4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Headlight Removal Issues

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-12-2006 | 02:56 PM
  #1  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Headlight Removal Issues

Well, I already somehow managed to snap off the 2 outer bolts holding my driver's side headlight in. I'd prefer not to do the same to the other side, but no big deal so long as the headlights come out.

My question...any tips on how to get the inner bolts out? I'm speaking of the ones near the radiator support that are practically hidden from view. I'd prefer not to snap them as well and want to know the best tools for the job to get them off. I feel like such a n00b asking this sort of crap, but...oh well...Basically, what kind of tools do I need to snake around that huge wiring harness on each side and all that jazz.

Thanks guys.
Old 01-12-2006 | 02:59 PM
  #2  
Dubbya's Avatar
VK56 Inside
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,388
I used a 10mm socket, an extension, and a ratchet.

Maybe you could use a swivel extension too?
Old 01-12-2006 | 02:59 PM
  #3  
njmodi's Avatar
Do I get a tax break?
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,441
From: Elmhurst, IL
Maybe move the wiring harness and all that jazz out of the way

Old 01-12-2006 | 03:03 PM
  #4  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Moving the harness...don't think so. If all I need is an extension or maybe a swivel extension then great. I've never taken my headlights off...do you HAVE to have off the grill to take out the headlights?
Old 01-12-2006 | 03:10 PM
  #5  
Mxrider52's Avatar
I support for what?
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,949
From: Seymour, TN
Originally Posted by Tatanko
do you HAVE to have off the grill to take out the headlights?
I was thinking you did
Old 01-12-2006 | 03:15 PM
  #6  
Dubbya's Avatar
VK56 Inside
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,388
Yes you do unless you remove the whole thing as one peice (both headlights attached to the grill).
Old 01-12-2006 | 03:24 PM
  #7  
|Bijan|'s Avatar
UCF Lexus
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,851
From: Colorado
Exactly what dub said


Use an ext...its cake. Once you break em loose, just fit your hand in and spin it till it comes off.
Old 01-12-2006 | 05:39 PM
  #8  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Yeah once I took it over to the garage we got things figured out quite easily. I have my new projectors in...but I think I messed up some plugs or something because they won't turn on
Old 01-12-2006 | 05:49 PM
  #9  
|Bijan|'s Avatar
UCF Lexus
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,851
From: Colorado
NOoooooooooo!

Oh well...take them bishes back out and re-wire
Old 01-12-2006 | 06:05 PM
  #10  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Originally Posted by bijangxe
NOoooooooooo!

Oh well...take them bishes back out and re-wire
I don't think so! I suck at teh wiring. This was supposed to be plug-and-play. maxgtr2000 did the retrofit and all the wiring.

These are what I can't figure out:



See the black plug? What goes there? I have nothing else to plug into it. See the little blue plugs? They have ends that look like they should fit into those black plugs, but the way things are setup it makes no sense. Should a fuse go in the black plug? I would have thought he'd include a fuse if it was needed...
Old 01-12-2006 | 06:13 PM
  #11  
|Bijan|'s Avatar
UCF Lexus
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,851
From: Colorado
Hmm

Yea it LOOKS like a fuse fits right in there, almost like a power cable for an AMPLIFIER. (Just btwn 5-40 amps) ?

Do you hear a hi-pitch squeal when you attempt to turn them on?

Also....Im assuming the black plug in is "female" right? (looks like it but hard to tell from blurryness)
Old 01-12-2006 | 06:16 PM
  #12  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Originally Posted by bijangxe
Hmm

Yea it LOOKS like a fuse fits right in there, almost like a power cable for an AMPLIFIER. (Just btwn 5-40 amps) ?

Do you hear a hi-pitch squeal when you attempt to turn them on?

Also....Im assuming the black plug in is "female" right? (looks like it but hard to tell from blurryness)
Uhhh...I feel like a retard. I'm having the same conversation with someone on AIM right now and he says it looks like a fuse holder, too. He said they look to both be female as well.

I don't remember hearing a squeal. Should I have?

Now I need to figure out what kind of fuse I need...
Old 01-12-2006 | 06:47 PM
  #13  
|Bijan|'s Avatar
UCF Lexus
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,851
From: Colorado
Damn, I wish I could be more help but I havent ever really done that kind of wiring besides hooking up my HIDs.

Just bounce over to Wal Mart / Walgreens...whatever's open....you know what fuses to look for...I'd start w/ 10 amp and work my way up if they blow...

Just a suggestion, hope it works, I wana see!
Old 01-12-2006 | 06:49 PM
  #14  
|Bijan|'s Avatar
UCF Lexus
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,851
From: Colorado


1 side of the potential fuse holder - feeds to the yellow wire - and the other one feeds to the black/ground wire....correct?
Old 01-12-2006 | 07:05 PM
  #15  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Went to radio shack, picked up a pair of 15 amp fuses. Here's the result:



Old 01-12-2006 | 07:07 PM
  #16  
|Bijan|'s Avatar
UCF Lexus
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,851
From: Colorado
HELL YEA buddy!

Easier than you thought it was gona be huh?!

Looks awesome!
Old 01-12-2006 | 07:15 PM
  #17  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Well. Not all is well in the kingdom of HIDs. Yes, they turn on. That's about it lol. The headlights need aimed BADLY...they are aimed extremely low (REALLY low) and very far to the left. Also, for whatever reason, the high beams aren't working. I know I hooked up the bi-xenon solenoid, too...so I'm not sure what's up. Oh well, low beams will be fine for now once I aim them.
Old 01-12-2006 | 07:18 PM
  #18  
|Bijan|'s Avatar
UCF Lexus
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,851
From: Colorado
CUSTOM JDM cross-eyed bi-xenon HID project0rzz!!

Save the wiring for the daytime! hahah
Old 01-12-2006 | 07:20 PM
  #19  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Originally Posted by bijangxe
CUSTOM JDM cross-eyed bi-xenon HID project0rzz!!

Save the wiring for the daytime! hahah
JDM cross-eyed is right

Oh well...all is fixable, I suppose. Plus they look badazzz
Old 01-12-2006 | 07:45 PM
  #20  
descent's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 425
From: Gaithersburg, MD
can you do some for me??
Old 01-12-2006 | 08:02 PM
  #21  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Originally Posted by descent
can you do some for me??
Look up maxgtr2000. He is the one who did mine
Old 01-12-2006 | 08:05 PM
  #22  
TurTLe*'s Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,982
From: Chicago
nice nice. i had to learn the hard way too how to remove headlights. When i bought a set of headlights and did the AE to them. I removed my headlights twice and both those times the grille went str8 to the ground when i was tryint to remove it. Next time you do it, remove grille if you can first. Then corners and then actual headlights works 10 times faster.

How much was the parts and do you mind listing and sourcing them as well? i know they have pre-made sets at hidplanet. But i was just curious. I wanted to get something with TSX projectors.
Old 01-12-2006 | 08:26 PM
  #23  
maxgtr2000's Avatar
KH3 by popular demand
iTrader: (29)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,104
From: Detroit, MI
Originally Posted by TurTLe*
nice nice. i had to learn the hard way too how to remove headlights. When i bought a set of headlights and did the AE to them. I removed my headlights twice and both those times the grille went str8 to the ground when i was tryint to remove it. Next time you do it, remove grille if you can first. Then corners and then actual headlights works 10 times faster.

How much was the parts and do you mind listing and sourcing them as well? i know they have pre-made sets at hidplanet. But i was just curious. I wanted to get something with TSX projectors.
Tsxs have gone down in the past few months in price from what I have seen. You should be able to get some for around $185 shipped. A little pricey than the others, especially since it is still just a single xenon, but the output and color is just awesome and well worth the money. Other single xenons are $80-$110 used. Bixenons will be around $150-$160 shipped depending on type, some are more.
Old 01-12-2006 | 08:46 PM
  #24  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
All prices include shippping...

E46 bi-xenon projectors: $135
E46 ballasts and ignitors: $173
Phillips D2S 4300k bulbs (new): $65
Used 97+ Headlights: $110
maxgtr2000's retrofitting (including bi-xenon harness and angel eyes): $140
Shipping to maxgtr2000: $18

So total: ~$650

Projectors came from an .org member, as well as the headlights. The ballasts+ignitors and bulbs came from eBay.
Old 01-12-2006 | 10:44 PM
  #25  
|Bijan|'s Avatar
UCF Lexus
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,851
From: Colorado
Who can list all the types (make&model) projectors that are do-able?

Or are they all?
Old 01-12-2006 | 10:56 PM
  #26  
tikiboom's Avatar
I need an intervention
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 284
sexy.. very very sexy
gonna cream my pants waiting for mine, but its gonna be a while since the projectors and cefiros only got shipped to maxgtr2000 today (i hope).
Old 01-13-2006 | 10:54 AM
  #27  
maximus_96's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 910
From: Bay Area, CA
only $140 for labor? thats a damn good deal
Old 01-13-2006 | 11:42 AM
  #28  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
This morning was not good. Did anyone notice that in the pictures, the passenger side was dimmer? I figured it was in need of aiming...but...

This morning I turn on my headlight...and only see one come on. Well, I pop the hood and guess what? There lays the capsule in the engine bay. Worse yet, my coat accidentally touched it and melted a piece off. The melted fabric got stuck to the bulb and now the bulb is no good. So I'm now with only one headlight til I get another bulb off ebay or something.

I will take daytime pictures of the headlights today, though...
Old 01-13-2006 | 11:45 AM
  #29  
njmodi's Avatar
Do I get a tax break?
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,441
From: Elmhurst, IL
Can you replace just one bulb (in terms of light color/brightness), or should you replace them in pairs...
Old 01-13-2006 | 11:47 AM
  #30  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Originally Posted by njmodi
Can you replace just one bulb (in terms of light color/brightness), or should you replace them in pairs...
Mine are/were brand new. So I can replace just one so long as I get the same thing.
Old 01-13-2006 | 11:59 AM
  #31  
njmodi's Avatar
Do I get a tax break?
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,441
From: Elmhurst, IL
Originally Posted by Tatanko
Mine are/were brand new. So I can replace just one so long as I get the same thing.
of course.
Old 01-13-2006 | 12:06 PM
  #32  
maxgtr2000's Avatar
KH3 by popular demand
iTrader: (29)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,104
From: Detroit, MI
Wish I would have caught what you were saying when you said one was dimmer, I thought it was the aiming. D2s bulbs can be tricky to seat sometimes, always make sure you feel a little click as the bulb holder seats on the projector.
Old 01-13-2006 | 01:21 PM
  #33  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Originally Posted by maxgtr2000
Wish I would have caught what you were saying when you said one was dimmer, I thought it was the aiming. D2s bulbs can be tricky to seat sometimes, always make sure you feel a little click as the bulb holder seats on the projector.
Yeah that never occured to me last night, either. Oh well...live and learn.
Old 01-13-2006 | 01:22 PM
  #34  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Here are the daytime pictures as promised:






Old 01-13-2006 | 04:44 PM
  #35  
maximus_96's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 910
From: Bay Area, CA
are those range cover bezels? and are those LED angel eyes? i'd be very careful with them because LEDs are very sensitive to heat and if they're on while your hid bulbs are on, you'll shorten the lifespan dramatically. maybe you can wire them so they're off when the hids come on. the hid will overpower the leds anyways
Old 01-13-2006 | 07:08 PM
  #36  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Originally Posted by maximus_96
are those range cover bezels? and are those LED angel eyes? i'd be very careful with them because LEDs are very sensitive to heat and if they're on while your hid bulbs are on, you'll shorten the lifespan dramatically. maybe you can wire them so they're off when the hids come on. the hid will overpower the leds anyways
Yes, those are homemade bezels maxgtr2000 made for me. Yes, those are angel eyes. They were going to be wired to come on with the clearance lights so I could run them with just them on or with my fogs. They are a slightly bluer shade than the HIDs, so I was going to allow them to stay on with the HIDs. I didn't see heat being an issue though, because of the bezel and the projector glass trapping it all in.
Old 01-13-2006 | 07:12 PM
  #37  
Northern Maxima's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,805
From: Manitoba
Wow...sexy x 1,000,000,000

I had major problems taking my headlights out when I did the AE mod and I undid all the screws that aim them making problems worse Glad you figured it out and I hope all the other issues get sorted out too...I'm sure those lights are well worth the money!

One day for me...
Old 01-13-2006 | 07:15 PM
  #38  
Tatanko's Avatar
Thread Starter
Bacon Lover
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,672
From: State College, PA
Originally Posted by Northern Maxima
Glad you figured it out and I hope all the other issues get sorted out too...I'm sure those lights are well worth the money!
All my other issues are easily fixable. No big deal. They are well worth the money...here's an example of why:

Tonight driving home, I had only one headlight on since the other bulb had to be removed. With it aimed really, really low and really far to the left...it still light up the road wider and farther than my old 9004's did with overwattage bulbs This is from ONE headlight!
Old 01-13-2006 | 07:23 PM
  #39  
Northern Maxima's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,805
From: Manitoba
Wow, that's crazy! My headlights are so crappy...they're covered in road salt so my visibility is way down plus I have to drive about 20km of dark roads to get to work. Maybe I should consider this instead of rims...???

Make sure you keep the receipts for everything just in case you ever have an accident and they're damaged...that way you have proof of how much you spent and hopefully you would be able to get the money back.
Old 01-13-2006 | 07:47 PM
  #40  
maximus_96's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 910
From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by Tatanko
Yes, those are homemade bezels maxgtr2000 made for me. Yes, those are angel eyes. They were going to be wired to come on with the clearance lights so I could run them with just them on or with my fogs. They are a slightly bluer shade than the HIDs, so I was going to allow them to stay on with the HIDs. I didn't see heat being an issue though, because of the bezel and the projector glass trapping it all in.
the bezel and projector glass will not be trapping all the heat in. if you leave the leds on while the hid bulb is on, you will be killing the leds way earlier than their normal lifespan. then you'll have to bake the headlights again to remove and replace them. further more, you won't be able to even see the leds when the hid bulb turns on because the hids are so much brighter.



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:25 PM.