Date:         Sat, 14 Nov 1998 23:34:39 EST
Reply-To:     SSGSPEAR@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Brad Spear <SSGSPEAR@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 88 Westie: Headlight Out - How to replace?
Comments: To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

In a message dated 98-11-14 22:27:32 EST, cp@IX.NETCOM.COM writes:

<< I'm not sure I was given correct information, and having bought the car
 without the owner's manual, I can't get any info on the procedure for
 changing the light out. So:

 <<In an '88, is it true that you replace only the filament, and not the
entire
 headlight?>>
Yes, this is true.  Fortunately, too, since these things are not cheap.

<< Is it necessary to remove the grill in order to put a new headlight in, or
 how exactly can the headlight be reached for replacement?>>
Yes, it is.  There are five things that look like slotted screws along the top
of the grill.  You will need to take a flat tip screw driver and turn each 90
degrees.  This will release the top of the grill.  Just lift it out after
that.  Reverse to install.

 <<Btw, the headlight will light up when I put the brights on, but it goes
dark
 when only the normal beams are on, if that's pertinent.>>
There are two elements in each bulb, one for the low beam and the other for
the high.  This just means that the one for the low beam is out.

You will need to take out the main glass part, the housing, to replace the
bulb.  This is held in place with four phillips screws.  Remove the screws,
remove the housing, remove the old bulb, install the new one making sure you
don't touch it with your fingers unless you want to do this again in the very
near future, replace the housing, the screws, then the grill.  Make sure that
when you remove the screws you are removing the ones that hold the housing and
not the ones that are used to adjust the aim of the headlights.

Also, when mine went out, I replaced both.  I figured that they had both been
in there about the same amount of time and while I had the grill off anyway,
why not?

 Any help appreciated.  I don't want to have to rename Rozinante to
 Polyphemus.
  >>