My wife's 2012 has one of the headlights out. She took it to the dealer and they said they don't replace bulbs but instead have to replace the entire assembly. Of course they said that part casts $1k+. Is this truly the case? I find it odd that we can't just replace the bulb and call it a day. How easy is it to replace the bulb for a part-time DIYer with plenty of tools?

 

Sounds like going to the dentist and getting a root canal for a cavity. That bulb absolutely can be replaced provided it is indeed the culprit.. it could also the be ballast or igniter. Do a search here for a DIY headlight bulb thread and it should get your situated. They don’t call them stealerships for nothing

 

Based on their answer, I wouldn't even visit that dealership to use their bathroom. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

You absolutely can change the bulbs themselves, but it is a minor pain in the ass. Either you take the front bumper off to unbolt the headlights themselves to get to the bulbs, or I've found the easier way is just to jack up the front end, remove a wheel, pop off the front fender liner and reach in to unscrew the covers and grab the bulbs. You can't access them from under the hood, but there's no way in hell you'd need an entire headlight assembly replacement...

Even if it is a bad ballast/igniter (probably just an old bulb), that just involves removing the headlight - which again involves taking off the front bumper.

 

Bulbs can be changed in 15 mins with no wheel removal or jacking. Turn the wheel in the opposite direction you are working (drivers side turn right passenger side turn left) to make access.
Take off the 2 clips for the wheel well liner, then 2-4 bolts holding the bottom bumper plastic cover to gain access to the bulbs. Then you change it by feel.

 

I never actually tried that, didn't think there'd be enough room. Even with removing the wheels, I still had to do it all by feel, so good to know I could've skipped some steps lol.

 

They're just lazy to diagnose. Not sure what the assembly has to do with it unless it has moisture in it killing the inverter, igniter or bulb.

 

The HID bulbs??

Idk....man...

What about removing the bulb cover?

 

Yup all done by feel, and I have fat stubby hands.
Wearing a sweater helps your forearms from getting greased up or cut up. First take a look at the orientation of the bulb cover, that usually eats up the most time since it's a tight fit and you'll be second guessing on how hard to turn to lock in.
What I was saying mainly is the wheel removal/jacking is unnecessary and IMO doesn't provide much more room into the wheel well.

 

Oh btw, the ignitor in the 4G seems to have a shorter wire than the 3g so it sits in the way a bit. You just have to navigate the hid bulb around it with some finesse.
I would remove the bumper on my 3G but when I got my 4G i didn't want to start yanking at this prestine beauty so I tackled it the way I mentioned and realized that is the fastest way.

 

Sorry for not coming back to this thread. Got super busy. Thanks for the advice. Looks like I'll just take the time to replace the bulbs myself. What bulbs should I get? Any recommendations?

 

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/hi...cecategory:asc

PIck your poison, 85122 is the OEM standard so depends if you want to stick with that or go better/bright/bluer or more economically aftermarket