Headlight replacement

[Barnum]

Hi,

Have low beam headlight out/drivers side. How easy is it to replace?

Have a 2000 NB. 2.0...

Thanks,
Dick

[kcfoxie]

Hi Dick! The simple answer is: Open the hood, you'll see the housing for the headlight assembly. There should be a lever, push the button next to it in and pull it down. This unlocks the headlight assembly, it should move forward a little bit once released. I suggest using a suction cup or a plunger to grab the front lense and start pulling. If you don't have either of those, pry CAREFULLY along the edges, the whole thing pulls right out. From there disconnect the wiring harness connector and open the plastic cover on the back. The low beam bulb is the *top* bulb; unhook it's connector, pull the old out, unplug, plug in new one, drop into hole and latch down. Put the cover back on, plug the wiring harness connector back in, and align the pegs on the unit to the tracks inside the fender/headlight assembly. Push it in, then pull the latch up to lock it.

It can be a 2 hour ordeal the first time. It's a very unique design, i'll put it that way. These cars are NOT $5/bulb headlight replacements at Pep Boys ....

Reference Tom's excellent write-up with photos if mine aren't clear enough: http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=171 (in the How-To section, under technical).

[Barnum]

Thanks Tom...will give it a shot this afternoon, and let you know how many four letter words I used.

[Barnum]

Replaced the bulb successfully. Took some time, but got it done. Hard getting the headlight out, and also hard getting the lever to lock again after replacing the bulb (was on drivers side).

Thanks for your help....

[r0nd3L]

Originally Posted by Barnum

Replaced the bulb successfully. Took some time, but got it done. Hard getting the headlight out, and also hard getting the lever to lock again after replacing the bulb (was on drivers side).

Thanks for your help....

If I were you I would remove the latch (3 bolts) and clean/lube everything. After that, headlights go in and out without a problem.

[mgwerks]

Originally Posted by r0nd3L

If I were you I would remove the latch (3 bolts) and clean/lube everything. After that, headlights go in and out without a problem.

And be careful what you lube it with - I'd suggest silicone spray or graphite - anything else will just attract dirt.

[treblatsirc]

I just did my passenger bulb and had to remove the slider unit that cinches the bulb in, it was full of grit but now that I've done one I must say it's not so bad... not so simple either but not so bad

[73standard]

Bulb replacement in a bug is one of the biggest pains in the ass I've had to deal with in a car. We've had two and both have liked to fight us every step of the way. I think I cursed every single German engineer that designed that system.

[s4play]

Just found this thread and need to replace the bulb on my passenger side 2001 Bug....

Does anyone have pics since that previous thread posted has dead pics


rick

[Fuego]

pictures are dead again...