Headlight Low Beam replacement - That was easy !

[Jimflip]

The accursed flicker then "cyclops vision" as I turned into the driveway tonight was cured in a matter of 20 minutes. (It pays to have some spare H7 bulbs lying around the house - particularly if the other vehicle's daytime driving lights "eat them").

Of course, 15 minutes of that was actually spent reviewing the workshop manual and finding the box of Nitrile gloves.

If I ever find the engineer (or engineers) who designed the front light pod for the Boxster, I'll be buying them all a beer.

Great engineering makes those cr@ppy tasks a pleasure.

Porsche - you made my Sunday night.

(I just had to share - few outside of this board would understand)

Edited November 14, 2011 by Jimflip

[N41EF]

I tend to replace both bulds when either bulb goes. Keep the "spare" one to use in fog lights or other things. VW New Beetles have a lever mechanism that pops the headlights out pretty sweet.

Especialy if you don't know how long the other buld has been in there, why not replace both.

[logray]

Just as an FYI, the instructions to replace the bulbs are in the owners manual, for anyone who reads this in the future - you don't need a work shop manual... and if you lost your owners manual and are a contributing member here you can download them here on renntech.org.

Great work! :)

[Cassiebox]

Agree on changing both at same time... they were likely made, installed, and always run at same time so service life will be similar (barring any known reasons for premature failure w/ one). My experience with automotive lights (other than dedicated turn signals) has been that once one goes... other side will likely fail w/in two weeks or so. Even if you don't swap both at same time, you should by the twin pack just to save a few $ and an extra trip to parts store b/c you WILL need it shortly.

Good suggestion to carry working take out as spare.

Funny thing you mention newer bug... my niece has one ('06 IIRC) which needless to say is "not well cared for"; she's an urban dweller. Anyhow, she had a burned out headlight and was complaining how expensive dealer was for changing. I told her I'd be glad to show her how to swap it out herself for under $10. More than enthusiastic about the prospect, and armed w/ correct bulb size I gave her, she picked up new ones at a local O'Reilly's. Well... remember how I said "not well cared for"? The levers were a major PITA to move. Even when I got them to move, they wouldn't pop the pod out out easily. It took a lot of "coaxing" by pulling gently on the lens and forcing it out from back behind the bracket. Once I got it out I could see the problem... channels were absolutely caked w/ dirt/grime/road debris etc... Anyhow, I cleaned the channels and smeared some white lithium grease in to [hopefully] prevent jamming again next time for her. However, I think the lesson that stuck was "my uncle can change my burned out headlights much cheaper than the dealer can" - LOL - well at least it'll be easier for me next time

:D