I'm trying to replace my Vision's H4 bulbs with some Hella HB2 bulbs. I expected this to be a simple job, but it has become complicated. Perhaps someone knows how to make it simple again. - I removed the air filter as instructed in the owners manual - I pulled back the moisture boots. I still cannot see the back of the bulb, so I'm working from feel. - Here's where I run into problems...apparently I cannot figure out how to release the retaining clip. Without being able to see it, and with limited space, I hve tried every combination of pushing, pulling and rotating that I can...to no avail. Any hints? Lastly, If I have inadvertantly damaged a clip, how difficult is it to remove the entire headlight assembly?
Trouble replacing Vision headlight bulbs
RhoXS
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Well you lucky souls, I've now had the pleasure of trying to replace the headlight bulbs on my '12' Vision and I'm not one of the lucky ones who has the whole thing done in 10 minutes. I can't seem to be able to disconnect the bulbs first off so now I will turn the headlight adjustment as far up as possible so as to cause the light back to give me as much room as possible.
What a lousy, lousy way to design a headlight for replacement. Its a good thing the I like the rest of the bike enough!!!!!!!!!
What a lousy, lousy way to design a headlight for replacement. Its a good thing the I like the rest of the bike enough!!!!!!!!!
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7,888 Posts
there is a pinch spring to release the bulb. No biggie
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Oh please, there are several cars made today that you have to take the front bumper off of to take the headlight out. Just to replace a bulb. I'm not talking high end stuff either. Chevy Malibu and such.
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Color me ignorant because I have never tried to change a bulb on my bike. Even the 2010 shop manual that I have electronically says not a word about how to get to the bulbs but does describe in detail the requirements back then. My basic question is "do I have to pull body panels to get easy access to the headlights"?
Here is my real issue. I intend to start out replacing headlight bulbs by using LED bulbs as an upgrade path. I am not at all interested in LED upgrade packages but LEDs that are using the latest Philips LEDs are said to make good direct replacements for OEM bulbs if you have room for them to fit because they do take a bit more room than a standard H4 bulb. No way will I be able to play circus contortionist installing a new bulb type, thus my question. What does it really take to get at Vision headlights with clear access? I don't just want to replace the headlights but want to get at the headlight mounts so I can do the upgrade with new Philips based bulbs like these..LED Headlight Lights | Philips LED Headlight bulbs
Here is my real issue. I intend to start out replacing headlight bulbs by using LED bulbs as an upgrade path. I am not at all interested in LED upgrade packages but LEDs that are using the latest Philips LEDs are said to make good direct replacements for OEM bulbs if you have room for them to fit because they do take a bit more room than a standard H4 bulb. No way will I be able to play circus contortionist installing a new bulb type, thus my question. What does it really take to get at Vision headlights with clear access? I don't just want to replace the headlights but want to get at the headlight mounts so I can do the upgrade with new Philips based bulbs like these..LED Headlight Lights | Philips LED Headlight bulbs
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@Oldman47 There are two ways to skin this cat.
1. Pull the front air filter for a "little" more room and feel your way through it.
2. Start pulling plastic bits off and remove the signals and headlight.
Good luck and please post a review of the upgrade.
You could have clearance issues with your install. Just guessing because it's been a while. But can't be an inch between the plug and flesh eating bits.
1. Pull the front air filter for a "little" more room and feel your way through it.
2. Start pulling plastic bits off and remove the signals and headlight.
Good luck and please post a review of the upgrade.
You could have clearance issues with your install. Just guessing because it's been a while. But can't be an inch between the plug and flesh eating bits.
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That's what I was afraid of.
I burned out OEM & replacement bulbs in the first 2 years of riding and started looking for alternatives to avoid the unpleasant chore of replacement. Over 4 years & 40,000 miles ago I installed HID (DDM Tuning 5,000K 55w Hi/low) it was the best I could find at the time and the people who say this won't work without projector beams & blind oncoming traffic may be right on some applications but the vision lens works well & I have a very distinct horizontal cut off line on the low beams with even distribution of light all around & in front of the bike-only got flashed once when I was two up & loaded that must have pointed the beams up-it is bright as hell. The kit was less than a hundred bucks & has been one of the best mods I've done. I'm hoping these go as long as the bike does.
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I'm done! after three days, air filter out, windshield panel off, headlight adjusted all the way up, headlight connections will not come off! The center light connection came off no prob but the two headlights no dice! I quit, looks like my dealer gets an hours worth of labor charges and I'll buy the bulbs. I was quoted one hour and twelve minutes labor so it looks like I'm about to get hit with $100+ bill for that (^*%%^#^#) headlight.
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1,388 Posts
I did the same thing, the back of my hands were bruised beyond belief and I still could not get the electrical plugs off the bulb base. Finally cussed it out and took it to the dealer who took the front end apart.
I always had to remove the tuperware and pull the headlight module out. It's fiddly & a lot of fasteners but doesn't take more that an hour each way. No way I'm givin' somebody money to change a lightbulb for me- they must have a tech with tiny hands.
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That's what would have been my next step if I hadn't called the dealer!
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My hands feel like they were in a meat grinder (the manual kind) lol
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You should have called Trump to do it....Rubio said he has small hands...lol
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My wife says that looks like a robot that's not quite up to par!
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Thanks Jim, why don't you call him for me and ask!
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Just finished changing both headlight bulbs...Very fiddly job as the Brits say. Went with cheapo regular old $59 H4's from Pep Boys
Fortunately, I did not have a problem getting the connectors to come off. Only had to remove the air filter, no body panels.
Removed the rubber boots completely and found that the trick to getting them back on was wedging in the tightest corner first, then the rest of it snapped right into place. First side took about an hour, mostly figuring out how to release the bulb retainer; push towards the outside then the retainer lifts up. Second bulb took about half an hour.
Disclaimer: I'm 5'7" about 155 lbs. my hands (one at a time) barely fit in there, any bigger and I would be considering paying the dealer.
Fortunately, I did not have a problem getting the connectors to come off. Only had to remove the air filter, no body panels.
Removed the rubber boots completely and found that the trick to getting them back on was wedging in the tightest corner first, then the rest of it snapped right into place. First side took about an hour, mostly figuring out how to release the bulb retainer; push towards the outside then the retainer lifts up. Second bulb took about half an hour.
Disclaimer: I'm 5'7" about 155 lbs. my hands (one at a time) barely fit in there, any bigger and I would be considering paying the dealer.
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123 Posts
What if your bulbs crap on you after dark, in the middle of nowhere? I just don't understand the engineers and designers these days.
I have been annoyed by having to change bulbs in old cars with okay access to the back of the headlights. Usually happens at below freezing temp with some crap raining down, at a poorly lit parking lot, with a busted flashlight battery etc.
How on earth do they forget simple things like that? Should be made easier nowdays, not harder. It's easier to design a single cad drawing on a computer, than rebuild x hundred bikes at the dealer for a bulb swap.
I guess they had to come up with something, because the bikes were too reliable. Little and big annoyances here and there, to get you visit the dealer now and then.
I have been annoyed by having to change bulbs in old cars with okay access to the back of the headlights. Usually happens at below freezing temp with some crap raining down, at a poorly lit parking lot, with a busted flashlight battery etc.
How on earth do they forget simple things like that? Should be made easier nowdays, not harder. It's easier to design a single cad drawing on a computer, than rebuild x hundred bikes at the dealer for a bulb swap.
I guess they had to come up with something, because the bikes were too reliable. Little and big annoyances here and there, to get you visit the dealer now and then.
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