VW Golf: Replace broken headlight

Bacchus

Hi,
I've a VW Golf with a freshly broken headlight (stone smashed it to bits). Bulbs still work but the glass is gone. All the local garages are closed until Friday with only sales dept open. I've two questions.

1. How safe is it to drive with the glass gone? It's the right side btw.

2. If I can find the replacement part, how difficult is it to install myself?

All help appreciated,
Bacchus

Ferris

Assumes a mkIV golf

Sounds like you'll need a new headlight unit, I got mine off ebay but you can get new ones from parts outlets and from scrappies. To swap the lights you'll need to take the bumper off, see here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=57678654&postcount=22

Also beware the cover that you open to access the bulbs, the bottom clip is a b0llox for snapping off.

Bacchus

Ferris wrote: »

Assumes a mkIV golf

Sounds like you'll need a new headlight unit, I got mine off ebay but you can get new ones from parts outlets and from scrappies. To swap the lights you'll need to take the bumper off, see here:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=57678654&postcount=22

Also beware the cover that you open to access the bulbs, the bottom clip is a b0llox for snapping off.

A whole headlight unit! Damn, I though it was just a case of getting a replacement glass covering and clipping it in. Shows what I know

Don't think I'm going to go messing around taking the bumper off tbh. Thanks for the info though.

Hal1

The headlight is a sealed unit lense can't be removed / replaced. Be carefull not to touch the bulb inside, although the weather may have an effect on it and you will probably end up replacing that at some stage too. Ebay is definately the cheapest, you could end up paying up to €150 for a new headlight unit anywhere else.

Darragh29

Bacchus wrote: »

A whole headlight unit! Damn, I though it was just a case of getting a replacement glass covering and clipping it in. Shows what I know

Don't think I'm going to go messing around taking the bumper off tbh. Thanks for the info though.

It's easy enough, just be careful fitting the new one, it's easy to break plastic headlamp mountings when putting the hadlamp back in. Also, you'll have to transfer over components like the beam adjustment motor unit and a few small bits and pieces... Also, after you have taken out the old one and have transferred over the bits and pieces (bulbs, one or two connections, etc), before you bolt the new unit back in, wire it up and make sure all the lights are working, etc and you haven't forgotten something.

Tipsy Mac

www.micksgarage.ie have them for €81.86

http://www.micksgarage.ie/Volkswagen-Golf-Mk-4-(Not-Cabriolet)-1998-2003-Drivers-Side-Headlamp-74803

I'd say it's an easy enough fix, should just be a couple of screws to remove and then clip in the sockets for the power.