stolen. Have yer seen he price of them new? I wouldn't give them away cheap.

A lot the text ont web about retro fitting xenon's is prior to the new mot rules. They're now looking out for more headlight problems because there's a noticeable increase in claims due to peeps being blinded.

Cr*p on the web about not testing washer jets... Our local mot tester shouts out washer test, then they all take up hiding positions before the washer is activated. Amusing to watch. Its surprising how violent the FL2 headlight washer jets are. Covered the wall 4 foot in front of it.

Washers shoud be easy to do. You'll just need the jets, piping bottle and pump, along with possibly some wiring (may already be there). If the wiring is in place, then it could well be a case of a software modification to makes them work. Do you have a Gap Diagnostics IID BT programming tool for the vehicle?

I expect the auto levelling is more complex as you'll need to fit the ride hight sensors and the necessary components that go with that system. It'd be worth checking to see if the wiring is already fitted, as that is a good indication as to the viability of fitting the rest of the system.

Hippo said:

Our local mot tester shouts out washer test, then they all take up hiding positions before the washer is activated. Amusing to watch. Its surprising how violent the FL2 headlight washer jets are. Covered the wall 4 foot in front of it

Click to expand...

My MOT test centre is the same. Headlight washers work at about 100 Psi, so yes, the water will go a long way when it's sprayed.

Hey Hippo - I didn't say they were cheap because they certainly arent! One is reasonably priced from a second hand site and the other i may have to buy new which will cost a fotune! Almost not worth doing but they are such an improvement, hopefully i may get lucky and find another at a decent price, never know!
Nodge - I think i might actually already have the washers fitted (from memory, just waiting for the mrs to send me a pic thru to confirm)... I guess the Haynes manual will be my best bet then to see what wiring is already in place, and proceed from there?
Has anyone ever actually gone through this process before?

Theres also a free Freelander 2 manual to download int technical section. Technical link at top of the Freelander forum. Its the same free one peeps sell on the web.

would this be the washer jets?[GALLERY=] [/GALLERY]

Forgot to menttion, no I dont have a Gap Diagnostics IID BT programming tool for it - I'm hoping my local 4x4 garage that i use will square me away with that.
Anyone heard of/used the "Hella Ultrasonic Automatic Headlight Leveling System" ?? Just seen in online and could possible be the solution to this problem, any thoughts are appreciated.
Cheers

Danj246 said:

would this be the washer jets?[GALLERY=]View attachment 151363 [/GALLERY]

Click to expand...

Yes. It's the bit that sticks out the bumper between the fog light and headlight.

Hippo said:

Yes. It's the bit that sticks out the bumper between the fog light and headlight.

Click to expand...

Awesome halfway there then! Although I have never seen it working and dont think there is any button in the car to operate it so not sure about that, hence why i was asking. Maybe its on all models but only certain ones have it fully functional - mines is an SE. Unless is works with the windscreen washer jets maybe?

Danj246 said:

dont have a Gap Diagnostics IID BT programming tool for it - I'm hoping my local 4x4 garage that i use will square me away with that.

Click to expand...

You need to check that the local 4X4 place can do Car Configuration File modifications as changes to CCFs are the remit of dedicated specialist equipment. The Gap Diagnostics IID BT being about the best and most versatile coding unit I've seen.

Danj246 said:

Although I have never seen it working and dont think there is any button in the car to operate it

Click to expand...

Light washers only function when the screen washers are used while the lights are on.

Danj246 said:

Maybe its on all models but only certain ones have it fully functional - mines is an SE. Unless is works with the windscreen washer jets maybe?

Click to expand...

They also won't work if the washer reservoir is below half full.

Nodge68 said:

You need to check that the local 4X4 place can do Car Configuration File modifications as changes to CCFs are the remit of dedicated specialist equipment. The Gap Diagnostics IID BT being about the best and most versatile coding unit I've seen.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, I will check that out and hopefully find someone local who can help

Rules from the mot manwell below. The problem you will have is the zenon/hid need washers and levelling. Whilst the manwell says "may be fitted"... suspension/levelling... the FL2 was only available with xenon/hid from LR with level sensors and control fitted. The date means nothing as your changing the build spec of the vehicle. If the tester picks up on something wrong/missing then there's a lot of Major faults to collect. Rules on faults further down.

https://www.mot-testing.service.gov...ors-and-electrical-equipment.html#section_4.1

4.1.5 Levelling devices

Make sure any manual headlamp levelling devices (driver controls) work by:
• switching on the dipped beam headlamps
• operating the manual levelling device
• checking that the headlamp beams move up and down
• returning the levelling device control to its original position

Vehicles with high intensity discharge (HID) or LED dipped beam headlamps may be fitted with a suspension or headlamp self-levelling system. If these systems have been fitted, they must work.

Sometimes it isn't easy to determine if the self-levelling systems work. In such cases you should give the benefit of the doubt.

You can identify HID headlamps from:
• ‘DCR’ mark on the headlamp lens or body
• an igniter module or inverter behind the headlamp
• taking a few seconds to reach full intensity
• a bluish tinge to the light

HID headlamps use high voltage. You should take care when inspecting these headlamps.

Defect Category
a. Headlamp levelling device inoperative Major
b. Manual levelling device cannot be operated from the driver’s seat Major

4.1.6 Headlamp cleaning devices
You must inspect vehicles first used on or after 1 September 2009 equipped with headlamp washers.

You can identify HID headlamps from:
• ‘DCR’ mark on the headlamp lens or body
• an igniter module or inverter behind the headlamp
• taking a few seconds to reach full intensity
• a bluish tinge to the light

HID headlamps use high voltage. You should take care when inspecting these headlamps.
Defect Category

a. Headlamp cleaning device:
i. inoperative Minor
ii. inoperative in the case of LED or gas discharge systems (HID) Major

Faults and the new meaning:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mot-changes-20-may-2018

Thanks for posting this info, I am not discouraged by it. I have the washers in place and working fine. And i think I can get an auto levelling kit from hella as mentioned above. Will update when I proceed with the job. So far I have the one headlight due to collect this week, and am looking for a passenger side one currently (if anyone knows where I might aqquire one give me shout!). Thanks again folks