I watched part of a YouTube video yesterday of someone installing Angel Eye lights in a 500. This console stead of baking your headlights to be able to break the permaseal and remove the front. It was a lot of faffing about but got me thinking!

Does nobody manufacture such a thing? They looked amazing.

II've been eyeing up a set from America for some time;

http://www.diodedynamics.com/store/led-bulbs/angel-eyes/fiat/500/2012-2014-fiat-500-angel-eye-kit

Remember guys the US cars have completely different head lights.

Although that kit appears to be a generic one size fits none deal.

Not a bad price, but putting my headlights into the oven concerns me somewhat.

typecastboy said:

Not a bad price, but putting my headlights into the oven concerns me somewhat.

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To be fair it's a method I've seen cropping up time and time again, so there must be some truth in it or else it wouldn't keep happening.

How much are Fiat light units anyway? If it did go tits up would it be an easy replacement? Forge the way for the rest of us good sir!

I either by second hand ones for £40 or non OEM new ones for about £50, so it might be worth an experiment.

Use a heat gun ? Though gentle heating in a oven could be more controlled in that you can start at 50c and go up 10/20c every 15 mins until you get to the right point rather than whacking it in a oven at 150 ?

So permaseal is actually just a glue that the black bit and then lens are held together with?

Unless I missed something it didn't show how he sorted the butchered edges of the headlight casings. Also our wetter climate makes me think that however good a job you think you have made of it you are going to end up with condensated headlights

Sorry for a maybe obvious question, but what are "Angel Eyes"?
I understand it's something to do with headlights, but I ain't got a clue about them.


Mick.

Mick F said:

Sorry for a maybe obvious question, but what are "Angel Eyes"?
I understand it's something to do with headlights, but I ain't got a clue about them.


Mick.

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This style of light. You can get cool colour changing ones and all sorts. They look surprisingly good on the lil 500.

Please note that modifying a cars headlights to fit "angel eyes" makes it illegal for road use, even if they are turned off. It can also invalidate your insurance.

Robert G8RPI.

g8rpi said:

Please note that modifying a cars headlights to fit "angel eyes" makes it illegal for road use

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Really, whys that?

Noxide said:

Really, whys that?

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Because modifying a type approved headlamp unit will invalidate its type approval.

If you fit a non-type approved headlamp unit to any vehicle manufactured after 1986 then it cannot legally be used on the public highway.

Noxide said:

This style of light. You can get cool colour changing ones and all sorts. They look surprisingly good on the lil 500.

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They may look good, but they are illegal in UK for road use.

Regards,
Mick.

jrkitching said:

Because modifying a type approved headlamp unit will invalidate its type approval.

If you fit a non-type approved headlamp unit to any vehicle manufactured after 1986 then it cannot legally be used on the public highway.

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Oh shoot I always forget type approval is a thing. Ugh. Ruining fun since forever.

So are non standard number plates but does that stop anyone?

Very true indeed. How they get them through an MOT, I can only guess.

Same can be said about drink/drug driving, or using a mobile phone whilst driving, let alone eating a Ginster's Pasty whist driving.

All illegal.

All we need is a police force. I can't remember when I last saw one.

Regards,
Mick.

Mick F said:

All we need is a police force. I can't remember when I last saw one.

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Routine policing seems to have been delegated to automated systems based on evidence collected by cameras - for example, the latest speed cameras can be used to enforce number plate offences. Drive in London and have the misfortune to misjudge traffic flow through a box junction and you will likely have a fixed penalty notice through your letterbox in short order.

Where the police do get personally involved is after a serious accident - if someone is killed, then they will automatically treat the area as a crime scene. Penalties for even minor offences where loss of life is involved are, in general, getting harsher. Use a mobile phone whilst driving and, if you get caught, you'll get a few points and a slap on the wrist. But if you're involved in a fatal accident whilst using that phone, you'll probably be going to prison for a long time.

In today's world, if someone loses their life, anyone even remotely involved in the chain of events is likely to face close scrutiny by the police. In the case of a car crash where the condition of the car may be a factor, that will include anyone who has previously carried out work on it.

We live in a world where even minor infractions can very occasionally have disastrous consequences. It's a bit like playing the lottery in reverse.

Yes, it's a lottery.
I personally don't care if people make modifications to their cars, but do think that they should be making informed decisions. So if they ask questions on the forum they should be reminded.
Unfortunatly giving "advice" on a forum could see you facing legal action these days.

Robert G8RPI.