How do you replace a vw headlight bulb for a 2004 jetta?

Answer 1

I just did it on both of my 2004 VW Jetta Wagon headlights!! They recommend you replace both at the same time and I highly recommend it since both of mine went within 2 weeks of eachother. Last night I had to drive home with just my high beams on because both headlights were out. I'm not a big fix-it girl, but my uncle told me it's relatively straightforward so I gave it a try and had no problem. I followed instructions from http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1h/bl197h.htm and they worked perfectly. I didn't need to remove my battery, but I did remove the battery cover because I needed the room on the driver's side. wear glasses to protect your eyes. Here's how it went: If you're doing the driver's side, use a philip's head screwdriver to remove the plastic cover with the lightbulb imprint on it first.......unscrew the two screws and pull the plastic cover off. It's tight working between the battery and headlight, but I was able to do it and I'm definitely not mechanically inclined. (1) there are two metal spring clips around a snail-shaped plastic cover just behind the headlight inside the engine compartment. Release both of these and remove the plastic cover by sliding it off the plastic hooks and pulling it out of the engine compartment. You may have to push pretty hard to release the clips. I released the lower one first and it was much easier to get the upper one released. (2) inside, just behind the headlight, there's a piece with a lot of wires coming out of it, and at the base of that (toward the headlight) there is a large plastic lug nut-like thing that needs to be turned slightly to the left to release it. You can't see this on the Jetta, but you can feel for it and find it pretty easily. (3) once the lug-nut-like thing is released, you can pull the headlight and the electrical connector (bulb apparatus) slightly outside of the headlight so you can see them. (4) pull the entire bulb apparatus out of the connector. if the car was just in use, don't touch the bulb. you can see what you're supposed to be pulling out by looking at the new bulb(s). (5) insert the new bulb into the connector, make sure it snaps in place (6) put the bulb back in the headlight, make sure you line up the grooves on the headlight so it snaps into place. it takes some maneuvering. I looked at the grooves through the headlight to make sure they were lined up. on mine there were 3 grooves. (7) twist the lugnut slightly to the left so it locks in place. (8) check that your headlight works make sure the emergency brake isn't on or your lights won't go on. Another option is to turn the key to the start position and then turn your headlights on. I did this before I put the bulb back in to make sure it worked. (9) put the snail-shaped cover back on. It slides into two plastic things to hold it in place. (10) clamp the two clamps back on and you're done.