Litronic Headlight Conversions

[Lyn]

I've been considering for a few weeks to retrofit my 2003 Boxster S with litronic headlights. I don't want to do just a bulb change and have been looking for a complete set of OEM litronic units. That's an expensive proposition, used ones are hard to come by and prices for new ones run about $2,600 from my favorite vendor, Suncoast. I found a seller on E-Bay that advertises Bosch OEM units complete for $2,000 but am a bit confused about adapatability. I spoke to the vendor and he says his units are simple plug and play replacements without a special harness, new ballast, etc. I've been under the impression that some type of special harness and a ballast unit was required to do the conversion and thought I'd ask the Forum members for some input. I recognize that I won't have the self leveling feature and can live with that and the condition of my original headlight lens is dictating that the assemblies need changing whether with stock incandescent units or with litronics.

Thx in advance for your input.

Lyn

[kbrandsma]

I've been considering for a few weeks to retrofit my 2003 Boxster S with litronic headlights. I don't want to do just a bulb change and have been looking for a complete set of OEM litronic units. That's an expensive proposition, used ones are hard to come by and prices for new ones run about $2,600 from my favorite vendor, Suncoast. I found a seller on E-Bay that advertises Bosch OEM units complete for $2,000 but am a bit confused about adapatability. I spoke to the vendor and he says his units are simple plug and play replacements without a special harness, new ballast, etc. I've been under the impression that some type of special harness and a ballast unit was required to do the conversion and thought I'd ask the Forum members for some input. I recognize that I won't have the self leveling feature and can live with that and the condition of my original headlight lens is dictating that the assemblies need changing whether with stock incandescent units or with litronics.

Thx in advance for your input.

Lyn

If you don't want the self leveling feature then they are plug and play. SImply remove your existing pair and insert the litronic ones. There is a pair on this Board right now for sale by owner. Click HERE

I just purchased a 3 spoke wheel and recommend the seller.

You will also need to swap out the fuse by removing the 7.5 amp fuse in A9 and A10 and replace with 15 amp ones.

More info can be found in the TSB# 9415 found on this Board. You have to be a contributing member to access and download the Technical Service Buletins (TSB's.)

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Edited April 6, 2011 by kbrandsma

[Cloudsurfer]

They are "plug and play" once you swap the fuse, but, if you want the low beams to angle up when you select the high beams, you'll need to add the little computer that is part of the retrofit kit.

[coleta]

Cloudsurfer, does this mean you wouldn't have high beams?

[Loren]

Cloudsurfer, does this mean you wouldn't have high beams?

No, it means you do not get the combined low beams and high beams.

The control box rotates the low beams up to add to the high beam output.

[coleta]

Good to know. Thanks

[Lyn]

Thx for the additional information Loren, however your response begs another question. How big a deal is it that the low beams don't rotate upward when the high beams are selected? They don't do so with non-litronic headlights, so am I missing out on a significant improvement by trying to save a few bucks and not installing the tilt feature, or should I go the extra step?

Unless i get lucky and find a set with all the bells and wistles on E-Bay or one the Forum For Sale areas, I will be paying $2K for just the plug and play option. If another $600 adds a significant feature, should I go there? I was initially looking for the low beam improvement, because i don't use high beams very often, as i would guess is the case with most of us.

Thx, Lyn

[Loren]

If they are really OEM kits then the control box comes in the kit.

I have put in several of the OEM kits and the control boxes. It is not a big deal but some specialized connector pin tools or splicing of wires is required. I have done it both ways.

I guess I look at it as how often to you really use high beams - where I live it is pretty rare as it is mostly in town driving. But if you live out in the country it might be a different case.

[mikes_box]

Loren, What do the car that come with the litronics as an option. Does having it come stock from the factory does the litronics self level based on the road heights or elevations like the adaptive lights in the newer cars?

[JFP in PA]

OEM Litronics installations have two features that cannot be retrofitted, even using the OEM “kit”. The factory units have sensors on the chassis that adjust the lights angle to prevent glare to oncoming drivers (such as when cresting a hill), and the factory units are capable of being fault scanned by a PST II or PIWIS.