I'm trying to put some xenon bulbs in my headlights, but it seems that it's impossible to get at the bulbs to change them.

 

 

The two screws clearly have to be taken out so that the clips which hold the glass in can be taken off. Now the screw on the left may just be possible from that angle, but the one on the right has about 1 inch clearance before a large metal plate is in the way. It seems that there's no way to get this screw off without completely disassembling the car.

Any suggestions?

look at the back of the headlight where the wires go that is where the bulbs come out

NO!

You dont need to remove the glass to change the bulbs, there are two plastic screw on holders on the back. One main beam and one low beam (where the wires go in. Just unplug the conector, turn the cover a half turn, and pull them out.

http://www.300zx.co.uk/cgi-bin/manual.cgi

 

Electrical section , page 53

Forgot about the metal clips. After you remove the plastic cover you will need to reach in and squeeze the clip so it comes loose and swings out of the way.

OK thanks guys, i'm gonna give this a try now.

Well the sidelight ones seem possible, but for the main lamps there's a couple of huge pipes in the way....

 

Are other cars this hard to do routine tasks on?

When i say "sidelight" i mean the outer bulbs.....

yes this car is a pig to work on, and yes most jobs are like this

Ah another virgin bulb changer!!!

 

Once you have changed them once, you'll wonder what the trouble was in the first place.......changing bulbs on this car is about the same as any other after your first time!

 

My first time 30mins for 2xdipped beams

after that

20sec each!!!!

if its a jap spec you will need h3c bulbs or do a headlight mod

Ah another virgin bulb changer!!!

 

Once you have changed them once, you'll wonder what the trouble was in the first place.......changing bulbs on this car is about the same as any other after your first time!

 

My first time 30mins for 2xdipped beams

after that

20sec each!!!!

 

So true.......

 

......plus it's obvious that Japanese people have smaller hands than us :p

 

Richard :cool:

if its a jap spec you will need h3c bulbs or do a headlight mod

 

Yes jap spec but i have H3C.

 

Just can't get at the main beam ones at all.

I'm going to look like a noob when i have to ask my mechanic to do it for me....

haha i had a go at doin mine the other day.I was there for ages before i realised i had bought uk bulbs :confused: then dta sorted me out the right ones if you have little hands its easy but i think puttin them back in is hardest because the clips are a bit fiddly

Well the sidelight ones seem possible, but for the main lamps there's a couple of huge pipes in the way....

 

Are other cars this hard to do routine tasks on?

 

When I fitted my HID kit I fitted them in the wrong place - they only came on when I had the main beam on, not with dipped headlights. With all the cursing that had lead up to this point and the lack of skin I had on my knuckles at this point I was both pleased and annoyed to find out that it was easier to fit them in their rightful place.

 

Let's just say lesson learned. RTFM. :slap:

Another quick Q:

 

It says "Replace 55w bulb with 55w bulb".

 

Is this a hard-and-fast rule, or can you put in a higher wattage bulb as long as it is the correct type?

You can but 100w bulbs tend to overheat in the headlight casing, plus they often draw enough current to melt the wiring (that was only intended for 55w).