How do I change a headlight bulb?

bcfilippini · 01-04-2009, 06:23 PM

The driver's-side headlight burned out on my 2006 GV. I have looked through these forums for information on how to replace the bulb, but haven't been totally successful. Does anyone know how to access the headlight bulb to replace it? Do I do it from behind the assembly, or is it more difficult that this? If I do access from the back of the assembly, does anyone have any suggestions about the best way to do this? I appreciate all help.

Ben

gonzo · 01-05-2009, 08:57 AM

Your owner manual will have some instructions.

-Open the hood

-From the engine compartment, remove the black rubber boot

-loosen the little wire clip

-remove the bulb and unplug it

-Plug in the new bulb and install the new one in reverse. The new light bulb will only fit one way.

DO NOT TOUCH THE NEW LIGHT BULB ON THE GLASS PART OF THE BULB

pavarotti · 01-05-2009, 07:48 PM

Before attempting to change your headlights on your own, check with your Suzuki dealer. HID front headlight replacement may be covered under warranty. My front drivers-side headlight also went out two days ago. I checked with my dealer and they confirmed warranty coverage (in Canada = 3 years/60,000 km). Strangely, there seems to be a run of stock on front headlights. Coincidentally, there were two other customers scheduling headlight replacements when I called my Suzuki dealer this morning.

gonzo · 01-05-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pavarotti

Before attempting to change your headlights on your own, check with your Suzuki dealer. HID front headlight replacement may be covered under warranty. My front drivers-side headlight also went out two days ago. I checked with my dealer and they confirmed warranty coverage (in Canada = 3 years/60,000 km). Strangely, there seems to be a run of stock on front headlights. Coincidentally, there were two other customers scheduling headlight replacements when I called my Suzuki dealer this morning.

Once again. A GV does not have HID head lights. Suzuki does not even offer an OEM retro fit HID kit. The GV got REGULAR H4 light bulbs NOT HID.

The lights on the GV are whats called a Projector (polyellipsoidal) head lamp.

Which work like this:

Here are some pictures how HID bulbs look like:

HID lights do not have a fillament that is glowing like on other lights but it is instead Gas filled (xenon) that is why you see the extra "wire" on the outside if the glas.

GV Real SUV · 01-05-2009, 08:27 PM

Hi Gonzo,

Just to add:

Some GV have HID; specifically some European and Asian market GV. It is generally found on the 2.7 V6 model. It has a black lens reflector, and HID is only for low beam. High beam and front fog light bulbs are standard halogen. Some even have headlamp washers in the front bumper.

The 2.0 version has standard halogen bulbs for high/low beam and front fog lights. Headlight lens reflector is silver.

Cheers,

GV real SUV

gonzo · 01-05-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GV Real SUV

Hi Gonzo,

Just to add:

Some GV have HID; specifically some European and Asian market GV. It is generally found on the 2.7 V6 model. It has a black lens reflector, and HID is only for low beam. High beam and front fog light bulbs are standard halogen. Some even have headlamp washers in the front bumper.

The 2.0 version has standard halogen bulbs for high/low beam and front fog lights. Headlight lens reflector is silver.

Cheers,

GV real SUV

Thanks for the info, however in North America they are NOT HID.

The European version with HID lights also comes with the build in head light washer and the headlights are automatically high adjusted. These are legal requirements in europe for all HID lights. Even here in North America ALL vehicle with OEM HID have these features even if not legally required.

GV Real SUV · 01-05-2009, 08:52 PM

Hi Gonzo,

I was wondering why Suzuki USA did not use HID for the headlights, as most car manufacturers are now using HID.

I also find it kinda odd that HID GV only have HID for low beam, but high beam and fog lights are standard halogen. Is that due to glare?

Cheers,

GV real SUV

gonzo · 01-05-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GV Real SUV

Hi Gonzo,

I was wondering why Suzuki USA did not use HID for the headlights, as most car manufacturers are now using HID.

I also find it kinda odd that HID GV only have HID for low beam, but high beam and fog lights are standard halogen. Is that due to glare?

Cheers,

GV real SUV

When it comes to all the hype about different lights I recomment you have a look at Daniel Sterns Web page atDaniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

Daniel is an idependent Automotive Light Consultant/Specialist.

On his web page you can find the inn and out of all different light system.

Now to your question on why we don't get HID here. For one I would say the Price. Now when HID is used it is not just the light bulb that is different. On a correctly used HID, the reflector and lenses are all different. (see Daniel Sern for details on why the retri kits are bad for this reason) Add the balast you need, add the automatic hight adjustment and washing system this will all add.

Now I would not use HID as fog lights. In foggy conditions you will probbably see better with parking lights on. the brigther the light the more reflection you get from the fog.

Now in Germany the V6 GV is sold for 36.000 euro. That is $48.000 US or $58.000 canadian. If the GV would cost this much here in Canada, I would not get it simply because I could get a real off road vehicle for that. So the manufacturer has to make the vehicle less expensive. Having lower cost lights may be one of the things.

I also found this on Wikipedia:

Glare
Vehicles equipped with HID headlamps are required by ECE regulation 48 also to be equipped with headlamp lens cleaning systems and automatic beam levelling control. Both of these measures are intended to reduce the tendency for high-output headlamps to cause high levels of glare to other road users. In North America, ECE R48 does not apply and while lens cleaners and beam levellers are permitted, they are not required; [20] HID headlamps are markedly less prevalent in the US, where they have produced significant glare complaints.[21] Scientific study of headlamp glare has shown that for any given intensity level, the light from HID headlamps is 40% more glaring than the light from tungsten-halogen headlamps.[22]

This may be the other reason why we cannot get as many QEM HID lights in North America.

Now here is something more interesting The 2008 Audi R8 is sold with LED head lights outside of the US and In the US the 2009 Escalade Platinum will actually have LED light as low and high beam.

GV Real SUV · 01-05-2009, 10:55 PM

Hi Gonzo,

Many thanks for the detailed and interesting information on HID lights. Will check out the web page of Daniel.

Cheers,

GV real SUV

Edong · 01-07-2009, 07:00 PM

Going back to his original question, I have same issue. My 2006 GV Driver side bulb is burnt out. I replaced the halogen bulb that appears to be my bright one (inner bulb as you look at the lens). The outer bulb (one that is still out) is the one I guess I need to replace. Since I bought my GV used, I don't have an owner's manual. How do you remove the boot and is the bulb inside there the HIV you are both talking about? From outward appearances it appears to be some type of round lamp. How do I change this bulb? How is rubber boot removed and bulb accessed? Do I need to remove the entire assembly? Thanks in advance and to the expert in pinas, maraming salamat!