Need some quick advise on headlight replacement

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Dec 11, 2006 | 10:59 PM

iridelow

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2006

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From: SC

Need some quick advise on headlight replacement

Even though I place myself as a pretty good mechanic, I have never replaced headlight bulbs in a C5. I noticed my right front headlight was very dim, when I checked the headlight is less than half the brightness as my other one. Both low and high right side headlights are very dim. Here is the dumb question, can I just replace the bulbs, or is it a sealed unit. If so, how? A little quick advise would be great. It is a weekend toy, and I don't drive it much at night, but I would "kind of like" to see when I drive at night. Thanks in advance for any advise.

Dec 11, 2006 | 11:07 PM

aschiftner

Racer

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 252

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From: Port Orchard WA

You can do it. Have fun with it. Drink a beer afterwards . R/ Al

Dec 11, 2006 | 11:17 PM

iridelow

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 5,119

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From: SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by aschiftner

You can do it. Have fun with it. Drink a beer afterwards . R/ Al

I'm sure I can, I just wanted to know how. Maybe someone else can answer who knows. And yes, I do know how to drink the beer(s)

Dec 11, 2006 | 11:38 PM

JC in XTC5

Drifting

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 1,917

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From: Southern NH

Quote:

Originally Posted by iridelow

Just a thought, but I've seen conditions where the bulbs were not burnt but very dim and it was actually a problem with the ground. Since both the right side bulbs are dim and share the ground it's worth checking. The ground connection is on the frame rail behind the passenger headlight (G102) and is one of those splice packs that can get corroded and result in a poor ground. You can pull the splice pack out and check for dirt/corrosion. I'll bet that's your problem.

BTW, it's not a sealed unit and there are separate bulbs for high and low. To access the sockets you need to raise the headlight and remove the black bezel surround (3 screws). The sockets screw out. You need to be very careful when putting the sockets back in because it's very easy to get only 2 of the 3 socket tabs inside the slots and still twist the socket in which results in the bulbs being off center and looking like the aim is way off. Low beam is bulb 9006, high beam is 9005.

Last edited by JC in XTC5; Dec 11, 2006 at 11:43 PM.

Dec 11, 2006 | 11:53 PM

aschiftner

Racer

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 252

Likes: 0

From: Port Orchard WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by iridelow

I'm sure I can, I just wanted to know how. Maybe someone else can answer who knows. And yes, I do know how to drink the beer(s)

Just did mine a few weeks ago.
1. Open the hood.
2. Manually open light door. (Crank is located under the hood, behind the light).
3. Remove black plastic benzel.
4. Remove bulb by turning bulb counterclockwise.
5. Disconnect wiring harness.
6. Reverse process etc......

The only problem I had when doing mine was seeing the back of the bulb housing when trying to install the new bulbs. You can give yourself a little more room by removing the hood adjustment bolt. It is difficult to get all three tabs inserted into the bulb housing. But it can be done. R/ Al

Dec 12, 2006 | 11:19 AM

iridelow

Thread Starter

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 5,119

Likes: 272

From: SC

Thanks, I will check the ground first, then replace the bulbs if that's the problem. Forum members like ya'll (above) make this forum such a great place to go for advise. Thanks again...

Dec 12, 2006 | 09:12 PM

IFLUBYU

Drifting

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 1,715

Likes: 1

From: cAshburn VA

You don't have to crank the headlight unit up, just use the light switch, turn on the headlights, then turn it back one click to parking lights.

Then take the plastic bezel off, the rest will be obvious.