Change Headlamp Bulb

[davetoney]

I am sure the detail on this must be posted elsewhere, but my headlamp bulb has gone (seemingly dipped beam only - main beam seems OK). Took it to Halfords, but they said they wouldn't touch it for fear of screwing the alignment. Is it possible to change the bulb myself?

[gregers]

yeah either perservere and attempt to replace insitu or take headlight out,or iirc there is a flap in the wheel arch to gain access to the lights?.hth.

[tim-spam]

And if you have HID's the procedure will be somewhat different, but most have H7 halogen bulbs. Edited November 16, 2009 by tim-spam

[tim-spam]

Which headlight, and are they regular halogen?

 

Normally easy enough in situ. The flap in the wheelarch is for the sidelights and indicators.

[davetoney]

Thx for the feedback. Discovered it is possible by removing the plastic battery cover, then put your hands in boiling water until they shrink to the size of a 5 year-olds :rolleyes: , then you can remove the headlamp cover and, without actually being able to see it, remove the bulb. Did take about 30 mins to do though.

[job]

Thx for the feedback. Discovered it is possible by removing the plastic battery cover, then put your hands in boiling water until they shrink to the size of a 5 year-olds :) , then you can remove the headlamp cover and, without actually being able to see it, remove the bulb. Did take about 30 mins to do though.

 

How did you get the bulb and its connector out, mine appear to be held in by a clip wire, but I can't seem to release it?

 

TIA

 

JOB

[Ivor_E_Tower]

You have to squeeze the top bit of the wire clip. The real hard bit (I found) was putting it back afterwards - levered it with a large screwdriver in the end. Nearside bulb went on Dec 4th as I switched the lights on to go to work.... on my birthday! Great present that was, working in the cold in my lunch-hour to swap the bulb over (I carry a sent of spare bulbs as a precaution)

[B@rnstormer]

I've got a dipped beam bulb to change in my MK2 tomorrow. There's no way I can get my hand in there, the flap doesn't open up far enough. Stupid design. I'm going to undo the 2 bolts on top of the headlight (driver's side) and take the whole headlight out (unless anybody here says otherwise, so if there's a proper way to do it please say). I'm not too worried about alignment as I'll put it back in the same place I found it. Alignment is adjusted elsewhere using a hex key by the looks of things, not via the 2 black-capped bolts/fixings on top of the headlight as I originally thought.

 

B@rnstormer.

[chrispb123456]

There's actually 4 bolts holding the headlight unit, two on the top that's the two under the black caps, the there's two lower ones.

One is just behind the front grill the other is in a recess you need a ¼ drive torx socket with a long extension.

[B@rnstormer]

There's actually 4 bolts holding the headlight unit, two on the top that's the two under the black caps, the there's two lower ones.

One is just behind the front grill the other is in a recess you need a ¼ drive torx socket with a long extension.

Thanks for the info, not had much time to trawl the forum yet and Haynes manual is in the post from someone via eBay. I'll have a look this afternoon.

 

Cheers

[acecard]

I have changed several headlamp bulbs without having to remove the headlight - its tricky I know but doesn't take long - its just getting the hang of those spring clips and getting plenty of light on the job.

Its better if you've got smaller hands though (mine aren't) - best to get the other half or kids to do the bulbs on the gal