LED Parking Bulb Disaster!

leadduck · 02-02-2009, 05:48 PM

HELP!! I recently bought the LED parking bulb replacements and the installation has ended in disaster. The drivers side went in fine no problems. The passenger side fell off inside the headlight housing. In my attempts to get the bulb out and back into the socket I managed to poke out the lense that covers the parking light and now the lense and bulb are loose in the headlight housing.

So I have come to the conclusion that the headlight needs to be removed and replaced unless there is a way to remove the glass on the front of it.

Has anyone had this problem or have any suggestions? The last thing I want to do is have to buy a new headlight...

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Spin9k · 02-02-2009, 06:50 PM

There is no other solution except replacement of the whole expensive assembly unless if you are really really inventive, can take the whole unit out of the car to work on it, perhaps get some type of suction or sticky device to attach to the lens cover thru the bulb hole and then are able to get it back into place thru some devine miracle of manipulation and contortion.

I bet you'll swear that it was really not worth the effort, even if you can by some slight possibility actually succeed, to have LED parking lights...

and never ever try that again.

kainis2k · 02-04-2009, 05:30 AM

Well, I would try baking the headlights for and taking the complete assembly apart. If you're going to buy a new assembly, I would at least try this first prior to spending 200+ for a new headlight assembly. Couldn't hurt anything more than it is now if you're gonna buy another anyways.

chancejat · 02-04-2009, 06:41 AM

mazda charges over 900 for a new headlight so make sure you get a used one.....

altspace · 02-04-2009, 06:56 AM

I just baked and pulled apart some RX-8 headlights this weekend. It's doable, but a PITA. There are a bunch of how-tos here.

kainis2k · 02-04-2009, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by altspace

I just baked and pulled apart some RX-8 headlights this weekend. It's doable, but a PITA. There are a bunch of how-tos here.

Have any extras?

SilverRenesis · 02-04-2009, 08:55 PM

The same thing happend to me Last week, I had to order a new pair of bulbs cuz I couldn't find the one's I lost.

ShellDude · 02-04-2009, 09:07 PM

if you're non-HID (halogen) stay away from the 9 LED clusters. You'll get them in on the driver side (lefty here in the States) but will fail on the passenger... no fit, don't pass go, don't collect $200... has been confirmed by a reputable vendor here too.

Here's a thought... remove your bumper, at least enough to get to the passenger assembly. remove the assembly. mix up some 30 minute epoxy and using toothpicks and/or needlenose or similar apparati spread the epoxy around the inner edge of the housing for the parking light lens then press the lens against the edge... hold until the epoxy cures and you'll be good to go.

leadduck · 02-07-2009, 07:27 PM

So removing the headlight was easier than I though it would be. I had no trouble shaking the bulb out of the assembly however I had no luck getting the lense back into its place. I actually messed it up more and now I am sure I need a new headlight. The last option I have is to try this baking option and see if I cant get it to work and not damage it further. What a headache, screw LED parking lights!

kainis2k · 02-07-2009, 08:06 PM

I used LED parking lights and had no problem... Sorry to hear you didn't have as much luck!

Ross_Dawg · 02-26-2009, 01:06 AM

Yeah, my LED parking lights look great; sorry you're having so many difficulties

Renesis555 · 04-04-2009, 06:57 AM

I kinda feel you on this one. I had no problem installing them on the passenger side actually, but for the driver's side, I accidently dropped it inside the housing. I was able to get it out however with a clothes hanger and some really sticky tape :O I was lucky.

myriadshalaks · 04-06-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kainis2k

I used LED parking lights and had no problem... Sorry to hear you didn't have as much luck!

same here. i think my hand was stuck for a while on the passenger side though.

sorry, OP. that sucks, and I could totally see it happening, so don't feel too bad.

did you put tape around the bottom of the light under the wires? the instructions I got with mine said to do that. it really helped. at first without the tape, they were very loose.

crimson-rain · 04-14-2009, 04:38 PM

I've gotten myself in same boat man. The lence for the parking light on the driver's side (US) popped out while I was trying to get the bulb out of the housing. I asked a Mazda dealership about it and they said $900 to replace the whole thing.

... whaaaaaat?!?!?!?! It's NOT BROKEN THOUGH!!!! were my thoughts.

But while looking at possibly how to fix it (I took out the light housing), I could tell it would be an .... issue ... to fix something that's pretty easy IF you could get to it.

Might be in the market for a used 8 driver's side (US) headlight housing.

... where do I get one?

Kaiser bun · 06-22-2009, 01:08 AM

Wow amazingly i did not even think of that when i was installing myn. Do you think there is any slight chance that the lights would fall out at a later time, maybe if i hit a big bump or something