Golf MK7 HID Bulb replacement - How to Remove and Replace Step by step.

[@markgriffiths4445]

All this to change a headlight bulb. Feckin ridiculous!!

[@propanbutan4634]

there is a place in hell for the engineer who designed this

[@polycut8991]

Agree wtf

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

Once you've done it, it's not bad. My first one took about 2 hours to get out and back in, the second only about 20 minutes. If you have a lift or quick jack setup, it will be a lot faster, as accessing the last mounting bolt behind the bumper cover is a pain when you have to jack each side individually in your driveway. Some people have been fine with just turning the wheels, and it that works for you, great. A lowered GTI or a Golf R will have a lot less room to work with the wheels still on.

[@markhouff1648]

1 hour and 26 minutes start to finish both bulbs. This video was a great help! Saved me about $1000 here in Honolulu

[@How2FixIt1]

Nice one. 🔧

[@quentin2110]

I though I will change my headlight bulb tonight and though it will take me 3min but to my surprise... how compact and confine everything is, I had to look for help online. Just want to say thank you for video .

[@How2FixIt1]

That’s great. Glad it helped and thanks for your kind comment.

[@iameiijah]

Great comprehensive guide! Those “rivet” looking things were plastic 10mm bolts on my 2015 GTI S instead of the metal washers. Otherwise, everything else was spot on!

[@How2FixIt1]

Glad to help. And thanks for your comment.

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

13mm metal on a USDM 2017 Golf R

[@WarrenGawve]

Excellent step-by-step instruction which perfectly matched everything I found on my own 2015 Golf SE ... thank you! The only exception I found was at the very end to release the bulb itself; my lens assembly did not have any plastic ring to turn to release the bulb. Instead, it uses a wire spring clip with 2 "ears" that need to be released from a notch on each side using needle-nose pliers, then the bulb pulls straight out. Perhaps this variation in the bulb holder has to do with my Golf having the auto-leveling headlight option?

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

A note for anyone coming here for a USDM Mk 7 Golf R: The nuts for the bumper are 13mm.

[@albooga]

This video was a lifesaver. Thank you

[@How2FixIt1]

Glad it helped you. Thanks for your comment!

[@giwuebanreb9505]

This is my last VW. Simple plug and play job for other cars they made it very hard. You can not change it in a gas station when it die while driving at night. They want you to take the car to the dealer to siphon your money

[@How2FixIt1]

I can kind of agree with you. The Highway Code says something like but don’t quote me on this. Check your lights are working before journeys. OK. But on some vehicles, many these days it’s not like you can just stick a bull in. You have to purchase a overly expensive bulb and strip half the car down to replace. OK if your competent with a few tools. But no good for the motorist. They are like “how much!”

[@Peylix]

Most newer vehicles are like this. It's not just VW. If you want cars that can have easy bulb changes, stick to older models.

[@davidr1578]

@@Peylix This is probably the dumbest, most unhelpful comment in response to someone's grievances that I have ever read on the internet.

[@ROFLance]

@@davidr1578 Ironically, your opinion is way more dumb and a lot less helpful than the comment that you replied to.

[@Holmzy-li5bc]

Well got it sorted 👍 was a nightmare of a job to be fair.

[@elliethain9252]

Did your bulb work as soon as you put it in

[@How2FixIt1]

@elliethain9252 always lock and unlock car after to reset Ecus. Then start engine and retry. These consume a lot of volts when they power up! And the car thinks it’s still faulty. If this doesn’t sort it chances are it’s the ballast that’s faulty.

[@joeldiaz141]

good step by step video. I just think it takes way too many steps just to replace a bulb nowadays.

[@Relco12]

yeah, for european cars

[@andrewgabrielmusic]

I just did this job. Thank you for the video but three hours later I hate my life now!

[@How2FixIt1]

Your welcome. Just think how much you saved.

[@dirkdiggler69]

Ffs I’m just doing research before changing my wife’s bulbs at the weekend. If it took you 3 hours it will take me 8 hours to do both. Fingers crossed I get called into work instead.

[@andrewgabrielmusic]

@@dirkdiggler69 The second one will take you half the time bc you know what you're doing. A few tips: 1) Remove the wheel on the side you're working on, makes it way easier. 2) The rear mount for the light is a combo bracket mount and angle adjuster for the light. It is VERY easy to snap the metal clip in the middle of it that the tab from the light slots into. I broke it but was still able to use it with no problem. Just be patient with fitting the light back in and watch how it comes out and goes back in from the underside in wheel well, not from the top of the engine. 3) Make sure you have a set of torx screwdrivers and keep track of all the body panel screws. I ended up with one I have no idea where it was supposed to go back at the end lol. 4) A bright headlamp will also help a lot as it's dark down there. I wouldn't be surprised if a shop charged 500 to change both lights lol. That's all I can remember. Godspeed

[@gabrielpaul8235]

great video! can you provide a link for these bulbs please

[@charbelabboud1759]

What kind of screws are the ones in the wheel arch? I’m trying to do this myself and Im trying to get the right equipment for the process👍🏼

[@How2FixIt1]

These are torx 20 or torx 25 screws.

[@repxxthesixone4974]

You changed the low beam light bulb right? I have a 2015 VW GTI Autobahn and I needed some help on which low beam lightbulb to get.

[@How2FixIt1]

Thanks for your comment. Yes this is the low beam bulb or normal headlight bulb as most would consider.

[@omni4733]

As a former Acura owner where this was a 15-minute diy job to swap both with only a flat blade screwdriver or tool-less, this pisses me off and I'm slowly regretting not getting a Civic SI instead.

[@NarcFreedom]

What Acura? The TL is no better. Doubt anything newer is any different.

[@omni4733]

@@NarcFreedom 2001 Integra. Literally just unclip the bulb harness, twist out the bulbs, twist in the new ones and reclip the harness. It's like changing a lighbulb in your home. The space is a little tight if you have big hands but no tools and no removing anything. If you're used to doing it you can genuinely be done in 5 mins.

[@omni4733]

Actually, thinking about your comment I guess the issue is just HIDs are a pain in the butt. Because the TL had HIDs while integra came with halogens. I'm pretty sure swapping out the GTI halogens are plug and play as well.

[@drz91739]

My 2017 Alltrack has this same headlight. Both the low beam and high beam on the passenger side will turn off then back on again for one second about every minute. There are no errors showing on the dash. I did notice the low beam on the side that is having issues looks to be more blue than the other site. Is this a bulb or ballast issue? Any troubleshooting tips are appreciated.

[@How2FixIt1]

Thanks for your comment. The fact you say it’s on two bulbs. Would make me assume they aren’t faulty. I know it may be time consuming but I would swap the ballast from left to right and see if the fault follows it. If not it’s fair to say there may be an issue with the wiring within the headlight unit. Hope this helps.

[@alejandrosarmiento8508]

I'm going to use this video to check the motor. The left light is not swivelling in the initial check, and I get an error message. I wish there was an easier way to get to it without disassembling half the car. Thanks for the video.

[@7412507818]

Should I disconnect the battery before I start to replace the bulb?

[@How2FixIt1]

It’s best to. Thanks for the comment!

[@Darag1123]

No need to. The light switch will break circuit going to bulbs but make sure that turned off

[@mikikikiriki2]

Awesome video dude! Can you tell me what size is the headlight bolt before i start to change my bulb😊

[@How2FixIt1]

Thanks for your comment. I can’t remember sure it will be a 10 or 13 mm

[@mikikikiriki2]

@@How2FixIt1 thank you!

[@kimaddanmanuel-uc2cn]

I don’t if i should do the same but i don’t really know what is wrong with my headlights, it starts flickering on the right side and then after a few days the left side starts flickering. Please help me. I need some advice.Thanks in advance.

[@How2FixIt1]

The cheapest advice I can give is to buy a bulb and try it? It’s most likely the bulb anyway. If it persists then try a ballast. Hope this helps and thanks for your comment! Good luck 🤞

[@kimaddanmanuel-uc2cn]

What brand of headlight bulbs did you get sir? Id like to know so i can start ordering it and try it myself. Thank you for your reply.

[@djorkode1]

Thanks for the video, my low beam and high beam won't turn on, and I have an error code on the dashboard. Hoping this will fix both. And also did you replace both side? If you didn't did the light brightness match up?

[@How2FixIt1]

Thanks for your comment. I only replace ld one. It will depend on quality of bulb and how much the other has deteriorated. You can do one and see how it is or for peace of mind do both. Your taking the bumper half off anyway. Check the fault code. It could be the lamp ballast.

[@smyd23]

Replaced the bulb. Headlight is still receiving power, low beams & daylight runners still working, only passenger highbeam doesn't work. Fuses are fine. Any idea?

[@How2FixIt1]

It could be the ballast. The inexpensive way to confirm is swapping them left to right. See if the fault follows the ballast. Hope this helps you, and thanks for your comment.

[@smyd23]

@@How2FixIt1 swapped bulb, ballast, and the other 2 plug-inparts on the bottom of the headlight assembly, same problem. Driver side headlight works, passenger does not. Any ideas or do I give up and have the mechanic figure it out? hah

[@How2FixIt1]

@@smyd23 have you tried a fault code check. If not run diagnostic delete fault code and recheck. Just maybe worth a shot.

[@brians654]

Appreciate all KZbinrs trying to help others, but anyone with reasonably agile fingers can change the bulb without removing all these parts; remove the dust cover, release the bulb holder via a quarter anticlockwise turn, replace bulb (not touching it with bare skin) and refit and bobs your uncle. Did this in two mins.

[@albooga]

My MK7 has hid bulbs and the cover is secured by bolts going all around the cover. Can't just pull it off. I wish they didn't make a simple bulb replacement so labor intensive.

[@chappal38]

That would replace the cornering bulb, not the HID one.

[@mk7_nate970]

How do you know if you have halogen or hid ?

[@How2FixIt1]

If when you turn them on they look dim then they become brighter. Halogen just turn on at the same brightness.

[@derekescobar2292]

Honestly this video made me feel better. The headlights look intimidating to work on. But after watching this I’m definitely going to fix it now. Question is there different bulb options for this headlight ?

[@How2FixIt1]

Thanks for your comment. As far as I am aware the only option is the one in video. They may be different variations/colour but you would have to do your research. But always recommend using a well known brand bulb for reliability.

[@BrainsZA]

Sooooo, quick and easy.

[@How2FixIt1]

👍

[@velilejohnson3978]

Can D1S or D2S work on my Golf7? Or strictly so I should only use D3S?

[@How2FixIt1]

I’m sorry but I really don’t know. Thanks for the comment though.

[@jmblur]

Only d3s.

[@MrTommo7]

Superb tutorial. So many BS videos out there. Kudos to you. 💥💥💥💥💥

[@How2FixIt1]

Thanks for your kind comment. Glad you liked it!

[@MauriceNL1]

Do HID loose brightness over time? I have a 2014 7R now and the lights are way less bright than my old 2014 A3 LED lights

[@DR-ld4jn]

The xenon gas gets lost over time apparently so bulbs get dimmer

[@ZukoMgugudo]

This video would be very helpful but camera is too close to the car parts, I can't tell where we are and what to find where... 😞

[@lilichendani5287]

Wtf! LoL it looks like hes building a new engine or something

[@HugeVictor]

This seems excessive, you have good access from underneath, why disassemble so much?

[@martley5012]

GEESSSS all that just to remove a headlight 😅

[@How2FixIt1]

Yup!

[@martley5012]

@@How2FixIt1 isn't there an easier way ?

[@How2FixIt1]

@martinhartley1147 I have managed to change the right hand bulb without removing the bumper but it is still difficult. The time you spend you may be better just following the video.

[@rlakhay]

The headlight assemblY should be able to be accessed from the top.... Do esnt make sense to design it so that you have to remove Bumber and mud gaurd... Vw... This is a TERRIBLE DESIGN. ....