2.0 Headlight removal

[mezonesxbox]

Here you go guys, i finally had the courage to remove it, but it was not hard at all. Very easy, infact im affraid people might steal headlights now

Tools needed;
1 pair of hands
1 screew driver or something sharp and pointy

steps:
1 look around the inside of the headlight assembly and use a screw driver and press this button(#1) firmly down and hold it.
2. while holding the button down pull down a small swich(#2). As you pull down the swich you will notice that the headlight is coming fordward, pull completely until the head light is loose so that you can manually remove it from the outside.

3. Disconnect the power cable

4. Your done! Note: when installing it back first start from the bottom and try to line up the headlight to a small track found in the bottom part of the headlight housing. This track is what made the assembly pop out once you pulled the swich.

Please note that this method may only work with certain models. Mine is a 2.0 year 2000. Some models are known to have a clip or some sticky glue, i personally think this method is great and i wouldnt change it for anything.

[silver bugger]

Thanks for putting up how to change the headlight bulbs. I had the dealer do one for me and it was under warranty on the passenger side but when the warranty expires looks like i would have to change it. Driver side must be a pain as the battery and air filter is in the way and looks to me i have to take apart these things in order to replace a bulb. Thanks for the tip i will try to remember how to do this

[jblodgett]

This is probably a REALLY silly question.

But WHERE is this "headlight assembly"??

Consider me an idiot- but do I open up the hood and look - where - to find this little button and lever to get the headlight out?


*EDIT* My burned out headlight is on the driver's side. And I see now there's a bit more involved on that side. I was wondering why I couldn't find this switch do-hickie. The battery and so forth are both in the way on the driver's side.

[iScott]

Very good diagram and explanation. I think you covered everything very well.

[budsbug]

Thanks for the sanity check, I changed 1 before but I think the Drivers side was in wrong The slides were all burred up I about I had to pry it out.
Ihave a 1.9 TDI and the drivers side is easier to get out than the other My fuel filter blocks the passenger side.

[Lmhansen]

The driver side on the 2.0 is a little trickier, but it can be done without taking the battery out. You just got to look around in there so you can see where the lever and where that button-thingie is (yes, that is a technical term ). I used a wooden stick that I found near my car. It was just what I needed to get it pished in so I could move the lever.

Yes, it's tight with the battery in place, but it can be done.

[Dallaslady]

So, my driver side headlight has burned out twice!! My husband just replaced the bulb, again....and again....but has informed me that there is a part inside which needs to be replaced. It looks like it goes around the inside and possibly has a clip which the light slides into. That part is broken. Dealer wants $150 for that part!! Anybody know where I can find it for less?

Thanks!

Frances

[SMG]

This thread belongs in the technical forum, there is hardly a thing about a 2.0 that makes it different from every other NB besides the motor and drivetrain. Please don't post body / trim related stuff in a motor-specific forum.

SMG

[LucysCougar]

This worked perfect. I would have had no idea how to fix my light if I did not see this link today! THANK YOU!!
Jeff

[jdassa]

This is great stuff but do you know if this technique will work for a 2005 Beetle GL? I need to replace the passenger side head light (or is it running light?). Thanks

[LucysCougar]

I do notice though , after I have broken the factory
install. the inside of the light ring rubber is not going
back all the way in to the body. just a small gap now, any suggestions?
maybe I did not place it like it says on #4 (the bottom small track)
I will check today.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by SMG

This thread belongs in the technical forum, there is hardly a thing about a 2.0 that makes it different from every other NB besides the motor and drivetrain. Please don't post body / trim related stuff in a motor-specific forum.

SMG

x2 good DIY though...

[LucysCougar]

My post was about the rubber that is involved with the above removal of the headlight. with re-installing it. it does not seem to go back in right, so I can not ask that Question then?
The rubber is attached to the headlight housing.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by LucysCougar

My post was about the rubber that is involved with the above removal of the headlight. with re-installing it. it does not seem to go back in right, so I can not ask that Question then?
The rubber is attached to the headlight housing.

The gasket is attached to the lense itself. If it does not seal anymore it's not installed right !! What SMG and i are talking about is that the DIY should not be in the 2.0 forum is all...

[LucysCougar]

All is good now. glad I found this OLD post.
I did not notice the 3RD rail/slide that
is on the bottom when I re-installed the headlight.
took it back apart and fits great now.
THANKS GUYS!
Jeff

[Slow_bug]

thank you for all the info on how to do this. Even with that i managed to break the drivers side head light.... Turns out the previous owner glued the tracks with some kind of white glue. time to buy new headlights i guess. Thanks again

[Burke]

thanks!

got the passanger side done. but.. i broke the LEVER on the "pull up thing" on the drivers side. ugg. it's almost all the way up right now.. but can't quite slide her out! :/

crap.. now what..

[Burke]

ugg what a pain. got it.

did the little drill a hole, tap with screw driver, shake, pull, tap, spray tons of WD40 in, repeat... im sore.

Once the light was out you can see this crappy plastic assembly. 3 easy bolts and it's out. what the frack.. the CAD, engineering and mold on this was way to complicated.. lol.. just bold that damn thing in!!! pfft.

cleaned it up good.. lubed it. I should order another plastic magic thing, but i have to drive my car in the morning. o well, it will lock it's crappy ass back in when I'm done. getting it out again later? ya, who knows.

[Cavedog]

First off, I love the pictures, very helpful. However when I got in to push the button and pull the lever, I found that the button had been broken by the last person who tried to replace the bulb. Also the lever is already in the down position. Could it be that the lamp assembly was just wedged back in place? Do I need to take the car into a shop to get this rectified? Anyone have some advice?

[Beetlescott]

Originally Posted by mezonesxbox

Here you go guys, i finally had the courage to remove it, but it was not hard at all. Very easy, infact im affraid people might steal headlights now

Tools needed;
1 pair of hands
1 screew driver or something sharp and pointy

steps:
1 look around the inside of the headlight assembly and use a screw driver and press this button(#1) firmly down and hold it.
2. while holding the button down pull down a small swich(#2). As you pull down the swich you will notice that the headlight is coming fordward, pull completely until the head light is loose so that you can manually remove it from the outside.
Attachment 14896
3. Disconnect the power cable
Attachment 14897
4. Your done! Note: when installing it back first start from the bottom and try to line up the headlight to a small track found in the bottom part of the headlight housing. This track is what made the assembly pop out once you pulled the swich.
Attachment 14898
Please note that this method may only work with certain models. Mine is a 2.0 year 2000. Some models are known to have a clip or some sticky glue, i personally think this method is great and i wouldnt change it for anything.

I will need to change my headliner sooner than later. There are 2 places that looked like they had let go close to the sun shade. I put some furniture "screw in" pins a year ago and it hasn't gotten any worse. I changed my headlights last Summer and pushed the tab too hard and broke it, so be careful!