There are a million videos showing how to change a bulb, but can't find one single on on how to disconnect plug from headlight unit. Looks as if you insert a screwdriver into plug and twist, but it won't budge, fingers sore now at various attempts.

How do you do it??

I might be totally wrong, but I think you push the tab down while pulling on the wires, might need to give it a 'wriggle'. You can use a large screwdriver in the slot and leaver downwards, away from the wires and towards the headlight while pulling a bit on the wires.

All done, probably sound advice for a normal person, thank you. Irritation took over me I broke a small tab with my screwdriver, and then, as I looked at it, I wondered if the whole body of the connector pulled off - well, yes it does. I thought it was the internal oval bit.

Anyway, my nice new shiny headlight (used, from same year model) now makes my passenger side look decidedly dull LOL Will test tonight in dark, hopefully the leveler control will operate it as It should, and I'll pop into my guy tomorrow to ensure correct alignment...

9 hours ago, unofix said:

I might be totally wrong, but I think you push the tab down while pulling on the wires, might need to give it a 'wriggle'. You can use a large screwdriver in the slot and leaver downwards, away from the wires and towards the headlight while pulling a bit on the wires.

Job has obviously been done now but in reality you need to press the top of the tab inwards towards the connector. This in theory lifts the tab lower down where it latches to the headlamp.
 

Ive always found that it’s hard to tell if the latch has lifted and often use a small screwdriver to pride the connector up at the same time as holding the tab in. Trade-off with the connector needing to be a snug fit with waterproof seals etc. also easier to grip the tab area once the headlamp is partly removed from the car but still fiddly. 

24 minutes ago, troy45 said:

Job has obviously been done now...

All done as you say, but thanks anyway...

1000 git wet and try - then car polish will look like new - the real kits like lidl used to do, include a sealer so the UV stays away for more than 2 months

how do u intend the wires not to fall off now ?  BM and Merc you can buy all the 'pin push housings' (aka the multiplug plastic bits) and swap them over to the old wires

12 minutes ago, Botus said:

1000 git wet and try - then car polish will look like new - the real kits like lidl used to do, include a sealer so the UV stays away for more than 2 months

how do u intend the wires not to fall off now ?  BM and Merc you can buy all the 'pin push housings' (aka the multiplug plastic bits) and swap them over to the old wires

The glass lens was never an issue on the 'old' headlight, it was crystal clear, apart for the thick layer of condensation inside the glass.

The electrical connection will be just fine, it's a very tight friction fit and won't budge unless you pull it apart. Thanks for your concern...

On 1/31/2024 at 11:09 AM, StephenFord said:

The glass lens was never an issue on the 'old' headlight, it was crystal clear, apart for the thick layer of condensation inside the glass.

The electrical connection will be just fine, it's a very tight friction fit and won't budge unless you pull it apart. Thanks for your concern...

Indeed. Even without the clip being intact, those connectors don't always want to come apart!

scum at a bodyshop had done her mk3 headlamp clip and I wasn't confident it would stay in...

 

why they can't make one sensible std - it seems every other plug is a new crazy design that usually only makes sense once its been vandalised and you can see what the idiots have done

On 1/31/2024 at 10:55 AM, Botus said:

1000 git wet and try - then car polish will look like new - the real kits like lidl used to do, include a sealer so the UV stays away for more than 2 months

how do u intend the wires not to fall off now ?  BM and Merc you can buy all the 'pin push housings' (aka the multiplug plastic bits) and swap them over to the old wires

Referred to as "PigsTails" 👍

2 hours ago, Botus said:

why they can't make one sensible std - it seems every other plug is a new crazy design that usually only makes sense once its been vandalised and you can see what the idiots have done

Unfortunately the types of plugs used can vary between models in cases where maybe the supplier or the lamps is changed and they use different connector styles or more features built into lamps drive requirements for more pins or different connection standards. Packaging requirements also have an influence. 
 

The mk2/2.5 has what I’d call dumb headlamps (admittedly with levelling and possibly adaptive features on some specs) but in later models you can add headlamps to the list of ‘used to be simple’ but now full of modules, part of canbus etc 

7 minutes ago, troy45 said:

The mk2/2.5 has what I’d call dumb headlamps...

I like 'dumb', usually translates into, 'cheap' 🤣