2011 R/T Headlight Low Beam Bulb???
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 148
Likes: 3
From: Nassau County, NY
Very easy once I figured it out! My initial thought was having to take off the front bumper to access the assembly. NOT NEEDED!!!
By the time I figured it out from trial and error on the passenger side after about and hour (yes, I'm slow). The driver’s side literally took me two minutes. Most of that time was from trying to use my fingers with surgeon like precision to snap the ballast connection off the old bulbs onto the new. NOTE this can all be done with the access ports on each side of the front fenders.
***WARNING: Small wrists and fingers definitely help this process. You dudes with sausage fingers will have difficulty. *** NOTE ALSO NO PICTURES!!!
REMOVAL (Turn your wheels in the opposite direction to increase work space under the fender)
1) Locate the port cover on the front fender over your wheels behind the headlight. Twist the cover in either direction and remove the cover.
2) Reach in and remove the rubber cover that protects the actual HID projector housing to expose the back of the bulb. This is a rubber cup a little bigger than a big coffee mug. Pull off and remove from the port hole.
3) You will now see the back of the bulb assembly. Before you pull, you need to rotate a plastic piece that turns a half turn counter-clockwise on the passenger side and clockwise on the driver’s side. This piece actually puts torque on the bulb assembly to prevent it from falling out.
4) Once the half turn is made, thus loosening the bulb, very carefully pull back on the bulb housing with a slight side to side motion to loosen and remove it from the housing. Take note while removing that the way it comes out is the exact same way it needs to go back in. The bulb is actually pinched in place by a series of 4 prongs on each edge that look like Predetors Face
This thing fits in very snug so don't get crazy and bend any prongs or you will end up with a strobe light on the road from a loose light Cool in some parts of the world but not anywhere I know. LOL
5) With your left hand (passenger’s side) hold the bulb carefully and with your right hand you will need to disconnect the ballast connector from bulb. This also takes some back and forth backwards pulling but again don’t go crazy. Once disconnected, remove the bulb like a good game of Operation so as to not to touch anything with the bulb (this is probably the bad bulb so you need not really care but it’s a good habit to get into especially with the good one going back in).
INSTALLATION
6) First thing is to look at the bulbs male connector inside the housing. It’s a three pin connection, just know which side the double pin is on and remember it after installation.
7) Be careful handling the good bulb and don’t touch it. Follow the steps above going in reverse to install the good bulb. My personal recommendation is to spend your time ensuring the bulb is in first and properly seated before connection the ballast. This step will take you some time since as I mentioned, it MUST be evenly seated and secured.
8) Once you see the prongs are properly positioned on back of the bulb, and there is no space in between the edge of the bulb housing (you will see if it’s crooked or improperly seated). Be patient as this absolutely PISSED ME OFF!!! Ahhhhh, moving on….
9) After properly seating (the bulb should not pop out by bumping or light touch, if it does its not in right) turn the plastic torque device the opposite direction to torque the bulb into place.
10) Next, take a look at the female ballast connector and notice which side the double pin is located on as this will obviously determine how it will plug into the bulb. This takes a bit of pressure and like any pin connection be very careful not to bend pins.
11) With the bulb is seated in the housing it will give you a firm position to work with. Put the ballast connecter up into the bulb housing connection point. Press firmly upward. Small fingers really help this process as you need to push together with your thumb on the bottom of the ballast connector and another finger on the top of the bulb housing. Wait for a “snap” and immediately turn on your lights to check for a beam.
12) Once you have light, you will need to replace the rubber housing cup you took off earlier. Feel around in the housing for the thick PVC style ring that sits around the bulb and the Predator face piece and bulb. Wiggle this piece back into place ensuring no ballast wires or other crap gets in the way of the rubber going back onto the PVC type ring. You can actually reach your hand around the other side through the top of the engine bay to use both hands to get an air tight seal of the housing with this cup.
13) Replace the fender port cover and immediately start taking pictures against a wall or compare lights or beam your neighbors. Whatever it is that you do, go do it now…..
By the time I figured it out from trial and error on the passenger side after about and hour (yes, I'm slow). The driver’s side literally took me two minutes. Most of that time was from trying to use my fingers with surgeon like precision to snap the ballast connection off the old bulbs onto the new. NOTE this can all be done with the access ports on each side of the front fenders.
***WARNING: Small wrists and fingers definitely help this process. You dudes with sausage fingers will have difficulty. *** NOTE ALSO NO PICTURES!!!
REMOVAL (Turn your wheels in the opposite direction to increase work space under the fender)
1) Locate the port cover on the front fender over your wheels behind the headlight. Twist the cover in either direction and remove the cover.
2) Reach in and remove the rubber cover that protects the actual HID projector housing to expose the back of the bulb. This is a rubber cup a little bigger than a big coffee mug. Pull off and remove from the port hole.
3) You will now see the back of the bulb assembly. Before you pull, you need to rotate a plastic piece that turns a half turn counter-clockwise on the passenger side and clockwise on the driver’s side. This piece actually puts torque on the bulb assembly to prevent it from falling out.
4) Once the half turn is made, thus loosening the bulb, very carefully pull back on the bulb housing with a slight side to side motion to loosen and remove it from the housing. Take note while removing that the way it comes out is the exact same way it needs to go back in. The bulb is actually pinched in place by a series of 4 prongs on each edge that look like Predetors Face
This thing fits in very snug so don't get crazy and bend any prongs or you will end up with a strobe light on the road from a loose light Cool in some parts of the world but not anywhere I know. LOL5) With your left hand (passenger’s side) hold the bulb carefully and with your right hand you will need to disconnect the ballast connector from bulb. This also takes some back and forth backwards pulling but again don’t go crazy. Once disconnected, remove the bulb like a good game of Operation so as to not to touch anything with the bulb (this is probably the bad bulb so you need not really care but it’s a good habit to get into especially with the good one going back in).
INSTALLATION
6) First thing is to look at the bulbs male connector inside the housing. It’s a three pin connection, just know which side the double pin is on and remember it after installation.
7) Be careful handling the good bulb and don’t touch it. Follow the steps above going in reverse to install the good bulb. My personal recommendation is to spend your time ensuring the bulb is in first and properly seated before connection the ballast. This step will take you some time since as I mentioned, it MUST be evenly seated and secured.
8) Once you see the prongs are properly positioned on back of the bulb, and there is no space in between the edge of the bulb housing (you will see if it’s crooked or improperly seated). Be patient as this absolutely PISSED ME OFF!!! Ahhhhh, moving on….
9) After properly seating (the bulb should not pop out by bumping or light touch, if it does its not in right) turn the plastic torque device the opposite direction to torque the bulb into place.
10) Next, take a look at the female ballast connector and notice which side the double pin is located on as this will obviously determine how it will plug into the bulb. This takes a bit of pressure and like any pin connection be very careful not to bend pins.
11) With the bulb is seated in the housing it will give you a firm position to work with. Put the ballast connecter up into the bulb housing connection point. Press firmly upward. Small fingers really help this process as you need to push together with your thumb on the bottom of the ballast connector and another finger on the top of the bulb housing. Wait for a “snap” and immediately turn on your lights to check for a beam.
12) Once you have light, you will need to replace the rubber housing cup you took off earlier. Feel around in the housing for the thick PVC style ring that sits around the bulb and the Predator face piece and bulb. Wiggle this piece back into place ensuring no ballast wires or other crap gets in the way of the rubber going back onto the PVC type ring. You can actually reach your hand around the other side through the top of the engine bay to use both hands to get an air tight seal of the housing with this cup.
13) Replace the fender port cover and immediately start taking pictures against a wall or compare lights or beam your neighbors. Whatever it is that you do, go do it now…..