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Headlight bulb changing for uncoordinated dummies

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186 views 19 replies 3 participants last post by  InjuredAgain  
#1 ·
Ok, so I guess with this post I will just confirm everyone's suspicions that I'm a total klutz...

I'm trying to change out my headlight bulbs with an LED set recommended to me by @Sh0rtlife and I've already scratched a groove into my follicular challenged scalp...

I see how I can release one side of the clips from the two "J" hooks, but it is stuck there. The problem seems to be that I can't get the plug in the back of the bulb to come off, and without that I can't get the other end of the clip out of the holes the open end fits into. I'm pulling on the ug with enough force to almost break the base. It loosens by a couple of mm and then stops. I can't see or feel a release tab.

What am I doing wrong?

Image
 
#3 ·
Now my next problem is the bulb has a fan on it, so the clip will not fit over it. I have to put the clip around the base and then try to fish the two ends into the holes, and I find that just about impossible to do.

Here is the bulb fitted into the socket.

Image


Any suggestions for getting the clip in? I've tried some long needle nose pliers but there's just not enough room behind it to get the pliers where they need to go. The shaft of the bulb is big and limits the movement of the clip.

I need some beers.....

HELP!!!!
 
#4 ·
ok so remove the bulb
the bulb sits in its own "socket" note that red/brown o-ring, its a push n twist bayonet setup
remove the bulb from the base
install BASE ONLY into the housing useing the OE spring clip
once the base is seated put the headlight back into its base

this not only gives you more room to work but less "fight" with the spring retainer
 
#5 ·
@Sh0rtlife - Yes!! That's it!! I read the instruction manual and it didn't make sense with the first go through, but after I twisted the base and it separated, a light went off that was so bring it both blinded me and gave me a sunburn!!!

Okay, so what do you do for the rubber boot that is supposed to provide weather protection? But a hole in it and fish the fire through? If I do that, will it clear the fan and will it get too hot?
 
#10 ·
Without a bulb, it was easy to get the clip in place. What I didn’t realize was that there is a little base that separates from the actual light itself that is smaller than a halogen bulb. The idea is that you install the clip, then separate the base, insert that into the housing, close the clip, then insert the LED bulb into the base.

I was stupidly trying to insert the clip into its mount with the entire bulb at the same time, which is impossible. But while I was trying, I did manage to teach the neighbors some new words….
 
#9 ·
i used matching brand and style in low, high and fog..tho my fogs i bought in yellow...the fan style is what lets them last!, i think i gave you the link for low and high and fog

yeah i just stuffed the boots back on, i do belive for my personal car i swapped the "skinny" boots for the bigger ones off another car...if you need a set of those i snag em out of the wreckers whenever i see em....ill verify the IT guys car since its here that he even kept the boots as its been rained on snowed on and driven daily for the past 2 years with them installed without issue
 
#11 ·
i used matching brand and style in low, high and fog..tho my fogs i bought in yellow...the fan style is what lets them last!, i think i gave you the link for low and high and fog

yeah i just stuffed the boots back on, i do belive for my personal car i swapped the "skinny" boots for the bigger ones off another car...if you need a set of those i snag em out of the wreckers whenever i see em....ill verify the IT guys car since its here that he even kept the boots as its been rained on snowed on and driven daily for the past 2 years with them installed without issue
You did give me links - Thanks!

I’m heading out there to try and get the dust boots on now. But I also read the documentation from Auxito and they say it meets IP67 standards, so it sounds like they are saying you can run the bulbs without water or dust protection. So if I don’t run the boot, do you think there is a danger of dust or water intrusion into the headlight housing itself? It looks dusty back there but I think it minimally gets wet if at all.

I’m tempted to head back to the wrecking yard and snag both an extra set of headlight clips and the rubber headlight boots.
 
#13 ·
Ok, so the bulbs must have changed design over time, and there is a large load resistor as part of the wiring to the bulb. This piece is way too big to fit into the headlight boot cover.

The headlight reflector is open to air without the boot, so dust and moisture can get onto the reflector and bulb without it.

I can’t find any boots substantially taller than the OEM piece, maybe a half inch taller if that, and I’m not sure that’s enough. However, I find I can stack the boots. The OEM pieces fit into each other fairly snugly, so if I cut the closed end off, I can shove it into the open end of the other boot and gain maybe an inch.

Better yet, I can buy an aftermarket boot that is a half inch taller, and stack those with the OEM boot to gain more than enough room. I think I’m going to order these:


unless someone has a source for taller boots with a 70 mm inside diameter fitting like the stock boots.

Or unless someone has a better idea!
 
#19 ·
mine bulge out just a lil bit and have never moved, ditto on IT guys car and my wifes car....and my wifes put the most "mileage" on her bulb install lol

best guess is your boots are loose-ish....maybe the "ED" fact of your car means less/no heat in thefront of the car and thus never "baked" shrunk and tightened the boots?
 
#20 ·
Yeah, I dunno why they slowly work their way off the lip.

The new boots arrived. They are the kind that can fit many different diameters of headlight bucket lips - you cut it at the level that has the size you need. Unfortunately, one of the boots was already cut and I need it at the full size so these have to be returned. Grrr…..