Replacing light bulbs in a car with your own hands - A complete guide for dummies!

Not all defects or malfunctions require a visit to the garage. Depending on the model of the car, several problems can be solved by the car owner himself. This applies to many vehicles with a faulty light bulb. Read the detailed guide on how to replace incandescent bulbs in a car with your own hands. We remind you that in some cars it is not as easy as before.

Lamps and lighting in the car

First of all, it is necessary to determine which lighting technology is used in the car in which the light bulb needs to be replaced, and which lamps are used.

In the car, the following lamps can be distinguished:

- light bulbs (with incandescent filament) - xenon and bi-xenon (discharge lamps) - LEDs

1. Replacement of xenon headlights

Xenon is used for headlights (bi-xenon) and dipped beam . During the 90s they gradually replaced halogen bulbs, although they are now an added feature on top of the price for many car models. Therefore, xenon headlights are not necessarily required for a particular model.

The law dictates certain conditions for xenon headlights, such as automatic and stepless headlight beam throw adjustment. A headlight cleaning system is also required. To ignite the gas in a xenon lamp, an electronic ballast (electronic ballast) is required .

At an infinitesimal moment, the electronic ballast provides the 25 volts necessary to ignite the gas contained in the burner . Therefore, there is a mortal danger. For this reason alone, defective xenon headlights should not be replaced by non-specialists. Something else besides the burner may be faulty; The ECG or cable connection may be damaged.

2. Replacing LEDs

Several types of LEDs are available, such as those built on the same cartridges as traditional incandescent bulbs. These LEDs can be replaced with your own hands in the same way as ordinary light bulbs. Appropriate DIY light bulb replacement guide applies.

This is different for modern LED lamps and headlights of the latest generation where the LEDs are built into the tail light or headlight. This means replacing the entire lighting unit. This is a job for a certified garage.

Replacing light bulbs in a car with your own hands

First you need to determine which headlights in the car are the most important:

- headlights and foglights

- front flashing beacons

- marker lights (marker lights)

- rear lights (possibly with a separate reversing light and / or rear fog light

- license plate lights

– interior lighting

Replaced halogen bulbs in headlights bilux lamps 10 years ago. 2-strand Bilux can be found on vintage cars from the 1960s. In addition to the previously mentioned LED and xenon lamps, halogen lamps are used in the headlight. Several types are available, depending on the vehicle's lighting concept. Thus, H1-H3 and H7 lamps have a single filament, and H4-H6 lamps have a double filament .

The distribution will be as follows:

– Systems H4 – H6 with two headlights (1 left, 1 right) – Systems H1 – H3 and H7 with 4 headlights (2 left, 2 right)

Suitable halogen lamps

Similar to the 4-headlight systems, there is a compact headlight variant consisting of several headlights, including fog lights . Many mercedes headlights are an example of this. Besides, H7 headlights have a transparent panel, а H4 - structured glass panel . If you're not sure which bulbs fit your car's headlights, check your car's owner's manual.

Another feature of halogen lamps are various cartridges .

• From H1 to H3 there is a short cable section with a plug, which differs depending on the design of the H.
• H5 and H6 sockets vary in size but are rarely used in cars.
• H7 and H4 can be identified by the number of pins sticking out of the socket.

Specifications and important tips for H4 bulbs

H4 lamps have 3 contacts spaced at the same distance. These pins vary in size and therefore fit the fitting in only one position. A little effort is enough to insert them incorrectly.

So let us give you a little mnemonic help for installing the still widely used H4 bulbs: in the glass tube you see a reflector that is concave at the front like a small saucepan. When setting it up, you should be able to (mentally) spit into that pan. So you are setting H4 correctly .

We have another important light bulb replacement tip:

Always handle them by the socket and not by the glass tube. Our hands and fingers always contain a certain amount of grease, moisture and dirt. Heating grease and moisture can damage the light bulb. Very often a fingerprint on the tube causes the light shield to fog up. Therefore, always touch light bulbs and especially halogen bulbs by the metal base due to the high temperature to avoid fogging up the headlights.

Do-it-yourself headlight bulb replacement

Unfortunately, we have bad news. Replacing a light bulb is not necessarily a matter of minutes in every car model. Traditionally, there is a large screw cap on the back of the headlight. This cover must be removed to gain access to the bulb and socket. In some modern cars, changing light bulbs is no longer so easy.

Sometimes it is necessary to remove the entire headlight, wheel arch cover or even the front hood, as well as the grille in some models. .

Some manufacturers such as Volkswagen , have made it easier to change the light bulb in some models after heavy criticism from customers. Golf IV must go to the garage to change the light bulb. AT Golf V the driver can now do it himself.

• Open the hood and look at the back of the headlight . If its disassembly is obvious, nothing prevents the replacement of the light bulb.
• For other models, please obtain information from the vehicle manufacturer. about whether and how to replace the light bulb. Many online forums on specific models can help you here.
• Some car owners create their own very detailed DIY instructions. .

Instructions for replacing bulbs in the headlights of your car

• Start by buying the right bulbs, such as H7 or H4 bulbs .

• Switch off the ignition, preferably by removing the ignition key.
• Open the hood.

• Behind the headlight is a palm-sized gray or black round cover that screws on.
• If the lid is tight, use a towel or gloves to apply more pressure.

• When the cover is removed, you can see the bottom of the lamp socket. . Pull the plug out of the socket. Now you see a wire bracket, often on either side of the lamp socket in the fixture. Following the bracket, you will notice that it hangs on the back of the headlight in a groove. To remove the bracket, press lightly at this point and bend both ends together. Now the bracket can be folded. The light bulb may fall out of the fixture.

• Remove the now broken bulb, remove the new halogen bulb from the carton and insert the spout or pins accordingly . In the case of H4 bulbs, remember our reflector tray tip . Now reinsert the metal bracket, connect the cable to the bulb and secure the headlight cover.

• Now check low beam and beams .
• Also, park the car in front of a wall to check the light field of the low beam. . In particular, when both headlights are at different levels or look uneven, headlight adjustment is required. This can be done in a garage or at several gas stations with the right equipment. This service is regularly provided free of charge .

Replacing other light bulbs in the car with your own hands

1. Do-it-yourself parking light replacement

There are several possible parking light positions that can be difficult to reach .

Find the correct spot with the parking light on using the parking light still on on the other side of the car.
 
 

2. Do-it-yourself replacement of side and front turn indicators

This may be difficult. On some models, the turn signal glass cover is screwed on from the outside. . Often the signals are permanently fixed by a spring, and you'd better contact a car service.

3. Replacing taillight bulbs with your own hands

Replacing taillight bulbs is most often done from inside the trunk. .

• Remove them to remove the headlight cover . Now you see a kind of printed circuit board, the lamp holder, which is either screwed to the tail light or just mounted or clamped. Remove it in accordance with the manufacturer's repair manual.

• Individual bulbs can now be replaced . In many models, to change the bulbs, you need to unscrew the plastic headlight cover from the outside.

• All of these bulbs can be removed by gently pressing the top (tube) of the fitting and then turning it to the side and releasing . These bulbs have side protrusions for attaching to the socket. The number of tips varies in different sockets and is located in different ways.
• For lamps with two filaments, it is important to correctly install the bulb . These are light bulbs low beam ( 5 W ) and stop lights ( 21 W ). If you install the bulb incorrectly, then both contacts in the bulb holder will swap places and, therefore, the tail light and brake light . Check that the rubber seals between the lamp cover and the lamp holder or rear cover are correctly positioned.

4. Replacing bulbs in the cabin and on the license plate lights

• In many models license plate illuminated by rear light . Other cars have a separate license plate light that just screwed on like most car interior lights.
• These light bulbs (scallops) look like glass fuses. ... They simply and carefully pry with a screwdriver .
• Then click on the new garland until it clicks .