Golf Mk4 headlight bulb

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Angus Manwaring - 06 Dec 2008 18:49 GMT

(2002 Golf Mk4 TDI)

Hi all,

Somebody told me my passenger-side headlight (dipped) wasn't working and
so this morning I bravely set about changing the bulb. It was a 12v 55w H7
Halogen.

Without scratching my hands too badly and after only breaking a couple of
the plastic clips on the battery cover, I had the bulb in and working.

Before we went for our Saturday visit to Salisbury I checked it again and
noticed with some disappointment that it was only about half as bright as
the driver-side one. On our return, the passenger-side one was completely
out!

Any thoughts what this might be? I'm perfectly capable of doing something
daft, but I thought I had it back together properly.

Or does the above imply there is something in the car's circuitry causing
the bulbs to blow?

By chance a friend at work lent me his electrical probe thingy, not sure
of the name, but its like a continuity checker but it can measure
resistance, current and L (Henrys?).

If I set this to read current and attached the clips to the lights
connector, might it give me any useful data? I've only got it for tomorrow
though.

Thanks for any thoughts.

P.S.
Its a bummer because I'd virtually dislocated my arm, patting myself on the
back for successfully completing the bulb change. Oh well... :)

All the best,
Angus Manwaring. (for e-mail remove ANTISPEM)

I need your memories for the Amiga Games Database: A collection of Amiga
Game reviews by Amiga players http://www.angusm.demon.co.uk/AGDB/AGDB.html

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caroline - 07 Dec 2008 14:03 GMT

> (2002 Golf Mk4 TDI)
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> daft, but I thought I had it back together properly.
> Thanks for any thoughts.

Hopefully a stupid question, but you didn't touch the glass part of the bulb
with your fingertips did you? Halogens don't like the oils etc in our skin
;o)

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Angus Manwaring - 07 Dec 2008 20:08 GMT

On 07-Dec-08 14:03:33, caroline said

>> (2002 Golf Mk4 TDI)
>>
>> Any thoughts what this might be? I'm perfectly capable of doing something
>> daft, but I thought I had it back together properly.
>> Thanks for any thoughts.

>Hopefully a stupid question, but you didn't touch the glass part of the bulb
>with your fingertips did you? Halogens don't like the oils etc in our skin
>;o)

Not a stupid question, but I used to be a projectionist so I know better,
and the chap that sold it to me mentioned it as well.

All the best,
Angus Manwaring. (for e-mail remove ANTISPEM)

I need your memories for the Amiga Games Database: A collection of Amiga
Game reviews by Amiga players http://www.angusm.demon.co.uk/AGDB/AGDB.html

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Sarah - 08 Dec 2008 00:02 GMT

> On 07-Dec-08 14:03:33, caroline said
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Not a stupid question, but I used to be a projectionist so I know better,
> and the chap that sold it to me mentioned it as well.

Another pat on your back for even changing it as it can be a nightmare
sometimes! as I've had to remove the front bumper believe it or not to do
mine! I did both at the same time for good measure when one blew.

I had no idea about not touching the glass bit though! how do you put it in
without touching the glass bit ? (sorry if thats a daft questions) ... use
gloves ?

I hope you get it sorted with a new bulb.

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JosieT - 10 Dec 2008 13:45 GMT

>> On 07-Dec-08 14:03:33, caroline said
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> I hope you get it sorted with a new bulb.

With a wrap of paper, clean cloth or similar. Some varieties of halogen bulb
are even supplied wrapped in foam wraps.

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Angus Manwaring - 11 Dec 2008 20:54 GMT

On 08-Dec-08 00:02:53, Sarah said

>> On 07-Dec-08 14:03:33, caroline said

>Another pat on your back for even changing it as it can be a nightmare
>sometimes! as I've had to remove the front bumper believe it or not to do
>mine! I did both at the same time for good measure when one blew.

Very wise.

I actuall didn't find the replacement operation as bad as I expected given
some of the horror stories I've read on the internet.

I made a little log of the process for myself, but I'll stick it below for
reference in cae anybody is interested.

And hey, I can always google itmyself if my hard drive goes down again.

>I had no idea about not touching the glass bit though! how do you put it in
>without touching the glass bit ? (sorry if thats a daft questions) ... use
>gloves ?

Actually, because the bulb is mounted in a metal disc, about the size of a
10 pence piece, and it has convenient little bites in it which give extra
grip - its as easy not touching the glass. And as you put the bulb into
the light housing you can bend down at the front of the car, and watch its
progress through the glass.

>I hope you get it sorted with a new bulb.

Thanks - it seems to be fine.

(both hands on wooden desk!).

Front lights
I changed the passenger side headlight (dipped). Not too awful, but a bit
fiddly.

You can lift off the battery cover, I managed to break one of the 2 side
clips, this gives you better access the front light cluster. There are 2
phillips screws on the top, then you can lift off the outer cover.
Underneath this there is a slightly fiddly plastic cover held on by a
retaining clip which can be pulled to the side.

BTW, there's further cover of sorts on top of the battery, and if you
slide it back, it is hinged and you can lift it up for a bit of extra
wrist room.

At this point, make sure you are targetting the correct bulb. I had
interpreted the Haynes photo wrongly, but the dipped headlight is the
outer bulb. Pull off the connector, and move it gently out of the way, now
there's a retaining clip holding the bulb in, it is hinged at the bottom,
with a loop (sort of) at the top, which you can get a finger under. You
won't be able to see this unless you have hinged, extendable eye sockets
or have removed the battery itself. Much wiggling later, this suddenly and
gently lifted free, and I was able to carefully remove the bulb. Check the
spec of the replacement against the old one, and carefully replace,
wothout touching the glass. Its actually helpful to bend down and look
through the headlight glass to see if the pesky little rascal is going in
straight.

Okay, now reverse the previous steps, checking its working after you have
pushed the connector back on, I mean you wouldn't want to put it all back
together and find...... yeah.

That's it, it took me about 40 minutes, but I've never been confused with
Speedy Gonzalez.

On finding that the bulb I'd put in was dodgy and didn't last the day. I
put in another, and it took 15 minutes total, and that wasn't hurrying.

All the best,
Angus Manwaring. (for e-mail remove ANTISPEM)

I need your memories for the Amiga Games Database: A collection of Amiga
Game reviews by Amiga players http://www.angusm.demon.co.uk/AGDB/AGDB.html

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