abaya

Greetings, motored ones.

So, the driver's side low-beam headlight went out on our '97 VW Golf, and I'm trying to replace it. I got everything squared away until I actually had the old bulb in my hand, at the end of a yellow wire.

However, the damn tab at the end of the bulb would not release from the slot (by which it was attached to the yellow wire), no matter how hard I pulled and jockeyed it around. It was friggin' cold and raining, so I didn't want to sit out there for hours with this one issue (not to mention electronics in my hand and rain don't mix), so I re-assembled it again with the broken bulb, and came in to ask for advice. Is there some trick to getting this connection to release?

I'm also concerned about how to get the new bulb back into that little tiny space without touching it (once I get the old one out of there), as I know these bulbs can be sensitive.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

Martian

I don't know if you noticed, but there should be a hook-and-tab deal that locks the bulb in place. You'll need to release the hook and then just grasp the bulb firmly at the base and pull. It'll slide right out.

Putting the new bulb in the housing is also easy. Just slide and twist. You're right that you have to be careful not to be abusive, but they're not so sensitive that you have to handle them with forceps or anything.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

abaya

I did actually notice the hook-and-tab deal, but was unable to get the "lock" out of place (I assume you mean the little nub that is holding the bulb in place). I jimmied it up and down, pulled firmly, etc... but no sliding occurred.

I guess I'll just have to keep trying and hope that it eventually does the trick.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

Martian

That is precisely what I mean. You might also try a few drops of non-conductive lubricant (something like mineral oil should do the job). Sometimes when they've been sitting for a long time they get a bit stiff.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

abaya

Okay, thanks. Yeah, I have a feeling it's been sitting there since... 1997. How about a drop of regular motor oil? The only other "lube" I have is for human use, probably not good in the headlight.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran