Headlight bulb !!!??"£$%^

[Tom_S14]

Hi,
Yup, I can't change my headlight bulb. How embarassing... is it just me, or do you need hands the size of a small child to reach behind there to get a new bulb in.
It's not the bulb itself, it's that stupid metal clip which holds it in place, it's come off at the bottom where it hinges ? locates ? and I can't get the sodding thing back in again.

I'm seriously thinking about taking the headlight off the car completely to do it. How to I remove the small grill which goes between the front bumper and the bonnet ? This is crazy, it's a bloody bulb for fooks sake !!

Tom

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1996 Blue/Green S14 (manual)
K&N cone filter
2.5" Tube-torque Cat Back Exhaust.
TechTom MDM-100
Race-Technology AP-22
http://tom.marshall.tripod.com

[dreadly]

Think yourself lucky - Suzuki quote silly times for a headlamp bulb in a Cappucino. Have to take the front wheel off, inner wing guard etc.... then you can get to the back of the light.

As for getting the grill out - last one I removed was with the aid of the car in front, but it don't go back invery easy http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/frown.gif

if it's o/s take the battery out - fairly easy, if it's n/s take the filter box out. I think.

[Tom_S14]

Cheers, it is n/s, ain't got the filter box anymore, but there's a steel sheet behind the headlights, it's not open into the engine compartment, otherwise it would be easy (in comparison). There is only just enough room to get the bulb out, and having to be careful not to touch the glass etc.. makes it a right arse.

Tom

[RichardM]

Tom

What bulbs you using? standard replacement? Xenon? Blue "imitation" HID's ?

Just wondering as the standards seem pretty crap and there are so many types you can buy thesedays.

Anybody got any recomendations?

[Tom_S14]

Just picked up a "Halfords high performance" 60/55W thing that looked about right. I had to get it sorted in a bit of a hurry to drive home last night.
Blue would suit my car... they're not strictly speaking legal are they ?

Tom

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1996 Blue/Green S14 (manual)
K&N cone filter
2.5" Tube-torque Cat Back Exhaust.
TechTom MDM-100
Race-Technology AP-22
http://tom.marshall.tripod.com

[RichardM]

I believe there may be a query about them but Halfords sell both Bosch and own brand "blue" bulbs so they are unlikely to be totaly illegal or more importantly prosecutable

I was thinking more in terms of the Xenon ones which make claims of bigger "light output", which is probably technicaly correct but I was wondering whether a driver would consider it a worthwhile change?

[Diddn]

It took me about an 2.5 hours to change 6 bulbs on my S14a. I changed the parking, head and full beam lights to the Halfords laser blue ones (which I believe are fully legal). Didn't bother with the fogs cause they're hardly used. The headlight are a right pain in the butt to get at, had loads of scratches and grazes on my hand as a result. I didn;t remove neither the Battery nor the air filter box, hence took me the best part of a sunny afternoon to change.
I'm quite happy with the halfords laser blue bulbs. I first bought the Bosche which seemed quite dim in comparison to the standard ones. Then the sales assistant told me the Halfords brand is much brighter and blue than the bosche, so I swapped to those instead and was very happy. Wouldn't quite say they're the Xenon look, but it gives you a whiter/brighter light with a slight tint of blue. Quite visibly different to the regular halogens.
You could try using some small pliers to hold the back end of the bulb and direct it into it right position. Once in, push the securing clip over with your fingers.
All I can say is you have to have the patience, or be prepared to remove both the battery AND the air filter box.

Cheers

Didin

[Tom_S14]

Cheers !
Atleast I know it's not just me then http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/smile.gif Patience has never been my strong point, especially when my hands are getting grazed up.
I did notice the halfords one had quite a nice blue tinge to it.... should replace the other side so they match. Think I'll let the skin on the back of my hand heal up first http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/biggrin.gif

Maybe my car is different, but removing the airbox/battery wouldn't help on mine, there's a formed sheet of steel on the cross member behind the headlight unit,there's no way of getting to it from the back other than getting your hand down the tiny gap.

If I could figure out how to get the bumper grill off I could take the whole headlight unit out, because once you've unbolted it all (2 behind the indicator unit, 2 next to the radiator) it still won't come out because this grill wedges it in.

Tom

------------------
1996 Blue/Green S14 (manual)
K&N cone filter
2.5" Tube-torque Cat Back Exhaust.
TechTom MDM-100
Race-Technology AP-22
http://tom.marshall.tripod.com

[Diddn]

One of the main changes between the S14 & S14a were the headlights. So its quite probable that access to the bulbs on the S14a is easier. On mine there was a plastic sheild thing that just clips off, then you have a small hole into the back of the headlight (about 2" in diameter as far as I can remember) to get the bulb in and out.
Doesn't the front grill simply unscrew from the top underneath the bonnet and perhaps a couple of clips holding the bottom part of it?? I can't imagine it being too difficult to remove, but then again, you wouldn't imagine a bulb replacement itself being this difiicult in the first place!! } http://300zx.co.uk/200sx/ubb/frown.gif