Replacing Dipped Bulb

[transalper44]

Have a 2012 GS Hexhead which uses dipped bulbs like confetti, it's a real pain replacing them due to not having hands the size of a child. Whoever designed how the bulb in held in place needs shot!

So my question is, how do you do it, go from the top or, the bottom or, do you remove the instrument panel, if so, is it easy, is it case of just pulling it off, do you loose any information or is that held somewhere else so just a case of replacing it ?

Sensible answers please.

Thanks

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

Two bolts, one ether side just behind the front indicators and the whole headlight/ clocks unit lifts up and forwards and out, after unplugging the connectors.
You do not have to remove the indicators, like this guy......a bit ham fisted but you get the idea.
https://youtu.be/724fMoeSbh8

 

[BillyBoxer6]

Two bolts, one ether side just behind the front indicators and the whole headlight/ clocks unit lifts up and forwards and out, after unplugging the connectors.
You do not have to remove the indicators, like this guy......a bit ham fisted but you get the idea.
https://youtu.be/724fMoeSbh8

...Unless you have a Dashboard Infill Panel like the one on my GSA.
Then It's a Screen Off, Clocks Off Job...

 

[squibb34]

Just wondering why your HL bulbs would be blowing so regularly. If the replacements are decent quality, what witness is there when blown - broken filaments or blackened?

 

[Andy63]

Years ago when my old 2006 GSA blew a dipped bulb i bought cheap replacement bulbs from ebay i went through these in no time.

i decided to use Philips bulbs which lasted much longer. However i still had quite a few blow over the years.

When you are fitting the bulbs make sure you dont touch the glass with your fingers, moisture from your fingers can cause Halogen bulbs to fail.

 

[Flintlock]

Have gone through quite a lot of dipped beam bulbs too. The longest lasting one so far has been a heavy duty one from Halfords.

 

[Santa-2512]

Cant understand what you mean about them being difficult to change

You can do it with one finger,

Buy a pair of forceps

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264515145379?hash=item3d9654cea3:g:pAoAAOSwhOpezlqH

Curved tip is easier

Allows you to work outside the casing .

 

[Watty100]

My '07 bike always used a couple of bulbs a year, even from new. Gradually got worse until the dipped beam wouldn't work at all. Dodgy wiring causing a problem from Day 1.
IIRC I used a multimeter to trace the fault to the plug-in connector behind the headlight, or the wiring very close to it. Cut the connectors off, replaced them with bullet connectors (may have had to add a length of wire, its been a while)
Sounds crude, but I haven't had a bulb go in over 3 years now.
Sounds like you have a similar problem.

 

[transalper44]

Thanks guys, use Halfords expensive bulbs (cost a bomb) It may be a wiring fault so shall check that. As to fitting, my problem is the clip is not attached at what should the swing end, so has to sit and held under the small washer (right side) whilst in ensuring the bulb stays in place and at the same time, squeeze the two ends pieces of the clip in to place. Difficult with one hand while not being able to see what your doing. Anyways win though but a lot swear words get used up! Fortunately the bike has two auxiliary lamps so never without illumination.

 

[TLSgazza]

Thanks guys, use Halfords expensive bulbs (cost a bomb) It may be a wiring fault so shall check that. As to fitting, my problem is the clip is not attached at what should the swing end, so has to sit and held under the small washer (right side) whilst in ensuring the bulb stays in place and at the same time, squeeze the two ends pieces of the clip in to place. Difficult with one hand while not being able to see what your doing. Anyways win though but a lot swear words get used up! Fortunately the bike has two auxiliary lamps so never without illumination.

Take the headlight out and you can add something to the right end of the clip so that it stays attached. There have been a number of fixes for this over the years. I used a small piece of plastic under a washer behind the screw.

 

[transalper44]

Thanks, I'll try that though you would have thought BMW would have design a better way of attaching the bulb clip. Cost cutting by the bean counters no doubt !

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

[SUB]The clip should stay in place , yours is obviously broken and in need of the aforementioned washer.
It's very easy to push the clip sideways and break the small plastic retaining lugs.[/SUB]

 

[Andy63]

Here's the link for fixing the clip

https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/261110-Fix-for-headlight-holder-clip

 

[dashfixer]

The above fix is excellent, I did it on my bike about six years ago and it's still there after countless bulb changes.

 

[dashfixer]

I made this out of 1/8 ally to help undo the bulb cover. It fits in behind the light unit without dismounting the complete light and clocks assembly. Sorry about the photo quality!