01 Golf, Headlight replacement

[jontflesh]

Ok my headlight burned out on my Golf. The manual says to bring it back into the dealer. I really don't want to make an appointment and wait 2 hours for them to replace a lousy bulb, NTM I don't feel like putting my airbox back in so they don't get bent out of shape for me having a intake.
So how hard is it to replace the bulb?
Anyone?


jontflesh

[stu]

I don't know about on VWs, but on my cars, the headlight was the easiest thing on the whole car to replace. All you do is look on the back of the headlamp, give that harness with the wires sticking out a twist and it should pull right out. Saying that you need to go to the dealership is just a way to get more money. Don't buy it, pun intended.

[Talus]

I have heard that you need some small hands to replace bulbs on A4's. I have heard this about Jetta's, that it doesnt give you much room behind the headlight. But give it a try. If it doesnt work, then you know you have to take it to the dealership.

[TXKompressor]

yeah unplug the connector, turn the bulb 45 degrees and the pull out. Just make sure not to touch the new bulb or wipe it down with alcohol before you install in case there is any hand oil on them...

[BluByU]

Jon, you must have forgotten my number. Call me! I'll hook ya up, I'm like a whole 5 minutes from your second home.

[jontflesh]

Originally posted by BluByU
Jon, you must have forgotten my number. Call me! I'll hook ya up, I'm like a whole 5 minutes from your second home.
LOL I know Alex!

I got the bulb but still need to replace it. Seems like it will be a bit of a PITA because they have a housing around the headlight assembly with a whacky plastic bolt holding it together.


Thanks for the replys guys!

Flesh

[2002jettavr6]

it not that hard at all

[jontflesh]

Ok got it switched. A little tricky.
For anyone who might need this.
There are two screws right inside the hood ontop of the headlight assembly. Take those off and slide up the plastic plate that they screw into.
Then unclip the metal clip that covers the rear of the assembly
Then there is a smaller clip behind the headlight bulb, unclip that and slide out the bulb. Be carefull because the wires seem to be kinda flimsy. Unplug the plug that goes into the back of the bulb.
Put new bulb in (be sure to line tab up right), plug in the plug.
Reattach clip. Put plastic cover on, clip down. Slide plastic plate back on and screw down.


:)

jontflesh

[lucaq]

glad to see that you figured it out. the USA golf iv takes H7 bulbs for the high and low beams whereas the european code golf takes H7 lows and H1 high beams...the reflectors are totally different and some OEM brands have glass lenses in europe. There is also an OEM HID option for the golf iv and jetta iv.

If you want an easy, clean, technically correct and most of all cheap upgrade to your lighting i suggest getting phillips visionplus bulbs for your car. they are high efficiency bulbs, quality, and are priced well...you can get them at powerbulbs.com or autolamps-online.com (they only sell them in the UK, prices include shipping to the USA, and they have great service).

I also suggest that you change both bulbs if one went out...if one went out the other is not too far behind...plus new bulbs perform better because they have a younger filament.