How to Remove a Ballast From a Headlamp on a Sienna

1. Park the Sienna with the emergency brake on. Turn the engine off and let it cool. HID headlights burn very hot, so make sure you let it sit for at least ten minutes, before working on it.
2. Pop the hood and look directly behind the non-functioning headlight. Next to the headlight assembly, you'll see a small black box with two sets of wires going into it. This is the ballast. Unplug the wiring harness that comes from the Sienna's electrical system: Then unplug the connecting wire between the ballast and the headlight assembly.
3. Unscrew the mounting bolts, or screws that hold the ballast in place. A household adjustable wrench, or screwdriver, should do the job. Be sure to put the bolts someplace safe.
4. Remove the old ballast and insert the new one. Secure it in place with the screws. Reattach the wires and close the hood.

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How to Clean the Idle Control Valve on an E32 BMW Engine

1. Pop the hood of the BMW. Locate the control valve. It should be next to the intake, on the right side of the engine.
2. Disconnect the control valve's electrical plug using a screwdriver. Set it aside. Remove the screws and bolts that hold the control valve to the engine using a wrench and socket. Set them aside.
3. Pull the control valve from the BMW engine and set it on a flat surface. Point the valve so the bottom touches the flat surface.
4. Spray the valve with carburetor cleaner. Wait 30 seconds and wipe the valve with a clean towel to remove the oil and dirt. If any oil or grime remains, spray the valve with carburetor cleaner again. Wipe the valve clean with a towel.
5. Replace the control valve. Attach the wiring, screws and bolts. Close the hood.

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How to Remove a Headrest in a Mercedes Benz

1. Sit in the back seat of the vehicle, facing the front seat, and press the electric switch on the front seat to raise the headrest to its highest setting. Set the front seat in a completely upright position.
2. Push the headrest release button, located under the upholstery on the back of the front seat about 11 inches below the left headrest pole. If you do not feel a release button, skip to Step 4. Some newer models do not feature a headrest release button and require a different method of removal.
3. Push the headrest release button and slowly pull the headrest out of place until it is removed.
4. Enter the front seat, facing the seat-back.
5. Place both hands on the two headrest bars. Move them back and forth as you pull them up, which will release the headrest latch. Remove the headrest from the seat.

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How to Open Your BMW Key

1. Verify that the key's battery needs to be replaced by driving around for an hour using the presumed defective key. The battery in the integrated remote is rechargeable and charges in the ignition when the car is on. Often, a key will lose its charge when it has been sitting unused for an extended amount of time. Attempt to lock the doors with the remote button on the key after trying to recharge it. Proceed to the next step if this has not solved the problem.
2. Heat the key uniformly using a hair dryer on medium while wearing protective leather gloves and safety glasses, if you do not have an older model key that you may simply unscrew. The two halves of the key are glued together with a urethane adhesive that must be softened before attempting separation. Heat the key to the point where it is uncomfortable to touch but not where it could cause a burn. Adjust the position of the key constantly so that it is heated evenly without any hot spots.
3. Hold it by the metal key portion using needle-nose vice grips. Don't use too much force and scratch the key's finish. Insert the dull utility blade between the base of the metallic portion of the key and one of the plastic side casings. Pry the casing outward slightly using the dull knife blade until a small gap forms around the entire key.
4. Leave the blade in place while you remove the vice grips. Use several small flat-bladed screwdrivers to pry around the periphery of the key to slowly tear the adhesive bond on the case. If the key has cooled and the case is no longer separating, re-heat with the blow dryer as necessary. The adhesive should turn to a gum-like consistency above 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Remove the rechargeable battery once the case is successfully opened. The battery is a three volt Panasonic VL2020 cell that may be found at online vendors and specialty battery stores. Reinstall the replacement battery. Prior to re-sealing the key, test it to ensure that you replaced the battery properly and it's working. Additional re-heating of the key should soften the old adhesive to the point that the key can simply be clamped together and let cool to set.

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How to Reprogram a BMW Key Fob

Instruction Set One
1. Make sure that all the doors, trunk and hood are closed.
2. Open the trunk door. Open and close the driver’s door.
3. Put the key in the ignition cylinder and turn it on and off five times. Don’t actually start the engine. The alarm should chirp a confirmation.
4. Open and close the driver’s door.
5. Press any button on the remote to program it. The alarm light will flash to acknowledge a successful programming.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for any other remotes.
7. Exit the programming mode by leaving the driver’s door open while closing the trunk door. Then close the driver’s door. You should hear the alarm sound off to confirm that you’ve left the programming mode.
Instruction Set Two
8. Make sure that all the doors, trunk and hood are closed.
9. Insert the key into the ignition and switch it to position 1. Turn it back again. Repeat this four more times. Then remove the key from the ignition cylinder.
10. Press the “Lock” button three times while holding down the “Unlock” button. Then release the “Unlock” button. The door locks will then cycle to confirm that you did it correctly.
11. Repeat step 3 for each fob that you need to program.
12. Exit the programming mode by inserting the key into the ignition and turning it to position 1 and then taking it out.

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My Key Will Not Turn in an E320

1. Wiggle the steering wheel while turning the key. If there is pressure on the steering wheel that holds it on the lock pin, the key will not turn. A locked steering wheel is not the source of the problem if the steering wheel turns but the key still does not turn.
2. Start the car with a spare key. If the spare key works but the main key does not, you obviously have a bad main key. A replacement key for the E320 costs around $200 as of January 2011. You will need a valid registration and title to complete the purchase.
3. Place the key in the ignition and listen for a clicking noise. If both the spare key and the main key fail to turn, and you hear a clicking noise when you insert the key into the ignition, you most likely have a bad ignition switch. Visit a Mercedes-Benz dealership or a repair shop to confirm this diagnosis. A new ignition switch for the E320 will run you about $1,000 as of January 2011.

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How to Remove a Mercedes Headrest

Release Button Located on the Seat
1. Locate the headrest release button. It is located directly below the headrest on top of the seat itself.
2. Press the button (or buttons), and push toward the metal bars that the headrest sits on.
3. Lift the headrest up while holding down the button.
Release Button Located Underneath the Seat
4. Locate the button on the underside of the seat. A flashlight will help as it will be quite dark under your seats. The button is located underneath the seat where the upholstery ends.
5. Push in the button. This will release the latch that holds the headrest in place.
6. Pull on the headrest until it slides off the metal poles.

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How to Replace an A4 Convertible Top

1. Retract the convertible top on your Audi A4 all the way to the back of the vehicle.
2. Enter the back seat of the Audi and use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws that are attached to the retaining strip. The strip is connected to the rear body interior of the vehicle.
3. Use your hands to unhook the clips that connect the tension cables to the top bow. You will find the clips near the retaining strip at the back of the vehicle's interior.
4. Remove the screws attached to the weatherstripping using a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the weatherstripping away from the convertible top. Do not discard the weatherstripping; you can attach it to the new convertible top.
5. Lift the fabric top away from the Audi. Place cleaning solvent onto a cloth and tip down the top bow frame. Ensure you clean off any adhesive and other debris.
6. Place the new convertible top onto the frame of the Audi A4. Place contact adhesive on both sides of the top bow. Press the side flaps on the convertible top onto the sides of the top bow. Leave the vehicle for 20 minutes to allow it to set in place.
7. Use a Phillips screwdriver to reattach the weatherstripping and retaining strip to the interior of the vehicle. Place the tension cables back into the top bow using your hands. Tighten the cable by turning it clockwise until it is fixed securely in place.

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How to Take Apart Control Arms

1. Move the car to an area where you have a lot of room to either side to work on the suspension. A driveway or large garage is the best place for this repair operation. Place the car or truck into Park on a level surface and pull the emergency brake to provide some extra support. Turn the car off and get out.
2. Jack the car up on the right side first on its jack point. All cars have points that are designated for jacking the car up to minimize possible damage to the car's frame. Once the car is elevated, place a jack stand under the structure to support it while you wheel the jack out. Jack up the left side the same way and slide another jack stand in.
3. Remove the lug nuts securing the right front wheel to the car with a tire iron, making sure to place the lug nuts in a safe place. Take the wheel off to expose the brake underneath. Unbolt the brake calipers and rotor from the steering knuckle; there will be at least two bolts securing the brake setup, perhaps more depending on the make and model of car. Repeat this disassembly process on the left front side.
4. Remove the single bolt that secures the control arm to the steering knuckle while supporting the steering knuckle. Let the knuckle swing down gently once the bolt is out. Remove the three bolts that secure the other end of the control arm to the car's frame. Pull the control arm out from the wheel well and place it to the side. Repeat this process on the right side of the car.

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How to Order a Replacement Key for a BMW

Find the nearest BMW Authorized Service Center
1. Go to http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/content/dealer/default.aspx to find your nearest BMW Authorized Service Center.
2. Call the nearest service center to get a price quote for a new key. Tell them you need to replace a lost BMW key.
3. Appear in person at the BMW service center and bring original vehicle title, current vehicle registration, your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), drivers license and payment for the replacement key.

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