Cali T5 changing headlight bulb

bmassaer · Aug 1, 2015

We are to leave on holiday tomorrow early in the morning... and now I noticed that the headlight on the passenger side is not werking anymore.
I found out that I have to remove the plastic cover, then I find a connector attached to the bulb. Do I just have to pull this connector backwards to uncouple it? How to remove the bulb itself? And any difficulties in finding a replacement on sunday??

motacyclist · Aug 1, 2015

Hi bmassaer typical that something like that happens when going on holiday!

I just Googled this

t5 replace headlight bulb

and the first hit from the vwt4forum

http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=150725

gives quite a lot of detail. Good luck.

Hotel California · Aug 1, 2015

Haven't done it on my Cali but indeed there's not much space , need small hands...
The bulb must come out somehow , a clips or turn and remove.
Finding a replacement bulb on sunday ? in my Cali....thats why you need to carry a box with a set of spares! Beware , you say leaving on holliday : in some contries it is necsecairy carying spare bulbs by law!

On sunday in Belgium , just stop at a gasstation allong the road ( highway) or in DIY bussines like Gamma or Hubo :thumb

bmassaer · Aug 2, 2015

OK - thank you helping. I already had checked the vwt4forum, found the answer but I was still wondering if the connector just comes off by pulling it towards the rear of the car?
And are these bulbs just "standard" things, I mean, will I indeed find the right ones just at a gas station? On the other hand, we will spend our first night in Germany, only driving by daylight today, so I guess there will be enough VW-dealers over there...

WelshGas · Aug 2, 2015

You need to remove the Bulb with connector from the back of the light and then the connector removal is self explanatory, you just pull it off the spade connectors. I don't know which year vehicle you have but for mine:

This is the DRL + Main Beam Bulb

This is the Dipped Beam bulb.

Andy80F · Aug 2, 2015

The dipped beam is a standard item (H7) whilst the main beam is the less common H15 bulb that combines the DRL and main beam. This assumes no optional headlight upgrades and a fairly recent Cali.
There was a good thread a while ago that gave an emergency bulb list; http://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/cali-bulb-list-for-emergency-kit.4150/

Andy

jts46 · Aug 2, 2015

Mine use H7 and H1 bulbs

John

snowy55 · Aug 2, 2015

It would take away all the guesswork if people told us what vehicle they have. :headbang

FILL IN YOUR DETAILS

jts46 · Aug 2, 2015

snowy55 said:
It would take away all the guesswork if people told us what vehicle they have.
FILL IN YOUR DETAILS

Agree I've been banging on about this for ages

John :headbang

bmassaer · Aug 8, 2015

Sorry for this late response - already camping in Poland right now. I managed to change the bulb myself, the connector was a bit right but simple to remove once I used more force. Standard bulb H7 inderdeed. Enjoying the camper!!!