Change a Volkswagen Jetta 2007 Headlight Bulb

A mechanic might charge you $15-$20 to replace your headlight bulb, but Volkswagen has streamlined the bulb-replacement process so well that you could easily do it yourself. This guide instructs you on how to change a VW Jetta '07 lo-beam headlight, but may apply generally to any '05+ Jetta headlight.

Steps

  1. Go buy the new bulb. Autozone, Walmart, O'Reilly, or Advance Auto Parts should carry the bulb you need, and they will even be able to tell you which bulb you need based on your car's make, model, and year. My '07 Jetta's low-beam headlight was an H7 series bulb, which costs about $8.00 (generic). Once you have purchased the bulb, go back out to your car and...
  2. Pop the hood of your car and locate the headlight assembly. The headlight assembly will be located directly behind the headlight.
  3. Remove the cover behind the headlight. It is a round, black cover that looks and behaves like the lid of a jar. As it clearly states on its face, turn it about an inch and it will pop right off. Don't let it fall down into the engine area.
  4. Find the socket and remove it from its chamber. That's right, the entire socket just twists right out. The socket is made of plastic and has a nice wavy, blue handle on it that allows you to twist it. The chamber that houses the socket is made of white plastic, has wires connected to it, and serves as the walls that the socket twists into (see pic). There are some white plastic pegs pointing inward towards the socket. You must turn the socket counter-clockwise so the holes in it align with the pegs and the socket slides out. Be careful, as the old bulb is still plugged in to the socket, and you will be pulling both out together.
  5. Remove the old bulb from the socket. You will see that the bulb simply plugs in to the socket like any household appliance plug. Remove it by its metal, disc-like base.
  6. Put the new bulb in the socket. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you do *NOT* touch the glass of the new bulb. The impurities and heat from your fingers could irreparably damage and kill your bulb. The guy at Autozone sold me some goop to put on the bulb plug and in the socket connectors to keep it from crusting over with corrosion, but it's not really necessary.
  7. Put the socket back in its chamber. After plugging the bulb into the socket, slide it back into the chamber so the white pegs pass back through the holes. Twist the socket counter-clockwise to lock it in its chamber, making sure that the portion of the socket marked "TOP" is at the top and the socket is firmly in place (you wouldn't want it falling out while you're driving).
  8. Return the headlight assembly cover and shut the hood. Screw the cover back on and close the hood firmly.
  9. Check the lights. Go flip the lights on. If they both work, you're all set.



Tips

  • The cover, the socket, or the bulb may be jammed in their fixtures, especially if this is the first time you're changing your bulb since the car was made. You might need to apply some elbow grease, but be careful as the cover and socket ARE made of plastic and are liable to crack or break. If they are giving you a particularly hard time, try finding some way to safely loosen them up without damaging them before you remove them.

Warnings

  • The parts are made of plastic. You can give some good tugs on them in their intended direction of motion, but prying at them with screwdrivers or other tools may damage them.
  • DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS OF THE BULB. Handle it by its metal base.

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