DavesTractor
Elite Member
Same on our 2006 GMC 2500HD. Open hood, pull two pins and the headlight assembly lifts out.
Worst factory headlight design
- Thread starter 3930dave
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Same on our 2006 GMC 2500HD. Open hood, pull two pins and the headlight assembly lifts out.
'85 Ranger...entire grille had to be removed because headlight openings were too small for the sealed bulbs. Not difficult, just annoying.
2000 Jetta needed the battery cover, radiator support cover, and the gasketted and double-clamped headlight access panel removed before you could get to the actual lamp holder (and for whatever reason, it always seemed to be the driver side with the battery that went) all in a very tight space. It also ate taillight bulbs.
'96 Ranger was easy, just reach in and grab it, from above or below.
Haven't had to do one yet in my '03 F-150, so I just looked that up...two pull tabs, pull assembly forward to access bulb holder. Cool.
2000 Jetta needed the battery cover, radiator support cover, and the gasketted and double-clamped headlight access panel removed before you could get to the actual lamp holder (and for whatever reason, it always seemed to be the driver side with the battery that went) all in a very tight space. It also ate taillight bulbs.
'96 Ranger was easy, just reach in and grab it, from above or below.
Haven't had to do one yet in my '03 F-150, so I just looked that up...two pull tabs, pull assembly forward to access bulb holder. Cool.
Winmac
Gold Member
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- Dec 31, 2011
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- 366
- Tractor
- Landini 6860
05 vw golf is a pile of misery
GolfAddict
Veteran Member
I know I shouldn't laugh, but the way you put that just cracks me up.
Winmac
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2011
- Messages
- 366
- Tractor
- Landini 6860
What should have been five minutes to change a single high beam bulb turned into 30-40 mins in the baking sun.
Your working blind to begin with I somehow managed to knock the bulb retainer clip off and it fell down inside that headlight bucket, I had to finish the job with haemostats.
Your working blind to begin with I somehow managed to knock the bulb retainer clip off and it fell down inside that headlight bucket, I had to finish the job with haemostats.
Yep, another boffo design trend, worthy of a thread itself. (Not complaining
).Design engines allegedly for economy, then make it enough of a PITA that many DIYers won't attempt it, and most drivers won't voluntarily pay a shop to do it........... End result, you end with plugs in so long that a modern hi tek engine ends up getting about the same mpg as an old 4 banger, running a carb.
Progress ? :confused3:
As good as modern plugs are, IMO, this scenario plays a big role in taking out (killing) COP coils early.
Not like the factory engineers didn't know how this would play out....
Rgds, D.
Here's hoping the hemostats were for part retrieval, not for clamping off leaks in your hide !
Rgds, D.
That is how I'd expect any competent ME to design....... though, as somebody (real-world) told me lately "Your expectations are seriously out of control".
Seems that era of GM engineers either got fired for doing too good a job, or where made to drink the bean-counters Koolaid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oKyanoXa70
Billable shop-time seems to be the priority now.
That vid reminded me of another reason I hate plastic assemblies. Around here, we lose more bulbs when it's cold...... just the kind of weather plastic fasteners love.
Rgds, D.
Some companies today will put 1,000's of engineering hours into the infotainment systems on vehicles.
A second year Engineering student should be able to prototype a workable headlight retainer in about a day.
Priorities.
Rgds, D.
HHR
Platinum Member
I would guess that half of today's automotive engineers wouldn't know how to change a flat tire, let alone a headlight they designed.