Holy hell, over a grand to replace 1 bulb!?

I replaced mine about a year ago, got a pair of authentic Philips D1S bulbs off Amazon for just under $100.

You have to loosen up the front bumper and pull the headlight assemblies out to change the bulbs, so that's why the labor is so high. Dealership will follow the service manual and remove the bumper completely.

It wouldn't be fun to do in the cold, but I would still do it myself before paying that price.

Do you know anyone with a garage you could work in? Or maybe an independent mechanic you could bring the bulbs to.

Either way, make sure you replace both bulbs since the other one will be on its way out soon. Also, the bulb color won't match if you only replace one.

 

,

Holy hell, over a grand to replace 1 bulb!?

I replaced mine about a year ago, got a pair of authentic Philips D1S bulbs off Amazon for just under $100.

You have to loosen up the front bumper and pull the headlight assemblies out to change the bulbs, so that's why the labor is so high. Dealership will follow the service manual and remove the bumper completely.

It wouldn't be fun to do in the cold, but I would still do it myself before paying that price.

Do you know anyone with a garage you could work in? Or maybe an independent mechanic you could bring the bulbs to.

Either way, make sure you replace both bulbs since the other one will be on its way out soon. Also, the bulb color won't match if you only replace one.

Hi,
Hey thanks I appreciate the input. I just ordered a couple for 130 free shipping, cant beat it,,,going to butter up one of my buds with a few cold ones and use his garage. Cheers

 

Welcome to Cadillac Forums, derekpati--
Here's a how-to vid (replacing a DRL, but same procedure)...super easy.
Many videos on YouTube at your disposal.

 

Welcome to Cadillac Forums, derekpati--
Here's a how-to vid (replacing a DRL, but same procedure)...super easy.
Many videos on YouTube at your disposal.

Saved both the links you provided in this thread. Thanks very much from future me when I’ll need them.

 

Am curios: is there a brighter bulb available ?

 

If there is I'd advise against it (except in the case of equal, or less heat generated), based on the condition I found the associated reflector in when I disassembled the headlight. It appeared to be barely sufficient to withstand the heat and did show some heat damage from the specified bulb. If you visit a store with a large selection of automotive bulbs on display, you'll find there are several that look alike and they generally are except for a variation in the wattage noted on the packaging.

When performing the abbreviated light assembly removal, be careful to lift the bumper and pull it forward for sufficient space and be mindful of the washer nozzles at each corner and the detached bumper ends which can scratch the paint if allowed to come into contact with the fenders.

Don't forget to plug the headlamps back in before mounting them. You can do it after, but I liked it better when I didn't forget to do it before mounting them. I was in a hurry that time.

 

Hi folks,
First time poster, great forum here. Hey I have a 2009 CTS with HID headlights, I have one bulb out am wondering what the cost of the bulbs should be. The dealership quoted me 470 for the bulb ( wtf right) and 350 install. Now before everyone says do it yourself I life in Canada, its winter and its dam cold outside!!! Im guessing we cant just buy new LED headlight assemblies and switch straight over? Thr only reason Im even suggesting thst is mine are full of moisture so if I could just switch them out for a small cost instead of messing around with these ones it would make life simpler. Thanks in advance for all help and or suggestions.

Given your headlamp is no longer weather tight, the assembly needs to be replaced - not just the "bulb". Unfortunately the steerable HID headlamps are about $950 each at discount online dealership prices. This particular item is one of the more-painful exceptions to the affordable car parts we're used to with Cadillac. To be fair, it is a fancy luxury car part, not a Chevy headlamp.

Some people try headlamp surgery due to the cost, with varied rates of success. Of course that still leaves you with the old degraded plastic, even if you're successful. Given the bad HID lamp, this doesn't seem like the appropriate path to take.

 

I would worry about taking the headlight assembly off without pulling the front bumper, I have seen the videos of the procedure and worry about breaking the panel or breaking off some paint. It takes less than 20 minutes to pull the whole panel and there is no bending involved, this is especially critical with the temperature less than 80-90 deg

 

Headlamps CAN be opened and resealed. There are write-ups on the process. It does make sense to evaluate the plastic before doing the job, but if it can be done, it is far less expensive. Not everybody has the disposable income to fire the parts cannon at a repair. In a recent post, I believe somebody found replacement clear lenses and reused his original assemblies. Butyl rubber is easy enough to find from many places that sell bulbs.

 

Yes and I found the replacement lenses on Ebay and posted a link to them.

 

Here's Rodney's ebay link from the other discussion

headlight plastic cover 2008-2013 Cadillac CTS new Left or Right | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for headlight plastic cover 2008-2013 Cadillac CTS new Left or Right at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

Not sure if they used the right bulb, but I went to my dad's mechanic and he charged me $35 for a new bulb install on my 2013. It's worked fine for the past 2 years. When I called the dealer they did the same thing to me said it would cost $1000.

Its rained and I do car washes and the light is fine, no water gets inside.

 

Appears that there are 35w and 50w bulbs. 35w is the correct one then. I prefer either Sylvania (Osram) or Philips.

 

Just a follow up folks,, I ended up buying two used headlight assemblies,,,( for 500 bucks each,, ouch) and installed two D1S 4300k bulbs that I ordered online for around 130 Canadian. Installled them both in the car, took about 1 hour,,,super easy install. The new lights are great, no moisture in the lenses and the bulbs are super bright. Thanks for all the imput greatly appreciated.

 

Excellent follow-up post.
Congrats on a job well done!