How to clear MY04 headlights - photo instructions

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 01:59 AM

This is a How To which explains how to remove the amber / orange lenses from the MY04 + WRX.

Standard disclaimer and thanks: this worked for me, may not for you. If you screw something up don't yell at me. Thanks to Brahmzy and LYHTSPD for their contributions and being the first to give it a shot and post about it. If you guys see anything that needs changing let me know. READ THIS ALL THE WAY THROUGH BEFORE DOING IT!

Each image below can be clicked on for a larger version. Sorry for some of the blurry ones, i forgot to take the camera off manual.

---------------------
YOU NEED:
10mm socket wrench or ratchet
flat head screwdriver
jewelers flathead or small flat head
phillips head screwdriver
an oven and baking tray and hot mits/pot holders
a small amount of testicular fortitude
---------------------

1. Before:

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:00 AM

2. I'll show you how to do the left side light first, the other is identical. First pop the hood, and remove the grill. There are six (6) retention clips that you need to release. The four (4) noted with the red arrows can simply be pressed with a finger to unlock them. The two (2) blue arrows point to holes where you must insert your flat head screwdriver to unlock the tabs. Just look behind the grill and you'll be able to see where they are. Remove the grill by pulling it forward and put it aside.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:00 AM

3. Use your 10mm socket wrench or ratchet to remove the two bolts that hold the top of the headlight fixture to the frame. I use a little cup to put all the bolts in so they won't be misplaced.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:01 AM

4. There is a third bolt holding the light in which is just behind and to the right of where the grill was. You'll need to reach in there with your socket wrench and loosen it, then take it out by hand. The other option is to remove your bumper and make things easier, but it's probably not worth the effort. Make sure you don't drop the bolt... not that i did that or anything...

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:02 AM

5. Now to get the light out. It helps if you take a few of the pop tabs out of the top of the bumper so you can pull it back a little bit when getting the light in and out. I removed the three noted below. Just pop up the center with a flat head screwdriver, and pull the whole rivet/tab out.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:02 AM

6. Now, pull out on the left top side of the light. It's held in by clips. This one holds on to the back of the white plastic piece that the third bolt holds down.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:03 AM

7. It's held in on the right side by two pegs

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:03 AM

8. You'll have to pull up and out on the left side of the light (as you are facing the front of the car) and sort of wiggle the fixture out while pulling the bumper back a bit. It'll come out, just take it slow. Once you have the light out of it's little home, remove the three harnesses that are connected to the headlight housing. Each has a tab you have to press down to remove. Do the same procedure to the other light, and you'll be left with this:

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:04 AM

9. Alrighty, now you've got the lights out, take them inside.

NOTE: always work on a soft surface like the carpet or towel. I got a few tiny scratches just from putting the lens side down on a piece of cardboard!

Do ONE LIGHT AT A TIME, so when putting one back together you can look at the other as an example.

Now, REMOVE ALL THE LITTLE BLACK PHILLIPS HEAD SCREWS that hold the back of the housing to the front. There are two (2) that are hidden. One under the piece of foam padding as noted in the upper of the photo below (just peel back the foam to get to it) and the other is under the white piece of plastic in the bottom right of the photo below. Just remove the two silver screws holding it down, and the other screw is beneath it.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:05 AM

10. Now remove all of the bulbs and wiring. This step may not be necessary, but i did it just in case so as not to melt any wiring or anything. Couldn't hurt. Each of the bulb housings are unseated by turning them 1/4 turn or so. Just pull each bulb out and MAKE SURE NOT TO PUT YOUR GRIMY FINGERS ON THE BULBS! Don't touch them at all! The grease from your fingers can heat up and blow the bulb when they are on.

NOTE: I've done this on a set of STi lights as well, and didn't remove any of the bulbs or ballast and it came out fine.

The plugs for the parking and turn signals can be slid off of the back of the headlight housing with a little tug. The whole wiring harness comes off with the bulb. The main light bulb is removed by unscrewing the cap, disconnecting the ground (glack) and power (red) wires by pulling them off, then pusing down and up on the retainer clip (as noted below). Pull the bulb out and make sure you don't touch it. Set all this aside... it's time to get cookin'.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:05 AM

11. Now preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the headlight housing on a baking sheet and put it in the oven for about 10-15 minutes. Seems like most people don't have problems with 15 minutes, but some needed as much as 20. Just do no more than 15 to be safe, try to pry it apart, and if the sealer isn't melty enough yet, plop 'er back in for a few.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:06 AM

12. After the time is up, pull out the headlight housing with some oven mits or potholders. It will be damn hot, so don't try and hold it in your bare hands too long and drop it. Now, starting from the top, pry apart the front of the housing from the back, slowly pulling them in opposite directions. It might be quicker to have someone else help you at this step. A flat head screwdriver might also help get it started if you are having problems.

As Brahmzy said in his write up: "DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT. Don't think, 'I'll just wash it off'-just don't touch the chrome or the inside of the lens(you don't have to)

You'll end up with them seperated like so:

Now unscrew the chrome trim that is held to the front casing with one silver phillips head screw... remembering not to touch the front of the reflectors.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:07 AM

13. Now remove the turn signal amber / orange cover. Pinch both sides of the tabs noted below, and push them out. The whole lens should hinge down and be easily removeable. One down.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:07 AM

14. Remove the side reflector by inserting a flat head screwdriver as shown below, and prying it up. It too should hinge up and be easily removed. Two down. Now screw the reflective trim back to the front of the housing.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:08 AM

15. If you also want to remove the marker light voer that is on the back side of the housing, do so now. Just insert at small jewelers flat head into the slot marked below and pop it out. Be careful not to scrath the reflective surface. If you want to see what it all looks like WITHOUT this removed, check out Brahmzy's pics in this thread.

Now to put it all back together!

Brahmzy suggested the following:
"To ensure a proper reseal of the headlight, I bought a roll of 3M "strip caulk". It's the 1/4"-3/8" thick black sticky windshield caulk. Same stuff Subaru use for these headlights and windshields. The autoparts store should have some. Put a thinnish strip all the way around in the 'trough' of the headlight housing where the lens will 'sink' into"

I however didn't do this. There's plenty of caulk left as long as you don't scrape any off.

Reinstall the front of the housing to the back, making sure you get all the locking tabs on the bottom to reseat. Press the two halves together as much as you can, but they don't have to seat all the way yet.

Pop the light back in the oven at 200 degrees for 10-15 minutes. pull it out when the time is up, and press the housing together until they are firmly seated and sealed, again making sure the tabs are locked. Now screw it all back together and put the bulbs back on... using the other light as a reference for how to route the wires and plugs.

If you are putting orange bulbs in the place of where the lenses were, do so now while it's all still accessible.

REPEAT procedure for other headlight.

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 02:09 AM

16. Now put it all back in the car! Plug the harnesses in before bolting the lights back down. Replacement is the reverse order of removal. If you need help getting it back in you shouldn't have taken them out in the first place. =]

Tada!

Orange free sucka fools.

au112 · 06-30-2003, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by skivvie
8. You'll have to pull up and out on the left side of the light (as you are facing the front of the car) and sort of wiggle the fixture out while pulling the bumper back a bit. It'll come out, just take it slow. Once you have the light out of it's little home, remove the three harnesses that are connected to the headlight housing. Each has a tab you have to press down to remove. Do the same procedure to the other light, and you'll be left with this:

This picture looks funny

Good job !! It looks much better !!

Andy

WizardGandoff · 06-30-2003, 04:05 AM

goood job. i think im gonna do this later but paint the chrome housing black also.

fast03WRX · 06-30-2003, 10:46 AM

Thanks for the detailed instructions and pics!!! someone should make this a sticky

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 11:17 AM

Yeah, it would look pretty slick with black trim... i'll leave that for someone else to do... i don't wanna take that sucker apart again anytime soon. =]

Brahmzy · 06-30-2003, 02:07 PM

Sweet pics skiv!

I got 1 problem-I can't seem to find any ORANGE replacement bulbs for the blinkers-just clear!

Any idea where and what part# on these?

Jay04WRX · 06-30-2003, 02:45 PM

thanks for such a great thread, detailed instructions and good pictures. I am doing this mod asap and I will let you know how it comes out and also take pics.

thanks

Jay

BoardRider · 06-30-2003, 04:15 PM

I bought some Phillips SilverVision bulbs from powerbulbs.com
They have free shipping and great customer service. They are located in the UK.
The bulbs have a silver coating, but flash orange. Perfect for you clear corner enthusiasts. This way you can stay legal...

skivvie · 06-30-2003, 05:55 PM

No prob guys. I actually enjoy writting up how tos for some reason.

As for the bulbs... i'm looking myself. BoardRider... do you know the bulb sizes? I guess it's in the owners manual, just haven't looked yet.

MattDell · 06-30-2003, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brahmzy
Sweet pics skiv!

I got 1 problem-I can't seem to find any ORANGE replacement bulbs for the blinkers-just clear!

Any idea where and what part# on these?

Philips Silvervision Part #PY21W. You have to "modify" these bulbs to fit in a USDM headlight (unless the 04s are different). But all you have to do is sand down one part of the bulb. It only took me 5 seconds with my dremel.

I got mine from www.autolamps-online.com. They're in the UK, but I got mine within a week.

-Matt

06-30-2003, 01:59 AM	#1
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	How To Clear MY04+ Headlights - photo instructions This is a How To which explains how to remove the amber / orange lenses from the MY04 + WRX. Standard disclaimer and thanks: this worked for me, may not for you. If you screw something up don't yell at me. Thanks to Brahmzy and LYHTSPD for their contributions and being the first to give it a shot and post about it. If you guys see anything that needs changing let me know. READ THIS ALL THE WAY THROUGH BEFORE DOING IT! Each image below can be clicked on for a larger version. Sorry for some of the blurry ones, i forgot to take the camera off manual. --------------------- YOU NEED: 10mm socket wrench or ratchet flat head screwdriver jewelers flathead or small flat head phillips head screwdriver an oven and baking tray and hot mits/pot holders a small amount of testicular fortitude --------------------- 1. Before: * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by skivvie; 07-07-2004 at 08:50 PM.

06-30-2003, 02:04 AM	#9
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	9. Alrighty, now you've got the lights out, take them inside. NOTE: always work on a soft surface like the carpet or towel. I got a few tiny scratches just from putting the lens side down on a piece of cardboard! Do ONE LIGHT AT A TIME, so when putting one back together you can look at the other as an example. Now, REMOVE ALL THE LITTLE BLACK PHILLIPS HEAD SCREWS that hold the back of the housing to the front. There are two (2) that are hidden. One under the piece of foam padding as noted in the upper of the photo below (just peel back the foam to get to it) and the other is under the white piece of plastic in the bottom right of the photo below. Just remove the two silver screws holding it down, and the other screw is beneath it. Last edited by skivvie; 01-29-2004 at 03:06 PM.

06-30-2003, 02:05 AM	#10
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	10. Now remove all of the bulbs and wiring. This step may not be necessary, but i did it just in case so as not to melt any wiring or anything. Couldn't hurt. Each of the bulb housings are unseated by turning them 1/4 turn or so. Just pull each bulb out and MAKE SURE NOT TO PUT YOUR GRIMY FINGERS ON THE BULBS! Don't touch them at all! The grease from your fingers can heat up and blow the bulb when they are on. NOTE: I've done this on a set of STi lights as well, and didn't remove any of the bulbs or ballast and it came out fine. The plugs for the parking and turn signals can be slid off of the back of the headlight housing with a little tug. The whole wiring harness comes off with the bulb. The main light bulb is removed by unscrewing the cap, disconnecting the ground (glack) and power (red) wires by pulling them off, then pusing down and up on the retainer clip (as noted below). Pull the bulb out and make sure you don't touch it. Set all this aside... it's time to get cookin'. Last edited by skivvie; 07-07-2004 at 08:52 PM.

06-30-2003, 02:05 AM	#11
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	11. Now preheat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the headlight housing on a baking sheet and put it in the oven for about 10-15 minutes. Seems like most people don't have problems with 15 minutes, but some needed as much as 20. Just do no more than 15 to be safe, try to pry it apart, and if the sealer isn't melty enough yet, plop 'er back in for a few. Last edited by skivvie; 07-07-2004 at 08:49 PM.

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06-30-2003, 02:00 AM	#2
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	2. I'll show you how to do the left side light first, the other is identical. First pop the hood, and remove the grill. There are six (6) retention clips that you need to release. The four (4) noted with the red arrows can simply be pressed with a finger to unlock them. The two (2) blue arrows point to holes where you must insert your flat head screwdriver to unlock the tabs. Just look behind the grill and you'll be able to see where they are. Remove the grill by pulling it forward and put it aside.

06-30-2003, 02:01 AM	#4
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	4. There is a third bolt holding the light in which is just behind and to the right of where the grill was. You'll need to reach in there with your socket wrench and loosen it, then take it out by hand. The other option is to remove your bumper and make things easier, but it's probably not worth the effort. Make sure you don't drop the bolt... not that i did that or anything...

06-30-2003, 02:02 AM	#5
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	5. Now to get the light out. It helps if you take a few of the pop tabs out of the top of the bumper so you can pull it back a little bit when getting the light in and out. I removed the three noted below. Just pop up the center with a flat head screwdriver, and pull the whole rivet/tab out.

06-30-2003, 02:03 AM	#7
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	7. It's held in on the right side by two pegs

06-30-2003, 02:06 AM	#12
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	12. After the time is up, pull out the headlight housing with some oven mits or potholders. It will be damn hot, so don't try and hold it in your bare hands too long and drop it. Now, starting from the top, pry apart the front of the housing from the back, slowly pulling them in opposite directions. It might be quicker to have someone else help you at this step. A flat head screwdriver might also help get it started if you are having problems. As Brahmzy said in his write up: "DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT. Don't think, 'I'll just wash it off'-just don't touch the chrome or the inside of the lens(you don't have to) You'll end up with them seperated like so: Now unscrew the chrome trim that is held to the front casing with one silver phillips head screw... remembering not to touch the front of the reflectors.

06-30-2003, 02:07 AM	#13
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	13. Now remove the turn signal amber / orange cover. Pinch both sides of the tabs noted below, and push them out. The whole lens should hinge down and be easily removeable. One down.

06-30-2003, 02:08 AM	#15
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	15. If you also want to remove the marker light voer that is on the back side of the housing, do so now. Just insert at small jewelers flat head into the slot marked below and pop it out. Be careful not to scrath the reflective surface. If you want to see what it all looks like WITHOUT this removed, check out Brahmzy's pics in this thread. Now to put it all back together! Brahmzy suggested the following: "To ensure a proper reseal of the headlight, I bought a roll of 3M "strip caulk". It's the 1/4"-3/8" thick black sticky windshield caulk. Same stuff Subaru use for these headlights and windshields. The autoparts store should have some. Put a thinnish strip all the way around in the 'trough' of the headlight housing where the lens will 'sink' into" I however didn't do this. There's plenty of caulk left as long as you don't scrape any off. Reinstall the front of the housing to the back, making sure you get all the locking tabs on the bottom to reseat. Press the two halves together as much as you can, but they don't have to seat all the way yet. Pop the light back in the oven at 200 degrees for 10-15 minutes. pull it out when the time is up, and press the housing together until they are firmly seated and sealed, again making sure the tabs are locked. Now screw it all back together and put the bulbs back on... using the other light as a reference for how to route the wires and plugs. If you are putting orange bulbs in the place of where the lenses were, do so now while it's all still accessible. REPEAT procedure for other headlight.

06-30-2003, 02:09 AM	#16
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	16. Now put it all back in the car! Plug the harnesses in before bolting the lights back down. Replacement is the reverse order of removal. If you need help getting it back in you shouldn't have taken them out in the first place. =] Tada! Orange free sucka fools.

06-30-2003, 04:05 AM	#18
WizardGandoff Scooby Newbie Member#: 36667 Join Date: May 2003 Location: All over Vehicle: 04 DrgSmugrXps Blackwiththablingblingold	goood job. i think im gonna do this later but paint the chrome housing black also.

06-30-2003, 10:46 AM	#19
fast03WRX Scooby Newbie Member#: 38132 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: 2004 WRX Stage 2 Platinum Silver	Thanks for the detailed instructions and pics!!! someone should make this a sticky

06-30-2003, 11:17 AM	#20
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	Yeah, it would look pretty slick with black trim... i'll leave that for someone else to do... i don't wanna take that sucker apart again anytime soon. =]

06-30-2003, 02:07 PM	#21
Brahmzy Scooby Specialist Member#: 3293 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: CO Vehicle: '20 Ascent '15 XTerra P4X	Sweet pics skiv! I got 1 problem-I can't seem to find any ORANGE replacement bulbs for the blinkers-just clear! Any idea where and what part# on these?

06-30-2003, 02:45 PM	#22
Jay04WRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 34075 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Ellington, CT Vehicle: 2009 CTS-V Black	thanks for such a great thread, detailed instructions and good pictures. I am doing this mod asap and I will let you know how it comes out and also take pics. thanks Jay

06-30-2003, 04:15 PM	#23
BoardRider Scooby Newbie Member#: 32059 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Vehicle: 1997 Legacy GT sedan CBR600, WR400, Z50R	I bought some Phillips SilverVision bulbs from powerbulbs.com They have free shipping and great customer service. They are located in the UK. The bulbs have a silver coating, but flash orange. Perfect for you clear corner enthusiasts. This way you can stay legal...

06-30-2003, 05:55 PM	#24
skivvie Scooby Newbie Member#: 29719 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Draper, UT Vehicle: '06 WRX Wagon Silver	No prob guys. I actually enjoy writting up how tos for some reason. As for the bulbs... i'm looking myself. BoardRider... do you know the bulb sizes? I guess it's in the owners manual, just haven't looked yet.

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