How do you replace a headlight on a 2000 Volkswagen Beetle?

Answer 1

http://www.cindyli.com/index.php/site/comments/vw_beetle_headlight_replacement/.

ALSO: It IS possible to change the bulb yourself even IF the owner previous to you has broken the lever that controls the motion of the headlight assembly. I know this because I just did it.

There is a small, rectangular, black button that would have controlled the motion of the lever to the headlight assembly before whoever broke the thing did whatever they were doing to it.

Depress that button with a screwdriver or other sturdy poking device. Don't put the screwdriver down yet! You still need it! The lever just controls a plastic ring inside the mounting. That ring houses a plastic track on which the inner peg of the headlight assembly moves as you pull it out. Use the screwdriver to pry some of the adhesive loose around the front of the headlight assembly. This will make the rest of the process easier.

Now find the back of the assembly and give it a good shove out. Even with the track resting uneven inside that ring, you should be able to get it to move a LITTLE bit. I was able to get a centimeter or so on the front. This was plenty of room.

Look at that empty track where the lever used to be and laugh at it. You are gonna be fine. You will not have to pay VW the labor fee to do this. We almost there.

Using the hands the creator gave you, pull the flat, top part of the plastic housing assembly directly AWAY from the headlight assembly with your left hand, and pull out on the headlight assembly from the front with your right. You only have to move it enough to get the peg out of that inner ring track. It's only about three inches long, and once it's out, it's out.

After some maneuvering, you should be able to pull the headlight assembly all the way out and continue with the rest of the instructions.

Remeber, exert some force on the thing. It's ok to manhandle it a little. I mean, it's already broken. Worst case scenario, you'll have to go to the dealership like you were going to in the first place.

Anyway, this whole process took me about ten minutes to figure out.

Good luck!