How do you change the passenger side headlamp bulb on a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle?

Answer 1

Next to the headlight under the hood, there is a lever with a little button next to it. Press down the button and pull the lever toward the headlight. This is difficult to do, and you will feel like you are going to break something. After pushing the lever completely toward the headlight, the headlight will pop out the front of the car.

Take the lid off the very back of the headlight; it is attached by a plastic lip that will come off fairly easily by pressing down on the tab that comes off the lip. You will now see the bulbs; the one closest to the top is the main headlight (the one further down is the bright). Push the little wire off of the post, and you will release the bulb. Then you can change it.

I swear Volkswagen makes things difficult on purpose.

Just a little added information on the 2001 Beetle passanger headlight replacement. Don't give up! Because I live in the Northeast and it has been four years and never replaced this bulb, things were very dirty. I had to continually move the slide lock back aqn forth until I was able to get it in the complete unlock position. Although it took me about 10 minutes to do this after reading this article. It saved me $85.00 by doing it myself. I am amazed that VW would charge more than $90.00 to replace a $5.50 part.

Thank You for all the help.

Bob

Also - I've been helped greatly in this process by using a bit of WD-40 on the lever/slide mechanism. I'm with Bob in saying, "don't give up!"