After removing the harness and twist lock the head lightbulbs in my 97 SL still refuse to pull out. I do not want to break them and have tried spraying lube to loosen the gaskets. the replacments indicate they pull straight out. Am I missing somthing? or is the gasket just stuck? (US 9004) Is there a tool or better way to remove them? Pop
help replacing headlight bulbs in SL
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I had a similar problem on my 98 when I first got it. The passenger side bulb just would not come out. No tool I tried would remove it. The driver side just pulled out easily.
I took it to my Indi. and he found it to be welded in place. Overheating melted the plastic and virtually welded the bulb and socket together. He removed the head light assembly from the car and drilled the center of the bulb out. Then he was able to remove the outer shell of the bulb without further damage to the socket. Cost me $100 to replace a head light bulb.
But to answer your question they should pull stright out. Space is tight on the passenger side but no special tools are required.
I took it to my Indi. and he found it to be welded in place. Overheating melted the plastic and virtually welded the bulb and socket together. He removed the head light assembly from the car and drilled the center of the bulb out. Then he was able to remove the outer shell of the bulb without further damage to the socket. Cost me $100 to replace a head light bulb.
But to answer your question they should pull stright out. Space is tight on the passenger side but no special tools are required.
headlight bulb replacment 97SL
If the bulb will not pull out easily then the best way to change it is to remove the headlight assembly from the auto. The bulbs have most likely heated and distorted the plastics and may be stuck or fused in place. you must use care and ingenuity to remove the old bulb without breaking the assembly. I have used lubicant to remove the rubber gasket and or try sawing off the bulb at the connection point. There may be other tecniques but it is best to remove the assembly first as this also permits you to clean and lube the adjusters. The replacemt bulb should fit into the hole without much reshaping.
If the bulb will not pull out easily then the best way to change it is to remove the headlight assembly from the auto. The bulbs have most likely heated and distorted the plastics and may be stuck or fused in place. you must use care and ingenuity to remove the old bulb without breaking the assembly. I have used lubicant to remove the rubber gasket and or try sawing off the bulb at the connection point. There may be other tecniques but it is best to remove the assembly first as this also permits you to clean and lube the adjusters. The replacemt bulb should fit into the hole without much reshaping.
1997 SL500, 1948 Rover 75 P3, 1984 Citroen 2CV, 1953 BSA Bantam D1, 1966 Velosolex Moped
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Just wondering, does this welding into plastic only happen with more modern uprated bulbs which presumably run hotter? You would think them clever german engineers would have got it right at the design stage with standard bulbs. (Mind you they didn't get the wiring loom right did they
)Regards
Steve
2010 SL63 AMG, 2001 SL500, 2012 Corvette Z06, 2013 Lexus RX350, 2012 Cadillac CTS Coupe, 2015 Ram
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492 Posts
In case anyone is not aware of this, you can make plenty of room to get at the headlight on the passenger side by lifting the washer fluid tank. There's a plastic knob to unscrew, then the tank lifts straight up. There is enough play on the hoses, etc. to lift it off its mount and move it aside so that you can access the headlight socket.
1989 560sec 6.0L AMG & Renntech, Various W140's (V8 and V12's), 1984 500se Euro,.......
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2,359 Posts
I am having the same trouble with my RENNtech... Stupid drivers side bulb is burnt out, and it will not come out. I have the projectors. Which, I assume, is what your talking about in your later model cars.
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Thanks for the info, whenever i have a problem or question i come here and always find the answer.
I used a 14" screwdriver and chipped away at the lip of the bulb, slowly and carefully almost all the way around, then gently purswaded the bulb to come out. Did not have to remove the assembly, but the rear plug on the bulb was destroyed.
New bulbs installed working great.
Thanks for the info!:bowdown:
I used a 14" screwdriver and chipped away at the lip of the bulb, slowly and carefully almost all the way around, then gently purswaded the bulb to come out. Did not have to remove the assembly, but the rear plug on the bulb was destroyed.
New bulbs installed working great.
Thanks for the info!:bowdown:
I said something similar to SWMBO the other night.
When I got to a full moon, she told me to pull my pants up.
Try on a warm day.
It must have been a cold night.
Regards,
aam.
you just have to pull out the plastic. i can do it with my nails. you just pull the clear plastic part straight out. and the bulb is mounted in the plastic. it is very simple.Hello!
Talking about bulbs...
How do I replace the upper inside lights?, the reading light we call it.
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Thank you!
1991 500SL purch 10/2013 w/ 86,500 miles. 2001 S55 purch 9/2014 w/ 47,000 miles.
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2,124 Posts
That was easy!
The sales clerk at Pepboys talked me into buying two bulbs to match. But the passenger side seems harder as the windshield fluid is in the way. Think I'll return the second bulb as it seems harder to manuever.
The sales clerk at Pepboys talked me into buying two bulbs to match. But the passenger side seems harder as the windshield fluid is in the way. Think I'll return the second bulb as it seems harder to manuever.
It's a little more complicated, but if you loosen the bolt that holds the arm of the reservoir, the whole thing lifts up and swings out of the way. that worked for me... good luck!
1991 500SL purch 10/2013 w/ 86,500 miles. 2001 S55 purch 9/2014 w/ 47,000 miles.
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2,124 Posts
Well I think I'm just going to return the other bulb. It works and the brightness isn't that different.
There are plenty of other projects for small things that don't work.
There are plenty of other projects for small things that don't work.
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