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Need help replacing HID headlight bulb.

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Old 03-25-11, 10:07 PM
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Nat
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Default Need help replacing HID headlight bulb.

I need to replace the light bulb for the headlight and the DRL bulb. From searching, looks like the only way is to go through the fender liner correct?

Does anyone know if I need to remove the big grey cap that says "Open/Close)?

Thanks
Old 03-25-11, 11:29 PM
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rominl
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i am pretty sure you have to? in order to access the hid harness behind it?
Old 03-26-11, 07:22 AM
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cmasten
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That is the easiest way to do it. only a few clips and a bolt holding the liner in on the front towards the lights. you can pull that back and get access to the headlight assembly and the fogs below. The HIDs are behind the cap, you take that off and then unplug the HID, its also held in with a spring clip. Just make sure to not touch the glass on the new bulb, use gloves
Old 03-26-11, 07:49 AM
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Grisik
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It took me about 15 minutes to do each side. More time taking the screws out for the fender liner than anything else. Just take the screws out in the front of the fender liner up to the top and pul it back. No reson to take to whole think out.
Old 03-26-11, 11:17 AM
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cmasten
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For those that will have this service coming up, its really easy to do, the bulbs (OEM) are about 40.00 each from some honorable resellers on EBay, and you can do this in under an hour, even if your not a DIY person.

The dealer in my area charges a full hour per side and 175 for the bulb each! so about a 600-700 dealer repair, when you can do a bit of research and save yourself some $

The OEM bulbs are good for about 3,000 hours of ON time. That would translate into 8 years for a normal user, so most wont ever have to do this, but if you drive a lot at night it could come up in 3-4 years. HIDS tend to fade also with age, so you may want to just replace them at 3 years or so to get the maximum output back. Moving the front part of the inner liner out of the way and getting to the bulbs is among the easiest DIYs we have up here from my experience.
Old 04-04-11, 05:50 PM
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Nat
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Thanks guys...did this yesterday and it turned out great. I should have done this when I upgrade the fog lights.
Old 04-04-11, 08:31 PM
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cmasten
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Originally Posted by Nat
Thanks guys...did this yesterday and it turned out great. I should have done this when I upgrade the fog lights.
Nice! did you end up pulling the tires or just work with the space in between?
Old 04-04-11, 09:39 PM
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Nat
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I ended up removing the tires and pulling back the fender liner. I don't think it is possible to go through the top/engine compartment...tight space.
Old 04-05-11, 06:57 AM
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cmasten
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Originally Posted by Nat
I ended up removing the tires and pulling back the fender liner. I don't think it is possible to go through the top/engine compartment...tight space.
sorry I meant pulling the liner back with the tires still on. The fogs go in the same way, a bit easier as they have more room at the bottom to just leave the tires mounted. I have heard of people taking the top apart and getting to the bulbs.. but it was hours of removal and re installation.. the liner is the way to go for sure.
Old 04-05-11, 08:42 AM
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Tee
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I forgot I had this in my collection of info.


Last edited by Tee; 04-05-11 at 08:49 AM.
Old 04-05-11, 08:35 PM
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Nat
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Originally Posted by cmasten
sorry I meant pulling the liner back with the tires still on.
I didn't know that you can pull the liner back with the tires still on. Maybe next time. I'm glad I took the wheels off because it gave me a chance to clean the white powder coated brake calipers.
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