VW Mk5 Golf Headlight light on

Shan_14

Hey! So the headlight light came on my dash this morning. I think a headlight could be nearly on the way out - do VW garages do different bulbs to the likes of an independent garage or halfords etc

Cheers! Oh, and how much would a headlight bulb be, fitted?

Mark74

if you go to halfords.ie in the bulb section you can input your car type and see what bulbs they have. They will have ones for your car.
And usually they fit for free.

Shan_14

Perfect, thanks for reply.

colm_mcm

AFAIK halfords charge €8 to fit a headlight bulb.
Something like a h7 bulb is €12 in halfords.

You'd probably get a mechanic to fit it for less than that.

biko

Shan_14 wrote: »

Cheers! Oh, and how much would a headlight bulb be, fitted?

Please don't post in Motors DIY if you don't intend to actually "do it yourself"
Moved to main forum.

colm_mcm

Ii don't think the car can predict a bulb blowing. Are you sure one of the parking lights or something isn't gone?

RandomAccess

The symbol will illuminate for tail lights and headlights but as the guys have said it should only be once the bulb had already failed.

In mk v the dip beam headlight bulb is not hard to change. No tools are needed.
It can be a bit awkward to get the bulb holder back in but it's not the worst really.
Get two spare bulbs, do it yourself and you will have a spare for next time then also.

Reminder, don't touch the glass of the bulb you are fitting. Just hold it by the metal base. Touching the bulb will lead to premature failure so we are all told.. Unless myth busters want to debunk it

Shan_14

It is the front right dip beam - it's defective! Does that just mean it is low and I should change it ASAP? Thanks for all replies!

RandomAccess

Shan_14 wrote: »

It is the front right dip beam - it's defective! Does that just mean it is low and I should change it ASAP? Thanks for all replies!

Not sure what you mean by low, can you rephrase.

Shan_14

As in, doesn't have full power but not completely gone...

colm_mcm

Could be a bad connection.

Shan_14

That could be it - ill bring it to a mechanic!

Del2005

Mark74 wrote: »

if you go to halfords.ie in the bulb section you can input your car type and see what bulbs they have. They will have ones for your car.
And usually they fit for free.

I tried multiple different sites that give the bulb, and other parts, for your car either by reg or picking from drop down menus, none have given the correct bulb for the 2 cars I've checked. Either look in the owners manual or pull the bulb, halfords.ie was trying to sell me the wrong €80 bulb!

Shan_14

Cheers for the tip!

RandomAccess

Its a H7 55W.

Mine blew yesterday morning and I changed it that evening.
I took a note of it so I can pick up another at the weekend.

Neilw

Could also be a xenon bulb that's on its way out, they go dull and flicker when going bad.
Xenons were a rare option on the mk5 here but it's a possibility.

RandomAccess

I guess you won't be trying it yourself but heres how anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY9USgk24BU

RandomAccess

Neilw wrote: »

Could also be a xenon bulb that's on its way out, they go dull and flicker when going bad.
Xenons were a rare option on the mk5 here but it's a possibility.

Good point. (so maybe not a H7 then, really would need to pull the bulb out for a look before ordering anything)

punisher5112

Did anybody fit after market xenon?
They can dim at end of life and throw blown light symbol.

H7 lamps go like that mostly seen in avensis, almera etc projector type fittings.

Light is lit but no way bright enough.

Any motor factor will have bulbs and also if stuck a lot of petrol stations stock them.

bazz26

Factory xenons usually come with a headlight washer system.

Shan_14

I actually looked at a similar video and was going to fit it myself. I only bought the car recently and I think it could be a xenon bulb as it has the headlight washer system! Cheers for all the help..much appreciated!

Neilw

Shan_14 wrote: »

I actually looked at a similar video and was going to fit it myself. I only bought the car recently and I think it could be a xenon bulb as it has the headlight washer system! Cheers for all the help..much appreciated!

Xenon bulbs are a lot more expensive, last pair I bought were about €60 for D2S bulbs.
I mention pair because they dull over a period of time so best replacing both to have matching illumination.

Shan_14

All sorted! It was just a standard bulb - got your man in Halfords to take it out for me then fitted it myself - a massive saving of €8!!!!!Cheers for all the advice!

ION08

Shan_14 wrote: »

I think a headlight could be nearly on the way out

Shan_14 wrote: »

Does that just mean it is low and I should change it ASAP?

Sounds like you need to top up your headlight fluid.