2005-2009 Mustang Information on The S197 {Gen1}

Removing headlight

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Old 1/20/06 | 11:50 AM
  #1  
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Hey guys, anyone have the procedure to remove the front headlights? Looks like there is condensation forming on the inside of the headlight, so I need to swap it out. Hopefully the bumper doesn't also need to be removed...
Old 1/20/06 | 11:53 AM
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adrenalin's Avatar
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Why are you doing this and not FORD since it is covered under warranty
Old 1/20/06 | 12:37 PM
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Changing headlights?
Old 1/20/06 | 01:26 PM
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Here's the work instruction
http://www.bradbarnett.net/mustangs/galaxi...ce/headlamp.pdf

Here's the entire section
http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=34240

Old 1/22/06 | 01:23 PM
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R/R of a headlight is a major PITA.

I'd take it back to the body shop and have THEM do it, since they screwed it up.
Old 1/22/06 | 02:16 PM
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Actually removing them isnt that hard. I just did it recently when I took my buckets out to get painted and I am very mechanically challenged. It took me about a half hour to complete. You have to remove the bumper though inorder to do it. Tools you need, Phillips head screwdriver, pliers, ratchet and 9 and 10mm sockets.

First off you have to remove the shielding in the wheel wells. Turning the wheel facing out will make it easier to get at the screws. First take the shielding off using the screwdriver to pop out the plastic holders. The use the pliers to pull them out. Should be 4 screws on each wheel well. Once you get these off, just slide the shield out.

Next you have 2 nuts under the bumper. Just use the 9mm socket and they come right off. Repeat these procedures for the other side. Now you have I think 4 or 5 small nuts underneath the car where the skid plate is. Simply use the socket and take these off. Finally open the hood and remove the radiator cover using the screwdriver and pliers. You will then see several more nuts, simply take these off. Now just disconect the fogs and all other light fixtures and slide the bumper, grill and all off.

Now there are three bolts holding the lights on, two on top and one on the bottom. Just unbolt these and slide the lights out. One more thing, disconect the lights before loosening the bolts or you will have a really difficult time disconecting the plugs.

I cant remember if there are any other bolts in there but just look and you will see where they are. Believe me this is an easy fix to do. Have fun.
Old 1/22/06 | 03:00 PM
  #7  
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From: Glendora CA
Originally posted by hpaddict@January 20, 2006, 11:53 AM
Hey guys, anyone have the procedure to remove the front headlights? Looks like there is condensation forming on the inside of the headlight, so I need to swap it out. Hopefully the bumper doesn't also need to be removed...
Did you happen to look in your owners manual? This issue is mentioned.
From the 2006 Owners Manual (downloaded from TMS)
------------------------------
Headlamp Condensation
The headlamps are vented to equalize pressure. When moist air enters the headlamp(s) through the vents, there is a possibility that condensation can occur. This condensation is normal and will clear withing 45 minutes of headlamp operation.
-----------------------------
The reason I already knew about this is that I was reading my owners manual a little while ago and happened to find this topic.
Old 1/23/06 | 10:08 AM
  #8  
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I think there is a small hole in the plastic cover in front of the light for venting.
Old 1/25/06 | 11:04 AM
  #9  
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Hmmm...my car is an 05, but I don't think headlight design changed from 05-06. I noticed the condensation after driving for about 45 minutes (I got out to put air in my tires). The funny thing is that the left headlight had condensation, but the right one didn't. I think it should be ok, I just don't want water to eventually build up inside.
Old 1/25/06 | 11:12 AM
  #10  
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Originally posted by silverGTvert@January 22, 2006, 3:19 PM
Actually removing them isnt that hard. I just did it recently when I took my buckets out to get painted and I am very mechanically challenged. It took me about a half hour to complete. You have to remove the bumper though inorder to do it. Tools you need, Phillips head screwdriver, pliers, ratchet and 9 and 10mm sockets.

First off you have to remove the shielding in the wheel wells. Turning the wheel facing out will make it easier to get at the screws. First take the shielding off using the screwdriver to pop out the plastic holders. The use the pliers to pull them out. Should be 4 screws on each wheel well. Once you get these off, just slide the shield out.

Next you have 2 nuts under the bumper. Just use the 9mm socket and they come right off. Repeat these procedures for the other side. Now you have I think 4 or 5 small nuts underneath the car where the skid plate is. Simply use the socket and take these off. Finally open the hood and remove the radiator cover using the screwdriver and pliers. You will then see several more nuts, simply take these off. Now just disconect the fogs and all other light fixtures and slide the bumper, grill and all off.

Now there are three bolts holding the lights on, two on top and one on the bottom. Just unbolt these and slide the lights out. One more thing, disconect the lights before loosening the bolts or you will have a really difficult time disconecting the plugs.

I cant remember if there are any other bolts in there but just look and you will see where they are. Believe me this is an easy fix to do. Have fun.
Thanks for the info on removing the bumper. I tried it before, but got stuck because I couldn't access nuts connecting the bumper to the fenders. Now I know I have to remove the wheel well. So there are four screws holding the shielding on the wheel wells? That's it? Do I need to remove the plastic fasteners near the splash guard area?
Old 8/25/06 | 08:18 AM
  #11  
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Headlamp Condensation

Originally Posted by 05RedGT
I think there is a small hole in the plastic cover in front of the light for venting.
Hello,
I found your postings, because there is a permanent condensation in the left headlamp of my Mustang 05. The right one is ok.
Picture: http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5418/img0160jl9.jpg
Also I read in the owners manual page 35 about the venting. Because of the German Law there was placed a small bulb into the reflector. So first I tought this is the reason for the moist. But the description an page 35 of the owner manual makes me insecure.
Could it actually be, that there is a little hole for the venting, which is possible bunged up? I can not find such a hole.

Ohh, just now I found this:http://www.mustangtuning.com/headlig...on-remedy.html
But I do not understand everything. Could anybody explaine what a "cardboard" is ?
Old 8/25/06 | 08:51 AM
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You must be over analyzing this. "Cardboard" as in a piece of a cardboard box. Welcome to the forum
Old 8/25/06 | 08:58 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by TakeOffStang
You must be over analyzing this. "Cardboard" as in a piece of a cardboard box. Welcome to the forum
Thank You, also found it now at Wikipedia.
Old 8/25/06 | 01:23 PM
  #14  
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Replacing current headlight with sealed beams...

Anybody know why they decided to vent the headlights like that, and give it so much room? Are the halogen bulbs especially hot?

I'm looking into replacing the existing halogen bulb/reflector with a sealed halogen headlight that uses same hi/low beam wattage as the original(probably an H4 replacement). This should allow me to remove the lens cover, giving the car a more retro (1968) look. Have done a little research, now the next step is to buy a replacement lamp assembly and try to mount a sealed beam securely to the spare unit.

After that, will attach the light for testing, then paint and mount. If I get lucky and all goes well, it might look something like:

Attachment 7863

Has anybody tried this? I asked, and the shop that did the light above (CDC) is not currently doing this on a commercial basis, and I don't feel like buying a new FOOSE mustang just for the lights (FOOSE stangs have this style as well).
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