Hi all,

I've read, and reread, the excellent thread on replacing a headlamp socket and am curious if I can just buy the new socket (about a $3 piece) and just splice the wiring onto the current wiring set up, rather than disengaging the entire headlamp and running new wiring, as described. Seems straightforward enough, but I'm probably missing something.

Many thanks for the help. Absolutely love spending time over here. Nothing better than walking into the car shop a step ahead of the folks that work there!

Oh, and btw, my bro is trying to get me to take his '98 XC70 off his hands. It's got 190K on it and he has been great about maintaining it. But it seems every week there is a new code popping up that requires attention. As oppossed to my 94 850...if ever there was a turnkey car, this is it. I get in, turn the key and go. (OK, so I'm due for some front-end work, but still...) Thoughts?

Best,

JR

 

You can remove the entire wiring harness without removing the headlight.
I need to update my post.

 

Tech is so right. Did it myself twice this weekend. Both times I removed the headlight but that main socket has a notch in the bottom side of it (closest to the road) that the right sized small flat head could jimmy out. I had stuff in the way the second time and just was irritated it was still not working so I took out the entire headlight again. Pretty easy second go round but it can be done as Tech said without taking out the headlight.

My low beam wiring was shot and my plug was scorched on one side. High beams looked great. I was running the daytime running lights but have since turned the screw to off. You guys think the constant running in the summer sun cooks that wiring? Do most of you run do the daytime running lights or no?

Oh, and can you purchase just the low beam connector and splice one on? Where do you get them?

Thanks,
Rob

 

I found the socket here at rockauto.com. Here's a pix, http://info.rockauto.com/RB/Detail2noTip.html?85813.jpg

Unless you guys tell me differently, I'm inclined simply to splice the end of this connection onto the existing wiring.

My present socket is also fried, no doubt from running the daytime lamps.

BTW, RockAuto says they're a Wisc.-based company but when the socket arrived, lo and behold, they have a store (not sure if this is a franchise) about three miles from my house. Good to know going forward.

I stand by for thoughts on connecting the piece before I go out to the garage.

Thanks!

JR

 

That should work fine.

I agree from the day time running lights.