Headlight Issue

[ReD_oSeVeN]

On the way out for lunch break this afternoon I hit my unlock button and noticed that the passenger side turn signal bulb was out. So I decided to pop the hood and investigate. Found the plug that held the light in place and gave it a turn. Upon doing so the turn signal bulb popped off and down into the headlight !



Seems the person that owned the car before me decided to put bigger bulbs in place of the ones that would actually fit through the opening. I assume the headlight lenses were taken apart to do this ?

Now I am stuck driving around without any turn signals. I went to Lithia and they want $444.00 bucks for a new headlight w/labor. I pretty much told em thanks and walked out.

Anybody have any experience with taking the headlight lens off the headlight ?

Or can someone recommend me to a person that will ?

[TrueNative]

I cleared my headlight a few months back, and you have to bake the light assembly in the oven (220 deg. for 15-20 min.) to get the cement goop on the housing to loosen up. I really don't think there is another way to get the lens off.?.?.? Someone will correct me if i'm wrong.....http://www.iwsti.com/forums/how-inst...eadlights.html

[bigrobwoot]

That's what I had to do to clear mine. I feel like the bulb had to fit through the hole, because removing the headlight and baking it to open it up just to fit an oversized bulb is a little rediculous.

You should be able to get the bulb out without taking the headlight apart, but without looking at it, it's hard to say. You'll probably have to remove the headlight from the car and tilt it and stuff til you can get the bulb out of the hole.

[ReD_oSeVeN]

Originally Posted by bigrobwoot

That's what I had to do to clear mine. I feel like the bulb had to fit through the hole, because removing the headlight and baking it to open it up just to fit an oversized bulb is a little rediculous

Its horrible . . When I get this one out ill have another to contend with.



So both have to come off to get the bulbs out.

[bigrobwoot]

Read my edit and see if that clears anything up. Otherwise, you'll have to bake the light and pull the lens off

[ReD_oSeVeN]

You should be able to get the bulb out without taking the headlight apart, but without looking at it, it's hard to say. You'll probably have to remove the headlight from the car and tilt it and stuff til you can get the bulb out of the hole.

The bulbs forward facing part is bigger then the diameter of the hole they have to come out off.

I don't want to have to go through this process each time my bulb goes out.

Guess I better preheat the oven . .

[TrueNative]

You could do both bulbs (proper ones that fit as to not repeat this again) and while at it clear out the lenses. Two birds, one stone. It's not that bad of a job, took me about 45min to 1 hour. Baking took up most of the time.

[ReD_oSeVeN]

Originally Posted by TrueNative

You could do both bulbs (proper ones that fit as to not repeat this again) and while at it clear out the lenses. Two birds, one stone. It's not that bad of a job, took me about 45min to 1 hour. Baking took up most of the time.

Busy this evening ?



That's what I am going to have to do. I just dont want to reduce my headlight to smoldering piles of plastic.

They are a bit pricey to replace.

[TrueNative]

I am busy tonight, but have no problem if you need help Tues afternoon.
I was scared about melting them too, but 15 to 20 min. @ 220 isn't really hot enough to melt plastic, just the sealant.

[bigrobwoot]

That's weird that the bulbs are too big, but ok. That sucks. When baking the lights, makes sure you wait until the oven is preheated before you put the lights in. The oven is hotter while it's preheating to get it up to temp faster. It's scary to do, but it's not that big of a deal once it's done. Also, I would seal it with some black silicone when you're done, otherwise you may get water in the light and have to do everything again to clean it out (I did). I have some black caulk if you want it. If you could come over nowish, I'll walk you through it. I'll be making dinner so I prolly won't touch anything LOL but I'll tell you what to do if you want. Gimme a call at 720-1829 if you want.

[100_Percent_Juice]

I cleared mine in about 35 min and I didn't use any extra caulking. I can't remember what the bake temp and time posted on nasioc are but, I remember that I turned the heat up and reduced the cook time and it still worked fine.

[ReD_oSeVeN]

Originally Posted by bigrobwoot

That's weird that the bulbs are too big, but ok. That sucks. When baking the lights, makes sure you wait until the oven is preheated before you put the lights in. The oven is hotter while it's preheating to get it up to temp faster. It's scary to do, but it's not that big of a deal once it's done. Also, I would seal it with some black silicone when you're done, otherwise you may get water in the light and have to do everything again to clean it out (I did). I have some black caulk if you want it. If you could come over nowish, I'll walk you through it. I'll be making dinner so I prolly won't touch anything LOL but I'll tell you what to do if you want. Gimme a call at 720-1829 if you want.

One look and you will see what I am talking about.

I think someone opened the headlights up , painted the inside black , pulled the ballasts out , plugged the bulbs into the ballasts , put the clear cover back on then sealed them back up and installed them , because I just took a look at the wiring and someone didn't do to well of a job. How else would someone have gotten over sized blinker bulbs in ?

That's the only scenario I can come up with.


I just got back home.

Had to help someone move a couch , what fun that was.

Yea I am up for a visit , if your done eating that is.

Can bring all my tools.

I cant do it here as I live in an apartment complex and they don't allow working on your car in the parking slot.

[bigrobwoot]

PM sent.

[ReD_oSeVeN]

Originally Posted by bigrobwoot

PM sent.

Leaving now . .

[bigrobwoot]

Ok, so for everyone who thought he was as "special" as i did, apparently the previous owner cleared the lights and painted them black, and when he did that, he put in an led blinker that was too big to fit through the hole. Once I saw it, I realized what happened. Unfortunately, the 06-07 headlights aren't as easy as the 05 headlights to get out, and we hit a few snags. Sorry about the fender bro...

[100_Percent_Juice]

Originally Posted by bigrobwoot

Sorry about the fender bro...

Pics?

Never send a boy to do a man's job.

[bigrobwoot]

Originally Posted by 100_Percent_Juice

Never send a boy to do a man's job.

lol I volunteered too quickly apparently.

We half-assed putting the lights back together because he's gonna pull them back apart to sand down where he scratched them up trying to get the bulb out, and it didn't exactly slide right back in to the car. He forced it and bent part of his fender, and a lil bit of the paint came off. He'll have to post pics. I never realized so much could go so wrong just from removing a headlight...

[DaveWRX]

Dang that sucks. Hopefully he can get it all squared away.

[bigrobwoot]

Yeah, hopefully. At T&H Auto Paints in Carson, you can go in and tell them the color code of your paint and they'll give you a little bottle of touch up paint. I'm sure the dealer will do it in exchange for your soul and $200, but is there another place like that in Reno?

[DaveWRX]

The dealership should have touchup paint for like 15 bucks max. I worked for Subaru and they always had atleast one of every color in stock. But lithia may be different. I would go to the dealership first.

[Dean]

I have a bottle of WRB touch up you can have for free if you want it.

[100_Percent_Juice]

Judging by your title, your car is red?

[bigrobwoot]

Yes, his car is red.

[cody]

The WRB touchup will look hot then.

[Dean]

DOH! Dave has the WRB..