2001 GTI headlight change... again

I saw a thread from a year ago about this, but it didn't have the
details I need. The low-beam bulb on the driver's side of this GTI VR6
burned out. I removed the plastic cover behind the headlight (right in
front of the hood release cable). I can see the big metal clip that
holds the entire back of the headlight in place, but there's only an
inch or so of clearance between it and the battery case. Even worse,
the low-beam bulb is up against the side of the car with even less
clearance.

Anyone know exactly what needs to be removed to get to this bulb?
Thanks.

Is not hard to do...is a bit of a tight fit though. In front of the battery
cover is a plastic cover that covers the bulb. remove the cover by movig the
metal clip over. Inside is another metal clip, and each of the arms of the
clip have to be removed serprately by pushing forward slightly and then
towards the other arm. remove wiring and then remove the bulb. FYI, do not
tough the bulb glass, as the oil from your fingers will reduce the life of
the bulb. installation is the reverse of removal. If you have trouble
getting the cover back on, you may have to loosen the shield around the
battery to get enough room. Hope this helps


> wrote in message
oups.com...
>I saw a thread from a year ago about this, but it didn't have the
> details I need. The low-beam bulb on the driver's side of this GTI VR6
> burned out. I removed the plastic cover behind the headlight (right in
> front of the hood release cable). I can see the big metal clip that
> holds the entire back of the headlight in place, but there's only an
> inch or so of clearance between it and the battery case. Even worse,
> the low-beam bulb is up against the side of the car with even less
> clearance.
>
> Anyone know exactly what needs to be removed to get to this bulb?
> Thanks.
>

I suspect that other things need to get removed. On this 2001 GTI, in
addition to the limited space because of the battery shield, what looks
like the air box is wedged right up there where the low-beam bulb needs
to be extracted. If the battery shield and air box do need to be
removed, does anyone have diagrams or pictures of where all the
appropriate screws are located? I hate breaking plastic pieces trying
to get stuff removed.

As Tom said it can be done. VW gives us 15 minutes to change the bulb and it
takes that long. Try disconnecting the electrical plug to the headlamp to
give give some more room.


> wrote in message
ups.com...
>I suspect that other things need to get removed. On this 2001 GTI, in
> addition to the limited space because of the battery shield, what looks
> like the air box is wedged right up there where the low-beam bulb needs
> to be extracted. If the battery shield and air box do need to be
> removed, does anyone have diagrams or pictures of where all the
> appropriate screws are located? I hate breaking plastic pieces trying
> to get stuff removed.
>

Thanks, guys. Bolstered by your input, I tried again. I was able to get
the bulb changed without loosening the battery shield or removing any
unrelated parts. For folks who find this thread in the future, here's
my notes on how this worked:

* Remove the plastic cover in front of the hood release cable by taking
out its two screws and unsnapping it from the similar piece to its
left.

* Slide the big metal clip holding the cover to the lights toward the
center of the car. I had to use a screwdriver to get the initial
leverage on this because I couldn't get my hand in there. Remove the
plastic cover.

* Standing in front of the car, you can now slide your left hand into
the space to the left of the lights and then reach to the right.
Disconnect the electrical plug from the bulb.

* Release the wire clip holding the bulb in place by pushing on the
clip left of the bulb. Push the clip toward the front of the car, and
then down toward the ground. (Because you can't see what you're doing
on the driver's side light, I actually had to pop open the passenger
side light cover to see the details of how the clip works.)

* Remove the bulb, replace it with a new bulb and reverse the steps.