W124 300E - Headlight removal issue
 

What should be an easy DIY job has been giving me problems.

I have no trouble removing any screws that mount the headlights to the frame, but I cannot unplug the 4 prong connector on the back of the light. I've spent about 2 hours attempting to disconnect it, and it wont even budge.

The car is a 1990 300e, and it has survived 20 Chicago winters. I'm thinking this may be the issue, or I'm just missing something insanely obvious.

The end goal is to swap out the old US dot headlights with some DEPO euro lights. I've read about every thread I could find before and after purchasing the lights and I cant find anyone with the same issue as me. I'm considering just pulling the pins out of the back, and putting them into the 6 prong case needed for the DEPO lights. What would be the tool of choice to do that?

Please tell me I'm doing something wrong. Or, if you have any suggestions on how to disconnect the plug, I'm willing to try.


Thanks in advance!

Since you are throwing it away, just get a flat screwdriver and pry it off. Doesn't matter if it breaks since you need a new plug anyway. Mine came right off. Just get brutal with it.

Remember you can use the plugs from the rear lights to work on the front if you have a local junkyard near you. I know on ebay you'll end up spending $15 /w shipping for those silly plastic plug adapters.

I am really happy with my Depo's. Beats the US lights hands down without looking like aftermarket ricer junk.

Brutal it will be.

I was planning on getting the plugs from the taillights at the dealership. As far as the pins, should i just use pliers and pull them out? I know I still need those wires, so I don't want to damage those.

Ya use plier to pull the pegs out. The other parts are held in by the plastic.

It's likely the pins and female part fused which is why it is stuck. The plug has a flat plastic cover, remove it and spray some anti-corrosion fluid in there. If you cannot separate them you may have to cut it, find a good plug in the JY and splice it in.

I've also spent many hours being hesitant because I tend to break things, LOL

Lights
 

It always the female part that gives you the most problem! They need more attention and maintenance! LOL!

Yea, I finally replaced my US dots with Depos! Much happier with the change! I can have the fogs and even the highway lights on at the same time!

LOL :P

Thanks for all the help guys. My lights are installed and working well. Almost.

I have a new issue, and its kinda weird. When the headlights are off, the turn signals work fine. But, when the headlights are on, The right turn signal works, but the left one stays on in the front and the rear. It doesn't blink when I tell it to, and I was wondering if anyone had any idea why.

An important thing to note, When i Was removing the wire pins from the US lights, I had to get pretty rowdy with the brown wire. I ended up snipping the pin off of the wire, and the lights still worked without the brown wire, but it was dimmer then the right side. Today I soldered the pin back to the wire, but the turn signal still doesn't work properly. The light is no longer dim though. I was hoping the brown wire was the missing link, but It doesn't appear to be.


I figured id post here, before starting a new thread.

Thanks.

The brown is probably the ground wire. You need it.

Yah the brown is all good after I soldered it. I took out the driver side front signal and It fixed some issues, I think its the wrong wattage. Getting a new one now.