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[frenchtony]

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

[dbug]

There are levers at rear of lights to convert dip from rh drive to lh drive and vice versa - its in the handbook

[Andy B]

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. 

[Andy B]

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 

[frenchtony]

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.

[Andy B]

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. 

[VXL V6]

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. 

Chap sells them via ebay, ebay name sparksandnoise or something similar.

[dbug]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Vauxhall-Omega-Headlight-Adjusters-post-98-/261272933890?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cd5149602

HTH

[TheBoy]

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

[Andy B]

.....

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 

Any testers here have a comment? 

[Andy B]

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 

[TheBoy]

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.

[Andy B]

....
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 

[TheBoy]

....
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.

[Andy B]

....
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)