Changed my high beam and headlight globes today... well save for the drivers side headlight.

Such a bad design - the drivers side has no room to move to get the globe. And as I was removing the globe the spring assembly popped out! Great....:cry: Just spent 1 hour trying to get the spring back in... No success.

Can someone help me out please? What should I do

If I could see what I was doing I may be able to get somewhere - but it is not possible due to the position of the assembly in the engine bay.

I think if I removed the headlight completely that might be one way to put it back on - the only problem is it looks like in the workshop manual that I need to removing the bumper, etc. eeek...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v456/yfin/IMG_6999.jpg

Can't really help as I'm still in TJ/KJ..... that metal ring holding the spring clip, is it MEANT to come off the lamp housing?

I kinda assume those four little metal tabs are meant to dig into the plastic moulding lamp housing and secure it there? Or does it twist onto plastic lugs or something? If the problem relates to this piece coming off the lamp housing, can you see the corresponding lamp on the passenger side and see how its meant to be fixed in place?

Thanks for your post - nah it is not supposed to come out - anyway I managed to get it back on after another 30 minutes of trying with a mirror this time! Geez i hope it stays back in. What a bitch...

How about trying to put a bit more tension on the little metal tabs, a screwdriver bit on the tab and a bit of a tap/thump on the screwdriver handle OR, smear a bit of silastic around the back of the metal ring, hoping that that'll go off and provide a bit of insurance/adhesion/resistance??

Send a PM to TJ Sports. He's removed his headlights already (to change the chromed base model ones to the blackended VRX/GT ones), and should be able to help you out. As I recall you do need to partial loosen and drop the front bar to access the head lights.

all fixed thanks for suggestions

Damn, was trying to change my H4 globes to Osram Nightbreaker today but i can't seem to get the spring off. Stupid design from Mitsubishi, will try it tomorrow when there's more daylight time, if can't then maybe i would remove whole headlight for easier installation.

Finally get the highlight globes change after 1hr of trying....

Good to see mitsu has improved the design from the 1st gen.

Feedback - Osram Nightbreaker is very good, the intensity of the light and distance shine is amazing. Money well spend. :)

I can not even get my hand in to take off the electrical connectors

I have done the H7 High beams but cannot get the H4 hi/low beam

and I can not even unscrew the splash guard to replace the foggies

I make my mechanic do it next service

I can not even get my hand in to take off the electrical connectors

I have done the H7 High beams but cannot get the H4 hi/low beam

and I can not even unscrew the splash guard to replace the foggies

I make my mechanic do it next service

Check out this link, the H4 connector are exactly the same as our 380. Just use a pair of multi-grip, press onto the retaining clips and out it go.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11246199

What are some good bulbs (to replace my standard ones with) which would have less "yellow" and more "white" in the light? I don't want those cheap looking too-blue headlights, but something with just a touch of blue in it.
What about the high-beams and driving lights? Does anyone replace those too, or leave them alone?

I had mine change to Osram Nightbreaker +90%, i got mine from ebay at $26 delivered. It's much better than stock that's for sure.

I can not even get my hand in to take off the electrical connectors

I have done the H7 High beams but cannot get the H4 hi/low beam

and I can not even unscrew the splash guard to replace the foggies

I make my mechanic do it next service

if i remember correctly, there are 2 bolts and 5 scrivets in the guard liner on the wheel side, and about 4 or 5 scrivets on the underside (of each side) and that will loosen the front of the guard liner to give you access to the foglights.

Thanks guys

I made my Mrs have a go to remove them too LOL she as smaller hands than me but still no avail

due to the wet I have not worried about getting down for the foggies

Multi grips hey! Might have another crack on tuesday morning when I get home from work.

Cheers Guys

What are some good bulbs (to replace my standard ones with) which would have less "yellow" and more "white" in the light? I don't want those cheap looking too-blue headlights, but something with just a touch of blue in it.
What about the high-beams and driving lights? Does anyone replace those too, or leave them alone?

Recently changed mine from stock to Philips Power2Night. They have a blue coated tip, so you get a slightly whiter light up close, but standard colour over distance. Plus the light distance is longer (pack says +25m but I haven't measured and usually doubt these claims anyway)

Either way, they **** all over the stock bulbs.

JEEZ had a crack for 6 hours today

NO change

I think I am just a NUB

cant get the multis in there just have to roll around with stockies til they fail
At least I have spares when they do

Got the foggies done man that was alot easier when you just pop the scrivets out

Still no love with the H4s some have suggested you need to remove the whole light assembly which means the front bar as well????

Got some Narva +50 H7s (high beam) from Ripco a week ago & fitted them myself with a little mucking about, but couldn't even get close to getting the H4s (low beam / combo) out. Not even with multigrips.

Went into Super Cheap Auto just now, got a pair of Cailbre Xenon White H4s (which aren't too bad, just not as good as the Phillips Extreme +80), and took them up on their "$10 to fit deal". Took three of them half an hour, but they got it done in the end, and saved me no end of skun knuckles, cursing & time. Well worth $10 IMHO.

This was at SCA Port Adelaide, I'm guessing that all/most SCA stores have the same deal.

KJ.

1/2 hr to do the high beams!!!

it took me 5 mins its that stupid H4 socket and no gap to work with that is the killer

ive changed the h4s took a whole 5min. was easy.

ive changed the h4s took a whole 5min. was easy.

:happy:

ive changed the h4s took a whole 5min. was easy.

But you are so.......



AWESOME :eeek::facejump::happy:

seriously did you already have the headlights out

Mecha-wombat have you tried it with a little mirror? I found that helped alot. That said if you have larger than average hands you may find it physically impossible to get your hand in the right spot to do the job.

hands like dinner plates

brain like fish

I am going to make the mechanics apprentice do it when it goes in soon

Had anyone tried coating a thin layer of grease to the bulbs contact? This will stop the corrosion that usually seize the H4.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/trex_101/h4_1.jpg

what like vasoline??

going to take the front bar off today

I am over having awesome Xenon highs, HID LED parkers and crappy yellow head lights

I detect my rice factor has just increased

I would prefer to use Silicone Grease as this wont affect electrical connection.

you cant beat HID, halogens are crap.

well I got rained off so I have to wait for another day

this is so ticking me off for such a simple little globe FFS

I had mine change to Osram Nightbreaker +90%, i got mine from ebay at $26 delivered. It's much better than stock that's for sure.

Who did them for $26 delivered???

Got some Narva +50 H7s (high beam) from Ripco a week ago & fitted them myself with a little mucking about, but couldn't even get close to getting the H4s (low beam / combo) out. Not even with multigrips.

Went into Super Cheap Auto just now, got a pair of Cailbre Xenon White H7s (which aren't too bad, just not as good as the Phillips Extreme +80), and took them up on their "$10 to fit deal". Took three of them half an hour, but they got it done in the end, and saved me no end of skun knuckles, cursing & time. Well worth $10 IMHO.

This was at SCA Port Adelaide, I'm guessing that all/most SCA stores have the same deal.

KJ.

Could be as funny as all get out to pay the $10 and stand back and watch them try and fit the h4's:rant::rant::rant:

Mecha-wombat have you tried it with a little mirror? I found that helped alot. That said if you have larger than average hands you may find it physically impossible to get your hand in the right spot to do the job.
Errr what are we talking about here lol or is it just my mind:facejump:

Where I earlier said .....Went into Super Cheap Auto just now, got a pair of Cailbre Xenon White H7s ...,
I made a boo-boo. It was the Calibre Xenon White H4s that I got fitted under the $10 deal, not the easy to fit H7s.

KJ.

LOL thought so

I will try again tomorrow no rain hopefully

Where I earlier said .....Went into Super Cheap Auto just now, got a pair of Cailbre Xenon White H7s ...,
I made a boo-boo. It was the Calibre Xenon White H4s that I got fitted under the $10 deal, not the easy to fit H7s.

KJ.

Good call and would have been excellent to watch considering what you know lol

Who did them for $26 delivered???

You find them at ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/OSRAM-NIGHT-BREAKER-H4-PAIR-90-MORE-LIGHT_W0QQitemZ260449548458QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_C arsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3ca400b8aa&_trksid=p3286.m63.l1177

Check these Fog lights out. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-2009-Mitsubishi-380-Fog-Light-Lamp-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQha shZitem5ad2a4e4b9QQitemZ390081078457QQptZMotorsQ5f CarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Maybe for those without them or those wishing to upgrade.

Check these Fog lights out. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-2009-Mitsubishi-380-Fog-Light-Lamp-Kit_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQha shZitem5ad2a4e4b9QQitemZ390081078457QQptZMotorsQ5f CarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Maybe for those without them or those wishing to upgrade.

Interesting. I was wondering if there was some sort of upgrade for the fog lights.

i will do a HID write up soon, they are way better than crappy halogen lights and only around $120 for a decent kit

i will do a HID write up soon, they are way better than crappy halogen lights and only around $120 for a decent kit

look nice but not legal to retrofit to the 380 low beams - not worth the trouble and it can void your insurance if you are in an accident

Can someone link me up (ebay style) to some decent H4 bulbs to replace the stock 380 ones? There are too many to choose from, and I dont fancy waiting 3 weeks for Osram Nightbreakers from the UK to turn up.

Cheers

J

Can someone link me up (ebay style) to some decent H4 bulbs to replace the stock 380 ones? There are too many to choose from, and I dont fancy waiting 3 weeks for Osram Nightbreakers from the UK to turn up.

Cheers

J

Jimmy, I have bought in the past some of the bulbs from China or HK but they are really crap. The posts are not soldered properly and they fail very quickly. There may be some that are ok but I havent found them.I have gone for the Nightbreakers as Osram have a pretty good name. You may just need to be patient, grasshopper. It isnt as if the standard headlights are dim or anything like the old days (sealed beams that were as yellow as all get out and really bad wiring and loss to earth exacerbating the problem!).

I just put a set of H4 Nightbreakers in. It wasn't that hard. The plugs seemed to come off ok for me. A bit fiddly tho..

so can you fit mine LOL

I have the jap globes in the boot we can do it at the next meet if you come down for giggles LOL

I had night breakers but gave them to a mate for rego and CBF getting them back

I think we need to run a competition.
The fastest time to change the 380 low beam bulbs.

so can you fit mine LOL

I have the jap globes in the boot we can do it at the next meet if you come down for giggles LOL

I had night breakers but gave them to a mate for rego and CBF getting them back
I have a series 1 so I dont know if they changed the plugs on them since. I have found that the Nightbreakers appear to have a rather scattered pattern on them. Did anyone else notice this when they put them in?

I think we need to run a competition.
The fastest time to change the 380 low beam bulbs.

All you masochists just sign up with Knotched now lol

I lose I am still trying to put them in after what 3 months LOL

I have a Series I as well

the nightbreakers will have different look to the regular headlights due to the light temperature and added throw from standard

I don't mean to gloat but I can swap over the H4 lows in about 1min per side now. The first time it took like 15min to get the first side out, and about 40min to get it back in!

So instead of bragging, take some photos and do a write up so the rest of us poor sods can do it too :)

LOL awesome work Jimmy

I seriously think my huge hands are what makes the problem

So instead of bragging, take some photos and do a write up so the rest of us poor sods can do it too :)

Ha ha ha. You will need a micro cam to get in to capture it!!

Ha ha ha. You will need a micro cam to get in to capture it!!
Haha yeh pics are impossible.

Basically my tips are.
-Have a look at the manual so you can see a drawing of the difficult clip.
-To remove, push the clip in (towards the front of the car) and downwards and it should pop out. There are little hook type things pointing downwards that hold the clip in.
-Once you have the clip off the light should pull out. Take note of it's orientation. The tab goes at the top. Think of the Merc badge.
-When putting in the new bulb, make sure you have it in properly, this was the most difficult for me. Have a look through the front of headlights. When it is in properly it will be sitting square and 3-5mm of the 'base' will be poking through into the reflector space. Have a look at the other light that is still in for comparison. If the bulb isnt sitting right the clip won't go on properly
-If the bulb is sittin properly push the clip in (downwards and towards the front to get it under the hooks). This can be fiddly keeping the bulb in properly while doing the clip.

I hope this helps. It's a bit hard to put the image in my head into words.

Haha yeh pics are impossible.

Basically my tips are.
-Have a look at the manual so you can see a drawing of the difficult clip.
-To remove, push the clip in (towards the front of the car) and downwards and it should pop out. There are little hook type things pointing downwards that hold the clip in.
-Once you have the clip off the light should pull out. Take note of it's orientation. The tab goes at the top. Think of the Merc badge.
-When putting in the new bulb, make sure you have it in properly, this was the most difficult for me. Have a look through the front of headlights. When it is in properly it will be sitting square and 3-5mm of the 'base' will be poking through into the reflector space. Have a look at the other light that is still in for comparison. If the bulb isnt sitting right the clip won't go on properly
-If the bulb is sittin properly push the clip in (downwards and towards the front to get it under the hooks). This can be fiddly keeping the bulb in properly while doing the clip.

I hope this helps. It's a bit hard to put the image in my head into words.
Very good description and advice. I found these to be a particularly bad design for ease of fit and accessability. They still aren't that bad as long as you don't have paws like a Yowie. Cant emphasise enough to get the orientation correct as this will affect your lighting (that is if you can even get them back in). I have noticed that the Night breakers seem to give a more scattered light with more in the foreground. Does anyone know if there any vertical adjustment? I have noticed some screws that look like adjusters but haven't played with them yet.

Very good description and advice. I found these to be a particularly bad design for ease of fit and accessability. They still aren't that bad as long as you don't have paws like a Yowie. Cant emphasise enough to get the orientation correct as this will affect your lighting (that is if you can even get them back in). I have noticed that the Night breakers seem to give a more scattered light with more in the foreground. Does anyone know if there any vertical adjustment? I have noticed some screws that look like adjusters but haven't played with them yet.

Id play with em until you get a good light spread.

;1108935']Id play with em until you get a good light spread.

So they are adjusters?

SUCCESS

OK Guys, just did mine in 20 minutes. 15 mins for the first, 5 for the second.

There is definitely a technicque to follow, so here are my tips.

1) Get the plug off the bulb FIRST. Dont muck about with the spring until the wiring is gone. Easiest way I found, was to slip a small flat-head screwdriver in between the bulb and the wire block thing and turn it. Pop, wiring block pops off nice and easy, and you can shove it out of the way.

2) The Spring. Simple enough once the wires are out of the way. There is a handle side, and the other side connects to the housing. The handle side on both lights is on the engine side of the bulb. Just keep pushing it in and trying to move it up or down until it unhooks. Then tadaa the bulb comes out dead easy.

3) New Bulb. It is dead easy to orient it the correct way. As you know there are three flat pins on the H4 in a kind of U shape |_| The single pin on its own goes at the top, so the exact reverse of the diagram I just typed. Once it is in, close the clip. Then it is dead easy pushing the wiring thing back on.

WOOHOO

SUCCESS

OK Guys, just did mine in 20 minutes. 15 mins for the first, 5 for the second.

There is definitely a technicque to follow, so here are my tips.
<snip>
WOOHOO

Wholeheartedly agree with all those. Didn't think to include those when I put my tips. :doubt:

SUCCESS

OK Guys, just did mine in 20 minutes. 15 mins for the first, 5 for the second.

There is definitely a technicque to follow, so here are my tips.

1) Get the plug off the bulb FIRST. Dont muck about with the spring until the wiring is gone. Easiest way I found, was to slip a small flat-head screwdriver in between the bulb and the wire block thing and turn it. Pop, wiring block pops off nice and easy, and you can shove it out of the way.

2) The Spring. Simple enough once the wires are out of the way. There is a handle side, and the other side connects to the housing. The handle side on both lights is on the engine side of the bulb. Just keep pushing it in and trying to move it up or down until it unhooks. Then tadaa the bulb comes out dead easy.

3) New Bulb. It is dead easy to orient it the correct way. As you know there are three flat pins on the H4 in a kind of U shape |_| The single pin on its own goes at the top, so the exact reverse of the diagram I just typed. Once it is in, close the clip. Then it is dead easy pushing the wiring thing back on.

WOOHOO


A beer for you methinks

Stupid big hands still stop me

I think I should just give UP

Bit of a thread mine, but I need some help/advice.

Noticed my driver's side low beam was kaput today.

I had Calibre Xenon Blue H4 bulbs fitted by SCA a bit over a year ago (I think), for $10, and the guys at SCA had a hard time with it, took them over an hour. They should have read JimmyA's advice.

Anyway, when pulling out the blown Calibre bulb a few hours ago I somehow didn't unhook it properly from the retaining spring, and I managed to pull the retaining spring out with it!

This spring is the biggest PITA in history to get back in where it belongs!

Spent several hours skinning hands and knuckles, had the GF come over with smaller hands and better feel to have a go, (I have MS and my fingertip feel is almost gone), and we could not get this !!*(*@&*!! of a spring clip back in! A couple of times we thought we had it, but no.

Short of taking it to a dealer and being charged a $squillion, any ideas or help would be much appreciated.

KJ.

take the whole headlight out

Which means dropping the bar too

I have to redo mine as it shoots into the sky like a high beam

All fixed.

Took the car & the spring/clip down to my local Mitsu dealer, the bloke behind the service counter took the spring to the workshop and got it put back into shape, then he fitted it & the (stock) globe in less than a minute!

Great service & no charge.

Ordered a pair of Philips Xtreme +80 H4 globes from a Pommy site for around $40.00 all up, with free delivery & a pair of bonus indicator globes. The stock H4s are rubbish, yellow and weak.

Will probably leave it to a SA meet night to fit the new globes, with the 'assistance' of someone with smaller hands & better touch than me!

KJ.

New H4 globes rolled up today (I'm off work with the flu), so I thought I'd give it go at fitting them myself, now that I 'know' exactly how to do it.

But of course that @#%&&%$ spring clip fell out again, despite being reeeeeal careful with it! Seems it's not quite 100% right now.

Back down the dealer, same service counter bloke, not real impressed to see me again, but he fixed the clip and stuck both new globes in for me.

His parting shot was 'no more new globes please'.

Before I left I commented that the driver's side globe (the problem one) didn't seem to be in quite the right spot and it was aiming a bit high as a result.

He reckoned it was 'perfect'.

Got back home, fiddled with it ever so carefully, and now it is in the right spot. It wasn't seated fully in the slot and it was definitely pointing high.

I remember having the same problem when the SCA blokes fitted the Calibre globes, one of them just didn't look quite right and seemed to be pointing a bit high. A week or two later I gently twisted it to fix it, problem solvered.

The moral of the story is that these H4 (low beam) globes are not just pricks of things to fit, even when you think you have it fitted properly it might not be perfectly lined up.

Double check the fit and make sure it's even all round and that the base of the globe is sticking out into the housing as far as it will go.

KJ.

I had Calibre Xenon Blue H4 bulbs fitted by SCA a bit over a year ago

KJ.

How did you find the performance/looks of these bulbs KJ?

How did you find the performance/looks of these bulbs KJ?

Great looks, very white light with a hint of blue, performance pretty good (waaaaaay better than stock) but not quite as good as the Philips Xtreme +80 in light intensity, reach or spread.

But one conked after only a year so not sure about the build quality.

The Philips Xtreme's cost only $39 delivered, which I'm pretty sure is a fair bit less than you will pay for a pair of Calibre Xenon Blues.

KJ.

There are two types of the Calibre Xenon Blues I see. Was it the Whites or Blues you bought?

There's also a normal globe and a Halogen type.

Are either of these suitable, and do you know the differences?

There are two types of the Calibre Xenon Blues I see. Was it the Whites or Blues you bought?

There's also a normal globe and a Halogen type.

Are either of these suitable, and do you know the differences?

The package for the ones I bought says "Calibre Xenon Blue performance halogen globes, superior white/blue light, H4 12V 60/55W P43t, PLU 120192".

Printed on the globe is 'Max/Lite H4 U XB 12V 60/55 E1 217'.

The globe itself has a definite blue tint, although the light it puts out is bright white. From outside when on the light looks white with only the faintest hint of blue.

So I reckon it's white rather than blue, and it's a halogen type.

Can't help you with the other type, don't know the difference.

Note these are H4 low beam / high beam combo globes, in other words low beam, I made a mistake in my earier post calling them high beam globes.

KJ.

Cool. Thanks man.

A globe blew the other day, and I hate driving around with just one headlight.

Slight thread mine.

Four days ago my passenger side low beam (H4) headlight conked. Philips Xtreme +80. Less than six months since I had them installed.
Got the GF to replace it with the stock (crap) H4 globe (I'm effing hopeless at changing these H4 globes, don't have the 'feel' needed).
Then this morning the driver's side low beam conked as well. The other Philips Xtreme +80.
That's the third time now I have blown the driver's side H4 globe, and once for the passenger side. Never blown a high beam (H7) globe. Car is five years old and has done just under 83,000k.
Is this normal, or do I maybe have a wiring/relay/fuse problem?
The GF is getting a bit fed up with all the H4 globe replacements, and is threatening to dump me.
Help!

Mine's about 4.5 yrs old, just hit 75K, and still running original daggy bulbs. I can see the yellow in them even without your type to draw a comparison. I'll change them one day... looks too fiddly.
Hope you can salvage your bulbs problem AND keep the girlfriend.

Slight thread mine.

Four days ago my passenger side low beam (H4) headlight conked. Philips Xtreme +80. Less than six months since I had them installed.
Got the GF to replace it with the stock (crap) H4 globe (I'm effing hopeless at changing these H4 globes, don't have the 'feel' needed).
Then this morning the driver's side low beam conked as well. The other Philips Xtreme +80.
That's the third time now I have blown the driver's side H4 globe, and once for the passenger side. Never blown a high beam (H7) globe. Car is five years old and has done just under 83,000k.
Is this normal, or do I maybe have a wiring/relay/fuse problem?
The GF is getting a bit fed up with all the H4 globe replacements, and is threatening to dump me.
Help!

It is the globe mate. Anything + doesn't last. Whether it is +50 or whatever. They have a shorter life span.

Yep I have some IPF globes in ATM but just had to replace highs

OK, dropped into SCA Wednesday arvo and bought a pair of new Calibre high powered blue/white globes, while waiting for the Osram Nightbreakers to arrive from the UK. The Osrams will be used as spares. Only $28 the pair for the Calibres, bargain.
Got the GF to fit them last night.
Passenger side was relatively easy, as the clip/spring was still in place, even managed to undo it myself without stuffing it.
Driver's side clip/spring was a complete PITA to get back in, it just kept falling out. 30 minutes later and the GF is ready to spit the dummy.
Guessed that it might be a bit out of shape, maybe a bit too 'wide' and needed some 'closing up', had a fiddle with some pliers, hey presto it went back in & stayed back in!
So the moral of the story is that it's relatively easy for a Klumzy Klutz like me to bend the retaining clip/spring bad enough that it no longer stays in place, and it pays to 'squeeze it up' a bit.
I now have to shout the GF dinner for all her help.