2006+ New Beetle Headlight Removal - (How-To) - Discussion Thread

[ladybugaboo]

Can anyone help me out here? I went to my local CarQuest store and purchased a replacement bulb for the drivers side headlight on my 2006 New Beetle Convertible. They told me that the bulb was "difficult" to replace and suggested I take it to a local shop who changes them. Took their advise and an hour later mechanic came out and said they couldn't change the bulb as they were unable to get the headlight assembly to come out. Suggested I take it somewhere else. Took it somewhere else and they refused to even look at it. They suggested a mechanic who "specializes" in this. Took it there...waited for an hour and he came out and said same thing as first mechanic, he couldn't get the headlight assembly to come out. Driving home the check engine (exhaust) light came on and I now hear a hissing sound that sounds like a tighly wound jet engine! Car has 36,000 miles on it and all recalls and services have been done on it. Any thoughts, suggestions? Thanks. Ladybugaboo.

[psaboic]

Best bet is to get the codes scanned and see what is up. It is quite possible one of the "mechanic" you took it to disconnected/broke something when they were trying to get the light out. As for getting the light out, follow the link in this thread for the how-to on getting the light out. Takes about five minutes and you don't need a "Mechanic" to do it.

[cep]

On this style of headlight, you've got to make SURE the 5mm screw is cammed over to the 'locked' position. Sometimes, it takes more force than you would think. I just changed the RH bulb and about a week later, it was out again. Tapping the headlight assembly brought it back on, so I knew what was wrong. Got out the 5mm socket, u-joint, extension and driver and sure enough, I hadn't gotten it completely cammed over.

I cussed these headlights when my daughter got her New Beetle as being unecessarily complicated and hard to change. Now, I like them--both styles. I can change a bulb in about five minutes. I always verify with a VOM that the bulb is actually bad. I think many good bulbs are pitched, especially on the '06-style as it doesn't take much for the plug to disengage from its socket.

[PUGSY]

Ok, I've seen the 06 headlight removel, How do you do the 02 model. My Pugsy(02) model seems to be differant. Is it? Both my low beams are out and the left side cover fell off so I just ordered 2 new headlight assemblies. My car is not a Turbo but thats what I ordered. I was going to pay someone to switch them out, now I'm thinking about just figuring it out my self. Is it hard?