[aewon]

I'm trying to install my Apexcone 5000K kit
and I'm almost done, I just need to secure the retention clips over the bulbs.

But they wont fit. I put the square tab of the bulb where its supposed to go but the retention clip won't pop back into place.
Is there a specific way the spacer has to sit on the bulb? Is the spacer too big?
What should I do? It's just sitting in my garage now... can't drive at night

thanks

 

[neeldub]

[quote author=aewon link=topic=65233.msg1118715#msg1118715 date=1166921178]
I'm trying to install my Apexcone 5000K kit
and I'm almost done, I just need to secure the retention clips over the bulbs.

But they wont fit. I put the square tab of the bulb where its supposed to go but the retention clip won't pop back into place.
Is there a specific way the spacer has to sit on the bulb? Is the spacer too big?
What should I do? It's just sitting in my garage now... can't drive at night

thanks
[/quote]

show us some pics please... so we can advise more..

 

[bzdel2441]

i am having the same exact problem RIGHT NOW...lol.. the retainer clip just wont clip back into place it seems as if the spacers are to large or something... I dunno what the problem is... I havent done any ballast mounting or anything I am just trying to get these freakin blubs in!!!

BTW.. I think the whole retainer clip is a STUPID idea!! The make bulbs that lock into place for a reason!!!

Oh and there is really nothing to take pics of.. I mean for myself the retainer clip is like 1/16" away from the place where it clips into.. I mean I just dont see HOW IT THE WORLD this can work??

 

[drumboy]

i know that the problem with retaining clips is just annoying. what you want to do is to make sure that the end of the clip, the sharp part, goes inside the housing. basically, you have to bend it low enough for the end part of clip to fit inside. i hope that helps.

the whole process is so stupid because you can't basically even fit your hands inside the engine bay next to headlight housing.

also, be careful and have patience, too many people "lost it" or pushed too hard and broke the clip.

 

[bzdel2441]

well i just fixed my problem by installing my own home made spacers.. i had some thick rubber grommets that were the PREFECT size!!! Worked like a charm once the spacer that came with it were gone!! The passenger side was still a PITA though...

 

[aewon]

driver's side is down with scismic's help
however, the passenger side is temporarily electrical taped :\

 

[stephanie]

lol i had a lot of trouble with my passenger side too, i ended up taking the bumper off which saved me a lot of frustration and kept my blood pressure down

 

[tonyzoomzoom]

For the hard plastic spacers, you may just want to shave a bit off the pegs so that the retaining clips can go in properly.

 

[Pat A]

:-[ OK, tell me I told you so...While replacing the headlamp on my daughters 2000 Protégé the retaining clip went flying and is no where to be found. Mazda doesn't even show the clip in their exploded view of the assembly. Any clues as to where I could obtain one without replacing the entire headlamp enclosure?

Thanks,
Pat

 

[stephanie]

that sucks!! maybe on eBay at the right time? I just checked and came up with nothing.

 

[Darknodin]

What happens if you simply forget about it? isn't there a better way than that retention clip (last time i changed my lights i fought for hours with the passenger side one...)

 

[stephanie]

unless you can come up with a better way for the bulb to be seated properly in the assembly, then i don't think there is any other way. the clip keeps the bulb from bouncing around.