My apologies for posting this when I know it's most likely a well covered topic on here, but I've searched and searched and can't find good instructions on replacing headlights on a 380 es.

If someone could post a link to suitable instructions that'd be great.

Thanks.

Here ya go:

Low beam/combo replacement, page 54A-147 of the 380 workshop manual:
http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af28/kj380/380lowbeamreplacement.jpg

High beam replacement, page 54A-149:
http://i990.photobucket.com/albums/af28/kj380/380highbeamreplacement.jpg

The low beam/combo can be a bit of a prick, by much trial & error I've worked out that you need to push the spring clip in then down to get the bulb out without stuffing up the clip, then gently swing it over & remove the bulb, then reverse the procedure to put a new bulb in.

Others have had problems with the high beams instead but not me, go figure!

It helps not to have paws like a Yowie, there's not a lot of room to work in.

Another much more time consuming method is to take the headlights right out, which makes it a piece of cake to get at the bulbs and replace them.

Involves taking the front bar right off, which in turn involves pulling the front undertrays right off and loosening the wheel arch plastics.

Lots of pesky scrivets.

Done this three times now with the help of Michael (maggie3.5), can now do it in 30 minutes flat!

hi - i have done my front bumper bar last weekend - i was putting (successfully) tranny cooler in. its quite easy to put front bumper down - about 30-60 min.

Question i have about the low/high beams - I was thinking to put in Xenon "low/highs" - do I need any conversion kit or just replace the bulbs?

cheers,
m

Question i have about the low/high beams - I was thinking to put in Xenon "low/highs" - do I need any conversion kit or just replace the bulbs?
If you are after proper "xenon" HID lights, they will come with a ballast as well as bulbs.

Anything that's advertised as "xenon" but is bulbs only is going to be crap: it's just a regular set of bulbs designed to put out bluer light.

Quality varies immensely between brands, so if you want a whiter/bluer bulb that doesn't completely suck, Philips Crystal Vision and Diamond Vision bulbs are your best bet.

thanks a lot

From my recent experience HIDs don't work very well with 380 lenses, they're not really compatible.
And as Red says, best bet if you want the Xenon 'look' without all the negatives of HIDs are the Philips Crystal Vision or Diamond Vision. I ordered a set of Diamond Vision H4s a week ago via Fleabay, just waiting for them to rock up. When that happens I'll let you know how they look & perform, compared to the Osram Nightbreakers I have in ATM.

I personally prefer the narva version on the phillps diamondvisions. The phillips have prooved unreliable for me twice now. The narvas look exactly the same, are half the price and i have not replaced mine in 3 years!

http://www.narva.com.au/products/browse/performance-globes#anchor7

Platinum or ultra :)

Here ya go:

Low beam/combo replacement, page 54A-147 of the 380 workshop manual:

High beam replacement, page 54A-149:


The low beam/combo can be a bit of a prick, by much trial & error I've worked out that you need to push the spring clip in then down to get the bulb out without stuffing up the clip, then gently swing it over & remove the bulb, then reverse the procedure to put a new bulb in.

Others have had problems with the high beams instead but not me, go figure!

It helps not to have paws like a Yowie, there's not a lot of room to work in.

Another much more time consuming method is to take the headlights right out, which makes it a piece of cake to get at the bulbs and replace them.

Involves taking the front bar right off, which in turn involves pulling the front undertrays right off and loosening the wheel arch plastics.

Lots of pesky scrivets.

Done this three times now with the help of Michael (maggie3.5), can now do it in 30 minutes flat!


Thanks a lot man!

hi - i have done my front bumper bar last weekend - i was putting (successfully) tranny cooler in. its quite easy to put front bumper down - about 30-60 min.

Question i have about the low/high beams - I was thinking to put in Xenon "low/highs" - do I need any conversion kit or just replace the bulbs?

cheers,
m
I have just put a HID kit in for my high beams and OMG THEY ARE BRIGHT! I put in the 55 w version too. 6000k. I had in the best halogen bulbs that I could get. Xtremes from memory and night breakers in the H4s . After driving on high beam for a while and dropping back to the halogen, it is like looking at a chain smokers fingers!! They are definitely the best bang for your buck.

From my recent experience HIDs don't work very well with 380 lenses, they're not really compatible.
And as Red says, best bet if you want the Xenon 'look' without all the negatives of HIDs are the Philips Crystal Vision or Diamond Vision. Or ordered a set of Diamond Vision H4s a week ago via Fleabay, just waiting for them to rock up. When that happens I'll let you know how they look & perform, compared to the Osram Nightbreakers I have in ATM.
I dont know what experience you are talking about but in the high beam they are great. I am told that they spread like crazy in the lows but an yet to verify this. What colour temp are the diamond vision?

I have just put a HID kit in for my high beams and OMG THEY ARE BRIGHT! I put in the 55 w version too. 6000k. I had in the best halogen bulbs that I could get. Xtremes from memory and night breakers in the H4s . After driving on high beam for a while and dropping back to the halogen, it is like looking at a chain smokers fingers!! They are definitely the best bang for your buck.

what HID kit did you use - is it difficult to fit in?

I just tried to find the ones I bought off fleabay but they have dropped off my list. The most important things to ask the seller is
1/ Are they canbus compatible?
2/ Are they guaranteed flicker free?
If they are say yes to both then you should be alright.

I have IPF HIR bulbs in my corolla and the honest to god look like HID without the ballasts and extra work problem is they cost a bit
Did have them in the 380 but the wifes car needed new globes as they both blew

Are they in the high or low beams mecha? I reckon my high beam would eat them (he says as he modestly gloats lol ). I don't know about the h4 low beams though. I think maggie has them in.

I might give the jaycar HIDs a go. 5000k and i can get a pair or high and low beams with everything for $60 cause i work there :)

Lows in the corolla as they are H7 which are highs in the 380

After spending 50 bucks a globe the H4s can wait

Lows in the corolla as they are H7 which are highs in the 380

After spending 50 bucks a globe the H4s can wait

$50 a globe!!:woot::woot::woot: man that is one helluva lot! I got the whole kit for heaps less than that. Damn Mecha you must have got a good graft off Blackies money tree!! lol

Thing just passed away hahahahaha

Had to order from japan so JDM

JDM? Senior moment here "please explain". Let us know what you think when you get them in!