OK,

Call me dumb.

Ok, but not really. Information on bulbs has to be the sketchiest area with Kia and Hyundai cars. One of my peeves is how little information is provided in the owners manual. Who specifies bulbs strictly on wattage? At least Hyundai lists the socket type which helps narrow down the search, but then the company will change bulbs specs (like the switch to H11b bulbs in some headlights) without telling a soul. You are not alone with this frustration. Why they can't list the SAE or EN type is beyond comprehension.

I looked at the Kia-Tech site and the diagram showing the FRONT bulb layout does not duplicate what or how my Rondo's bulbs are designed into the headlamp assembly. It's also pretty darned light on info as to how to replace the bulbs. In fact, it's mostly absent.

All that said, can anyone assist me with the proper bulb replacement procedure / technique for replacing what I would refer to as the "RUNNING" Lamp. This small bulb is located directly beneath the Main / Low beam Headlamp bulb. In other words, they are both located behind the inner-most access cap.

I removed the battery, since it's already a trick to get to it easily.

Then unscrew the access cap.
Then, removed the lead wire / clip for the Low beam lamp and slid it out of the way.

But this running lamp socket simply spins. You can see it from the front of the headlamp assembly, and notice it has two, tiny, plastic "ears" that retain it.

But how to get to the bulb?

The replacement bulb I have is the Sylvania 168, which is what Autozone shows as the replacement, and by the looks of it, is the correct bulb.

If I could only ever get to it!

I think this is what Kia calls the "Position" bulb on some diagrams, but like you, I couldn't find any more information. I suggest you remove one of the headlight buckets to get a clean view of the back side. Since you have the battery out, the driver's side bucket has more room to work with. I think on the Rondo there are two screws, one on top along the back flange of the bucket, and one on the front next to the grill, that you remove. The bucket is then held in place by a pair of alignment clips on the lower back. Once the screws are out, push the bucket forward and swing up to remove. I think you will likely find a small wire spring clip in the back holding the bulb in place once you get a view of it.

 

Hey Ken,

Boy that is for sure. Sketchy. Good word. And for fun, look at the drawing / diagram they show for the headlight bucket. It's not accurate to life.

I was going to remove the bucket. Naturally, I wanted to avoid it if possible. Seemed a little extreme. Truth is, rather than do all that nonnsense, if I get no definitive replies from someone who had done this simple replacement, I'll probably run by my dealer, Kia Mall of Georgia, on Monday. They're super nice and will probably just tell me which way to hold my mouth while twisting the bulb.

The spring clip you referred is what they use for the low beam / high beam. That's a ball o' fun / torture test all in itself. Did that one last month.

This other little lite is a puzzler. And to reiterate, if you look at it from the front, you can actually see the two little nibs that keep it retained from the front. So I can't see the way it's going to come out in reverse. I was leaning toward "SQUEEZING" the sides of the bulb carrier as this would make sense considering the "nibs" It just didn't have much effect. Perhaps I'll give it another whirl in the AM light.

 

I'll add another comment regarding this "OPERATION".

And that is concerning the battery.

1 - The OEM terminal / cable ends they use are shockingly lightweight and so flimsy and want to bend when you "try" to loosen the nuts holding the cables onto them.
Before anyone wonders why I did that I'll say that I wanted to replace the negative terminal due to some auction lot jockey / idiot arcing it.

2 - Cables extremely short, and rigid.
Truth is, you almost have to loosen the cables to the terminal ends, because if you don't, you can barely get enough wiggle room to slide the connectors the required 1" upward in order to remove them from the battery posts. It's the tightest fitting cable assembly I have ever seen, or seen lately I guess. Especially the positive cable, which is fastened tightly about 6" from the post, and has almost ZERO play in it, to the point where I had to "pop" it off the battery post. And not much difference with the negative cable either. Yes, form fitting and compact looking, but what a circus act that all was.

 

I think you will find it easier to remove the headlight itself, it's only 2 bolts and 1 wiring connector.

The light I think you mean is what we call our sidelight. It just pulls out, I found it best to get a pair of pointy nose pliers on the black housing and give a little tug it should just pop right out.

 

US Rondo does not have running lights. And as other said, the bulb you were replacing is "position" light. It is located in high beam area, and it might be replaced by simply removal of high beam cover only, but as andspenka said - it is MUCH easier and safer to remove the whole headlight assembly to replace the bulb.
It takes only two bolts and two clips. Once the bolts are removed disconnect the wiring connector - the lamp will have some play, so you can put your hand between the battery and lamp.

Than simply pull the lamp.

One more thing - it is safer to replace the bulb at home, or garage, where is clean area, to any dirt getting inside. And the bulb itself is small so it may drop inside...

 

Thanks PLP,

I am going to go ahead and "try" to remove the entire bucket.

I know this isn't a complaint forum for the Kia-Tech site, but again, the diagram showing the location of the two fastening bolts holding the bucket in is atrocious. They show the one bolt in front just hanging in space. There is the faintest dashed line supposedly trying to show its location, but it's useless.

I say this, since I see often in our forum folks advising to use Kia-Tech. I hope this particular section doesn't reflect the accuracy of the rest of the online manuals, or you'll be helpless trying to figure out what goes where.

As far as the bulb's carrier "just popping out" I don't think so.
Have you actually ever changed this bulb?
Because tug with as much might as you are conservatively willing to exert, and that carrier is not going to just "pop out". There is some sort of trick required to unlatch it. Any additional force is surely going to cause the "nibs" to break or worse. I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. But just saying.

 

I know this isn't a complaint forum for the Kia-Tech site, but again, the diagram showing the location of the two fastening bolts holding the bucket in is atrocious. They show the one bolt in front just hanging in space. There is the faintest dashed line supposedly trying to show its location, but it's useless.

I don't think there are a large number of screws on the front, lower corner of the headlight bucket to confuse it with. Look in the gap between the acylic lens and the grill flange with the hood open. I've enlarged the image that sort of helps.

 

ok, look here
http://www.kia-forums.com/kia-carens-rondo-forum/49128-hid-5000-k-h11b-2007-rondo.html

or to be exact here
http://www.kia-forums.com/kia-carens-rondo-forum/49128-hid-5000-k-h11b-2007-rondo-2.html#post232636


As for the bolts - the picture shows where the go into, look on the thin line going to the lamp assembly. look on pictures above and you will see two bolts, and two clips
I agree, sometimes KIA tech info do not explain things as they should.

A hint: remove bolts first, next disconnect the connector, and then push the lamp out of the clips by placing your hand on the back of the headlight assembly and push it out. It takes some effort, do not worry.


I have removed the headlight assembly I would say at least 6 times and the clips are fine.

 

Hey again Ken,

Thanks. Yes the same one i was looking at.
Truth is, I sort of thought perhaps the two most obvious bolts were for alignment, but bit the bullet, and loosed and removed them.
Viola'!
Than the trick I found is too gently wiggle the bucket a little back and forth, side to side, a little less up and down bit not much, since the "clips" they refer to are really hard plastic alignment receiver guides for two flat stabs/tabs on the back of the headlight bucket, and as such, have their receiver slots going horizontally.
Pull it straight out toward the front of the vehicle.
It will tend to hang up on the upper edge around the fender, so you have to work it out a little.

Now that the bucket is out, I get a straight shot at the darned bulb socket in question.

Nope, no gentle tugging is getting this to come out.

In fact, so you may get a sense of the force used as I'm trying to pull the carrier out, as hard as I might grip the socket with my needlenose pliers, and tug, the pliers slip/fly off.
And they even scar the backside of the bulb carrier a little bit. (as pliers tend to do)
Too me, that's already too much force. There is something I don't know here.

I'm preparing as we speak to run dow nto my corner auto parts store and ask them if they know or have seen this little puzzle. I'm guessing they have. I bet it's goinig to be, "oh yeah, depress this, turn that - poof"

Will report back if I succeed.

 

Update

Well, as I said earlier, I went down to the local AutoZone parts supply.

NO LUCK!

And I had no less than eight people give it a whirl.
Had I been at the carnival, I probably could have charged $1 per try.

They tugged, they twisted, they pulled, they looked at strangely, they peered, sneered, and generally all struck out.

I guess I'll just take the entire bucket to the dealer tommorow.
Unless I get a last minute revelation or reply.

I'd love to hear from someone who has actually replaced this bulb. Actually pulled the socket out, and layed their fingers on the bulb.

 

I have changed both of them and PLP also said he has changed the bulb. I don't think it's as difficult as you seem to be finding it!

I can't believe 8 people have had a go and none of them can get it out, I tried to get mine out when it was in the car and couldn't because you just can't get a good hold of it. As soon as I removed the headlight assembly and got the pliers on it then it did just come right out. I have changed both my bulbs for LED's so I know it can be done.

 

I know it sounds like I'm making it hard. I really am not. Or not trying to.
But I'm pretty darned sure, that if I pull any harder something bad will happen. Something will break for sure.

Yes, I have the bucket out.
Yes, I have a straight shot at it.

But as I said, to give you a sense of the force I'm using, the needle nose pliers will scar and slip off the back side of the connector rather than pull it out.
That doesn't seem right.
And I'm talking putting some serious pull power to it.
Some of the guys at the auto parts store were freaking me out by really pulling on the black/white lead wire. Recipe for disaster as I see it.
The last thing I want to do is snap off the bulb carrier "nibs" and have to rebuild the bucket. And that's assuming one can purchase the individual bulb carrier. Not something I want to find out.

I suppose I'll let the dealer show me or screw it up. Then it's on them.

 

rotate it and pull it.
on the other hand (we are talking about the small white bulb in high beam compartment, right?) simply forget about replacing it... it has no importance at all. There are at least another two lights that are on at the same time.

 

Funny.
Yes it does have a level of importance.
It's the light that comes on when the parking lights are on.
If there was a battery in I'd provide more info as to when it somes on, but suffice to say it's a front light that comes on but is not a main headlamp bulb.

But it is definitley noticable when it is out.
And besides, it is the thought that counts now!
A small, round, $1.58 bulb has challenged my manhood!
Or a group of small, round, Korean engineers working for $1.58 have.

I do believe it is in the "LOW BEAM" compartment.
As I remember (no battery currently installed or I'd refer specifically) the LOW BEAM is the innermost bulb, and the HIGH BEAM is outermost bulb / compartment.

I'm sort of laughing at the "rotate - pull it" recomendation.
I have tried that.
I'm serious.
Spin, rotate, pull, pull, pull harder, no pull HARDER!!, pull, pull and rotate, push and rotate, etc.
I think you get the idea.

It's cool. I appreciate you guys trying.

I have no place to go tonight, so tommorow I will just jump in the 2000 Chevy Metro and buzz up to Kia Mall of Georgia.
Then let the experts show the dummy what I don't know.

It's just a pain in the neck to have something that should be so simple and easy (as it is a routine maintenance item), and somehow it has turned into a major ordeal and circus act. But like all new cars, not always the easiest to work on, its no Geo Metro or 72 Ford PU.

 

Perhaps the "nibs" are a screw in bulb carrier. Have you tried simply unscrewing the bulb from the bucket? I don't recall from all the dialog if that was tried or not.

 

Ken,

2 things:

1 - The nibs, which are the front part of the bulb assembly spin as well or I would.
Thats where I first looked and hoped that there would be some type of keyway or slots that would allow it to pop out.

2 - The black and white wires STAY CONNECTED to this bulb carrier.
They're not like the LOW BEAM unit, where you can disconnect the lead wire from the bulb.
So you only get maybe 3/4 of turn either way.

There is some secret trick. Like a key to the secret chamber in Indiana Jones. You have to stand perfectly straight, with the sunlight at high noon, turn the carrier 1/4 turn to the right, and hop on one foot.
Then the bulb will come right out.
And when you get it out, a giant rock comes rolling directly at you from your negihbors garage.


Unless the Kia tech tommorow grabs a pair of 24" monkey pliers and yanks it out and makes me look like a silly girl or wimp.

 

Maybe all you have to do is buy a new headlight bucket with a fresh bulb already installed. I'm done.

 

No, you should have finished with a rimshot and "Thank you, thank you..I'll be here all week..please don't forget to tip the waitresses"

But funny just the same.

I re-read your old thread about the HID replacement and the replacement of said bulb with a neon type, so I'm sure you have had it out.
I just can't understand why mine is so hard to deal with.

Like I said, I might just be being wimpish and not wanting to put that little extra oomph into the pull.
But I definitely don't want that little extra oomph and pull to be accompanied by a "SNAP"..then followed with many nasty and foul words.
As an engineer, I'm a little resistant to the concept of using brute force on things.
Especially little tiny plastic things, that have to be purchased from Korea.

I'm excited as a kid before Christmas to hear what Kia tells me.

 

Crusader,
I do not follow.
WHAT bulb are you trying to replace? It is not H11B, is it?

 

I'm not sure exatly what H11B is, but assuming it is a LOW BEAM / HIGH BEAM type bulb since my standard Sylvania replacement bulbs for low beam are labeled H1. Those are easy compared to this. Remove wire, remove spring clip bulb retainer contraption, wash-rinse-repeat.

No, it is the smallish, wedge base type bulb.

It looks like the bulbs in pictures #1 & 2
I assume it could be replaced with a LED type bulb as shown in picture #3.
Assuming it could be removed of course.

I was under the impression that this is the bulb you replaced with LED in your HID upgrade. I realize that wasn't the primary focus of the thread, but replacing this one with a LED style was just a little extra.

 

PLP,

I refer to the following text that you and "CHECKENGINE" wrote in your HID upgrade thread.

CHECKENGINE said:
nice! and thank you!
ill post mine when is done...
but for the little yellowish bulb in the high beam reflector.....maybe a good thing to do to compete the "look" is to replace it with a white led..... i try when i do the conversion

PLP said:
"Thank you.
I hope this post/thread will help you, guys.

Yeap, you are right. The small bulb should be replaced with some LED to match the color. Then, I would move to turn signals - replace the stock bulbs with clear coated (I had them on Intrepid - looks nice). Those do not have orange tint till you turn them on.

And I would do the same with rear turn signals."

I think I'm talking about the same bulbs as you are.

 

all right, just wanted to make sure.
I have never done it since I could not get the clear coat turn signals.
But I did try to get this bulb out and it worked fine.
BUT (and this is big but), mine is 2007. I have found that headlight assembly for 2007 is listed separate from 2008/2009 for some reason, which might be they are designed in slightly different way...
If you do not have to do it (replace the bulb) ASAP, I will check mine tomorrow, or on Tue and let you know how to take it out.


UPS,
I just realized you have 2007

 

Drum Roll please....

Went to the Kia dealer this morning.

The method to remove the bulb socket is:

A TWIST AND A TUG

Yeah, that's it. Nothing more fancy.

Same for re-installation. A push and a twist.

Shrugs.

 

mystery bulb

Went to the Kia dealer this morning.

The method to remove the bulb socket is:

A TWIST AND A TUG

Yeah, that's it. Nothing more fancy.

Same for re-installation. A push and a twist.

Shrugs.

thank you for finding out about this bulb.
I have a 2008 rondo and that very bulb went. I have spent countless times trying to remove that darn bulb and nothing. I like you being a machinist and instrument repair tech at LI indicator service do not believe in excessive force. No matter what I tried I could not get that bulb out. my local auto stores could not do it either, nor could they find it on there computers. I called KIA today and they told me the bulb number at least. 186 blah blah blah. I am so looking forward to trying that CCW twist and pulling tonight . i had been dumbfounding that every other bulb was simple to replace except this little one. go figure. thank s for all you help. lrmfarm

 

did they charge you something for it?

 

Oh heck no.

Kia Mall of Georgia service department is always very helpful.
And they know I didn't buy the Rondo from them either.

I did make it somewhat easy on them, as I took the removed bucket into the parts department.

So far though, I'm very impressed with this particular dealer's attitude.

I always tell them I'm a one man ad campaign for Kia, especially the Rondo, Soul, Forte, and '09 Optimas.
The Borrego, Sedona and Sorrento are a little too much of the same ole, same ole SUV for my tastes but I think highly of Kia overall.

I buy the sub 50K miles Rondos for between $7500-8500 US at the Atlanta Manheim auctions, and they are far and away, the best deal going of all the pre-owned sub-$10,000 vehicles - bar none.

My current one is a 2007, I4; LX; 3rd row; flawless BLACK CHERRY, grey interior with alot of the dealer installed options. It's awesome for $7500.

 

Thanks to your struggles three years ago, I was able to extract the "position" light from my 2007 Kia Rondo with minimal hassles today.

Not before first purchasing two $16.99 low beam lights, however.

Since all four forward facing lights usually burn when it's set to low beam, I assumed they were all the same bulb. Two were out, so I bought two H11B bulbs. I replaced the one that actually was a low beam with no problem, and then turned to the internet when I realized the other bulb was completely different.

After reading through all three pages of the exchange above and having a few laughs, I removed the headlight assembly, used a needle nose to grab the black base, gave it a twist while pulling steadily and it popped right out.

Now I have to go back to the parts store to get a Sylvania 168...

 

Let me echo the thanks!

This worked for changing the front passenger side position light on my 2008 Rondo.

I spent more time reading through these posts, than I did removing the bucket, changing the bulb, and reinstalling the bucket. That is a positive comment on the quality of these instructions!

I did not even need the pliers. Just a small twist CCW and pulled out the base with my fingers.

 

just to make sure - which light bulb you want to replace?
168? the little one?
1156 or 1157 - turn signal? or H1 - high beam?