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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: billy_vw on 06 November 2005, 11:29

Title: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: billy_vw on 06 November 2005, 11:29
Can someone help???

I have just bought different headlights for my mk4, HOW do I change them?
It looks to me that the front bumper has to come off, Is that true???  ( it wasn't that complecated on my mk3  :undecided:)

All help is much appreciated Thanks Billy
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: G7i turbo on 06 November 2005, 12:41
think this pretty much covers it mate. Youre not gonna like it though lol

http://home.nycap.rr.com/brandonc/headlight/
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: billy_vw on 06 November 2005, 13:32
Thanks for that, I think i will wait until better weather B4 i attempt this task

Or it might be a case of getting my brother to do it  :evil:
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: GazB on 06 November 2005, 17:41
I used that guide when i first did my headlights, its easy.  bumper off, lights out, bumper on 45mins - 1 hour max
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: ronnie'C' on 06 November 2005, 22:46
Sh1t, what a pain in the ar$e just to change the headlights
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: GTI EDITION (aka LTD) on 07 November 2005, 12:18
I like the bit at the bottom of that link and I QUOTE " Now you can replace the bulbs as needed." UNQUOTE  :huh: I know that the head light bulbs are a bit of a fiddle on the mk4s but removing the head lights seems a bit extreme me thinks  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: GazB on 07 November 2005, 19:19
on the 1.8t it is near impossible to do it without removing the lights, I can change the main beam easy enough but i have to remove the headlights to change sidelight bulbs
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: billy_vw on 07 November 2005, 19:34
I've gone to do this job 3 times now , and each time I go " F$$k this sh!t" and, put my tools away......

I think this will have to wait until winter is out the way!!!!!! or until a bulb needs changing :grin:
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: GazB on 07 November 2005, 19:40
VW stealer ship will do it for you, just give em £140 :cry:
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: Stu-1.8T on 07 November 2005, 20:18
I managed to change the headlight on my wifes Mk4 following the instructions posted above (thanks again to GazB!!) If I can do it anybody can!....no way is it worth paying VW extortionate labour charges.
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: ronnie'C' on 08 November 2005, 17:18
VW stealer ship will do it for you, just give em £140 :cry:


What!!!!!????? I take it that is to change the lights and not the bulbs :undecided:
lol
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: GazB on 08 November 2005, 20:24
No that was to change the bulbs :angry: as you gotta remove the lights to change the bulbs
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: ronnie'C' on 09 November 2005, 20:32
well sh1t the bed, thats expensive, thanks for the link as I might now need it to save me self some money, well alot of money.
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: GTI EDITION (aka LTD) on 09 November 2005, 20:41
I know that the mk4 headlight are a kin stupid design when it comes to changing the bulbs but I have never had to remove the headlamps to change them .
(And I have changed a good few over the years ).  :huh:
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: ronnie'C' on 09 November 2005, 20:44
I am sure that I will manage myself, Scottish you know, not paying anymore than the price of a bulb if they ever go.
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: GazB on 10 November 2005, 15:36
I know that the mk4 headlight are a kin stupid design when it comes to changing the bulbs but I have never had to remove the headlamps to change them .
(And I have changed a good few over the years ).  :huh:

If you wanna come and show me on my 1.8t then bring it on cause i cant do it :embarassed: :embarassed:, I can do it on the 1.6 golf and on a TDi, but the 1.8t is impossible, unless you know different? :undecided:
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: S11EPS on 10 November 2005, 15:40
I changed bulbs in the headlamps of my PD150 with the headlamps in place with no problems at all, and I have big hands.

If you must take the headlamps out, don;t take it to a dealership, you can do it yourself in well under an hour (I did that too, as I ran black headlights on my pd)

If you want instructions to remove the headlamps, let me know.
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: GazB on 10 November 2005, 15:45
Yeah all the TDi's are easy, I just seem to struggle with my !.8t, maybe its just my fat hands :grin: :grin:

Main beams can be changed without headlight removal, its just the sidelight ones that are a bastrd
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: billy_vw on 10 November 2005, 17:48
Ive got the 1.8T too, And I am not looking forward to putting in my new headlights

It was a good idea at the time of purchasing, Not im not so sure
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: S11EPS on 11 November 2005, 16:52
Ive got the 1.8T too, And I am not looking forward to putting in my new headlights

It was a good idea at the time of purchasing, Not im not so sure

Dude, it's a piece of p1ss, seriously.

If you have the ability to hold a screwdriver then you'll have it done in an hour, trust me.

If you have no hands it will only take you two.

Let me know if you want some pointers.
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: billy_vw on 23 November 2005, 00:31
JUST my luck, A bloody headlight bulb has blown
So I am going to attempt to put my new headlights in Weds Evening with my bro's help

That will kill 2 birds with 1 stone
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: S11EPS on 23 November 2005, 08:08
If for any reason you can't get them done, bring them to the RR on Saturday, and I'll help you get them done  :wink:
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: topher on 23 November 2005, 09:12
if you have limber fingers the headlights bulbs in a 1.8T are a piece of p!ss to change. just remember to unscrew the bit of plastic trim on the front panel by the battery (has a picture of a bulb on it, strangely :grin: ). it took me longer to work out how the sprung retaining clip went back in than to slot the bulb in.

shouldnt make a big deal of swapping out headlights, i kid you not.. my 9 yr old nephew took my bumper off in about 15 minutes (with supervision of course, he wanted to help :laugh: )
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: GazB on 23 November 2005, 20:11
Headlight bulbs are fine to swap, its the sidelight ones i find a bastid :undecided:
Title: Re: Changing mk4 headlights
Post by: billy_vw on 24 November 2005, 00:11
Thanks for all the support and offers to help, But my Bro has now fitted my headlights :grin:   
45 mins start 2 finish, he made it look easy too!!!  :undecided:

They look gorgeous too!!!  :rolleyes:  i now have eyebrows