To replace these all you need to do is remove the battery on the drives side and the intake hose on the passenger side. The access port is easily accessible on both sides with the headlight assemblies in place. Takes about 15 minutes in total. Thanks for making this though as a guide for removing the bumper and headlights, the trick I needed to know was rotating the tabs CCW then CW to easily get he bulbs in and out which I did not know and it helped a lot!
This helped me very much, thank you! I found the locking tabs by myself, but didn't want to use more force than necessary. Thanks to this video I didn't have to!
if you're a person with small-medium sized hands you CAN do this without taking off the bumper. You have to take the intake housing off with the MAF sensor in order to het the space needed. after that you should be cleared to take out the old bulb. On the Driverside you have to take out the battery box and that's it. Tough taking them out is the easy part. be careful when installing new ones as they can be a pain to align with the numerous pins that keep it in place.
Many Thanks! Your video gave me the right " trick" to re-introduce the bulb in the right way - in my ( Saab Vector 2008) case without disassembly of the front.
Just got here because of searching for some fresh SAAB content on RUclips :D so, subscribed, let's see what you bring in the future. Will you introduce yourself with this and why you have it etc? :)
Glad you were able to find it! Happy to do an intro video, too. This 9-5 is my second SAAB (used to have a 60th Anniversary 9-3 and regret selling it), and I wanted to find a daily driver SAAB I could enjoy and work on mostly myself. This one is a manual 2007 SportCombi - 1 of 114 in the US - and as soon as I saw it for sale I knew I needed it. I grew up around cars, and have always been a go-to for friends and family for car buying and repair advice. I wanted to start this channel to help people learn more about their cars and try to give some helpful/thorough how-to's. I'll be adding more videos for this SAAB, my Pontiac G8, and others as I come across maintenance and repair items. I look forward to giving you more SAAB content!
Thanks for posting this. On my 2006 9-5 I do not see at all how you can get the bulb out and new one in without removing the bumper cover. I tried, believe me, but after about an hour (passenger side) adopted Keith's method, and it took much less time, was easy and let me seat the bulb properly. When it comes time for the driver's side I'll try the remove the battery access but won't fool with it for long. My '06 has the tabs and odd fingers that grip the bulb base, not the wire clip, maybe that is the difference? Anyway, thanks again for this!
It helps to remove the side marker bulb in order to make clearance for the directional/turn signal bulb cap to get removed. Once those are both free, you can get to the direction bulb a bit easier.
Just did this today on my 2009 9-5 BioPower, and there was only one cable per headlight, the one closest to the middle of the car. There was no cable and connector for the turn signal at all, so made the process just slightly easier to do.
Nice and helpful video! I just replaced the bulbs in my one. Now I need advise how to restore the crystal clear shine on the outer headlights covers, they do not look crystal clear anymore. Please advice? Thanks Keith!
Hello again! I used the Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit on mine and was very happy with the results. They yellowing is gone and they're clear - though they're about 90% perfect. Once a year I then go back and apply their Headlight Coating spray to the lamps to keep them clear.
@@KeithCars you just have to take battery out and your maf sensor, battery side is quite easy but maf side is a bit tight but for me it was also pretty easy. Was good video still!
Nope, followed the official SAAB WIS on this project. No callout of disconnecting the battery to work on headlamps for this job. If disconnecting the battery brings of peace of mind, go for it!
@@KeithCars Thanks for answering. Would you know if disconnecting the battery on a Saab 9-5 2008 Biopower may cause any problems with the radio/stereo afterwards?
@@marydecouvertes3789 No, the newer Saabs don't have radio codes. You'll just need to reset the clock, but it will turn back on and remember your radio presets.
Wow I'm late to this, but yes! There's a pull-tab you grab and slide out, but it's easier with the battery cover removed. The bulb just sits on the other end of that tab/rod.
Some are saying there is an easier way that allows you to get to the bulb covers with them in the car, but I sold it years ago and can't give it a go. This is still the official WIS directions, though.
I definitely changed mine without removing anything. Not even the battery or intake yada yada. I even changed the entire left headlight without removing the bumper cover.
On the driver’s side-If I could just see exactly how that metal wire clip works (that actually holds the back of the bulb snug) I could change mine without pulling the bumper cover... UPDATE I just used a long T-Handle Allen wrench and pushed it off to the ‘open’ side that I could see and popped it off.
@@clutchitupk1181 sorry for the late reply, this was years ago, so no video. But I had a friend help, it was alot of bending and pulling and holding. And it was summer. The warm weather Probably helped prevent anything from snapping
@@KeithCars oooooh thank you. I have a 9.5 2009 saab assist. I'm going for a driving test next week and all the lights need to be in working order and these are the only ones not working. My manual book is in Japanese so I'm searching on here to find out what it is. Lol
Why dismantle all this, when you easily can access the bulb just by opening the rubber cover? Maybe remove the battery and the air hose on the right side.
Hey Espen, thanks for watching. This is the official WIS/workshop process to replace the bulbs/housing. If I can get to them in an easier way I will be sure to post an updated video.
Removing the battery and air hose is in no way making it easy to replace the bulbs, the method from WIS isn’t really hard or time consuming, just saves you a lot of hassle from trying to see and fiddle with the lamp connectors in very small tight spaces where big hands and fingers don’t really fit well.
I really not understand why you remove the bumper. There is enough of space after removing left side battery, or for the rigth side air mass meter with their houses. I done this a couple of times, on both my Saabs and friends Saabs, both the 02-05 and 06 forward models without any problems. And its way faster than have to removing the bumper.
To be honest, you don’t need take the bumper off, passenger side u just move the air intake rubber hose, driver side just move the battery cover, that’s it. I did before…
EB Z is correct. Just changed the passenger side zenon bulb by taking off the rubber intake hose. It took two people, one to hold the intake housing away from the light assembly. Be sure to disconnect battery before changing zenons!
This is ridiculous, absolutely absurd! Why does replacing a simple bulb have to involve removing the entire bumper, and the headlight assembly! This is a 1.5 hour long job! Stupid Saab’s!!!
Used this guide today to change the complete front headlight of my trustworthy SAAB. Had no idea it was this easy to change. Thanks a bunch!
No problem Henrik, I'm glad it was helpful to you!
Changed both bulbs yesterday without removing the bumper.
Tight but doable and saves a lot of work.
Nice! I followed the WIS for this video. If I still had the car I'd do a remake without removing the bumper!
Good man 👍
To replace these all you need to do is remove the battery on the drives side and the intake hose on the passenger side. The access port is easily accessible on both sides with the headlight assemblies in place. Takes about 15 minutes in total. Thanks for making this though as a guide for removing the bumper and headlights, the trick I needed to know was rotating the tabs CCW then CW to easily get he bulbs in and out which I did not know and it helped a lot!
Glad this was helpful! I followed WIS this time around, but I'm definitely going to try out the shortcut next time a bulb fails.
Agreed. Way less work. I just did it and am waiting for the bulbs.
Same here, i did it without removing the bumper.
This helped me very much, thank you! I found the locking tabs by myself, but didn't want to use more force than necessary. Thanks to this video I didn't have to!
if you're a person with small-medium sized hands you CAN do this without taking off the bumper.
You have to take the intake housing off with the MAF sensor in order to het the space needed. after that you should be cleared to take out the old bulb.
On the Driverside you have to take out the battery box and that's it.
Tough taking them out is the easy part. be careful when installing new ones as they can be a pain to align with the numerous pins that keep it in place.
I can take driver side bulb out without removing the battery, you have to sacrifice some blood but it’s worth it 💪
Many Thanks! Your video gave me the right " trick" to re-introduce the bulb in the right way - in my ( Saab Vector 2008) case without disassembly of the front.
Hey thanks for the clear instructions. My new lights are live!
Glad to hear this helped you!
Great video I really enjoyed it, very detailed. Where were you 8 months ago
Glad you enjoyed it! Bought the car about 6 mos ago, but glad this helps for next time.
Thank you perfect info🙏🏻
Just got here because of searching for some fresh SAAB content on RUclips :D so, subscribed, let's see what you bring in the future. Will you introduce yourself with this and why you have it etc? :)
Glad you were able to find it! Happy to do an intro video, too. This 9-5 is my second SAAB (used to have a 60th Anniversary 9-3 and regret selling it), and I wanted to find a daily driver SAAB I could enjoy and work on mostly myself. This one is a manual 2007 SportCombi - 1 of 114 in the US - and as soon as I saw it for sale I knew I needed it.
I grew up around cars, and have always been a go-to for friends and family for car buying and repair advice. I wanted to start this channel to help people learn more about their cars and try to give some helpful/thorough how-to's. I'll be adding more videos for this SAAB, my Pontiac G8, and others as I come across maintenance and repair items. I look forward to giving you more SAAB content!
Thanks for posting this. On my 2006 9-5 I do not see at all how you can get the bulb out and new one in without removing the bumper cover. I tried, believe me, but after about an hour (passenger side) adopted Keith's method, and it took much less time, was easy and let me seat the bulb properly. When it comes time for the driver's side I'll try the remove the battery access but won't fool with it for long.
My '06 has the tabs and odd fingers that grip the bulb base, not the wire clip, maybe that is the difference? Anyway, thanks again for this!
Glad to hear this method ended up working for you! Interesting to hear of the difference. I wonder if it's part of mine being US spec?
@@KeithCars mine's US as well. Prob GM attempt to change for sake of change.
Are you planning to put up a clip, how to change the headlight with H7? You make such very good clips, they helps alot :-)
👍👍👍 Thanks, very good video 👍👍👍.Merci !
Thnx man
Used this guide today, and it helped a lot. But, how do you change the direktion bulb? it´s so tight space :(
It helps to remove the side marker bulb in order to make clearance for the directional/turn signal bulb cap to get removed. Once those are both free, you can get to the direction bulb a bit easier.
Just did this today on my 2009 9-5 BioPower, and there was only one cable per headlight, the one closest to the middle of the car.
There was no cable and connector for the turn signal at all, so made the process just slightly easier to do.
Interesting! Saab made a few minor tweaks to the '09s, but they don't seem to be well recorded. Glad this still worked for you.
@@KeithCars The eurospec cars dont have that sidelight, they have a dummy there instead. (A dummy that always get cracks and are very expensive )
Nice and helpful video! I just replaced the bulbs in my one. Now I need advise how to restore the crystal clear shine on the outer headlights covers, they do not look crystal clear anymore. Please advice? Thanks Keith!
Hello again! I used the Meguiar's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit on mine and was very happy with the results. They yellowing is gone and they're clear - though they're about 90% perfect. Once a year I then go back and apply their Headlight Coating spray to the lamps to keep them clear.
You dont have to remove bumper you cab get it from top, i changed mine in 15 minutes from top and it was my first time
Thanks, will give that a go next time! In this video, I followed the SAAB WIS manual.
@@KeithCars you just have to take battery out and your maf sensor, battery side is quite easy but maf side is a bit tight but for me it was also pretty easy. Was good video still!
You don't disconnect the car's battery before doing this? No risk of electric shocks?
Nope, followed the official SAAB WIS on this project. No callout of disconnecting the battery to work on headlamps for this job.
If disconnecting the battery brings of peace of mind, go for it!
@@KeithCars Thanks for answering. Would you know if disconnecting the battery on a Saab 9-5 2008 Biopower may cause any problems with the radio/stereo afterwards?
@@marydecouvertes3789 No, the newer Saabs don't have radio codes. You'll just need to reset the clock, but it will turn back on and remember your radio presets.
@@KeithCars Ok, thanks a lot. Would you by any chance know the type and size of the screw for the headlight's side marker?
Damn it! I was doing it all wrong!!
Quick question. The little light bulb.. between the two lenses, on the bottom of the headlight.. ever change those ?
Wow I'm late to this, but yes! There's a pull-tab you grab and slide out, but it's easier with the battery cover removed. The bulb just sits on the other end of that tab/rod.
Just remove the battery and MAF piping the bulbs pop right out 20 min. Why chance breaking clips and tabs and everything else. And spend 2 hours.
Whyyy do they make it so difficult to change a lightbulb??? How about a hatch in front, done!
Some are saying there is an easier way that allows you to get to the bulb covers with them in the car, but I sold it years ago and can't give it a go. This is still the official WIS directions, though.
Naaaa, you can change the bulbs without all that. Take out the battery and the airflow sensor coming up from the air filter and there you go 👍
Totally - learned about your easier approach after I sold the car or I'd have redone this video. But this is the official 'SAAB WIS' way of doing it.
I definitely changed mine without removing anything. Not even the battery or intake yada yada. I even changed the entire left headlight without removing the bumper cover.
I will try that next time! I followed the official Saab WIS for this video.
Can you post a video of your alternate process?
On the driver’s side-If I could just see exactly how that metal wire clip works (that actually holds the back of the bulb snug) I could change mine without pulling the bumper cover... UPDATE I just used a long T-Handle Allen wrench and pushed it off to the ‘open’ side that I could see and popped it off.
@@mattkaustickomments when i changed the xenon bulb, the thing that held the bulb snug, it twists. Turn it and it releases the base of the xenon bulb
@@clutchitupk1181 sorry for the late reply, this was years ago, so no video. But I had a friend help, it was alot of bending and pulling and holding. And it was summer. The warm weather Probably helped prevent anything from snapping
What's the little front triangle light for? Its at the bottom of the headlight?
It's just a design element designed into the headlamp assembly - no bulb in the triangle in between the low and high beams!
@@KeithCars oooooh thank you. I have a 9.5 2009 saab assist. I'm going for a driving test next week and all the lights need to be in working order and these are the only ones not working. My manual book is in Japanese so I'm searching on here to find out what it is. Lol
@@jigglypuff7004 Ha! Nothing to worry about. Good luck with the test and inspection!
@@KeithCars isnt that a park light?
Why dismantle all this, when you easily can access the bulb just by opening the rubber cover? Maybe remove the battery and the air hose on the right side.
Hey Espen, thanks for watching. This is the official WIS/workshop process to replace the bulbs/housing. If I can get to them in an easier way I will be sure to post an updated video.
@@KeithCars As I wrote in my post.. remove the battery on the left side and the hose on the right side and there you go :)
Espen is right , thank you so much . It is much better to do that and faster ! :)
Removing the battery and air hose is in no way making it easy to replace the bulbs, the method from WIS isn’t really hard or time consuming, just saves you a lot of hassle from trying to see and fiddle with the lamp connectors in very small tight spaces where big hands and fingers don’t really fit well.
I really not understand why you remove the bumper. There is enough of space after removing left side battery, or for the rigth side air mass meter with their houses. I done this a couple of times, on both my Saabs and friends Saabs, both the 02-05 and 06 forward models without any problems. And its way faster than have to removing the bumper.
I followed the WIS instructions exactly for this video. Sold the car last year otherwise I'd make an update. Thanks for the tip!
To be honest, you don’t need take the bumper off, passenger side u just move the air intake rubber hose, driver side just move the battery cover, that’s it. I did before…
Good to know! This video shows the WIS directions, which some argue was developed more for billable labor hours :)
EB Z is correct. Just changed the passenger side zenon bulb by taking off the rubber intake hose. It took two people, one to hold the intake housing away from the light assembly. Be sure to disconnect battery before changing zenons!
Keith & Cars More billable hours yes, but also less chances of scrapes and cuts on your hands ^^
This is ridiculous, absolutely absurd! Why does replacing a simple bulb have to involve removing the entire bumper, and the headlight assembly! This is a 1.5 hour long job! Stupid Saab’s!!!
That's saab for ya'!