Headlight bulb removal tips

[ChrisHoppo]

Hi all
I have a faulty driver side bulb and have followed all the instructions below:

- Open the bonnet, make sure lights are switched off.
- Passenger side: the headlight has a rubber cover on its back. The bulb is behind it. Its access is blocked by a black/red fusebox.
- Undo two bolts that are holding the box.
- Plug out the black connector out of the socket of the very external side of the headlight (to release the black cable being between the fusebox and the headlight). Careful - you need to press a plastic piece to release it, no force required.
- Once both bolts are gone and the connector is unplugged, you can move the fusebox up towards the radiator. This way you should gain comfortable access to the rubber cover of the headlight.
- Open the rubber cover, you will see the back of the bulb. The bulb is connected via a cable on its lower end.

UP TO THIS POINT...

- On the left side of the bulb, you will see a small black plastic - it is a switch, move it. This should release the bulb.
- Pull on the bulb to loosen it. Once loose, unplug the connector of the bulb. It is the most inconvenient part, careful not to brake it.

I'm struggling to get any movement on any switch/lever or the bulb.


Any tips. Do I need to twist the back of the bulb unit or what does the black switch feel like (Is it the embossed with letters in the picture?)

Thanks all

MY2013 V8R

 

[Philskill]

Total guess, as i've not done it on the F-type and mine is LED, but I reckon it's to do with this bit circled.

But note that looks like a Xenon Bulb, they rarely go, its usually the Ballast module that fails.

I did this on my RR, tried a new bulb, but ended up getting a Ford module from e-bay and taking the whole headlight unit out.

Checkout my thread it may help...
https://www.evoqueownersclub.co.uk/threads/my12-headlight-xenon-bulb-and-ballast-change.20251/#post-341197

 

[ChrisHoppo]

Philskill. Thank you for your pointers (very good evoque guide BTW). I will take your advice and take a further look this weekend.

 

[RPSN]

UP TO THIS POINT...

- On the left side of the bulb, you will see a small black plastic - it is a switch, move it. This should release the bulb.
- Pull on the bulb to loosen it. Once loose, unplug the connector of the bulb. It is the most inconvenient part, careful not to brake it.

I'm struggling to get any movement on any switch/lever or the bulb.

Any tips. Do I need to twist the back of the bulb unit or what does the black switch feel like (Is it the embossed with letters in the picture?)

Thanks all

MY2013 V8R

Not sure if you've seen this but have a read through post numbers 30 and onwards in this link.....

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f-type-x152-72/how-replace-xenon-bulbs-213724/page2/#post2504009

 

[Philskill]

Hi Chris

Thanks, yes if it has the same locking ring which is likely, then when they say Switch, then mean swivel that ring around until it will pull out straight.

Dont turn the Aluminium case.

 

[RPSN]

I'm struggling to get any movement on any switch/lever or the bulb.

Any tips. Do I need to twist the back of the bulb unit or what does the black switch feel like (Is it the embossed with letters in the picture?)

Taken from the jaguarforums F-Type link I posted earlier.....

“Therock88
Veteran Member

It has been a while since I upgraded mine, but as I recall, they are very, very tight on the bulb. Very hard to pull off, but if you have everything removed, they do come off. No tricks...just elbow grease.

I am assuming you have already turned the locking ring to release the bulb? And you are talking about pulling the BULB out. The plug has a clip to press and then it pulls out too, but very tight!”

“jcb-memphis
Senior Member

Yes, I have pulled the bulb "out" but could not get the clip off....did press the little clip and it was hard. What you are saying is that it is "pull hard" too, right? (on the clip)”

“OzXFR
Veteran Member

I vaguely recall that when I replaced the globes some 5 years ago now, those wiring clips were very tight and I levered them open/off with a flat blade screwdriver.”

I’ve also attached the TOPIx Warning info when working on the Xenon headlamp system....

 

[ChrisHoppo]

Thank you. What a great forum. Will put all your pointers to good use this morning. Chris

 

[ChrisHoppo]

Update. Pointers worked, old bulb looked like a spent 1970s camera flash bulb. Bulb in and working. Thanks once again

 

[RPSN]

Update. Pointers worked, old bulb looked like a spent 1970s camera flash bulb. Bulb in and working. Thanks once again

Good to hear it’s now sorted with a new bulb and that it wasn’t caused by the ‘Ballast module’ as explained earlier in this topic....

But note that looks like a Xenon Bulb, they rarely go, its usually the Ballast module that fails.

 

[Philskill]

Thats great you managed to get it out, and it was the bulb, so much easier to replace!