DIY Headlight bulb replacement on Porsche 996

So, after having my local dealer's service advisor walk me through the process, I figured out how to change the light bulb on my halogen headlights, I figure I want to share the wealth: http://www.bankersblog.org/2006/10/d...cement-on.html

FYI....for those of you with a manual and the factory toolkit kit/bag still under the front bonnet the instructions are outlined in the manual and the headlight removal tool is in the kit.

...and the best bulbs to put in there would be Sylvania Silverstars.

Crap... I went out and bought the tools on my own

Just remember to NEVER touch the light bulbs with your bare hands. EDIT: This needs clarification. The oils from your hand will get on the bulb and could prematurely kill the bulb. Make sure to wear a latex glove or hold the bulb with a tissue.

Anybody try the MotionR bulbs vs. the Sylvania bulbs? The 6000K bulb was recommended by topdaytrader in a previous thread

Uh... I took your advice and I'd have to say I'm underwhelmed. As a matter of fact, the difference between the OE Phillips bulbs and the Silverstars is practically invisible. I installed all three of the Silverstars in the left side and left the right side lamp OE. Aside from a very, very subtle color difference they are virtually indistinguishable. After reading several posts on the subject I have a few questions for those in the know: I read a couple of comments about yellowing or browning the lens with higher wattage bulbs. I assume the lens must be plastic, but the low beam bulb is quite sheilded from the lens and the high beam is a long way from it, so it strikes me as improbable. Has anyone experienced the yellowing first hand? And is it maybe the reflector that's getting nuked? Is there an E-code (European) lens available from Porsche? That would have a dramatic effect on illumination from what I've seen with their install on 951's. And lastly, OSRAM = Sylvania.

I experimented with a few aftermarket HID-look bulbs. I was upgrading to Litronics so I was going to trash the old halogen assemblies anyway. I tried a 75 watt and an 85 watt bulb. Both of them melted the plastic lens after about a week. Do not use higher wattage bulbs. Go with the factory Litronics retrofit kit.

dimnslow, I found this post, and it reminded me of how I had to change a bulb in the Boxster. Great post! Dell- your case for RTFM works well here. That was the best thing I ever found out of the owner's manual! thanks. It took me a little over 20 minutes, once I stopped trying to plug the litronic cable in the wrong plug on the lamp assy. As for the Silvania's, I'm not as impressed as I hoped. The high beams look good, but the fog's don't seem "white" enough. The little LED's that I got for the running lights look really good, though.

Had to replace the marker light on mine, read the manual of course and what a snap..... was impressed just how easy it was. Hope to find other easy DIY's just like that. Other manufacturers should take note.

The higher wattage white bulbs looked great, but after a single morning drive 30 minutes my lens began to melt. I have silverstars and they look ok, but they dont melt.

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would that be toilet tissue? Used or unused?

Well, glad I helped someone Whoa, been a while since I been on this board... been residing on 6speed :-p

You guys want the whiter effect? Have you tried Hoen? http://www.hoen-usa.com/

Arnee, Have you tried Hoen. Before I make the mistake again, Ill let someone else make sure their sh!# doesnt melt.

Hoens are a good color match to the factory Litronics -- and they're rated at 55 watts so no melting. I have Hoen H7 bulbs for my fog lights. Don't bother getting Hoen bulbs for your high beams because unless you drive around with the high beams on, the bulbs will not get warm enough to get the color match (bulbs need to run for a while before they get that white color).

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Hello there, just a note to say thanks for your instructions! I used the search function here on RL and found this thread. Using the manual, the car's toolkit and your instructions I just replaced my headlight bulbs. No need for me to humble myself and ask my mechanic to do it for me. I am fully aware that this is one of the most minor maintainence jobs you can do to a car, but honestly, I feel a great sense of accomplishment! Time for a beer! Just a mention of where your instructions are better then that of the manual. - you mention that it is the ROUND rubber plug you have to remove to release the headlamp assembly. The manual does not specify... and there are 4 rubber plugs. Your inclusion of the shape made all the difference. - the manual states "turn the tool 180 degrees". You instruction says "turn until you here a pop". That is the key. the pop is the fastener unlocking the assembly from the socket. Lights are changed, everything works. Thanks to you and the RL search function!

Hi Mike, Not a problem at all - this site is a lot cleaner than I remembered, wow I have been on L4P so I'm not on here much, but I'm glad my post still comes in handy once in a while.

I'm trying to change the headlight in our 996, but turning the 5mm hex bolt doesn't work. It clicks once, the headlight assembly starts to move, but then it won't move any more. I could twist harder, but it's clearly going to break something before the assembly moves. Any suggestions? Thanks! Mark

When you turn the 5mm hex bolt and see the headlight assembly move a little, just pull on it. It should slide right out.

It only moves a couple of millimeters; not nearly enough to get a purchase with anything other than a tiny screwdriver, which would mar the paint.

I changed bulbs in both of mine recently and had no problem getting the units out (mine is a 996.2). The unit should move up and out when you turn the 5mm bolt. Is your's a Gen I or II (I expect they'd be the same tho). I'd drop by if I was in your area to give a hand. Maybe some others here will chime in.

Thanks; I tried again, both ways. After making some horrible noises, the assembly came out easily when I rotated counterclockwise. My car is a 2004 C2 Targa.

Good to hear!

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Just checked out the website and they are not 55w, they are 70w http://www.hoen-usa.com/low.htm

So, what is the consensus here? What brand/type of bulbs should I use for my fogs and my headlights on my 2001 996? My headlights are okay but the fogs are really dim.

OK, 996.1 headlight removal related. I am trying to remove the headlights, I have seen the videos, read the manual and have the correct tool. I have tried on both sides and I get a loud pop or bang, but then, in either direction, the headlight won't budget and there is very little movement of the headlight assembly. I am not sure how hard to operate the tool and I don't want to break anything, as the lights are an expensive screwup if I damage them. Any help would be appreciated. Thansk.

Its a cam-lock so thats what u r hearing. U should be able to just slide it out when u "unlock" it.

Can the housing get "stuck" on the car? I am not weak and I am feeling a lot of resistance when I turn the tool. Will I harm anything if I use more force? I don't think they have ever been removed, as the car only has 56,000 miles on her and the bulbs look like they need to be replaced.

You just need to turn it about a 1/4 turn and then it's "unlocked". You aren't unscrewing anything. If it feels stuck - try going 1/4 turn each way to dislodge it. Then pull out the whole assembly. You Tube

Sleepy, I tried all of that and followed that video. Still won't budge, either side. Weird.