The Difference Between Projector Headlights and Cornering Lights?

[Alain Jalbert]

Just wondering if all cornering headlights on a 200 also have the projector headlights (hence making an easy upgrade to HIDs)?

I can't seem to work out or find a definitive answer to whether this is the case. If not, how can you spot the projector headlights? I know the cornering headlights are given away by the black surround but I'm not so sure on the projectors. :blink:

If anyone can help me out this would massively be appreciated as I'm approaching buying and I would really like to know how to spot the difference so I can tell on the 200 I'm going to look at!

p.s sorry if this question has been posted on here before, forgive me I'm new! :eek:

 

[ryan197]

projectors have what look like a glass ball in the middle of the headlight. you cant miss them

 

[treid]

projector lights.

 

[treid]

and standart ones :

 

[Alain Jalbert]

ryan197 or treid would you be ok if I PM'd you with a link and you can see what you reckon the lights are? Sorry I'm still struggling a bit ;/

 

[Alain Jalbert]

also v. nice 200 treid, is that a conversion to HIDs?

 

[Phenom]

A quick hopeful bump on this because those pictures are gone and I can't understand the explanation.
Any help?

 

[turkie172]

OK the types of lights 197

Projector headlights have cornering lights in them but the car might not have the wiring to operate them so normally a cosmetic upgrade for a car that came with the basic headlight. Xenon headlights have headlight washer jets and also have cornering lights and look the same as projector headlights but always make sure they are xenon's when buying and the cornering and washer jets work.

**GEEK INFO**
the wiring inside a genuine Valeo standard headlight is blue the projector is red and the xenon is yellow the headlight motor is the same for standard and projector the xenon motor is different the connection is parallel to the motor. Two types of xenon headlight D1S and D2S bulbs the second being harder to find.





Other things to look for:
Auto headlights/wipers sensor which can be fitted to any headlight option but normally found with the Xenon. I have been able to retrofit the senor and activate it but the windscreen needed changed.
with:


Without:


Basic headlight


Projector Headlight (no Headlight washer jets)


Xenon Headlight (headlight washer jet)


As far as I know the Clio 200 models have projector headlights xenon was not an option but cars from the rest of Europe can have headlight washers.

 

[Phenom]

Okay so all of that leads to believe I do have them although I was a bit unsure with all the washer jet talk.

Going a little off topic do you have a recommendation of the best bulbs to fit? I feel like the lights mine has don't light up the road as well as the
other cars I've driven

 

[turkie172]

With the 197/200 fitting bulbs is difficult with the headlights fitted to the car effectively you cant see and fit at the same time.
Basic headlight:
The main beam has a metal ring and the bulb must sit centre but blind fitting can bend it so look through the lens and check can have a massive effect on the light produced.



Projector:
The H1 bulbs are a pig to fit and seat correctly due to access and design if slightly out either in rotation or seating the loss of light can be huge so no matter how good you are removing the light is absolutely the best when fitting.



Xenon:
The main xenon bulb is basically fool proof as long as you know how its put together but with two types of bulbs D1s and D2s the difference is the D1s bulb the ingnighter is slotted in below from the rear.


D2s bulb the ignighter is fitted from below


Now the other thing that can effect the light is the amount of electrical power the bulbs get, a check would be giving the headlight bulb direct 12v from the battery bypassing the lighting system if its a lot brighter with the bypass then check the connectors for corrosion another effect often overlooked is the lens a little haze or misting can kill a lot of light power.

 

[turkie172]

Cold climate European MK3 ph2 models seem to have headlight washer jets even without xenon options I still don't know if the Clio 200 had xenon option but projector headlights are available.