Bi-Xenon bulb replacement - howto?

**fprintf** · 04-28-2010, 04:50 AM

I need to replace the headlight bulb on my 2004 XC70. I now have the bulb and want to avoid making a $130 mistake by trying to force the bulb into the housing. It appears there is no way to get the bulb in without breaking it... I broke the old one getting it out.

Are there instructions somewhere on either how to change a Xenon bulb *or* how to remove the headlight assembly? I am used to having a Bentley manual for my VWs that shows how to do this stuff, and feeling a bit lost in the VW world!

Thanks in advance!

**Art** · 04-28-2010, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by fprintf

I need to replace the headlight bulb on my 2004 XC70. I now have the bulb and want to avoid making a $130 mistake by trying to force the bulb into the housing. It appears there is no way to get the bulb in without breaking it... I broke the old one getting it out.

Are there instructions somewhere on either how to change a Xenon bulb *or* how to remove the headlight assembly? I am used to having a Bentley manual for my VWs that shows how to do this stuff, and feeling a bit lost in the VW world!

Thanks in advance!

Here you go. I don't know why the doors would need to be locked though.

**dpaton** · 04-28-2010, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by Art

Here you go. I don't know why the doors would need to be locked though.

I believe the idea is to keep others from possibly turning on the headlamps while you are working on them and giving you some "high voltage" while you are standing in a pool of rad. fluid or whatever on the shop floor.

**123ofme** · 12-19-2017, 08:32 PM

Hi, I was wondering if Art or anyone else has these directions that are no longer hosted on photobucket? I'd love to be able to do this without pulling the bumper and housing off... Many thanks!

**berchtol** · 03-24-2018, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by 123ofme

Hi, I was wondering if Art or anyone else has these directions that are no longer hosted on photobucket? I'd love to be able to do this without pulling the bumper and housing off... Many thanks!

Hi, I have the same question. Does anyone have the missing photobucket link contents that they could repost/relink? Thank you!

**billr99** · 03-26-2018, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by berchtol

Hi, I have the same question. Does anyone have the missing photobucket link contents that they could repost/relink? Thank you!

If you are using Chrome or Firefox, there are "Photobucket Fix" extensions you can install that will fix that for you (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fir...&appver=59.0.1). Unfortunately, if you use Safari you are pretty much out of luck.

Cheers,

Bill

**fprintf** · 04-28-2010, 03:08 PM

Art, thank you so much as always! The instructions make it look so easy and roomy, neglecting to mention it is virtually impossible to fit the bulb & holder into the headlight housing straight in. I'll give it another try again tonight.

**fprintf** · 04-28-2010, 04:34 PM

Sorry to reply to myself but the instructions were very helpful. I found there was one thing necessary beforehand, and I hope by writing it here someone searching the forum will find this hint.

First, remove the wiring harness immediately behind the headlight assembly for easy access to the plastic bulb cover, and the metal bulb cover behind that. You don't have to remove the whole thing, just the two plugs that are immediately to the left (right when looking down on the headlight from the front of the car). You can then shift the wiring harness aside. This clears it out of the way so you won't have any bruised knuckles, or worse - you do like I did and break the bulb trying to angle it into the holder.

Second, the instructions above show the metal spring clamp removed from the headlight. On my car the clip was held in place by bent metal and would not remove. I had to hold it out of the way with one finger as I guided the bulb assembly past.

It is still a tight fit, and I said a little blessing for good karma as it went in!

Everything you read on the Internet about Xenon bulbs turning blue with age is correct. This new bulb is much whiter than the "old" bulb still left in on the left hand side of the car. However at $130 a pop, I can live with the color mismatch until the other side goes.

**Adrian** · 04-29-2010, 01:29 AM

Doesnt take much time before they even out. A month at most.

**horangin** · 04-06-2011, 07:07 AM

I've removed the ECU for additional work area on the passenger side.
Removed and replaced the bi-xenon bulb.
I need to put the clamp back to finish, but don't remember how it was attached.

Anyone have a picture or description as to how they were attached?

Still can't see the top portion where the clamps were attached and having a hard time rotating and trying to put the clamp back together.