DIY HID bulb replacment??
 

I couldn't find a DIY for replacing the HID headlights. Anyone have one?

Through the wheel fender if I am not mistaken.

im trying to figure this out too.. gonna do it when i do my hid fogs too.. stock ones are so dim..

Just to be clear, I am talking about just changing the bulb.

tagged just for future reference...

here you go.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../SC430/hid.jpg

OK thanks, do you have to remove anything if you approach it from the engine side or do you approach it through the wheel well? It looks difficult to get at it from the engine bay.

no matter how you go at it, you need to remove something. 1. you can remove bumper
2. you can remove air box and a few more things to be able to get to both sides from the engine bay 3. through the front wheel wells. All three require time

It is easier to replace both hid bulbs in the 06+ headlights than in the pre06 ones since both hid bulbs are sitting higher.

For the hid bulb on the passanger side, removing the air filter box or intake should give you enough wiggle room.
The hid bulb on the driver side will be more difficult to replace especially you have big hands.

Personally, I prefer to partially remove the front bumper and then the whole headlight as I can see everything clearly.
You can follow the instructions below.


Pull the wheel well liner out and remove the screws and clips I have circled in red.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...0/_DSC3661.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...bumpercopy.jpg


Move the front bumper a little till you have just enough room to remove the nut on the headlight.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...omd/head_1.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../headlight.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1.../SC430/hid.jpg



Put back your old headlights
( or install new connectors and new headlights if you are doing an 06+ conversion).

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...omd/head_2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...omd/head_6.jpg

What a PITA to change a bulb. The reason I asked the question is, about a week ago I noticed that my right head light was out. I know it was working that morning. When I got back in the car that same evening, it was back on. It has not failed to light for the last week. No flickering just normal operation. Any ideas?

i did this a few month back and the best thing to do is drop the bumper and this is the perfect time to add hid to the fogs if intrested and change out any other bulbs.

Well, the bulb failure is getting more frequent now and my understanding is it is most likely the bulb itself. I will want to get two bulbs at that same time. I know it is a D4s but the prices vary widely. The sylvania seems to the most expensive and the Phillips about half. I just want the same color temp so what bulbs are you guys buying? Is the Sylvania that much better?

Great write up!!!:rockon:
When I pulled my bumper I had the hardest time. Wish this post was up then!!!
Most folks that described the DIY always seemed to leave things out.
The key to pulling the bumper is that stupid screw that sits behind the fender liner!

Pull forward the bumper......2006 SC430
 

Just changed the HID lamp on a 2006 SC430. the diagram above is not quite correct. there is a bolt on the front left of the headlight assembly and a push on fastener. I had to remove more bolts on the bumper than noted, this was the only way to pull the bumper forward enough to pull out the headlight assembly.
Also, i really tried getting my hand in there to change the lamp.....no go. Pull out the headlamp assembly.
Tomorrow....I change the passenger lamp. time to change was approx 2.5 hrs at a slow pace and including trying to remove the lamp without removing the bumper.....

As bulbs age, they tend to get dimmer. My SC430 is a 2002, so I suspect that my headlights have dimmed quite a bit. Has anyone who has replaced their headlights in their SC430 noticed much difference in brightness after changing out their bulbs with the same type bulbs? (Changing to a different type of bulb won't really indicate much here.)