Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: frenchtony on 11 September 2013, 21:14:50

Title: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: frenchtony on 11 September 2013, 21:14:50
Hi
I'm importing my (LHD) omega 3.2V6 2002 model to France. Can anyone advise on what I need to do to change the headlamps? I guess I'll need LHD headlamp units but will I need new xenons and bulbs etc or are they just transferred from the RHD units?

Thanks
Tony
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: dbug on 11 September 2013, 21:23:31
There are levers at rear of lights to convert dip from rh drive to lh drive and vice versa - its in the handbook ;)
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: Andy B on 11 September 2013, 22:11:38
There are levers at rear of lights to convert dip from rh drive to lh drive and vice versa - its in the handbook ;)

That's not quite right. the levers don't convert them to LHD headlamps, all the levers do is to cut off the up sweep to the left ie OUR kerb, to give a flat beam that won't blind Pierre when driving on the wrong side of the road.  :y
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: Andy B on 11 September 2013, 22:13:55
Hi
I'm importing my (LHD) omega 3.2V6 2002 model to France. Can anyone advise on what I need to do to change the headlamps? I guess I'll need LHD headlamp units but will I need new xenons and bulbs etc or are they just transferred from the RHD units?

Thanks
Tony

If your car is LHD what headlamps are already fitted? It could be that you have LHD headlamps with the right upsweep cut off via the inside levers  :-\ New LHD headlamps will take the xenon 'bulbs' that you already have .... the balasts for them are a separate item  :y
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: frenchtony on 12 September 2013, 10:41:51
I have checked and have rhd headlamps, the levers do cut off the glare but not much, I'm pretty sure they won't pass the french mot but maybe I'll try first. The headlamps themselves seem a bit loose, not the glass but the silver bit at the back is pretty free so maybe there has been some bodge job here before, Guess I'll have to dismantle for a proper look.
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: Andy B on 12 September 2013, 11:10:27
I have checked and have rhd headlamps, the levers do cut off the glare but not much, I'm pretty sure they won't pass the french mot but maybe I'll try first. The headlamps themselves seem a bit loose, not the glass but the silver bit at the back is pretty free so maybe there has been some bodge job here before, Guess I'll have to dismantle for a proper look.

I thought symmetrical headlamps were fitted to many European cars  :-\ in fact (not deliberately) I've MOT'd both the Merc & Omega with the headlamps set for driving in France & passed with them both. I'd ask first at your French 'MOT' station before you bought new headlamps.

If the silver bit/reflector is dangling lose, then the plastic adjusters have failed. Ally replacements are available via a member here ...... can't remember who now though  :-[ Quite straight forward to replace after the 'glass' has been removed.  :y
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: VXL V6 on 12 September 2013, 11:56:21
If the silver bit/reflector is dangling lose, then the plastic adjusters have failed. Ally replacements are available via a member here ...... can't remember who now though  :-[ Quite straight forward to replace after the 'glass' has been removed.  :y

Chap sells them via ebay, ebay name sparksandnoise or something similar.
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: dbug on 12 September 2013, 14:29:06
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Vauxhall-Omega-Headlight-Adjusters-post-98-/261272933890?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cd5149602 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Vauxhall-Omega-Headlight-Adjusters-post-98-/261272933890?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cd5149602)

HTH :y
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: TheBoy on 12 September 2013, 18:40:49
Just the headlights required, the metal shutter is the only difference between LHD and RHD.

The levers just remove the kick-up, which I believe will be an MOT failure in UK, no idea about euroland
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: Andy B on 12 September 2013, 18:53:32
.....

The levers just remove the kick-up, which I believe will be an MOT failure in UK, no idea about euroland

As above, I've MOT's both the Merc & Omega with headlamps set for Euroland & Mr MOT Tester hasn't even commented  :y

Any testers here have a comment?  :-\
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: Andy B on 12 September 2013, 18:56:00
Just the headlights required, the metal shutter is the only difference between LHD and RHD.

 .....

Not sure what you mean there Jamie  :-\
Are you saying you can swap bits around inside to convert the UK headlamps to a PROPER LHD headlamp? Or new LHD headlamps required?
I can't see there being that much difference inside, GM will want to make them both with as few different parts as possible ..... ie save money  ;)
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: TheBoy on 12 September 2013, 20:39:33
Just the headlights required, the metal shutter is the only difference between LHD and RHD.

 .....

Not sure what you mean there Jamie  :-\
Are you saying you can swap bits around inside to convert the UK headlamps to a PROPER LHD headlamp? Or new LHD headlamps required?
I can't see there being that much difference inside, GM will want to make them both with as few different parts as possible ..... ie save money  ;)
GM don't make them, and mostly likely don't have any input into the design, beyond dimensions/shape etc.

There is a metal plate to block the top half of the light. There is a cutout for the kick-ups, which the levers pull a plate over when in the "foreign country" setting.
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: Andy B on 12 September 2013, 20:45:42
....
GM don't make them, and mostly likely don't have any input into the design, beyond dimensions/shape etc.

You know what I meant  ::) ::)

There is a metal plate to block the top half of the light. There is a cutout for the kick-ups, which the levers pull a plate over when in the "foreign country" setting.

Still not sure whether you can swap bit round to move the cut-off to the other side of the road & make a LHD headlamp  :-\ :-\
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: TheBoy on 12 September 2013, 20:48:33
....
GM don't make them, and mostly likely don't have any input into the design, beyond dimensions/shape etc.

You know what I meant  ::) ::)

There is a metal plate to block the top half of the light. There is a cutout for the kick-ups, which the levers pull a plate over when in the "foreign country" setting.

Still not sure whether you can swap bit round to move the cut-off to the other side of the road & make a LHD headlamp  :-\ :-\
Never paid much attention to that bit. From memory, I reckon you wouldn't be able to change just the plate/shutter part, but the entire plastic bit that moves with the adjusters.
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: Andy B on 12 September 2013, 20:53:51
....
Never paid much attention to that bit. From memory, I reckon you wouldn't be able to change just the plate/shutter part, but the entire plastic bit that moves with the adjusters.

I've not either.

If you have to go to the effort of changing the reflector (that was available separately for a Senator  ::)) then Tony might as well just look for some proper LHD lights (if symmetrical beams are not French MOTable)
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: dbug on 12 September 2013, 22:18:24
Same question recently asked on the Jag forum (uk --> euroland) - guy stripped out the lights (a light unit - dip & main on an XJ is £1000 new) - and swapped "flaps" from nearside to offside and it did the job - passed Swiss "MOT" ok.  Guy in Holland was advertising conversion of lights from UK to Euro for 350Euros all in both sides.
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: henryd on 13 September 2013, 13:49:46
.....

The levers just remove the kick-up, which I believe will be an MOT failure in UK, no idea about euroland

As above, I've MOT's both the Merc & Omega with headlamps set for Euroland & Mr MOT Tester hasn't even commented  :y

Any testers here have a comment?  :-\

Mot is fine so long as "kick up" isn't to the right,being flat isn't a fail so long as beam height is correct,I have fitted beam benders to LHD cars for mot and thats allowed too so long as they are fitted correctly :y
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: frenchtony on 14 September 2013, 17:31:31
I took one of mine off, the adjuster is busted and I think the other one is the same. I found two new LHD ones in Germay for £120 so I've gone for them, my lenses were a bit cloudy in any case.
Title: Re: change RHD to LHD headlamps
Post by: Andy B on 14 September 2013, 17:51:45
..... I found two new LHD ones in Germay for £120 so I've gone for them, my lenses were a bit cloudy in any case.

Check them for busted adjusters when they arrive then.  ;) ;)