2004 Subaru Impreza WRX Headlight Assembly Removal

[dnthiessen]

My WRX headlight has moisture inside the assembly. I am trying to
remove the assembly, but I can't seem to find all the bolts that
secure it to the car.

Do I have to remove the front plastic bumper cover in order to find
the bottom bolts.

I know I could but a Chilton book with the answers, but a presently to
broke to afford the thing and I am trying to get this car ready to
sell.

I know where the leak is on the assembly, how to drain, dry out and
fix the leak, but I was hoping the I wouldn't have to remove the
bumper cover in order to remove the assembly.

I usually find that if a removal procedure is alot of extra work (i.e.
removing the bumper cover) then I must be doing something wrong. There
must be an easier way.

Any help out there??
Thanks

 

[S]

Hi DN!

My WRX headlight has moisture inside the assembly. I am trying to
remove the assembly, but I can't seem to find all the bolts that
secure it to the car.

Do I have to remove the front plastic bumper cover in order to find
the bottom bolts.

I know I could but a Chilton book with the answers, but a presently to
broke to afford the thing and I am trying to get this car ready to
sell.

I know where the leak is on the assembly, how to drain, dry out and
fix the leak, but I was hoping the I wouldn't have to remove the
bumper cover in order to remove the assembly.

I usually find that if a removal procedure is alot of extra work (i.e.
removing the bumper cover) then I must be doing something wrong. There
must be an easier way.

Any help out there??
Thanks

I don't know for sure on the '04 car, but on older versions the
headlight assembly is held in place by 3 or 4 small (8-10mm) nuts
accessible from the back, ie. from the engine side.

You might have to remove the battery, and various intake parts to get
to them, but I don't recall having to mess with the grille or bumper
cover.

If you _do_ find that you need to remove the grille, email me direct
and I'll try to work you thru it; it's kind of a pain, and easy to
break things if you don't do it right. I can't imagine why the bumper
cover would be involved, but if it is you're in for some fun times ;-)

FWIW, you might try removing the lamp, and taking a hair dryer to the
assembly to see if that'll dry things out, or just leave it sitting in
direct sunlight with the lamp out and the hood open for an afternoon.

Purging the assembly with a gentle flow of compressed air may help as
well.

Also, when you're done, use a bit of plastic polish on the lenses;
makes a huge difference in the appearance of the car.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[news.virginmedia.com]

Try here - part of the complete manual for download

http://www.subaru-car.ru/imp4/imp04_body_6.pdf

 

[Stewart DIBBS]

My WRX headlight has moisture inside the assembly.

Why not just take the bulb out and blow compressed air in until the moisture
clears?

SD

 

[wachovia.security]

Why not just take the bulb out and blow compressed air in until the moisture
clears?

SD

I tried removing the bulbs and blowing the mousture out with the
exhaust air from my shop vac but the water just puddles towards the
front up by the lens. There must be about 4 tablespoons of water in
the headlight assembly.

But thanks to "NEWS.VIRGINMEDIA.COM" above for the repair manual I was
able to remove the headlight assembly, drain, dry and seal the cracked
seam.

You guys are the best.

Thanks, Denis