How to replace the low/Hi Beam bulb on a Cruze.

[Jag530G]

Replaced a low/high beam bulb on my wife's Cruze. Like most things on new cars you don't know if you yank on something, it will break and cost $$$ to replace. I spent a little bit of time trying to work out if it had a some sort of push up to release style connector but I fond this diagram on the Cruzetalk forum which helps.

The link has a diagram showing the back of the headlight, the grey clip, the globe and the rubber boot. It doesn't show the electrical connector but that pulls off towards the rear of the car, although you will find it is a bit stiff.

http://www.cruzetalk.com/forum/attachments/audio-electronics/15585d1372297393-unable-detach-headlight-connector-2028283.png

This is how I did it, no tools required (except maybe a torch if dark)

First disconnect the Indicator electrical connector, don't have to do this but it allows you to move the loom a bit more.
Then pull back the rubber boot at the back of the headlight by the tab at the bottom.
Then unclip the grey clip holding the bulb in place.
Then pull the bulb and connector out.
The connector pulls straight off the back of the bulb, is rather stiff, but it is a straight on/off affair.
Put the new bulb in the back of the headlight, you will see the bulb has sliver metal tabs that line up with gaps in the back of the headlight.
Clip the grey clip back on, two places at around 4 and 8 O'clock. Can do this with your fingers.
Put the rubber boot over the connector and push on the back of the bulb and push the rim of the rubber boot in as well.
Reconnect the Indicator electrical connector.
Job done.

Cheers, Matthew

[Wonky]

FWIW my wife's AH Astra recently blew a headlight globe so given they're renowned as being poor replaced them with Narva 100 globes ($50 pr on eBay from a supplier I regularly use, almost $80 at Supercheap). Had Chev do them for me given my disabilities - easiest way was up on a hoist! :shock: Can only access them through a hatch up inside the wheel arch! :weirdo:

[Jag530G]

^^^ Wouldn't surprise. Its all a far cry from just twisting off the holder and twisting out the bulb and replacing on an old Kingswood or Jag... The thing that scares me about modern cars is all the different plastic clips which have a nasty habit of being strong enough to be assembled in the factory but don't take kindly to the pulled apart too many times.

I remember when I first got my Monaro and trying to see where the bottom radiator hose was in case it split and I had to fix out in the middle of nowhere. Could barely see it let alone reach down to fix it. Wasn't until I got a workshop manual and saw that the radiator fans were easy to get out and that makes all the difference.

Cheers, Matthew