Bugger.

I tried replacing a burnt headlight bulb this weekend but after getting the weather seal cap off the back of the assembly, the bulb (usually held in by a simple collar that you unscrew, in my experience) is being held in by some sort of wire retainer, with a molex plug on the back and three screws, plus a few more bits.

The whole mess is sat right in front of the windshield wiper reservoir with about a half inch clearance. I've no FUCKING CLUE how to get the bulb out, much less how to get the new one in once it IS out.

I've been searching online but can't find a simple how to, a diagram, or anything. The owner's manual helpfully suggests that I take the car in to my local dealer for all of my bulb replacement needs.

WTF.

My wife did this on our 2004 Elantra the week before Christmas. She said that it took her about 15 minutes.

And she can't operate a circular saw safely...

Your wife must be a fucking mechanical engineering genius, or else the 2004 differs from teh 2005 by a great deal. That shit is insane in there.

The wire retainer is exceedingly common. You just unclip it, it hinges out of the way, and the bulb pulls out still attached to the plug.

Of course, if the manufacturer was inconsiderate enough to put the screen wash reservoir in the way, you might have to unfasten that and move it clear before you can get access to the bulb. I had a car like that once too.

I had the dealer replace a bulb for my Elantra, and he slid it in as a warranty item.

For something that new, the bulb shouldn't need to be replaced already.

Its a spring.

"I had the dealer replace a bulb for my Elantra, and he slid it in as a warranty item."

Is that some kind of code for intercourse?

2005 Elantra is too new for a Haynes manual to appear.

On a car this new, it ought to be a warranty item.

OMG and I thought getting to the distributor in a Mini Minor was a day's work.

Some of the info here may be relevant:

http://www.elantraxd.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-11298.html

the picture links work if you cut&paste the URL eg

http://nitrousworld.com/pictures/step%201x.JPG


Aren't lightbulbs left out of the warranty in the fine print?

Oh my. Is it as complicated as that on the 2005 Elantra too?

Holy fuck.

How many muppets does it take to replace a lightbulb?

Serves you for buying Hyundai.