Headlight bulb change - driving me insane!!!

chunkynutz · Jan 7, 2009

Hi all,

I'm trying to replace the main dipped headlight bulb on a Saab 9-3 Arc SS (UK - rhd) passenger side.
I thought this would be simple whip off the rubber dusk cover, pull out and replace faulty bulb, but no...

How small do your hands have to be to squeeze in-between the headlight bulb dustcover and the windsreen wiper reservoir/battery cover!!! This surely is a physical impossibility.

Is there a simple way to do this without having to remove the entire headlight?

I replaced the drivers side headlight bulb a few months ago (which was a bit of a tight squeeze but not impossible) so surely I havent put on that much weight over Christmas in my hands!!

Really appreciate some experienced advice.

many thanks all...

jlrdrony · Jan 7, 2009

http://www.mrandmrs-g.net/LightingGuide/e-low.htm

chunkynutz · Jan 7, 2009

Thanks for the reply.

So the washer fluid filler pipe can be actually pulled up and out the way?? is there slack in the hose to let me do this?

jlrdrony · Jan 7, 2009

chunkynutz said:
Thanks for the reply.

So the washer fluid filler pipe can be actually pulled up and out the way?? is there slack in the hose to let me do this?

yes, no problem, just pull up.

AKS · Jan 7, 2009

I did this on the driver side 2 weeks ago (US/Canadian), The washer fluid pipe connects to the reservoir and it comes off pretty easily for me. Once you get all that stuff out, it wasn't too hard. It took me about 20 mins from start to finish.

chunkynutz · Jan 7, 2009

Many thanks everyone, going to give this a try.

Amazingly quick response, fantastic forum!

zippyluvssaab · Jan 8, 2009

I just paid a dealer US$45 including the cost of the bulb to replace mine in August. I got a free service wash and they even hoovered out my car for me.

zippy :cheesy:

brianl703 · Jan 8, 2009

It took me 5 minutes to do this bulb replacement. 15 if you count the time I spent buying the bulb.

03saab93t · Jan 8, 2009

i would just like to chime in real quick and say that i hate that i have to replace these bulbs every 3 or 4 months....starts to get old real fast....but i am a pro at it now

r3awak3n · Jan 8, 2009

man, wait till you have to replace the brights... those are 10x harder to replace....

chunkynutz · Jan 9, 2009

Job Done!

All done, appreciate the info guys!. Dead easy in the end

A tin-pot job for most of you guys I bet! but a mini triumph for me.!!

MooF · Jan 9, 2009

r3awak3n said:
man, wait till you have to replace the brights... those are 10x harder to replace....

or the "Parking Lights" or whatever the little ones are called closest to the grill. Most people in this forum have cut their hands trying to do it. It can be done, but if you have giant Bratwurst fingers, its alot more interesting let me tell you..

westOhooligan · Jan 9, 2009

MooF said:
or the "Parking Lights" or whatever the little ones are called closest to the grill. Most people in this forum have cut their hands trying to do it. It can be done, but if you have giant Bratwurst fingers, its alot more interesting let me tell you..

Do your fingers look like this?

jlrdrony · Jan 9, 2009

that picture is not funny.

we must consider that this operation is no so complicated but is the very difficult access and blind tactile.

MooF · Jan 9, 2009

Dude, You are like the SC downer !

It is pretty funny, albeit gross.

naburleson · Jan 10, 2009

MooF said:
It is pretty funny, albeit gross.

I agree. gross

JHZR2 · Jan 10, 2009

On my car, the washer filler tube was REALLY tough to get out. Took a lot of pulling, and I was pretty worried. The O-ring needs a bit of lube, I guess.

JohnnyZ · Nov 28, 2009

Parking bulb change

The topic of that parking light bulb change...can it be done by hand? I can touch it, but I have no idea how to grip it, turn it, pull it, ect. Any experience or advice?

Also, I'd love to pull the entire assemblies and either clean them or replace. I understand the bumper must be removed to do so (2004 9-3 Linear), but I don't want to attempt it without some direction. Any reference books, experience, instructions?

Thx

JonV · Nov 28, 2009

JohnnyZ said:
The topic of that parking light bulb change...can it be done by hand? I can touch it, but I have no idea how to grip it, turn it, pull it, ect. Any experience or advice?

Also, I'd love to pull the entire assemblies and either clean them or replace. I understand the bumper must be removed to do so (2004 9-3 Linear), but I don't want to attempt it without some direction. Any reference books, experience, instructions?

Thx

Once again.... http://www.mrandmrs-g.net/LightingGuide/e-city.htm

There's a great FAQ, How to, and Tech help section.... just look around.

OlegShv · Nov 28, 2009

I replaced my parking lightbulb a week ago. Took me about 20 minutes, until I finally realized that needle-nose pliers could help pulling it out.
The procedure:
- put on nitrile rubber gloves
- remove rubber dust cover
- remove high beam bulb by turning it counterclockwise 1/4-1/2 turn. Carefully pull it out with the cabling and set aside making sure not to damage it.
- find the cables that go to the parking bulb, try pulling them by hand. If that doesn't work - use needle-nose pliers to pull the bulb assembly out, but make sure to pull on the cable heat shrink reinforcement.

Installation is the reverse. In my case I could insert the assembly by hand without pliers.

Headlight bulb change - driving me insane!!!

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