Volkswagen
Beetle Headlight Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out low & high beam
headlight or DRL light bulbs in a 2nd generation 2012-2016 VW Beetle.
 2015 VW Beetle Headlight |
 Open Hood - Locate Housing |
 Lock / Unlock Switch |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the second generation (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and most
likely also the 2016 model year) "New" VW Beetle in changing a burnt
out combination dual filament low and high beam bulb or the "DRL"
(daytime running lamp) in the headlight housings. Owners of other Volkswagen Group vehicles such as the Passat, CC, Tiguan, Golf, Touareg, Jetta, GTI, SportWagen, Eos, Rabbit, Bora, Vento, Lavida, Coccinelle, Maggiolino, Fusca, Audi A3, A4, S4, A6, S6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, A5, S5, and TT may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The replacement bulb part numbers are as follows: Low/High Beam # 9003 or H4 and DRL # 7443 or W21/5W. The only tool needed to access and change the headlight bulbs is a standard Phillips head screwdriver. |
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 Use Phillips Screwdriver |
 Rotate Clockwise |
 Metal Lock Tab Released |
| The first two steps
are to open the hood and then move to the side of the vehicle with the burnt
out headlight bulb. Locate the silver metal screw attached to the locking mechanism. There is a small sticker on the black plastic which has symbols representing the headlight, a locked padlock and an open padlock. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to rotate the screw 1/4 turn clockwise until the lock tab is facing towards the engine and the center of the vehicle. You should see the bright red round sticker on the end of the locking tab to indicate that the headlight housing has been unlocked. |
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 Gently Pull Out Housing |
 Press Release Tab |
 Disconnect Power Plug |
| Carefully slide the
headlight housing straight out of the front of the car. Press the release tab on the large black plastic electrical connector before sliding it straight out of its socket. |
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 Headlight Assembly Removed |
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Plastic Cover Removed |
| Rest the headlight
assembly on a soft surface such as a towel to prevent from scratching the
lens surface. Rotate the round black plastic dust cover 1/4 turn counterclockwise before removing it from the back of the housing. Set the plastic cap aside in a safe place. |
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 Base of Old Low/High Beam |
 Grasp Power Plug |
 Pull Off Electrical Connector |
| Gently pull off the black plastic electrical connector from the base of the old low/high beam headlight bulb. | ||
 Release Arm From Hook |
 Release 2nd Retaining Arm |
 Swing Open Clips |
| Press in and swing
out the loops at the end of the metal retaining arms to release them from
their hooks. Swing open the two spring clips to release the old bulb. |
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 Pull Out Old H4 Bulb |
 Install New 9003 Bulb |
 New Headlight Bulb Installed |
| Pull the old
headlight bulb straight out of the housing. Try to avoid touching the glass part of the new halogen bulb with your fingers or anything dirty in your garage. If you do get the new bulb dirty, just wipe it clean with a paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol. Insert the # H4 or 9003 dual filament low and high beam headlight bulb in to the housing. Swing the metal retaining arms closed over the new bulb and attach the loops to their corresponding hooks to secure them in place. |
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 Line Up Power Plug |
 Push On Electrical Connector |
 DRL (Daytime Running Lamp) |
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Push the black plastic electrical connector straight on to the base of the new headlight bulb. The DRL (daytime running lamp) bulb is located at the inner edge of the housing. |
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 Black Plastic Tab |
 Pull Straight Out |
 DRL Bulb Socket Removed |
| Place your finger in to the opening at the end of the black plastic arm and pull the DRL bulb socket straight out of the housing. | ||
 Pull Old Bulb Straight Out |
 Push In New 7443 Bulb |
 Empty Bulb Housing |
| Pull the old bulb straight out of the socket and push in a new # 7443 or W21/5W bulb. | ||
 Push In Bulb Socket |
 Replace Dust Cover |
 Push In Power Plug |
| Push the bulb
socket back in to the DRL housing. Rotate the black plastic dust cover 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place. Hold the headlight housing near the vehicle and push in the large electrical connector until it clicks securely in place. |
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 Slide In Headlight Housing |
 Flush With Body Panels |
 Red / Silver Lock Tab Open |
| Carefully slide the headlight housing back in to place until it is flush with the painted metal body panels. | ||
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
 Lock Tab Secured |
 Test New Headlight Bulbs |
| Rotate the Phillips
head screw 1/4 turn counterclockwise to lock the headlight housing in place. Double check that no part of the red sticker at the end of the locking tab is visible to ensure that the headlight assembly is securely locked in place. Test the new bulbs by turning on the headlights and flashing the high beams. For more,
check out my other
2012-2016 VW Beetle DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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