Headlight bulb replacement

[84GTI]

A coworker needs to replace her headlight bulb in a 2005.5 Jetta. She called a local shop and they are trying to tell her that it is a $400 job. She does not have HIDs so I find it really hard to believe that it should cost that much.

Is there anything special to replacing these bulbs??

Thanks!

[Kevin72594]

I've never replaced a bulb, but I have pulled the back of the light housing out to get to the bulb, and that's a 5 minute job. There is no reason that you couldn't do it for her and make her buy you lunch

[silverA4quattro]

WTF? It takes 5 mins to do both.

Additionally the H7 bulbs will cost around $15 for the pair at autozone.

[muicha]

Quote, originally posted by 84GTI »

A coworker needs to replace her headlight bulb in a 2005.5 Jetta. She called a local shop and they are trying to tell her that it is a $400 job. She does not have HIDs so I find it really hard to believe that it should cost that much. Is there anything special to replacing these bulbs?? Thanks!

ummmm...no...

It costs as little as $15 - $20 (for a pair of H7 bulbs, available at any parts store... heck, even Walmart) and 5 - 10 mins of your time at the most.

The MK5 bulbs are super easy to replace.

Open hood, unscrew the rather large Low or Hi Beam plastic covers on the back of the headlight assemblies, twist out bulb holder, replace bulb, reverse procedure.

$400... better include the 40K service for that price.

[RINGSROC]

Perhaps they plan on dropping them into the light housing (like some have) and then they need to remove the whole assembly to retrieve it.

Ya gotta charge for that stuff!

But just do it yourself, and be carefull. Youll be fine

[ajz9415]

Wow did they try to sell he a spark plug rotation with that

[RINGSROC]

Quote, originally posted by muicha »

The MK5 bulbs are super easy to replace. Open hood, unscrew the rather large Low or Hi Beam plastic covers on the back of the headlight assemblies, twist out bulb holder, replace bulb, reverse procedure.

Well yes, for the low beam, but the High beam has that stupid "retaining Wire" that can be tricky.
First time I changed out my bulbs for Silver-stars, that wire came off... took a little while and some contortion to get it back on.

Just be surgical on the high beam.

[84GTI]

Quote, originally posted by ajz9415 »

Wow did they try to sell he a spark plug rotation with that

Hah, I'm guessing they quoted her the price for an entire new headlight assembly. They said that they had to disconnect the battery

Thanks a lot for the responses everyone. She's read this thread and really appreciates the input.

[vw2.5]

Yup its as easy as 1 2 3 ! should take you 5-10 minutes max.

[Tim Birney]

If she has the Owner's Manual, there are really good illustrations in section 3 that show the procedure.

[mkvunitedgray]

When I had my Subaru Impreza the garage told me that it was a $100 job to put in a new bulb in the side marker. A little research later and I did it myself in 5 minutes.
I guess the lesson is - research the problem for possible solutions before going to the service desk. If you don't know the solution then you don't know when the garage is pulling a fast one on you.