How to change headlight bulb?

Tiny
GENA2018
  • MEMBER
  • 2018 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 58,000 MILES
How to change headlight bulb in 2018 Passat GT?
Sunday, July 27th, 2025 AT 12:42 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
How they are changed depends on which lighting option you have. They could have LED or halogen bulbs. The halogens are changed by removing the highlighted covers. The large covers are the low beam; the smaller ones are the high beam. With the covers off the bulbs or sockets are replaced by rotating them counterclockwise. Then remove the electrical connection. Reverse the process to install the new bulbs, BUT be very careful, you cannot touch the glass on the bulbs, if you do, they will need to be cleaned with alcohol to be sure there is no residue on them.
If you have the LED bulb version, the lamps are not replaceable, instead the complete headlamp is replaced. To remove the LED headlamps, you need to remove the grille, then the lower bumper cover. Now with them out of the way you unbolt the lamp housings and disconnect them. Reverse the process to install the replacements.
The replacement LED assemblies are 561941773A Left 561941774A Right. Be setting down when you look up the prices!
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Sunday, July 27th, 2025 AT 2:37 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for the quick response! But the view from behind my headlights (from under the hood) look totally different. All I see are square plastic boxes with no apparent way to remove them? There is a harness connected to the side of the box.
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Monday, July 28th, 2025 AT 6:53 AM
Tiny
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Steve, attached are 2 pics thanks much, Gena
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Monday, July 28th, 2025 AT 7:41 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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I'm sorry, those are the LED version. Those are not replaced as individual bulbs, instead the entire headlight is replaced as a complete assembly. That starts by removing the grill from the front by removing the fasteners shown. Then you remove the front bumper cover by removing the bolts in the wheel wells on both sides, then the bolts and push pins in the areas shown. Now you can get to the lights. You loosen the bolt that is circled and remove the rest and then the wire connection. Then you reverse the process to install the replacements. What is the failure with the lights at the moment?
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Monday, July 28th, 2025 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
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Wow, this is complex and expensive! Attached is a pic of dash showing the failure.

Thanks again Steve.
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Monday, July 28th, 2025 AT 2:33 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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OK, if you turn the headlights on is the left low beam out? They don't use individual fuses on that vehicle so the next step would be to verify that there is power on the Yellow and black wire that feeds the low beam on that side. If there is and the light is out then I would apply power to it and a ground and test the lamp itself.
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+1
Monday, July 28th, 2025 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
GENA2018
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Yes, the low beam is out when turned on. Thanks Steve. I certainly will give that a try. I see what you mean by sitting down when I see the price of the entire fixture !
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 AT 4:29 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Yeah they are proud of those lamps. If you have an issue you can always ask here.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 AT 8:41 PM

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