Replacing headlight bulbs (Opel Vectra C)

General information

Note: Replace bulbs only with bulbs of the same type. Before replacing a bulb, make sure that the corresponding light fixture is switched off. Do not touch the bulb with bare fingers, use a clean towel or cotton gloves. Dirt left by fingers on the bulb evaporates and settles on the reflector. Accidental fingerprints should be removed with an alcohol-soaked cloth. Do not wipe headlight reflectors covered with a protective varnish with a dry, hard cloth, or use any cleaners or solvents for this purpose. Use soft, damp cloths.

Warning: Halogen bulbs are under pressure and may burst, so wear protective glasses and gloves when replacing them. When replacing xenon bulbs, there is a risk of injury due to high voltage! Be sure to turn off the headlights and disconnect the wiring from the battery. After replacing, briefly turn the headlight on and off to relieve residual voltage.

Warning: Do not leave the lamp mounting hole open for a long time - dust, moisture or smoke getting inside the headlight unit may affect the quality of lighting! When installing the cap, make sure that it is completely adjacent to the surface of the headlight!

1. The models considered in this Manual can be equipped with two types of headlights: halogen and xenon (see below).

2. Before starting work on replacing lamps, set the rotary switch for outdoor lighting modes to the "O" position (see Chapter "Controls and operating techniques", Section 17) and turn off the ignition. Disconnect the wire from the negative terminal of the battery (see Chapter 5).



3. The lamps are replaced through the engine compartment. Depending on the model, to replace the right headlight bulbs, it may be necessary to remove the air duct or the air cleaner housing (see Chapter 4). To replace the left headlight bulbs, you will need to remove the filler neck of the washer fluid reservoir (see Section 8).

Note: On some models, access to the headlight bulbs through the engine compartment is very difficult, and sometimes impossible - in this case, to replace the bulbs, you must remove the headlight (see Section 12).

4. The general layout of the lamps on the headlight is shown in the accompanying illustration.



5. After replacing the lamps, check the proper functioning of the lighting - if the result is unsatisfactory, contact a service station. It is recommended to adjust the headlights only at a service station that has special equipment for this. Regulator (with appropriate equipment) the direction of the optical axes of the headlights when performing adjustments must be set to O (see Chapter "Controls and operating techniques", Section 17).

Replacing the high beam lamp

6. Open the hood and perform the preliminary operations (see above).

7. Press the latch (see accompanying illustration) and remove the high beam lamp cover.



8. Turn the lamp holder counterclockwise (see accompanying illustration), release it from the clips and remove the lamp from the reflector seat.



9. Remove the lamp from the socket (see accompanying illustration).





10. Installation is carried out in reverse order.

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Replacing side light bulbs (parking lights)

11. The parking light bulb is mounted on the reflector next to the high beam bulb (see accompanying illustration). To access the bulb, remove the high beam bulb cover (see above).



12. Pull the parking light bulb socket towards you (see illustration: 11.11) and remove it from the reflector. Remove the lamp from the socket.

13. Installation is carried out in reverse order.

Replacing front turn signal bulbs

14. Turn the turn signal bulb holder by the handle (see illustration 11.4) counterclockwise and remove from the holder together with the lamp.

15. Gently press the bulb into the socket, turn it counterclockwise and remove it from the socket.

16. Installation is carried out in reverse order.

Replacing the low beam lamp

Halogen headlights

17. Remove the low beam lamp cover from the rear of the headlight unit.

18. Turn the lamp holder counterclockwise (see accompanying illustration), release it from the holder and remove it together with the lamp from the reflector seat.





19. Remove the lamp from the socket.

20. Insert the new lamp into the socket and install it into the seat so that the socket's locking protrusions match the reflector's notches. Turn the socket clockwise until it stops.

21. Cover the lamp with a cap and install the service cover.

Xenon headlights

Warning: High voltage accumulates in the electrical circuit of xenon headlights! Be careful, follow the recommendations given at the beginning of this Section! It is advisable to entrust the replacement of xenon lamps to service station specialists.

22. To replace the low beam lamp, you must first remove the headlight from the vehicle (see Section 12).

23. Remove the 3 mounting bolts and remove the low beam lamp cover.

24. Turn the ignition unit counterclockwise (see accompanying illustration), release it from the holder and remove the block from the lamp - when turning the block, the connector of its electrical wiring should disconnect.

Caution: Never turn on the headlights with the ignition unit removed!

25. Squeeze the wire clip and remove it (see accompanying illustration).



Remove the xenon lamp from the reflector.

26. Install the new lamp into the reflector socket so that the grooves on the lamp base fit into the corresponding guides (see accompanying illustration).



27. Further installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal. After installing the ignition unit, its mark (see illustration 11.24) must be located opposite the installation mark on the headlight.

Caution: The electrical wiring connector should only be connected after the ignition unit has been installed in place!