[xj-s] Headlight Bulb Removal

A little help, please. How do you remove the headlight bulbs in a
1991 XJS 3.5L V12 with the European-type oval-shaped light covers?
If you’ve ever removed them, I’d like to know how you did it.
Thanks.
Mike–
Mike B
Wichita, Kansas, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

// please trim quoted text to context only

A little help, please. How do you remove the headlight bulbs in a
1991 XJS 3.5L V12 with the European-type oval-shaped light covers?
If you’ve ever removed them, I’d like to know how you did it.
Thanks.
Mike

Hi Mike,
If you just want to replace the bulb, this is how. I’ve never taken the
whole unit out, just replaced bulbs.
Look inside the wheel well toward the front of the car. There is a round
trap door with two “twist style hinges” on it. turn the hinges and there
is
the backside of the headlight unit. Turn the round black “dial” to the
left, being careful not to lose the wire spacer inside it. That gives you
access to the bulb. remove it and replace then reverse the removal
process.
Before you put it back together though, do you have the parking lights?
These light up the unit with the switch half on. They are a small bayonet
style bulb inside the front of that same unit. Hopefully you have small
hands. I replaced these also (bulbs from O’Reilly’s) and now have
parking
lights too.
remember don’t touch the bulb part of the new lamp, the oil on your hands
will greatly shorten the life of the bulb.
Roger

BTW, tried to change the hood struts as you did, but my 92 (facelift and
larger bonnet) must be slightly different and the hood was pushed to the
front by almost 1/2". Going to try some other struts though, sure liked
the
additional access to the engine with the hood standing almost straight up.
Thanks.

// please trim quoted text to context only

In reply to a message from Roger Fry sent Mon 24 Nov 2003:

Thanks, Roger. I’ll give it a try.–
The original message included these comments:

If you just want to replace the bulb, this is how. I’ve never taken the
whole unit out, just replaced bulbs.


Mike B
Wichita, Kansas, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

// please trim quoted text to context only

In reply to a message from Mike B sent Mon 24 Nov 2003:

This can be really nasty as on some models the bulbs are held in
with a wire spring in the shape of a U that falls out at the merest
touch once it is undone. When you blindly grope through the access
port you will feel the bulb assembly

  1. Pull back the rubber cover there are little lugs that help here.
  2. Uplug the wires from the bulb /pulls straight back.
  3. If you feel arround the bulb you will find the spring clip wire
    spring clip either side which must be pushed in towrds the middle
    and then backwards on each side. It is at this point that it can
    fall off. The bulb will then pull out backwards. When you pull it
    out note the orientation as this will help installing the new one.
    If you are lucky it may be held in with a locking ring arrangement
    which turns anti clockwise 20 degs.–
    The original message included these comments:

A little help, please. How do you remove the headlight bulbs in a
1991 XJS 3.5L V12 with the European-type oval-shaped light covers?


stevehaley
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

// please trim quoted text to context only

In reply to a message from stevehaley sent Thu 27 Nov 2003:

Thanks for the help, guys. Appreciate it.
Mike–
Mike B
Wichita, Kansas, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

// please trim quoted text to context only

In reply to a message from stevehaley sent Thu 27 Nov 2003:

Steve, Mike and Roger,
I was following this string. Kinda laughed when I read about
the ‘‘little trap door’’ part.
So anyhoo…just had my front tires off for a
balancing. ‘‘Just out of curiosity…’’ so, the tech lets me use his
drop light. Lo-and-behold: little freakin’ trap doors!! I opened
one just to take a look and closed it right up. The thought of
trying to wedge my big mit in there to remove a little bulb kinda
creeped me out. With my luck, I’d get my hand in. The next call
would be to the fire department to get it out. Hope I don’t have to
change my front lights anytime soon.
You can bet I’m printing your messages so I can instruct my
small-handed assistant when the time comes.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom guys.
~Rory ('93 xjs)–
Rory
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

// please trim quoted text to context only

In reply to a message from Mike B sent Mon 24 Nov 2003:

Okay, guys. Here’s how it is on MY 91 XJS:
No little door or springs. I removed the upper and lower pannels
in front of the wheel. There is a hole near the top behind the
upper pannel. The back of both bulbs in the headlight assy are
visible. The connector plug can be seen but not how it was held in
place. Looking at the new bulb, I noticed a raised spot. The
connector latches on to that. I released the connector and
disconned it. In front of that, there is a large locking ring.
Turn the locking ring 1/8 turn CCW and remove it. The bulb can
then be pulled out. (It didn’t come out easily, but after looking
at the replacement bulb again, there were no catching or locking
lugs.) Being very careful with the new bulbe, it was inserted into
the bulbe socket an the locking ring reinstalled. The connector
was plugged back in and the headlights turned on to make sure they
worked before closing everything back up. They did, thankfully. A
couple of hints. The upper panel mentioned earlier is held in
place by four screws. Initially, I could only see two. The upper
RH one was completely covered by undercoating, hiding it. There is
also one on the lower left of the upper pannel. I couldn’t see it,
either. The head of the 5/16’’ bolt/screw is hidden behind the
bumper - with very little room for a wrench. Putting the pannels
back on was another job. None of the holes wanted to line up. Oh,
well. It’s done now and the stock 9004 bulbes have been replaced
by the new Sylvania 9004 ST bulbes. Much brighter, white lights.
Worth the effort - and education!
Mike–
Mike B
Wichita, Kansas, United States
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

// please trim quoted text to context only

In reply to a message from Mike B sent Wed 3 Dec 2003:

Congrats Mike. Where there’s a will there’s a…

                                         ~Rory--

Rory
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

// please trim quoted text to context only