Changing a headlamp unit : Ridiculous

[S3 CGJ]

Hi, had a stone crack one of my headlamp glasses a couple of weeks back so got a replacement.

Had the bonnet off last night to do the switch (it's the upper one on the drivers side. How ridiculously hard is it to change the unit!!

I spent 20 mins trying to reach the nuts but gave up. Did I do something wrong? Is there some easy way to do this? Surely TVR wouldn't have made it virtually impossible to change these things?

Any advice appreciated.

[plasticman]

You presumably do not have to take of the chrome rim if you are only changing the lamp .Lever the lamp away from the ring ( backwards ) and the adjusters will pop out of their sockets . You will probably have to replace the socket and lubricate them before you push the new lamp in , usually much harder ! David

[S3 CGJ]

Not following what you mean. When you say lamp do you mean bulb? I am trying to replace the whole unit as the lens is cracked.

So can the unit be accessed without removing the bonnet? Will it actually prise away from the chrome rim or does the rim unscrew?

[TUS 373]

Instructions for changing any of the front bulbs or light units:

1. Open acces bonnet
2. Remove main bonnet - 2 nuts and 2 clips
3. Remove engine and gearbox
4. Stand in the engine bay where the engine used to be
5. Change bulb / light unit as necessary
6. If still difficult, refer back to stage 4 but use a small child to do the job

[S3 CGJ]

Hehehe!! Sounds about right.

Can anybody else offer anything a bit more useful though?

[dickkark]

Are they electrically adjustable up& down?
If so remove small motor first by turning toward headlight clockwise then pull clear of carrier,
it will take a good tug because it has a ball & cup arrangement on the pin where it connects to light.
then continue to pull out the rest by grabbing one corner at a time,there are four black lugs with the bolts through them,these bolts push into the stainless plate thats stuck to body via little black ball sockets,(do not try to pull this steel plate off as you will really be peeved)
If you bought a brand new light they come with new adjuster bolts and fittings,study them and all will be clear.
put bolts into new light,screw in about half way and basically push back into mounting plate/ball sockets taking note of TOP cast into flange on brown? part of casing.
If is elec adjustable then there will be one plastic clip in old light to keep as is different from other three and must go back in corresponding hole relating to top,
then adjust as neeeded make sure elec switch for light adjustment is set to 0 first then disconnect plug before adjusting ,good luck.
I have fitted a few but they dont get any easier!

[S3 CGJ]

Thanks for the brilliant reply. No, they are not electrically adjustable.

Secondly, I think the reason I was struggling is that the new unit has not come with the adjustment bolts and so could not see that they could just be tugged from their sockets.

I'll have another go.

Thanks agains.

[Fimbo]

How do you adjust the beam setting of the replacement lens? Is it a garage job?

The reason I ask is that I'm tempted to have a go and replace the broken main beam lens (near side) myself, but there doesn't seem much point if I've got to get the garage to make the adjustment anyway (they have said they will charge me 1 hrs labour to fit the new lens).

[S6PNJ]

Fimbo said:

How do you adjust the beam setting of the replacement lens? Is it a garage job?

The reason I ask is that I'm tempted to have a go and replace the broken main beam lens (near side) myself, but there doesn't seem much point if I've got to get the garage to make the adjustment anyway (they have said they will charge me 1 hrs labour to fit the new lens).

Fimbo, adjustment is by two screw on the headlamp unit, but you have to get inside the wing to do this. If they haven't corroded into place its fairly simple but rather than have one screw for up and down and one screw for left and right, they have one screw at about 4 o'clock and one at 8 o'clock so each screw adjusts both directions (if you get my drift.

My questions though is what should they be adjusted to? I have my MOT coming up soon and need to adjust one of my headlights. Does anyone have the measurements so I can stick some tape on my garage wall?

[Fimbo]

Hi Phil, thanks for your post. I have resigned myself to take it to the garage - assuming as you say I can actually get my hand to the bolts and they haven't corroded, I've no idea what the correct beam setting is. Nevermind!

[Spluffy]

It's easy to change the light unit.

I decided to change my indicater bulbs for Chrome plated ones on mine. Whilst attempting to get my hand to the nearside indicator, having only standard bone joints on my wrist and arm as opposed to the universal jointed arms you actually need.

I decided in a slight fit of rage to rip out the light unit to allow easier access to the indcator.

After assembling all the parts back together and admiring my now truely clear indicators, yo can imagine my dispair when the narside bulb blew the very next day.

Had to leave it 2 weeks before I could bring myself to go through the process gain.

Spluffy

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Just don't break the wiring socket for the h9 bulbs, as no one sell's them in the UK.
And I can't find another car that uses hella lights or H9 bulbs.

[S6PNJ]

Does anyone know what the Hella lights are also fitted to by any chance?

[ec1 eex]

I was under the impression that they were also fitted to some buses


edited to add the photo

Edited by ec1 eex on Friday 12th October 11:52

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

Well I went though 300 odd car in the breakers over the weekend, and could not find any car using them.

So be interesting to know what else they are fitted two. or just a car that used the H9 Bulb.

Edited by TVRleigh_BBWR on Friday 12th October 12:34