R36 HID bulb replacement

[Domatron]

Hi all,

I've bought some new 6000K bulbs for my R36 and from a very little bit of interweb research and checking the lights myself it looks like I have to remove the entire headlight assembly to change the D1S bulbs. Before I go ahead and do this I wanted to confirm that this is actually the case. Can anyone confirm or deny?

Thanks


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[kamold]

You have to take the whole front bumper off.
Worst. design. Ever.
I have to replace one of mine and am putting it off because it's such an unnecessarily long process.
In my Octavia there is a thumb screw and a lever, then the whole headlamp assembly slides out. 5min job instead of 3 hours.

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[Domatron]

Aah crap! Really?! Well I have a front splitter that I still need to install. Will have to block out a Saturday somewhere along the line then...


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[kamold]

You can with a great deal of contortion and swearing get the cover off the passenger side and get the globe out but good luck getting the three connectors back on.
Driver's side you might be able to do if you take the washer bottle out.
But the factory solution is remove front bumper.

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[snerlo]

I've been wondering also so please post a how to if you get to it before I do Domatron

[Domatron]

I've been wondering also so please post a how to if you get to it before I do Domatron

Will do


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[909OGO]

So the B6 R36 Bi-Xenons are D1S and the B7 Bi-Xenons are D3S, interesting.

[kamold]

Passenger side.
I managed to get the connectors all back on with only minimal swearing and contortion.
Note that the two smaller connectors are the same. If you plug them into the wrong spot your leveling motors won't work and you'll get an AFS warning in the MFD.



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[Domatron]

Thanks for the heads up. I have started pulling the bumper off today. Some lady reversed into my car at the gym so I have to do it any way [emoji35]






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[kamold]

Taking off the bumper is a pain but it will possibly be quicker than trying to change both without doing so....
Plus there will be a lot less swearing involved.

Do you want a new VW front badge? I have replaced mine with the ACC cover so mine is in a box.

[Domatron]

Do you want a new VW front badge? I have replaced mine with the ACC cover so mine is in a box.

Yes please! How much do want for it? And does it come with the dome surround? They are both cracked...


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[Domatron]

So I finished the bulb change today. Took about 4 hours start to finish. And as far as I can see they are exactly the same colour intensity as the originals! They still seem to have a yellow tint. Anyway there will be a full how to write up following...


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[seanmau5]

I'm not sure how much the R36 differs to the CC, but I changed my D1S globes by accessing the back of the headlight assembly through the wheel wells. Was quite easy; jack up the car, take the wheel off, remove 3 (I think it was) screws, bend the wheel well liner back which revealed the rear of the headlight. I was able to use 2 hands, one from through the wheel well and the other from the top and it gave me the room to remove the plug from the ballast and pull the globe out. As I said, I don't know how much they vary but it could be worth giving it a go that way next time.


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[Domatron]

I'm not sure how much the R36 differs to the CC, but I changed my D1S globes by accessing the back of the headlight assembly through the wheel wells. Was quite easy; jack up the car, take the wheel off, remove 3 (I think it was) screws, bend the wheel well liner back which revealed the rear of the headlight. I was able to use 2 hands, one from through the wheel well and the other from the top and it gave me the room to remove the plug from the ballast and pull the globe out. As I said, I don't know how much they vary but it could be worth giving it a go that way next time.


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If only it was as easy as that! You do have to remove the wheel well liner but only to access a couple nuts to remove the bumper. No access to the rear of the light unfortunately.


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[Passat R36]

If only it was as easy as that! You do have to remove the wheel well liner but only to access a couple nuts to remove the bumper. No access to the rear of the light unfortunately.


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Yes, no chance at all. All metal and water bottle on the way.

Curious on what new bulbs did you install? I am always thinking about changing the bulbs to brighter ones, but will only do when they fall due to the difficulty of changing them.