Headlight Replacement (now that I finally got it) DIY Install Process After Hitting Deer

[btcrealm]

First what happened.
12/17/2024 after putting Christmas lights on my cybertruck a deer decided it wanted to play.... They were nice (for about 2 hours....). I was using autopilot it didn't see the deer at all (ironic, we received the first FSD 13.x late that night...).

Needless to say the deer had other plans : [

Spoiler: Here are the videos if you care, don't unhide them unless you want to see them.

Full post (https://www.cybertruckownersclub.com/forum/threads/accident.30276/page-2#post-568691)

But for this topic the relevance...

Now on to how to get a headlight and get it installed.
First we can now buy direct from Tesla. Often we will be told to order through the parts catalog, even by service staff. This is not legitimate and DOES NOT WORK. In order to purchase using the Tesla service catalog one must have a business account, to get that business account the business must be in the relevant auto industry.
Tell the service center what part you need and that you have to buy it through them.

Parts catalog headlight​

https://epc.tesla.com/en-US/catalog...emGroups/eaa6724c-c694-4f4c-9ca9-c7b4fa3e4500​

Here are the relevant documents for this removal, install, and alignment.

Service manual headlight removal/install​

https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...ID-AA106AB5-27B0-48B1-86CA-A64E9D18F205.htm1l​

Service manual headlight adjustment​

https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-E097B426-2928-4739-BAB2-6A71608483B0.html​

Once these have been read lets get to the details.

Loosen all the components BEFORE removing the old headlight to save some headache (guess who didn't....).

Once everything is loosened and the headlight is removed there is a clip that needs to be found. (disconnecting the headlight is in Teslas instructions read that)
Likely it will be slightly damaged and will need to be wrapped in tape (I used the painters tape) this makes it snug especially as the bracket behind it will likely be damaged (we are replacing a headlight due to impact after all). I had to put and pull the headlight a couple times to get the bracket fit right.

If all the bolts mentioned above are loosened then this will only be a small PITA. The headlight doesn't actually fit, it needs to be gently forced into the slot. The two circled components will be the biggest pain for this. Looking closely at my headlight in this picture there are a bunch of scuff marks on the top part as I had to trial and error learn this. I found pulling up between the two circled brackets worked the best.

The headlight 'falls' into place after it slides in 2/3s of the way (there is a bottom lip that falls behind the bumper).

Before tightening everything back down plug the headlight in and test flashers, running, headlight, and highbeams.

Now tighten everything down and LIGHTSHOW! err.... I mean HEADLIGHT!

If this feels a bit slap stick it has nothing to do with anyone else situation, this has been my learning experience and I can at least make fun of myself RIGHT!


[EDIT]
I promised to update another thread about the projection headlights when I purchased my replacement.
The service center said they had not heard anything about this update for the cybertruck.
[/EDIT]

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[misdemeanor]

In order to purchase using the Tesla service catalog one must have a business account, to get that business account the business must be in the relevant auto industry.

Good thing I have a business account!

Glad you got it taken care of!

 

[btcrealm]

Good thing I have a business account!

Glad you got it taken care of!

Then yours would probably be a little less than $1200 @_0

 

[misdemeanor]

Then yours would probably be a little less than $1200 @_0

Nope, still the same price. I don’t get any kind of discount.

 

[freyguy]

Just curious was there any other damage caused by the deer ?

Second question was instead of going through all this how much money did you save? Did you ever get a quote from service for labor?

 

[cbr1000]

When the frunk liner is removed is the amount of mud I'm seeing in these pictures average?

 

[CyberGus]

When the frunk liner is removed is the amount of mud I'm seeing in these pictures average?

This truck has seen some action!!

 

[bosshog]

This truck has seen some action!!

That looks like a lot of mud on many parts . Not sure how that can’t be a problem with corrosion etc causing some malfunction.

 

[dalton108]

This truck has seen some action!!

“This truck trucks!”

It was RIGHT THERE, @CyberGus!
I am disappoint. ?

 

[bosshog]

I am pretty shocked to see that much dirt over all those components .i would have thought they would keep that squeaky clean

 

[btcrealm]

Just curious was there any other damage caused by the deer ?

Second question was instead of going through all this how much money did you save? Did you ever get a quote from service for labor?

If you click the link at the beginning where it says to go to the other thread there are all the pictures of the damage.

As far as savings from service probably whatever they would have charged for time. A couple of hours at what $225? (no idea spitballing)
I also did not get a comprehensive quote for the total. They said something like they guessed it would be between $7k and $12k but with no breakdown. I won't know anything more till I bring it to the body shop 3 hours away April 16th I think.

When the frunk liner is removed is the amount of mud I'm seeing in these pictures average?

Yes.... Normal mud content.

Although to be fair I was surprised by the amount of mud in there. I would have thought that would have been better protected.

 

[btcrealm]

Also normal rock content.

If we don't get to use our trucks then what is the point of having them. The deer unfortunately ran across a main highway so not doing anything fun there.

 

[cbr1000]

@btcrealm thank you!

Exactly what I was thinking got the mud up there - I guess if you're doing something like this then next stop is a creek or lake to clear some of that out. The car wash isn't going to get that out of there. Seems to me if you're off roading a few times of year that mud will build up and before you know it you will have your own cyber biom with all sorts of fun plant life and critters catching a ride everywhere ????

 

[LarryASilva]

First what happened.
12/17/2024 after putting Christmas lights on my cybertruck a deer decided it wanted to play.... They were nice (for about 2 hours....). I was using autopilot it didn't see the deer at all (ironic, we received the first FSD 13.x late that night...).

Needless to say the deer had other plans : [

Spoiler: Here are the videos if you care, don't unhide them unless you want to see them.

Full post (https://www.cybertruckownersclub.com/forum/threads/accident.30276/page-2#post-568691)

But for this topic the relevance...

Now on to how to get a headlight and get it installed.
First we can now buy direct from Tesla. Often we will be told to order through the parts catalog, even by service staff. This is not legitimate and DOES NOT WORK. In order to purchase using the Tesla service catalog one must have a business account, to get that business account the business must be in the relevant auto industry.
Tell the service center what part you need and that you have to buy it through them.

Parts catalog headlight​

https://epc.tesla.com/en-US/catalog...emGroups/eaa6724c-c694-4f4c-9ca9-c7b4fa3e4500​

Here are the relevant documents for this removal, install, and alignment.

Service manual headlight removal/install​

https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...ID-AA106AB5-27B0-48B1-86CA-A64E9D18F205.htm1l​

Service manual headlight adjustment​

https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-E097B426-2928-4739-BAB2-6A71608483B0.html​

Once these have been read lets get to the details.

Loosen all the components BEFORE removing the old headlight to save some headache (guess who didn't....).

Once everything is loosened and the headlight is removed there is a clip that needs to be found. (disconnecting the headlight is in Teslas instructions read that)
Likely it will be slightly damaged and will need to be wrapped in tape (I used the painters tape) this makes it snug especially as the bracket behind it will likely be damaged (we are replacing a headlight due to impact after all). I had to put and pull the headlight a couple times to get the bracket fit right.

If all the bolts mentioned above are loosened then this will only be a small PITA. The headlight doesn't actually fit, it needs to be gently forced into the slot. The two circled components will be the biggest pain for this. Looking closely at my headlight in this picture there are a bunch of scuff marks on the top part as I had to trial and error learn this. I found pulling up between the two circled brackets worked the best.

The headlight 'falls' into place after it slides in 2/3s of the way (there is a bottom lip that falls behind the bumper).

Before tightening everything back down plug the headlight in and test flashers, running, headlight, and highbeams.

Now tighten everything down and LIGHTSHOW! err.... I mean HEADLIGHT!

If this feels a bit slap stick it has nothing to do with anyone else situation, this has been my learning experience and I can at least make fun of myself RIGHT!


[EDIT]
I promised to update another thread about the projection headlights when I purchased my replacement.
The service center said they had not heard anything about this update for the cybertruck.
[/EDIT]

 

[LarryASilva]

Forgive me if somebody already asked ... but ... I am curious why you would tackle such an expensive repair yourself? Why not just file an insurance claim for the collision with a deer?

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