Good afternoon

I replaced the aged HID/Xenon bulbs in both headlights today. It's a fiddly undertaking. The passenger side proved to be more cooperative. I did a bit of a dumb thing on the driver side and was hoping one of the more experienced members could chime in here.

The rear cover of the headlamp housing that has to be removed to replace the bulb came out on trouble. Putting it back in, though, the lower retainer clip came off and vanished in the black void that is the engine bay. That piece of metal/wire where the pointy bottom bit of the cover should slide in and be held in place before securing it with the movable retainer on top. From what I can see, the cap seems to still be held in place tightly but is that enough?


Can this piece be sourced somewhere? I've had too few issues with the Jag to be very familiar with parts, where to get them etc.

 

Have you tried using a telescoping magnet to find the clip?

 

You will definitely want to find that clip, the seal will not keep moisture out unless the cover is seated properly. If you can't find yours, the only place to source one will be a used unit.

As an aside, I don't know how anyone has replaced bulbs without removing the complete headlight module! I couldn't even open the back cover. Was far easier to pull the bumper and remove the units.

 

Used units are extremely expensive.

If you cannot find the clip you may want to consider making one from the appropriate type of wire.

As mhamilton states it is a lot easier to take off the bumper and then remove the headlight assembly to replace the bulbs.

 

I may not be the best to speak here, for obvious reasons, but it's actually no hassle at all. The passenger side didn't give me much trouble at all, it was a sub-10 minute undertaking to switch the bulb (especially after learning my lesson cocking up the drivers side)

On this note, thanks to everyone, I've sourced a replacement spring fastener (even learned what the bit is called -- progress) to get the light closed properly. I'm not driving it until then, since autumn, wet, etc.

Cheers!