Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 392
Likes: 3
From: Rathdrum, Idaho
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Suggestion! Try doing the highbeam on the drivers side and see how it goes. If ya can't figure it out or goof it up, you can still drive the car at night with lowbeams!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
I hate to say this but I did mine in on a dark road at night with a flashlight and touch. That should give you an idea on how hard it is to do. You will feel then seat when they go in. if you turn on your lights and you cant see that far they are not correct. When pointed at the wall the should have a line on the top with a kind of bend in the middle. If you do a search for the lights there is a design in a thread that shows this.
Or Give me the 80 bucks that would work out to 320.00 and hour becuase it takes about 15 min. :-)
Or Give me the 80 bucks that would work out to 320.00 and hour becuase it takes about 15 min. :-)
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,015
Likes: 14
From: MOFN, AL, 70 miles from George
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by almecum
I hate to say this but I did mine in on a dark road at night with a flashlight and touch. That should give you an idea on how hard it is to do. You will feel then seat when they go in. if you turn on your lights and you cant see that far they are not correct. When pointed at the wall the should have a line on the top with a kind of bend in the middle. If you do a search for the lights there is a design in a thread that shows this.
Or Give me the 80 bucks that would work out to 320.00 and hour becuase it takes about 15 min. :-)
Or Give me the 80 bucks that would work out to 320.00 and hour becuase it takes about 15 min. :-)
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Goodlettsville/Nashville TN
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Did you purchase the bulbs yet ? Some auto stores will come out and put them in for you. I like corfire's suggestion of trying the driver high beam. This will give you a good feel of how it goes together.
First rule, dont touch the glass on the bulb, BRappaport is right about the oils. If in doubt get some rubbing alcohol and paper towel and clean them off.
1 Pull black cap off
2 Wiggle the connector slightly as you pull it off the bulb.
3 Push the metal "spring" in and sideways to release and then flip it out of the way.
4 Pull the bulb out by the prongs the wire connector was plugged into.
Do the reverse to install the bulb.
You asked how do you know it is seated corrected..... if you look at the bulb it has a circular metal flange on it that has a tab. That tab if I remember correctly should point towards the ground. When you put the bulb in just turn it slightly and you should be able to feel the tab catch. That being said sometimes it feels like you got it in right but it is not. You will most likely not notice this till you drive somewhere and you the light beam looks not quite right. To fix just pop of the black cap, release the spring and just reseat the bulb.
Just wait till you decide to get some HID's and have to fish the wires thru that spring. Now thats a challenge!
RowdyRoadster
First rule, dont touch the glass on the bulb, BRappaport is right about the oils. If in doubt get some rubbing alcohol and paper towel and clean them off.
1 Pull black cap off
2 Wiggle the connector slightly as you pull it off the bulb.
3 Push the metal "spring" in and sideways to release and then flip it out of the way.
4 Pull the bulb out by the prongs the wire connector was plugged into.
Do the reverse to install the bulb.
You asked how do you know it is seated corrected..... if you look at the bulb it has a circular metal flange on it that has a tab. That tab if I remember correctly should point towards the ground. When you put the bulb in just turn it slightly and you should be able to feel the tab catch. That being said sometimes it feels like you got it in right but it is not. You will most likely not notice this till you drive somewhere and you the light beam looks not quite right. To fix just pop of the black cap, release the spring and just reseat the bulb.
Just wait till you decide to get some HID's and have to fish the wires thru that spring. Now thats a challenge!
RowdyRoadster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Biloxi MS
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
I'm having a terrible time trying to take the connector off of the old bulb. I'm pulling pretty hard and wiggling but it's not giving at all. Is there any more to it?
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Ohio
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Thanks Crossfirefrank for the step by step guide! It was very helpful. I changed my passenger side low beam in about 10 minutes thanks to your instructions. I did not need any mirrors or needle nose etc. I just followed your guide.
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by crossfirefrank
It's really not that hard to do. I was given new silver stars for Christmas and finally last week installed them. The whole job (6 bulbs) only took about 1/2 hour. If it's on the drivers side it's easier than the passenger side due to access to the bulbs. Here is what I did for headlight replacement.
1) remove rubber cover on back of headlight unit.
2) remove wire connector, push side to side while pulling toward you.
3) release bulb clip. If you look in the hole you will see a clip that needs to be pushed forward then to the side to release it. The release is either on the top or bottom depending on if it's high or low beam. swing out of the way.
4)remove bulb. Make sure to look at the position of the tab on the bulb when removing. It will be either up or down depending on if it's high or low beam. If you don't follow this step the aim of the new bulb will be off. (this is were others have had problems).
5)install new bulb in reverse order. Do not touch glass area of bulb and make sure the tab is in the correct position and it seats properly in the socket.
Note: If your bulb replacement is on the passenger side and is the inner (high beam) it is very easy to access if you remove the coolant tank first. To remove the coolant tank.
1) remove electrical connector on the bottom of the tank.
2) remove the 2 nuts securing the tank on the top.
3) Pull tank straight up to release from the bottom mount. This is the hard part. The unit is mounted on the bottom in a rubber grommet, it is very tight and hard to release but should come loose.
good luck!
1) remove rubber cover on back of headlight unit.
2) remove wire connector, push side to side while pulling toward you.
3) release bulb clip. If you look in the hole you will see a clip that needs to be pushed forward then to the side to release it. The release is either on the top or bottom depending on if it's high or low beam. swing out of the way.
4)remove bulb. Make sure to look at the position of the tab on the bulb when removing. It will be either up or down depending on if it's high or low beam. If you don't follow this step the aim of the new bulb will be off. (this is were others have had problems).
5)install new bulb in reverse order. Do not touch glass area of bulb and make sure the tab is in the correct position and it seats properly in the socket.
Note: If your bulb replacement is on the passenger side and is the inner (high beam) it is very easy to access if you remove the coolant tank first. To remove the coolant tank.
1) remove electrical connector on the bottom of the tank.
2) remove the 2 nuts securing the tank on the top.
3) Pull tank straight up to release from the bottom mount. This is the hard part. The unit is mounted on the bottom in a rubber grommet, it is very tight and hard to release but should come loose.
good luck!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,285
Likes: 5
From: Carmel, In.
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by scavok
I'm having a terrible time trying to take the connector off of the old bulb. I'm pulling pretty hard and wiggling but it's not giving at all. Is there any more to it?
I had to use two sets of needle nose on one side they were so stuck.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 648
From: Ontario
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by theDfactor
Okay, great instructions... Lamps replaced, seated properly, adjusted vertically, no problem... However, is there a horizontal adjustment...?
If not you put the bulb(s) in wrong.
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 482
Likes: 4
From: Arvada, CO
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Also, if you're in a bind where you just found out your headlight is out, and you need to get your low beam running again in a jiffy, but its on a night where shops aren't open, or are not within the next 100+ miles, here's a neat trick:
The High beam bulbs are exactly the same as the low beam, so you can switch the bulbs, and get your low beams going again, until you have time to pick up a new high beam.
Also, if you are like me, you can rotate your stock when 1 low beam burns out.
Replace both low beams with the current high beams, and then install new pair of bulbs into the high beam slots.
This saves you the expense, keeps a matched pair of bulbs providing light, and gets some use out of the seldom used high beams, instead of throwing out a perfectly good set of barely used bulbs.
I just had to replace the burnt out low beam on my Boxster yesterday, and it uses the same H7 bulbs that the Crossfire does, so that makes it simple for me to stock up on bulbs for both my car, and Bat's Roadster.
Oh, and the process for changing the bulbs on the Boxster would make you guys jealous. One piece of carpet to pull down. Pull off a rubber plug. Insert the socket tool into the slot. Turn the tool counter clockwise. Remove whole headlight assembly. Open flap. Remove connector. Remove bulb. 5 minutes, tops. No worrying about dropping things, nor having to get dental mirrors.
BC.
The High beam bulbs are exactly the same as the low beam, so you can switch the bulbs, and get your low beams going again, until you have time to pick up a new high beam.
Also, if you are like me, you can rotate your stock when 1 low beam burns out.
Replace both low beams with the current high beams, and then install new pair of bulbs into the high beam slots.
This saves you the expense, keeps a matched pair of bulbs providing light, and gets some use out of the seldom used high beams, instead of throwing out a perfectly good set of barely used bulbs.
I just had to replace the burnt out low beam on my Boxster yesterday, and it uses the same H7 bulbs that the Crossfire does, so that makes it simple for me to stock up on bulbs for both my car, and Bat's Roadster.
Oh, and the process for changing the bulbs on the Boxster would make you guys jealous. One piece of carpet to pull down. Pull off a rubber plug. Insert the socket tool into the slot. Turn the tool counter clockwise. Remove whole headlight assembly. Open flap. Remove connector. Remove bulb. 5 minutes, tops. No worrying about dropping things, nor having to get dental mirrors.
BC.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 14,605
Likes: 38
From: IN
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by Bladecutter
Also, if you're in a bind where you just found out your headlight is out, and you need to get your low beam running again in a jiffy, but its on a night where shops aren't open, or are not within the next 100+ miles, here's a neat trick:
The High beam bulbs are exactly the same as the low beam, so you can switch the bulbs, and get your low beams going again, until you have time to pick up a new high beam.
Also, if you are like me, you can rotate your stock when 1 low beam burns out.
Replace both low beams with the current high beams, and then install new pair of bulbs into the high beam slots.
This saves you the expense, keeps a matched pair of bulbs providing light, and gets some use out of the seldom used high beams, instead of throwing out a perfectly good set of barely used bulbs.
I just had to replace the burnt out low beam on my Boxster yesterday, and it uses the same H7 bulbs that the Crossfire does, so that makes it simple for me to stock up on bulbs for both my car, and Bat's Roadster.
Oh, and the process for changing the bulbs on the Boxster would make you guys jealous. One piece of carpet to pull down. Pull off a rubber plug. Insert the socket tool into the slot. Turn the tool counter clockwise. Remove whole headlight assembly. Open flap. Remove connector. Remove bulb. 5 minutes, tops. No worrying about dropping things, nor having to get dental mirrors.
BC.
The High beam bulbs are exactly the same as the low beam, so you can switch the bulbs, and get your low beams going again, until you have time to pick up a new high beam.
Also, if you are like me, you can rotate your stock when 1 low beam burns out.
Replace both low beams with the current high beams, and then install new pair of bulbs into the high beam slots.
This saves you the expense, keeps a matched pair of bulbs providing light, and gets some use out of the seldom used high beams, instead of throwing out a perfectly good set of barely used bulbs.
I just had to replace the burnt out low beam on my Boxster yesterday, and it uses the same H7 bulbs that the Crossfire does, so that makes it simple for me to stock up on bulbs for both my car, and Bat's Roadster.
Oh, and the process for changing the bulbs on the Boxster would make you guys jealous. One piece of carpet to pull down. Pull off a rubber plug. Insert the socket tool into the slot. Turn the tool counter clockwise. Remove whole headlight assembly. Open flap. Remove connector. Remove bulb. 5 minutes, tops. No worrying about dropping things, nor having to get dental mirrors.
BC.
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 482
Likes: 4
From: Arvada, CO
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by oledoc2u
You just had to share that with us...at the "Busted Knuckle Garage" didn't you....lol
I can't encourage that kind of inter-brand mischief, you know.
BC.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 648
From: Ontario
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by Bladecutter
Also, if you are like me, you can rotate your stock when 1 low beam burns out.
Replace both low beams with the current high beams, and then install new pair of bulbs into the high beam slots.
This saves you the expense, keeps a matched pair of bulbs providing light, and gets some use out of the seldom used high beams, instead of throwing out a perfectly good set of barely used bulbs.
BC.
Where your expense savings fits in puzzles me.
I do not know anyone who would replace all four if a low or a high beam bulb broke.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,285
Likes: 5
From: Carmel, In.
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by VIPER0076
Do yourself a favor and put HIDs in. They are unbelivable and cheap on e-bay. I did my fog lights with Hid also.
That yellow incandescent light makes it look like our car is from 1998, oh wait, all the technology is 
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 482
Likes: 4
From: Arvada, CO
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by onehundred80
Where your expense savings fits in puzzles me.
Since the bulbs in my car are original equipment from 1998, when the car was built, I have 2 choices:
Switch the low beams with the new bulbs, and then one day when I need them most, possible turn on the high beams, and watch it go "POINK".
Or, I can rotate the rarely used 1998 high beam bulbs to the low beams, put the new ones in the high beam slots, and probably not have to worry about any bulb burning out for the next couple of years or so, easily.
Plus, I get some actual use out of those 12 year old bulbs before one kicks the bucket.
What's worse, to get no use from something before it dies, or at least getting some use?
When I buy groceries, the old stock gets pushed forward to be used, while the new stock goes in back. Why would I do anything different with headlight bulbs?
BC.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25,432
Likes: 648
From: Ontario
Re: Dreaded Headlight question!!!
Originally Posted by Bladecutter
Well, think of it this way:
Since the bulbs in my car are original equipment from 1998, when the car was built, I have 2 choices:
Switch the low beams with the new bulbs, and then one day when I need them most, possible turn on the high beams, and watch it go "POINK".
Or, I can rotate the rarely used 1998 high beam bulbs to the low beams, put the new ones in the high beam slots, and probably not have to worry about any bulb burning out for the next couple of years or so, easily.
Plus, I get some actual use out of those 12 year old bulbs before one kicks the bucket.
What's worse, to get no use from something before it dies, or at least getting some use?
When I buy groceries, the old stock gets pushed forward to be used, while the new stock goes in back. Why would I do anything different with headlight bulbs?
BC.
Since the bulbs in my car are original equipment from 1998, when the car was built, I have 2 choices:
Switch the low beams with the new bulbs, and then one day when I need them most, possible turn on the high beams, and watch it go "POINK".
Or, I can rotate the rarely used 1998 high beam bulbs to the low beams, put the new ones in the high beam slots, and probably not have to worry about any bulb burning out for the next couple of years or so, easily.
Plus, I get some actual use out of those 12 year old bulbs before one kicks the bucket.
What's worse, to get no use from something before it dies, or at least getting some use?
When I buy groceries, the old stock gets pushed forward to be used, while the new stock goes in back. Why would I do anything different with headlight bulbs?
BC.
So your previous comment about rotating your 'stock' is a new thing for you, as obviously you have not rotated these before or they would not all be 12 years old.
I would sooner have a high beam go out rather than a low beam as you cannot drive on highs without getting a ticket, so the law of averages would dictate putting the new bulbs in the low beams.
You expect the current high beams to go 'POINK' sooner than the new bulbs but you still think it is better to put them into the low beams position where they could fail as you said a 100+ miles from any help. Forcing you to swap the bulb there and then, possibly in poor conditions, in the dark and with your best clothes on.
I would say that you have three choices, the two you list above and since you are dealing with 12 year old bulbs just simply replace them all.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
davidc90
Troubleshooting & Technical Questions & Modifications
2
Sep 6, 2015 10:37 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
