headlights

[winnipeg sue]

Well, folks, looks like I spoke too soon about my E13 headlilghts. Manitoba has decided it won't accept them. They must have a DOT or SAE number. Anybody know what I need to do now? I have a 1992 Delica Exceed. They say I need DOT/SAE numbers on front and back lights, and side indcators. Although my vehicle passed a safety 2 years ago, they have now pulled it off the road. MPI wil no longer insure the vehicle as of Thursday midnight.

As I've worked through this with some local mechanics, they say that there's nothing in the current safety manual about headlights (apart from them working), but that there's a new manual coming and that people from the vehicle safety board have told them not to safety right-hand-drive vehicles. They have told me they want the Delicas all off the road. And, of course, they're targetting anything slightly out of the ordinary for their spot inspections. Not sure if I'm the only one who's been caught, or if I'm the only one without DOT/SAE approved headlights, but I'm off the road until I find some.

I'm thinking of fighting the province on this, since I don't see how they can let me bring in and license a vehicle and then change the rules.

But meanwhile, I need LIGHTS. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Susan

[Manitoba deli]

Could you pass the info of who you are dealing with on to me Sue? I haven't as of yet had any problems with E13 lights, but being far in the country I don't get "spot checked". Send me the info in a PM and I'll see what I can do.

Thanks
Jason

[jessef]

Then they might as well take all the BMW's sold in Canada that have E13 coded headlights as well.

There are a number of european cars that have been sold in Canada under Canadian Automotive Association since the 70-80's that only have e-code headlights/tail lights and side marker lights.

They are grasping at straws

[William]

Then they might as well take all the BMW's sold in Canada that have E13 coded headlights as well.

There are a number of european cars that have been sold in Canada under Canadian Automotive Association since the 70-80's that only have e-code headlights/tail lights and side marker lights.

Including the new smart cars from what I hear. How can they justify that I would say keep going higher and higher in authority until you find someone with logic to speak with.

Good luck with it and maybe post this over at http://forum.ivoac.ca/ as well to see if anyone has any ideas.

[winnipeg sue]

Latest lunacy from Manitoba: If they're FACTORY INSTALLED E-13s, then they're ok, but if they're AFTER MARKET, they're not.
William suggested I find someone with logic. What're the chances, do you think?

[William]

Latest lunacy from Manitoba: If they're FACTORY INSTALLED E-13s, then they're ok, but if they're AFTER MARKET, they're not.
William suggested I find someone with logic. What're the chances, do you think?

And how are they going to tell if they're factory installed ? Ask to see their literature on that call and see what they say

[Blackberry]

Latest lunacy from Manitoba: If they're FACTORY INSTALLED E-13s, then they're ok, but if they're AFTER MARKET, they're not.
William suggested I find someone with logic. What're the chances, do you think?

According to this expert:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech ... codes.html
... the number after the E in the circle, stamped in the lens, doesn't indicate if the lights were designed for left/right side of road use but, rather, it is other standard markings on the lens that indicate this. I would agree since I've just had some lights coded E11 (11 = UK) pass inspection here in BC and it was obvious by the pattern cast that they're designed for right-side traffic. As well, the other markings on the lens matched to the explanation on aforementioned site w/ respect to which side of road/traffic they were designed for. You should probably try to track down the Manitoba vehicle inspection regulations and see if they defer to the Cdn fed's regulations (as do BC and, I believe, Alberta) - specifically this one:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/acts-regulation ... -108.1.htm
If they do then if your headlights are marked with the arrows etc. indicating for right-side traffic, then you may have a strong enough argument such that if you show-up at an inspection station (or maybe after 5 attempts) armed with this documentation they may momentarily remove their blinders enough to agree to and pass you. But if their inspection regs book simply stated "must be stamped SAE or DOT" with no reference to the feds regs or ECE at all...then you may be hooped or, at least, have to take your argument higher-up to the regs makers to get them to contact your inspector to authorize them to pass your lights (the inspection handbook used by the mechanics may be out of date/simplified so as not to reflect what the latest verbose legal-ese really means).