TDIMikeMN
Active member
so...DRL bulb is flickering so not sure it is going.. or just loose.
How tough is it to get at these? What needs to be taken apart? Thanks
How tough is it to get at these? What needs to be taken apart? Thanks
2012 SEL DRL bulb flickering - How tough is this to get at?
- Thread starter TDIMikeMN
- Start date
TDIMikeMN
Active member
I hear ya on the warranty.. but finding time to schedule the appt.. then waiting there while they do the fix, etc.. was just thinking maybe if this is easy to get at, i would replace my self.
compu_85
Gadget Guy
You access it through the wheel well. You don't have to take the tire off. There is a cover on the bottom of the headlight you remove to get at the bulb holder. Twist and it comes out.
-J
-J
TDIMikeMN
Active member
Thanks Compu.. I will give it a whirl this weekend
vw_norm
Gone, but not forgotten.
I found it much easier and less frustrating to pull the entire housing rather than go through the wheel well access. 2050 miles and my right DRL bulb filament cracked right where it is crimped into the holder within the glass ampule that is the bulb. I was able to see it spark when flicking the bulb while hooked up to a battery charger. At least the MFA was kind enough to tell me to check the RF DRL.
Anyways, the way provided by VW is to turn the front wheel inward on the side that you want to access the DRL, open the little hatch that is held on with a T25 screw, reach in and under the headlamp housing and then contorting yourself further give the cap on the bottom of the housing a 1/4 turn to disengage the tabs. Now the fun part. Reach in there and with 2 fingers (which is all you can grab with) twist the carrier a 1/4 turn and pull it from within and out of the housing. Now the really fun part - since the wire connecting the socket is only so short, you have to remove the old bulb with one hand and then the PITA part, snap the new bulb back into the bulb holder with one hand (yes it can be done) and then the really, really PITA part is to get the bulb and holder back into the housing and hope that you can do it. After I popped the bulb off inside the DRL compartment, I figured there had to be a better (and easier) way. I simply removed the headlamp housing - 7 screws with a T30 bit. You have to remove the 3 T25 screws on the top of the grill and then grasping the grill firmly in the bottom slot, pull it straight out. The headlamp housing simply lifts out and it was a breeze to shake the loose bulb out and then thread and lock the @%$@(*$ bulb holder into place. After almost an hour of getting very frustrated with the VW way, 15 minutes was all it took to remove and replace the entire housing. Well worth the little extra effort and much, much less frustrating. Trust me, I know, especially if you got big hands like me. If you're going to upgrade or LED your DRL's you'll be glad you pulled the housings.
See this drawing of the housing - #14 is the DRL, the round disc is the access cap. Good Luck!
Anyways, the way provided by VW is to turn the front wheel inward on the side that you want to access the DRL, open the little hatch that is held on with a T25 screw, reach in and under the headlamp housing and then contorting yourself further give the cap on the bottom of the housing a 1/4 turn to disengage the tabs. Now the fun part. Reach in there and with 2 fingers (which is all you can grab with) twist the carrier a 1/4 turn and pull it from within and out of the housing. Now the really fun part - since the wire connecting the socket is only so short, you have to remove the old bulb with one hand and then the PITA part, snap the new bulb back into the bulb holder with one hand (yes it can be done) and then the really, really PITA part is to get the bulb and holder back into the housing and hope that you can do it. After I popped the bulb off inside the DRL compartment, I figured there had to be a better (and easier) way. I simply removed the headlamp housing - 7 screws with a T30 bit. You have to remove the 3 T25 screws on the top of the grill and then grasping the grill firmly in the bottom slot, pull it straight out. The headlamp housing simply lifts out and it was a breeze to shake the loose bulb out and then thread and lock the @%$@(*$ bulb holder into place. After almost an hour of getting very frustrated with the VW way, 15 minutes was all it took to remove and replace the entire housing. Well worth the little extra effort and much, much less frustrating. Trust me, I know, especially if you got big hands like me. If you're going to upgrade or LED your DRL's you'll be glad you pulled the housings.
See this drawing of the housing - #14 is the DRL, the round disc is the access cap. Good Luck!
I found it much easier and less frustrating to pull the entire housing rather than go through the wheel well access. 2050 miles and my right DRL bulb filament cracked right where it is crimped into the holder within the glass ampule that is the bulb. I was able to see it spark when flicking the bulb while hooked up to a battery charger. At least the MFA was kind enough to tell me to check the RF DRL.
Anyways, the way provided by VW is to turn the front wheel inward on the side that you want to access the DRL, open the little hatch that is held on with a T25 screw, reach in and under the headlamp housing and then contorting yourself further give the cap on the bottom of the housing a 1/4 turn to disengage the tabs. Now the fun part. Reach in there and with 2 fingers (which is all you can grab with) twist the carrier a 1/4 turn and pull it from within and out of the housing. Now the really fun part - since the wire connecting the socket is only so short, you have to remove the old bulb with one hand and then the PITA part, snap the new bulb back into the bulb holder with one hand (yes it can be done) and then the really, really PITA part is to get the bulb and holder back into the housing and hope that you can do it. After I popped the bulb off inside the DRL compartment, I figured there had to be a better (and easier) way. I simply removed the headlamp housing - 7 screws with a T30 bit. You have to remove the 3 T25 screws on the top of the grill and then grasping the grill firmly in the bottom slot, pull it straight out. The headlamp housing simply lifts out and it was a breeze to shake the loose bulb out and then thread and lock the @%$@(*$ bulb holder into place. After almost an hour of getting very frustrated with the VW way, 15 minutes was all it took to remove and replace the entire housing. Well worth the little extra effort and much, much less frustrating. Trust me, I know, especially if you got big hands like me. If you're going to upgrade or LED your DRL's you'll be glad you pulled the housings.
See this drawing of the housing - #14 is the DRL, the round disc is the access cap. Good Luck!
Just wanted to thank you for your excellent write up. I just changed the DRLS to PIAA super whites and thanks to your excellent thoughts and directions the job was 45 min of easy install. I really appreciate your sharing, as it saved me a lot of pain and frustration.
Just a follow up for posterity. Pictures with the PIAA 19225 27-Watt 7440 Xtreme White Miniature Bulbs installed.
P1040640 by rusty_98070, on Flickr
P1040639 by rusty_98070, on Flickr
P1040638 by rusty_98070, on Flickr
P1040640 by rusty_98070, on Flickr
P1040639 by rusty_98070, on Flickr
P1040638 by rusty_98070, on Flickr
TDI2000Zim
Veteran Member
Cover up the Seattle plates.
FormerOwner
Veteran Member
to protect your identity from thieves, hackers, etc...
Pretty sure were talking about super stealth internet license plate hooligans here. :roll eyes:
Lights look nice!
VeeDubTDI
Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
LOL Internet license plate hooligans. 