Headlamp replacement - 2003 VFR

Hello!

I have a 2003 VFR with the "headlamp array". Recently the right lower headlamp burned out. Can someone let me know how to replace this lamp, and does it take a special bulb?

Thanks much, Mark

 

Two weeks ago one of my low beam bulbs blew out. Then last week the other went. You might want to get a second bulb just in case.

I decided to do the job myself (that's a big decision for me since I'm not the most mechanically abled person I know.) The bulbs were $30 each. It took me from 6pm to 7:30 to do the first one. I even read the service manual on the steps that needed to be taken. About half the way through the first job I started figuring out the tricks. It took me 10 minutes to do the second identical job.

My guess is that this is a normal learning curve that most mechanics go through when doing a job that they've never done before. I now consider myself an expert on vfr headlight bulb replacement. There probably aren't many other designs that are more complicated than this one.

Try to follow these steps;

1. remove the electrical connection by pressing the tab on the side and sliding off the tabs of the bulb.

2. remobe the rubber weather protector by pulling the tabs.

3. disengage the clip that holds the bulb in place.

4. reverse above for new bulb install.

Be carefull not to touch the bulb with your hands. It will shorten its service life.

Also, I was wondering how long other people have had their lights last. Mine both went bad at the same time, right about 28,000 miles.

brian

 

Howdy Brian,

I have been at my 2005 VFR trying to follow the instrcutions, and I am missing the obvious I guess.

I don't see any tabs on my electrical connections, and I don't want to just start yanking. I see the rubber, etc.

So how do I get the electrical connections free? Any pointers would be great. I leave for a long ride this weekend and need to get them replaced. Thanks!!

 

The electrical connections have a clip on each side that has to be depressed for the connection to release. They can be difficult to get to with out taking off the upper faring. I just replaced my low beams with Osram silver Stars, and getting the electrical connection to release was the hardest part. You have to work mostly by feel, and mine took quite a bit of pressure on the sides of the connection to get them to release. Once you get the connection off and the rubber boot out of the way the bulb is held in by a wire bale that clips in on one side. Just push down on that side and it will swing back and release the bulb. On my 04 the bulbs went right in with no modification of the tabs. Holding the bulb in place and clipping the retaining clip over it is a little tricky. I had to do it mostly by feel. Once you get the first one done the second one takes about 10 minuets. Good luck.

Action

 

Thanks, I will go ahead and give it a try when I get home.

Do the high and low beams use the same type of electrical clip?

 

no the upper lights are h7 bulbs and they have plastic adapters on them after you remove the bulb take a small screwdriver and seperate the plastic adapter from the bulb and the mount it on the new bulb that is the only to get it on without modifying anything. but ,it comes out much like the lowers.

 

Thanks for everyones help. I was able to change the bottoms, now I will change the tops when I get back from the trip.

I like the PIAA bulbs. Nice a bright Thanks again!

 

Hey Brian,

Sorry I did not get back to you, I never knew I had a response. I need to do a better job of keeping track of my posts.

Congrats on getting the job done.

Where did you get your replacement bulbs?

brian

 

Time to revive this old favorite cause I am stuck halfway...
The Patient: 6th gen (2007)
The surgery: Replacement of the 4 H/L bulbs.
So far: I was able to remove the small upper fairing pieces to allow access to the high beam bulbs. I fairly easily removed the electrical connections and then very easily completed the installation with new PIAAs. BUT, the LOW BEAMS are the problem. I can reach in there, I can feel the elec. connectors but I cannot get them to release on either side. I try pressing in to get them to release but no dice. I have tried pinching in on the top and bottom and the sides but still cannot get them to release. Any clues as to how to get them to release? Where are the release tabs...top/bottom or left/right?
THANKS!

 

The release tabs are on the sides of the connecter and they are a Bitch to get to release on mine. You have to push in (squeeze) on both sides. I had to take mine out this weekend because when they did my wiring recall they some how undid latch wire that hold the bulbs in place. Both my low beams were just sitting in the reflector held in by the boot and connector. I don’t know why or how that happened but they are fixed now.

Action

 

Ah, the Servant humbly thanks Master Action and Master DerStuka for honorable help. Oh, Good Karma! Dis is vhat I vant to do...live up to honorable example of Senior Forumsters and live da good life of motorcycle enlightenment. Many thanks to you all!

So, pinch the sides, eh? I will go back at it tonight. I have the 600 mile service Wednesday and would hate to have them to something I could do (and admit defeat!). The pigtail comes off the "bottom" of the high beams but the "side" of the low beams...I had wondered if the pinch tabs were always located with respect to the pigtail or with respect to the left/right.

 

I got to my low beam light. I got it out ok. Now the spring clip came off and I am having a time getting it back in. Is there anyone that knows about this problem?

 

Eek! It is hard enough on my Toyota when it comes off...and you can at least see it on the Toyota. I never could get the leads off on my VFR (had the dealer do it) so I won't be much help. They are fairly simple in general...it will be all about trying to hook the one end of the spring into the tiny hole...just feel about. Good luck!

 

OK, I took the right one off to see how it went back on. Now I got the thing fixed. By the way I bought the exact bulb at Auto Zone for 10$. It is a H-4 9003 and no mode at all was required on my 06VFR(A). Life is a little brighter now. By the way if you happen to somehow end up with the bulb in the lens then the first thing you need to do is get a piece of small wire and poke it trough a hole in the prawn. Then pull it back and work it back through. This will save scratching your reflective lens. The things we learn the hard way are the ones we remember the most I guess.