BMW E39 Euro-spec CELIS Angel Eye Head Light Installation

This DIY covers the install of Euro-spec CELIS (aka Angel Eye or halo) assemblies on a pre-2001 E39 to mimic the newer-style 2001+ E39 head lights. Note that the Euro-spec assemblies do not have the small side parking indicator, which is required for DOT-approval.

Recommended Parts:
Philips Ultinon 6000K Xenon HID bulbs (D2S)
Philips PY21W SilverVision bulbs

Required Tools:
Ratchet, extension, 8mm socket
Flat-head screwdriver

Recommend Tools:
Rubber gloves
Magnetic pick-up tool and flashlight in case of an "incident"
Properly-sized pipe bending tool
Masking tape
6mm hex key

1. Check your existing ballasts. If they look like the one pictured below, they will not work since the new ballast mounting bracket is sized for the newer-style ballasts and the bulb connector won't fit at all. Stop until you obtain the correct ballast
2. Park against a wall and use masking tape to mark the approximate focus point of the low beams for future reference.
3. Remove the existing headlight assemblies. Refer to the Head Light Removal DIY if needed.
4. Remove the new mounting bracket from the CELIS assembly by removing the two screws (see red arrows) and pulling it in the direction of the blue arrow.
5. Remove the old mounting bracket on the car by removing the (2) screws (top pic) and replace it with the new bracket (bottom pic). IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR BRACKET, PLEASE REUSE YOUR EXISTING BRACKET.
6. Install the body-colored trim piece from the old assembly onto the CELIS assembly. Be careful not to break the fragile end-hook.
7. Use the Y-harness to split the existing combo turn-signal/parking light connector into two separate plugs.
iT Wagon Owners Note: Some (approx) pre-2000 model vehicles had a differently-wired combo connector with only 2 wires instead of 3. This poses a major hurdle since the Y-harness won't send a 12V signal to the new CELIS parking light halo rings. I'd suggest you check on BMWTips.com (no solution posted so far) or ask the bimmer.org board for assistance as I haven't heard of an implemented solution yet. Scroll to the bottom for some untested "hypothetical" solutions. If you find an answer, please e-mail me so I can ad the info to this site. Here's a picture of the unique stock wiring.
8. Hook-up all the appropriate wires and carefully slide the assembly in place, but with more of a "straight ahead" motion than the previous "rotating" motion. Protect the bumper while installing the assembly. Secure with the (4) original screws, using the ratchet and magnetic pickup-tool as necessary. Here are pics of the completed driver-side assembly. Since this is a Halogen to Xenon upgrade, I don't have the self-leveling connector (see red arrow) to plug in. I plan to wire in the manual adjustment knob harness sometime down the road. (Thx Tyrone!)

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