Db9 headlamp removal
Discussion
Having just replaced the headlight washer unit in my DB9 there are a few things you may wish to consider.
Pretty much all that has been said about the parts that have to be removed are correct, although if you are using a two post hoist the wheel liner does not have to be completely removed neither does the under tray, this will be dependent on the selection of spanners and extensions at your disposal.
I went down the light unit removal route which seems to be the one, most posts relate to.
On inspection I did find that the unit had been repaired previously and it was this repair that had broken, probably because not all the plastic bits had been reaffixed.
Disappointingly one of the two mounting points for the washer assembly had split. A bit of plastic welding and a quantity of Milliput putty to reinforce the area will see the light unit out.
If you have not yet purchased a replacement washer assembly you may wish to review your options on this.
The AM replacement is Jaguar branded (wish I had known that) the only distinguishing info I can find on the original unit is 610005A. PC. Textron. POM. Plus a L or R identifier.
A visit to Jaguar Forums and eBay suggests that the washer assembly comes in two parts and not as one with AM.
Basically there is a water chamber containing a piston with an extension to which the visible part plus the water jets is clipped on to. A wire U clip is used to make the fixing. There are two positioning grooves on the piston extension.
Quite whether the Jaguar replacement method will work on a DB9 I DO NOT KNOW, but they fire the washer ( full wet gear on) and stop it from retracting prior to the screen wash stopping. I would imagine lots of masking tape needs to be used around the washer hole. Then pull the piston forward as much as possible and clamp it while removing the broken part.
If the above is not for our cars or you are of a nervous disposition I am sure that just the part that is broken can be sourced from Jaguar and fitted with the light unit out of the vehicle.
I intend to visit a Jaguar dealer to see if they can come up with some useful numbers. Whatever the model Jaguar they are from they must have been around in 2004.
Pretty much all that has been said about the parts that have to be removed are correct, although if you are using a two post hoist the wheel liner does not have to be completely removed neither does the under tray, this will be dependent on the selection of spanners and extensions at your disposal.
I went down the light unit removal route which seems to be the one, most posts relate to.
On inspection I did find that the unit had been repaired previously and it was this repair that had broken, probably because not all the plastic bits had been reaffixed.
Disappointingly one of the two mounting points for the washer assembly had split. A bit of plastic welding and a quantity of Milliput putty to reinforce the area will see the light unit out.
If you have not yet purchased a replacement washer assembly you may wish to review your options on this.
The AM replacement is Jaguar branded (wish I had known that) the only distinguishing info I can find on the original unit is 610005A. PC. Textron. POM. Plus a L or R identifier.
A visit to Jaguar Forums and eBay suggests that the washer assembly comes in two parts and not as one with AM.
Basically there is a water chamber containing a piston with an extension to which the visible part plus the water jets is clipped on to. A wire U clip is used to make the fixing. There are two positioning grooves on the piston extension.
Quite whether the Jaguar replacement method will work on a DB9 I DO NOT KNOW, but they fire the washer ( full wet gear on) and stop it from retracting prior to the screen wash stopping. I would imagine lots of masking tape needs to be used around the washer hole. Then pull the piston forward as much as possible and clamp it while removing the broken part.
If the above is not for our cars or you are of a nervous disposition I am sure that just the part that is broken can be sourced from Jaguar and fitted with the light unit out of the vehicle.
I intend to visit a Jaguar dealer to see if they can come up with some useful numbers. Whatever the model Jaguar they are from they must have been around in 2004.
DB531, I imagine it would be of great interest for the community to know if the washer unit on a Vantage is identical to the unit on the DB9? If there was a possibility to locate spare parts from Jaguar in case of a broken unit it would be nice.
I also wonder if there is any way/sense in preventively lubricating (WD40?) the washer unit before it breaks? Would that be technically possible? What is the reason for the breaking?
I also wonder if there is any way/sense in preventively lubricating (WD40?) the washer unit before it breaks? Would that be technically possible? What is the reason for the breaking?
Hi everyone, the DB9 headlamp washer mounting failure seems to be quite common. Has anyone obtained an explanation from AML as to why this part breaks so often? I have just had a second headlamp washer mount failure on a headlight I replaced in 2014. The version that has just failed is AE which was the latest at the time. Does anyone know if AML have improved the design at all since then and what is the latest version?
Recently found my washer hanging over bumper.
After talking through with Stephen at AM Newc, despite being fully booked, dropped in an hour later.
Checked it over and as under warranty full headlight replaced.
Explanation is that the brackets that hold the washer are integral to headlight. They become brittle over time due to bulb heat and fracture.
Design fault... And an expensive one to fix at £2K!
Once out of warranty my headlight wash fuse is coming out!!! Back in for Mot only...
After talking through with Stephen at AM Newc, despite being fully booked, dropped in an hour later.
Checked it over and as under warranty full headlight replaced.
Explanation is that the brackets that hold the washer are integral to headlight. They become brittle over time due to bulb heat and fracture.
Design fault... And an expensive one to fix at £2K!
Once out of warranty my headlight wash fuse is coming out!!! Back in for Mot only...
Emilio Largo said:
DB531, I imagine it would be of great interest for the community to know if the washer unit on a Vantage is identical to the unit on the DB9? If there was a possibility to locate spare parts from Jaguar in case of a broken unit it would be nice.
I also wonder if there is any way/sense in preventively lubricating (WD40?) the washer unit before it breaks? Would that be technically possible? What is the reason for the breaking?
A complete washer assembly for a DB9 will not fit a Vantage as the black outer cover is a different shape.I also wonder if there is any way/sense in preventively lubricating (WD40?) the washer unit before it breaks? Would that be technically possible? What is the reason for the breaking?
It has been mentioned that some washer assemblies have become detached due to the mountings on the headlight assembly failing. In my case it was the cover becoming detached from the actual washer jets. See picture. I have split the washer assy into its component parts.
The pressure chamber is available on eBay I am checking out the availability of the jets and cover from Jaguar.
As has been mentioned, removing the pump fuse would/could be a way of preventing failure. Working washers are a requirement of the UK MOT test.
The good news for Vantage owners is that should you only require the black cover these are available from Astonmartinbits.com they appear to just be a push fit.
My emergency Araldite repair seems to be holding up and the car was successfully MoT'd this morning.
Which fuse controls the headlamp washers as I think it is a very good idea to remove it to avoid risking yet another breakage?
I have contacted AML about the problem and will share the response in due course.
Which fuse controls the headlamp washers as I think it is a very good idea to remove it to avoid risking yet another breakage?
I have contacted AML about the problem and will share the response in due course.
Wardaston said:
My emergency Araldite repair seems to be holding up and the car was successfully MoT'd this morning.
Which fuse controls the headlamp washers as I think it is a very good idea to remove it to avoid risking yet another breakage?
I have contacted AML about the problem and will share the response in due course.
Fuse 26 located in the engine bay fuse box adjacent to the dip stick. Long nose pliers could be your friend. Which fuse controls the headlamp washers as I think it is a very good idea to remove it to avoid risking yet another breakage?
I have contacted AML about the problem and will share the response in due course.
Great repair pics and thank you to DB531 for the fuse info.
I am currently communicating with AML on this matter as I have had three headlights where the washer pump mounting has failed. The latest failure was on an AE version (current model supplied by AML) and had only been on the car for 4 years and driven 13,000 miles.
I wish to determine the scope of this problem and what other owners have determined as the cause of the failures.
I will start a new Topic to canvas other owners. In the meantime anyone reading this thread who has had a failure please post details here or private message me.
Depending on the feedback I will be contacting AML again to provide a failure analysis for comment.
Off to Goodwood Sunday - hope my headlight repair holds up!
I am currently communicating with AML on this matter as I have had three headlights where the washer pump mounting has failed. The latest failure was on an AE version (current model supplied by AML) and had only been on the car for 4 years and driven 13,000 miles.
I wish to determine the scope of this problem and what other owners have determined as the cause of the failures.
I will start a new Topic to canvas other owners. In the meantime anyone reading this thread who has had a failure please post details here or private message me.
Depending on the feedback I will be contacting AML again to provide a failure analysis for comment.
Off to Goodwood Sunday - hope my headlight repair holds up!
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