Any step by step for headlight replacement?
#1
Any step by step for headlight replacement?
The low beam on my 2005 x type sport, passenger side, went out just the other day. I am wondering if there's a step by step picture or video guide for changing it! I could bring it in to a shop but I want to learn how to do this. I did some searching and didn't see a guide on how to do this. Thanks!
#2
Me too. The driver side (left, consider the UK people here ) low beam lamp went out a week ago, and it was fairly easy to change. However, the passenger side (right) went out yesterday and the area in that part of the car is so cramped it seems completely impossible to change it. Just the outer side wire clip is impossible to reach, not to mention impossible to fasten again...
EDIT:
Just did both, needed a straightened metal wire coat hanger to hook up the wire clip on the right side lamp cover. Other than that it was somewhat easy, but then again I reportedly have "the hands of an artist".
EDIT:
Just did both, needed a straightened metal wire coat hanger to hook up the wire clip on the right side lamp cover. Other than that it was somewhat easy, but then again I reportedly have "the hands of an artist".
Last edited by Aonsaithya; 12-08-2012 at 06:11 PM.
#3
Removing the headlight assy is not necessary, I had to replace a unit that had a broken adjuster. This is my "Demo" unit.
1. Remove 2 wire clips from access cover.
2. Remove cover.
3. Remove electrical connector/plug.
4. Squeeze and rotate wire clip from base of lamp.
5. Remove and replace lamp.
1. Remove 2 wire clips from access cover.
2. Remove cover.
3. Remove electrical connector/plug.
4. Squeeze and rotate wire clip from base of lamp.
5. Remove and replace lamp.
Last edited by reyesl; 12-10-2012 at 02:11 PM.
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#5
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Please keep in mind that this is for those with halogen bulbs. The HID headlights are very similar, but instead of removing the metal clip for the headlights, you will have to remove a black box from the back of the headlight bulb. But, for the most part, not that difficult.
As for removing the headlight assembly from the car, it is not necessary, but you will find that if you have big hands, doing a bulb change with the headlights in the car is not the easiest.
As for removing the headlights from the car, here is a break down of what needs to happen:
-Using a T-27 Torx bit and ratchet, remove about 12 bolts retaining the plastic plate on the under side of the radiator (8 along the front edge of the bumper, 3 in the middle, 4 on the rear corners joining the under plate to the fender liners)
-Remove the bottom two remaining bolts (requires the Torx bit) in each wheel well so you can move the liner out of the way for the next step
-Using a 10mm socket with a short handle ratchet (or a small 10mm wrench also works), remove the nut that is located between the side marker light and the wheel well on each side. You may find removing the side marker light so you can look through and see what your hand is doing is helpful.
-Remove the 4 10mm bolts (2 on each side) holding the bumper cover to the headlights
-Reaching in by the wheel well, near the top of where the bumper cover meets the body, pull straight out to release the friction clips holding the bumper cover to the car. Repeat for the other side
-Gently lower the bumper cover to the ground. Recommended that you use an old blanket or towels and rest the bumper cover on those. You may want to also disconnect the electrical connector on the left corner (driver's side for LHD (US) cars, passenger side for RHD (England) cars). This will allow you to remove the bumper from the car and set it off in a safe location.
-Undo the 2 remaining bolts to the headlight assembly in question. Then disconnect the plug on the back side of the headlight assembly.
I know this sounds like a lot of work, but after you do it once or twice, you will find that this goes very quickly and for the time that you spend fighting to get your hand in that small hole, you can get the bumper cover off.
As for removing the headlight assembly from the car, it is not necessary, but you will find that if you have big hands, doing a bulb change with the headlights in the car is not the easiest.
As for removing the headlights from the car, here is a break down of what needs to happen:
-Using a T-27 Torx bit and ratchet, remove about 12 bolts retaining the plastic plate on the under side of the radiator (8 along the front edge of the bumper, 3 in the middle, 4 on the rear corners joining the under plate to the fender liners)
-Remove the bottom two remaining bolts (requires the Torx bit) in each wheel well so you can move the liner out of the way for the next step
-Using a 10mm socket with a short handle ratchet (or a small 10mm wrench also works), remove the nut that is located between the side marker light and the wheel well on each side. You may find removing the side marker light so you can look through and see what your hand is doing is helpful.
-Remove the 4 10mm bolts (2 on each side) holding the bumper cover to the headlights
-Reaching in by the wheel well, near the top of where the bumper cover meets the body, pull straight out to release the friction clips holding the bumper cover to the car. Repeat for the other side
-Gently lower the bumper cover to the ground. Recommended that you use an old blanket or towels and rest the bumper cover on those. You may want to also disconnect the electrical connector on the left corner (driver's side for LHD (US) cars, passenger side for RHD (England) cars). This will allow you to remove the bumper from the car and set it off in a safe location.
-Undo the 2 remaining bolts to the headlight assembly in question. Then disconnect the plug on the back side of the headlight assembly.
I know this sounds like a lot of work, but after you do it once or twice, you will find that this goes very quickly and for the time that you spend fighting to get your hand in that small hole, you can get the bumper cover off.
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henry k (12-09-2012)
#6
#7
You don't have to remove anything to replace the bulb if you know ahead of time how the metal spring clip works. Once you're familiar with how the spring clip latches, your biggest problem is getting the bulb into position without letting anything contaminate it (like your fingers). Once you get the bulb into the hole you can do it all by feel. Small hands help and you can expect minor scrapes.
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henry k (12-09-2012)
#10
I have been twisting bolts for a long time, but am relatively new to the X Type. Went to change the R-Side low beam today, thinking 5 minutes ought to do. Well, 20 minutes and a bleeding hand later, I was searching this forum. The forum is good, but it never really got to the heart of the matter.
The trick, at least for me, is that the wire bail, the one farthest to the right, and mostly out of sight, has to not only be released, but ,it has to be pushed ALL THE WAY BACK. You need a long screw driver, long thin stick, or something of the sort to do it. If the bail is still sticking up, even a little, the cover will catch on it and not come free.
With that minor stunt, the rest of the job only took about 4 or 5 minutes.
The trick, at least for me, is that the wire bail, the one farthest to the right, and mostly out of sight, has to not only be released, but ,it has to be pushed ALL THE WAY BACK. You need a long screw driver, long thin stick, or something of the sort to do it. If the bail is still sticking up, even a little, the cover will catch on it and not come free.
With that minor stunt, the rest of the job only took about 4 or 5 minutes.
#11
I broke the wire clip
Anyone know where to get just it? I tryed to make one but none of the wire I have found is stiff enough.
check link to see the clip
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ement-clip-jpg
check link to see the clip
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ement-clip-jpg
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