Left Head Lamp. Recommendations please?

[aaronon]

My left headlamp went out. . .that's the big lamp at the edge as far as i'm aware, the lights nearer the grille and the main beam still work.

My question is does anyone recommend Halfords to replace it? . . .do they get replaced in pairs? I believe they charge 4.99 which seems very reasonable.

Has anyone used them before? . . .also the lights that came originally are very bright - will the Halfords ones be much darker and look awful?

P.S are the main headlights (that AREN'T full beam) the dipped ones? . . are the the H7 or H1 and is it possible for Halfords to mess up alignment just by putting in a new bulb?

Thanks in advance.

[charlievwp]

You'll need H7.
You can buy them individually.
You can't mess up the alignment by changing the bulb.
Its pretty simple to do yourself - just take the rubber cap off the back and you'll see the unit.
Halfords supply a few different bulb options. Best to take the blown one in and see if hey can advise you on a like-for-like in respect of brightness.

[yorks GT TDI]

about the same price from the vw dealer most fit for free

[aaronon]

Thanks for the help guys.

I've been told Halfords have a book that gives you the lamp used in your car so that should help me - I'm a complete douche and wouldn't know how to take the bulb out to tell them to give me like-for-like. I've looked at the manual but it uses weird terms for each lamp and I don't know what they're talking about.

One more question if I may - do Extra-Bright lights do damage to the electrics of the car? . . for example ones that are brighter than standard - might they blow my fuse or overheat my lighting system?

Thanks, Aaron.

[charlievwp]

Halfords do have a list of compatable bulbs which makes it easy to pick out what you need...Or, just ask.
Just get a compatible set and you'll be fine. You won't blow any electrics or over-heat anything!

Don't confuse yourself trying to work out the manual 'talk'. You'll be surprised how many little jobs are so easy just by having a look yourself.

Pop the bonnet and look at the back of the headlight unit.
There's a rubber cap which pulls off.
This will then reveal the clip in bit for the bulb for you to pull it out.

Rubber cap off:


I'm not too clued up on things either but like to have a go at certain jobs myself so I can learn.
I wouldn't mess with anything too serious though!

Changed mine last week for some extra brightness to these:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165538

[aaronon]

Thanks for the help.

Your lights sound cool but are blue ones not illegal?

I'm going to be boring and select the normal H7's

[chewy]

The blue ones from halfrauds are fine for use on the road aaronon

Whats the light like from those bulbs charlie I got set of these last week for my main beam and they aint no difference lol

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... =ClickInfo

[charlievwp]

Thanks for the help.

Your lights sound cool but are blue ones not illegal?

I'm going to be boring and select the normal H7's

They're not really very blue TBH.
The Laser Blue (which I have) are not illegal, however Halfords do supply a set that are illegal....think they're called Ice Blue. They are a lot more blue and are only supposed to be used for shows etc

The blue ones from halfrauds are fine for use on the road aaronon

Whats the light like from those bulbs charlie I got set of these last week for my main beam and they aint no difference lol

The bulbs I got are ok. Don't expect a massive difference but shining against a wall, they're definitely whiter and brighter. I noticed it quite a bit driving along an unlit country road too.
I found the sidelights are more noticeable than the main though.
My blokey has got a Halfords trade card so managed to get around £52 worth for about £30! woop-woop!

[aaronon]

I got new bulbs (H7) that are supreme brilliance, or brilliance or something like that.

They're very nice but the girl had some serious trouble fitting into the left headlamp due to the fact theres a bit of the engine right infront of the bulb holder.

Thanks for your help again.

[pberry]

Halfords online will tell you which bulbs to fit. Enter your reg, ignore the fact that the DVLA obviously sell their data, and bob's your uncle.

Going to swap out two indicators and headlamp in my lunch break right now. Something tells me I'll only get the headlamp done though.

[aaronon]

My number plate is NEVER found on those "Enter your registration" website.

Absolutely none of them.

It's strange but I feel stealthy.

[pberry]

Halfords online will tell you which bulbs to fit. Enter your reg, ignore the fact that the DVLA obviously sell their data, and bob's your uncle.

Going to swap out two indicators and headlamp in my lunch break right now. Something tells me I'll only get the headlamp done though.

Indicators nice and easy. As for the headlamps, now I know why the man in the VW ad is fighting himself... I think this blog sums it up quite well. Off to the garage I go then.