Headlight bulb replacement question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: edmonton ab
Headlight bulb replacement question
Trying to do my passenger low beam. I have removed the bezel and the cover. With things in the up position the high beam bulb is obvious and accessible. I am looking at the GE 9006 Halogen bulb the parts store gave me and it looks very similar to the high beam bulb with a 90 degree elbow.
When I feel the low beam it does not have an exposed elbow. The high beam bulb looks like I can just twist it out and swap, but it doesn't need it. The low beam feels like a couple of wires running straight into a stub end that will require removal of the round metal plate to debulb it.
The direction threads I have found suggest there is a plastic clip or ring that I need to squeeze to remove the bulb but I can't find this animal.
1) Did the parts store give me the wrong bulb?
2)Can someone describe or show a pic of the plastic clip?
3)How do I get at the low beam bulb?
There are a whole bunch of bits in the headlight assembly that I could pull apart to get clear access but it seems like I would be making a simple job into a messy one.
The metal plugs that the bulbs go into lok like a bit of over-engineering and not likely to come out without a fight.
Anyone done this recently?
When I feel the low beam it does not have an exposed elbow. The high beam bulb looks like I can just twist it out and swap, but it doesn't need it. The low beam feels like a couple of wires running straight into a stub end that will require removal of the round metal plate to debulb it.
The direction threads I have found suggest there is a plastic clip or ring that I need to squeeze to remove the bulb but I can't find this animal.
1) Did the parts store give me the wrong bulb?
2)Can someone describe or show a pic of the plastic clip?
3)How do I get at the low beam bulb?
There are a whole bunch of bits in the headlight assembly that I could pull apart to get clear access but it seems like I would be making a simple job into a messy one.
The metal plugs that the bulbs go into lok like a bit of over-engineering and not likely to come out without a fight.
Anyone done this recently?
Last edited by nuck; Aug 22, 2008 at 11:32 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: edmonton ab
Okay I checked elsewhere and 9006 is the right p# for the low beam bulb, in spite of what appears to be a different shape. The retaining ring is reluctant to rotate as per instructions however. Might a tool be required to break it look or am I grabbing it wrong?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I installed Silverstars Ultras in my C5, Don't use a tool, It will just turn and pop out. Very easy to do, Yours might be a bit stuck, But if you use something to turn the bulb you will end up braking something. Both my High and Low have a 90 degree off the bulb.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 3
From: Southern NH
Both high and low beam sockets are the same. You need to possibly push the socket in as you try to turn it but it does simply turn then pulls out. You'll need to disconnect the wiring harness first.
Also when you replace the socket, make sure all 3 tabs are properly inserted into the housing before turning. You can still turn the socket with one of the tabs sticking out and the light will look like it's not properly adjusted.
Also when you replace the socket, make sure all 3 tabs are properly inserted into the housing before turning. You can still turn the socket with one of the tabs sticking out and the light will look like it's not properly adjusted.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,383
Likes: 13
From: Kinston North Carolina
Quote----"The low beam feels like a couple of wires running straight into a stub end that will require removal of the round metal plate to debulb it."
That dosn't sound right. Both bulbs look almost identical with the 90 degree connector. If yours is different, someone has made a change from the stock setup.
That dosn't sound right. Both bulbs look almost identical with the 90 degree connector. If yours is different, someone has made a change from the stock setup.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: edmonton ab
Quote----"The low beam feels like a couple of wires running straight into a stub end that will require removal of the round metal plate to debulb it."
That dosn't sound right. Both bulbs look almost identical with the 90 degree connector. If yours is different, someone has made a change from the stock setup.
That dosn't sound right. Both bulbs look almost identical with the 90 degree connector. If yours is different, someone has made a change from the stock setup.
Thanks for the responses.
Last edited by nuck; Aug 23, 2008 at 03:36 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: edmonton ab
The bulb is out again. Looks like some kind of a cracked filament thing going on. Anyone familiar with an aftermarket low beam bulb with a straight base onit? What kind? How does it go in and out?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
This is an export car do you have plastic or glass lenses? That could be the difference. Be careful of the 15 minute timer that will catch your hand if the battery is connected and you have the lights up on the timed circuit. The bulb is bad do not take more of the asssembly apart. Get a mirror so you can see the back of the bulb and then you will know how to gwt it out. Best of Luck and watch your hands around those headlights
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Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Twain Harte CA
If you have no preference on a brand, go for Osram/Sylvania Silverstars. They produce a "whiter" light (4300 deg K. color temperature). Most of the newer Silverstar lamps are Osram/Sylvania (made in Germany) anyway. These are better than the straight Sylvania lamps (made in USA or ?) and will last longer. The German ones are good for a couple of years or more, the US Sylvanias might last a year. Regardless, these bulbs are worth it and are the next best thing to an HID upgrade.
Last edited by bassman12350; Aug 31, 2008 at 01:02 AM. Reason: Additiional information added
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Your Low Beam head lamp bulb is a 9006. High beam is a 9005. Replace the bulb - - it's bad and may continue to give you fits by working one time and not the next. Also, the rubber seals on the bulb and/or the lock ring may be dry and "stuck". Just keep working on it (by hand - - don't use any tools) and it should come loose. You can use a very small amount of silcone dielectric grease on the "O" rings, but be careful not to get any on the bulb or it will fail.
If you have no preference on a brand, go for Osram/Sylvania Silverstars. They produce a "whiter" light (4300 deg K. color temperature). Most of the newer Silverstar lamps are Osram/Sylvania (made in Germany) anyway. These are better than the straight Sylvania lamps (made in USA or ?) and will last longer. The German ones are good for a couple of years or more, the US Sylvanias might last a year. Regardless, these bulbs are worth it and are the next best thing to an HID upgrade.
If you have no preference on a brand, go for Osram/Sylvania Silverstars. They produce a "whiter" light (4300 deg K. color temperature). Most of the newer Silverstar lamps are Osram/Sylvania (made in Germany) anyway. These are better than the straight Sylvania lamps (made in USA or ?) and will last longer. The German ones are good for a couple of years or more, the US Sylvanias might last a year. Regardless, these bulbs are worth it and are the next best thing to an HID upgrade.
I went with the Silverstar Ultra's which are supposed to be longer life than the standard Silverstars. I used four high beam bulbs rather than two low and two high...much better than the crappy stock bulbs.
Ed
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
What did you have to trim to get the high to fit in the low?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN