Headlight removal help

[BlackVXer99]

I bought some sylvania silverstars and for the life of me i could not get my old ones removed. I moved the battery and that didnt seem to help at all, as i could NOT get the plastic piece that has the wires connected (the one that goes into the rubber piece) to come out.

Ive searched on here, and read Grants walk thru thread and many others, and spent about 2 hours fiddeling with it and could not get them loose. I gave up because i didnt want to break anything if i wasnt sure what i was doing.

So any in depth help? im sure its just something small im not doing right. Im new to the VX world, just did my first oil change last night and it went smoothly thanks to a quick search on here.

thanks in advance

[DarkWing]

I am sure you did a search for removing headlights. Changing the lights while the assemblies are installed on the V, I don't know how you people could contort your hands to be able to do it. I was doing other work and had the front cladding off, removed the assemblies, and it was still a pain. There is a clip that holds the plastic with the wires (socket) onto the bulb base. The Base itself is held into the assembly with a wire clip that you have to depress, and move out from under the tab holding it, then it pivots back, hinged at the other end. Then the bulb and base come out of the assembly very easily. Your first time, this might actually be easier. (I was changing out all the front end bulbs, plus some other work at the same time. Yes, I think it'd be a little much to take the cladding off just to change headlights.) No one told me about the clip, either of them, so check them out. You might have to spray some cleaner back there, mine was covered in gunk. Good luck. Replacing my lights made a big differance.
D.W. Lyons
#0147
'99 Silver:bwgr:

[etlsport]

there is a tab on both sides of the connector. you need to be able to get your fingers in there and press them in to get pull the connector loose. easiest way i have found to do it is to very very carefully pull the rubber seal away from the edges so you can access the back of the light. from there look in the headlight assembly from the front. you will see a small square cutout next to where the bulb comes through, through the cutout you will see a metal wire, you need to get your finger on it (from the back) and push it towards the street, careful not to force anything because if you break the wire or its connection to the headlight your headlight is pretty much useless...

when you manage to get that wire down it will release the headlight bulb and you can pull the bulb, rubber seal and connector up towards you a little more, this will make it easier to get to those tabs to release the connector.

reassembly is easy, put the bulb in first (with the flat part of the base down, the pins on the back will be to the sides and top) put that wire clip back how it was (its easier if you look through the front of the headlight to see what you are doing) remember not to force anything too much

then put the rubber seal back on, TOP is written on it so you know how it goes back on, make sure all 3 pins on the back of the light are through the hole in the center make sure the sides are all firmly back in place

then you can plug in the connector

i agree with DW for most people its probably easier to actually remove the assemblies, i managed to change my headlight bulbs without even removing the battery or factory airbox but ive got small hands and have gotten good at contorting them to work on cars with as little disassembly as possible

[Gussie2000]

Last week i tried to remove the bulbs,no luck at all

Today i'll give it another try,but not too confident.

Not sure if you guys did it that way,may be more easier if you removed the black rubber cover & carefully twist the bulb connector with the bulb about 45 degrees instead of depressing the hard wires on both side of the bulb ?

The bulb came loose that way when i did it like that,however i wasn't able to get them outter the housing.

[rowhard]

Insert 2cents

It is a pain, mainly cause you can't see what your doing. If it was in your lap, you would see what a simple bulb securement feature it is. The main thing is, be careful removing the plug it's self. IF you try just pulling it off, you can break the plastic where the wire holding the bulb in attaches to the light assy. Mine was broken already, so I built up a now locking wire attachment, but it could break again at anytime. (Hope the body shop is careful removing the lights, forgot to do it myself or tell them) Now, unless you have strong fingers, use some slip joint pliers to lightly squeeze the sides of the plug, it's like a locking feature, then pull the plug away. With the plug and rubber seal (their is a top and bottom to it) borrow a small mirror from she who must be obayed and look at whats you are dealing with. Thinking remove the battery to give yourself some space to work and look. Hope this helps.:grinr:

[BlackVXer99]

I stilll have the headlights sitting in my room didnt want to risk breaking something

[Doomer]

They use the same setup that has been on most sport motorcycles for years. Once you've done it, is very simple. But is very easy to break. Don't forget to use di-electric grease upon re-assembly. Makes it a whole lot easier next time. If you have a bud with a sportbike, get them to show you and practice on it.
Robert