Replacing HID bulbs

P

Panzer74

Member
Location
El Paso TX.
Well here goes, my first DIY write up.
-HOW TO REPLACE YOUR HID BULBS-

Beware your going to be working in confined spaces. ---Need nimble fingers--- or small mirror

1-Make sure your car is turned off and keys removed. ---NO POWER---
2-Open hood
3-You can do either side first it don't matter.
4-Locate the back of your Headlight housing. It will look like this.
IMG_0494.jpg
5-Unscrew the cover and push to the side.
6-Inside you will see a SILVER box with a Lightning bolt. Grasp that box and twist L or R you will feel it "POP" (SORRY NO PIC). Pull it out and let it hang from the silver cable. You can remove the Yellow cable if it gets in the way. (DON'T FORGET TO RECONNECT THAT YELLOW CABLE)!
7-Inside where you cant see is the bulb and it's retaining clamps. (SEE PIC)
IMG_0492.jpg
IMG_0493.jpg
8-To remove the Bulb reach in with your hand and grasp the clamps with your fingers. (one side at a time works best). Press the clamp forward -TO FRONT OF CAR- till it stops then push together then release. It should spring out of its retainer. Repeat for the other clamp.
9-Remove bulb
10-Insert new bulb. (There is only one way it goes in correctly). Just line up the notch on the bulb with the "KEY" in the housing. "DON'T TOUCH THE GLASS OR METAL ROD NEXT TO THE GLASS"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11-Reverse the process with the retaining clamps. (make sure they clamp in)
12-Reconnect the silver box (Put it on the bulb and turn till it (POPS)/(LOCKS IN POSITION)
13------------MAKE SURE THE YELLOW CABLE IS CONNECTED---------------
14-Screw the cover back on
15-Repeat for other side

Hope this helps:wink:
 

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Just thought I'd add. Step 12, make sure the silver igniter is on well. Mine was loose after install, and after 6 months it finally came loose and one bulb wouldn't light up.

Good pics and writeup. :tup:
 
nice write up!

i guess maybe another tip that can be potentially helpful - "borrowing" your gf/wifey's pocket mirror is a big help on this diy
 
good write up. i disconnected my battery when i did mine just to be sure. and moved the wiper fluid and intake stuff. also i couldnt find a small mirror when i changed mine lol.
 
does anyone have a pic of where exactly the yellow wire goes? I changed my bulbs a few weeks ago and today the light was off b/c the silver box had come loose. I noticed the light turned on without it connected but i am wondering where exactly does it connect to. thanks
 
Thanks for the write up Panzer74. I just replaced the passenger side bulb first. Even with the instructions it was a little challenging. The radiator reservoir is kind of in the way and the edges for the HID housing are a little sharp. I think the metal rod for the bulb has to be pointing up to align perfectly with the notches in the housing.

I can't wait to do the other side when the temperature is a wee bit warmer.
 
Yes, should add an extra step in there to remove the coolant reservoir. The 30 seconds it takes to remove the bolt and move it off to the side makes changing the bulb much easier.

aquilles10 said:
Thanks for the write up Panzer74. I just replaced the passenger side bulb first. Even with the instructions it was a little challenging. The radiator reservoir is kind of in the way and the edges for the HID housing are a little sharp. I think the metal rod for the bulb has to be pointing up to align perfectly with the notches in the housing.

I can't wait to do the other side when the temperature is a wee bit warmer.
Click to expand...
 
aerobfa said:
Yes, should add an extra step in there to remove the coolant reservoir. The 30 seconds it takes to remove the bolt and move it off to the side makes changing the bulb much easier.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Lesson Learned. I will make sure I remove the air intake housing before I tackle the driver's side bulb.
 
LOL, I forgot about the driver's side. I have a Fujita air intake and the whole stock airbox and resonators have been removed. I have much room on that side to work with, I can even reach down and even change my fog light bulb in a minute while standing up the whole time.

aquilles10 said:
Agreed. Lesson Learned. I will make sure I remove the air intake housing before I tackle the driver's side bulb.
Click to expand...
 
just replaced both lights on the car. question to OP, you mention dont touch the glass(the oils from your fingers will heat up and crack the bulb when it get hot) and dont touch the metal rod. does touching the rod have the same effect with the oils from your hand? I noticed also there are some rub marks, from trying to get the bulb in the correct position. did I just shorten the life of my bulbs dramatically. BTW, I just swapped for 5K and so far it looks great in the daylight, we'll see tonite..if my bulbs dont blow up. HAHA
 
thanks for the writeup got it done in a half, original was a D2S but i replaced it with a D2R, still worked though? you guys think ill have any problems with the bulb?
 
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