Headlight replacement tips? (2004 US-spec WRX)

[y_p_w]

OK-

I'm trying to replace the factory bulbs with Sylvania
XtraVision 9004 (HB1) bulbs for my 2004 Impreza WRX. I
mistakenly got 9006 (HB4) capsules, but I figure I should
have no problem exchanging them unopened. It looks like I'll
have to remove the battery in order to pull out the left
headlight. I tried pulling the right-side lamp, where there is
a limited amount of room in front of the ABS pump.

I managed to unscrew the headlight mount cover which was easy
enough. The next step was to remove the ground wire connector.
My manual shows an arrow pointing the the end of the connector.
I suppose this means I need to squeeze something that will
release the connector, but I haven't figured it out yet. Am I
supposed to squeeze at the end, middle, edges, push down, or
what? If I can finally get it off, the retaining clip looks to
be easy. There also seems to be a couple of screws, although
the manual says nothing about removing those. Or do the screws
hold on to the bulb in some way?

I'm starting to miss my '95 Integra GS-R. It used 9006 (HB4)
capsules, and the connector simply clipped on at the base, and
the assembly twisted off.

 

[Hallraker]

I'm starting to miss my '95 Integra GS-R. It used 9006 (HB4)
capsules, and the connector simply clipped on at the base, and
the assembly twisted off.

Welcome to the wonderful world of things getting more complicated.
Seems they want to make all of us take things into the shop.

Try as I might, I still cannot get the fog lights out of my '95 Outback. I
believe that even the manual recommends taking it to the dealer for fog
light replacement, but I've been hesitant to do so due to cost and the fact
that I seldom use the fogs anyway. Still they're there and it would be nice
to have them for those foggy nights.

-Matt

 

[CompUser]

I managed to unscrew the headlight mount cover which was easy
enough. The next step was to remove the ground wire connector.
My manual shows an arrow pointing the the end of the connector.
I suppose this means I need to squeeze something that will
release the connector, but I haven't figured it out yet.

I replaced both hi & lo beams recently with
Sylvania Silver Stars...nice improvement.

Start on the passenger side, and pull the intake
duct off first. You can see better on that side,
and you'll know what you're doing by feel when
you go to the driver side---and not have to mess
with the battery at all.

I can't recall if hi & lo were identical, but
you're getting a wire bail-type retainer to flip
out of the way. Shine a good flashlight in there
and you'll be able to see which end of the bail
hinged, and what needs to happen on the other end
to get it released.

 

[jMon]

Can't help you with your removal of bulbs... but I did replace mine on
my '03 Baja and ended up melting the wiring due to the hi-power bulbs
I used. I might give the Sylvania Silverstars a try. However, I am
surprised your car uses 9004 bulbs instead of the more powerful 9007
that came on mine. My fog lights are just about impossible to
replace - good thing I don't rely on them. Good luck to you.

 

[John]

95 Outback has the same fogs as my 95 LS. You need to remove the fog light
assembly from where they bolt into the front bumper and disconnect the
wiring harness. Then I had to use a pair of Channel Locks (or other
water-pump pliers) to grip the back of the light assy to twist and undo.
Once you do it you'll see how it needs to be done. There was no way thnose
things were going to come out with bare hands and elbow grease.

As Chilton's always says, installation is the reverse of removal.

 

[y_p_w]

Can't help you with your removal of bulbs... but I did replace mine on
my '03 Baja and ended up melting the wiring due to the hi-power bulbs
I used. I might give the Sylvania Silverstars a try. However, I am
surprised your car uses 9004 bulbs instead of the more powerful 9007
that came on mine. My fog lights are just about impossible to
replace - good thing I don't rely on them. Good luck to you.

I was wrong about the 9006 (HB4). I returned them, although I haven't
gotten a replacement yet. The owner's manual says H1 - whatever that
is. The Sylvania applications guide says 9007 for all 2001-3 Impreza
models. Whatever it is, I'll get the XtraVisions. A two pack of them
in 9007 (if that's the right one) goes for $21.99 at a local parts
store.

And yes - I did remove the intake duct. It was easier than removing
the battery. I still can't figure out what needs to be done to pull
the connector. I don't want to force it.

 

[Mike Lloyd]

I wanted to Silvania bulbs in my '05 WRX but didn't know what "H1" was
either. Is it confirmed to be the 9007?

--
*******************
ENS Mike Lloyd
NAS Pensacola
850.384.5080
*******************

 

[Hallraker]

95 Outback has the same fogs as my 95 LS. You need to remove the fog light
assembly from where they bolt into the front bumper and disconnect the
wiring harness. Then I had to use a pair of Channel Locks (or other
water-pump pliers) to grip the back of the light assy to twist and undo.
Once you do it you'll see how it needs to be done. There was no way thnose
things were going to come out with bare hands and elbow grease.

As Chilton's always says, installation is the reverse of removal.

So it IS a twist connector. Now I'm not some super strong-man, but I'm able
to grip and twist with the best of them. And for the life of me, I could
not get those things undone.

-Matt

 

[y_p_w]

I wanted to Silvania bulbs in my '05 WRX but didn't know what "H1" was
either. Is it confirmed to be the 9007?

I haven't managed to get the fu*&^ng connector off, but the clip was
easy. It is in fact, an H1 bulb. I took a picture:

<http://home.earthlink.net/~calvbfan/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/h1-bulb.jpg>

I'm holding an LED light, and that's a Ziploc bag that I was planning
on putting the old bulb in.

Here's the replacement part:

<http://www.autothing.com/catalog/sylvania_general_use_h1_780144.htm>

I think this is new for the 2004 model, where they changed the
headlight assembly. On further review, I don't believe there's any
better replacement part for this bulb, and I'm going to leave well
enough alone. There does appear to be a Sylvania SilverStar H1
bulb, but I'm not going that route. The original is by Phillips,
and is made in Germany.

 

[y_p_w]

I haven't managed to get the fu*&^ng connector off, but the clip was
easy. It is in fact, an H1 bulb. I took a picture:

OK guys. Managed to get it off. Turns out it needs a stiff pull
to remove the connector. However - the reason why I needed to
get it off was because I managed to damage the filiment wire
somehow (rought handling?) when I put the bulb back in. I checked
the lights, and noticed the right one wasn't working. Now I need
to get the the parts store before it closes. Now I know what to
look for. :-(

 

[John]

I'm able

to grip and twist with the best of them

As am I but these suckers had me beat. Once undone I put a little Marvel's
on them and the do twist easier but still are very tight. Good thing since
these lights pick up all the road crap in the winter.

BTW, since I got them off I replaced the bulbs with "all weather" type which
have a yellowish tint to them and the work great in lousy weather.

 

[y_p_w]

I wanted to Silvania bulbs in my '05 WRX but didn't know what "H1" was
either. Is it confirmed to be the 9007?

Final report.

I damaged, then (by neccessity) replaced the bulb, which is actually
designated "H1". The parts store had the regular Sylvania H1 (made
in Germany) for $9, and the SilverStar equivalent version for $20.
I eventually found them next to all the fog lamp replacement bulbs.
The packaging for the Syvania H1 indicates that it's for fog lamps.

It's rated at 55W at 12V (same as a 9006/HB4). The glass bulb is
considerably smaller than in a 9003/9004/9006/9007. The base is
nearly all metal, and seems to be the electrical ground. There's
an insulated center (positive) electrode sticking out of the base,
and that attaches to the connector. The base is in the shape of a
circle with a straight edge. There are also two "bumps" on the
bulb side of the base.

1) The glass bulb slips through a slit in the headlight assembly.
2) The bumps align with a two holes outside of the slit.
3) The base's cut circle shape also aligns in the assembly. The
fitting is circular, but with a protrusion that lines up the
the straight dge.

It looks like all the alignment features are there to keep the bulb
stable. Be careful inserting/aligning the bulb. I secured the
retaining clip when the bulb was slightly misaligned. I had some
difficulty undoing to clip as a result.

In the end, I wish I'd left it alone. However - now I figure I can
replace one in less than 10 minutes. The left one might take a bit
longer since it can only be reached with the battery removed.