Galaxy Brake Lights

[Ian in Northampton]

My offside brake light has failed, and I'm trying to replace it. As per the instruction book, I've removed the interior side panel and released the catch that allows the entire subassembly to be withdrawn - in theory. The fact is, though, that no way can I get the subassembly out. It seems to foul either a) because a bulb won't come clear of its hole, or :lol: there is something behind the subassembly (I'm not with the car right now, but it seems to hold some sort of rubber strap that passes in front of the seat belt mechanism) that just won't allow me to pull the light subassembly back and out. What am I missing? According to the book, it should be simplicity itself (hah!), and I really don't want to visit the dealer just to change a bulb. Help...! Many thanks. Cheers, Ian.

[Guest neil_wiles]

Ian

 

The normal problem is for the wiring loom to loop behind the lamp panel and stop you from withdrawing it directly, try feeling around the rear of the bulb holder and pushing the loom to one side.

[Ian in Northampton]

Neil, thanks - I'll certainly give that a try. Cheers, Ian.

[Guest fredt]

(I'm not with the car right now, but it seems to hold some sort of rubber strap that passes in front of the seat belt mechanism)

Remove the frame that the strap is connected to and the light unit will come out, the assembly is held in by a couple of phillips headed screws and is slotted into a mounting at one end

where abouts in northampton are you?

[Ivor_E_Tower]

..sounds like you have to remove the bracket that holds the jack in place, which has been covered somewhere before.

[Ian in Northampton]

Thanks guys. I still haven't got round to this... FredT: in Bozeat, just outside Wellingborough. I can't believe that I have to disassemble the bloody car just to change a bulb - but if that's what it takes... I hope it's a ajob that a useless amateur can undertake? Hopefully, a closer look at the weekend... Cheers, Ian.

[Guest fredt]

It's only a five minute job to remove the bracket replace the bulb and stick the bracket back in place :lol:

Bozeat, I'm over near you tomorrow, I'l be working in Wellingborough from mid morning onwards :( makes a change to get a job fairly local! that means I can be home by 11.30 instead of 12.00 :rolleyes: god, the thought of having to get a real job one day scares me! :huh:

[Ian in Northampton]

Finally got round to it, and it was as predicted with two Philips screws to remove. Theoretically pretty painless, but the screw nearest the lamp assembly is incredibly inaccessible. I didn't have a short Philips screwdriver so had to resort to a flexible one which did the trick. However, getting that particular screw back in proved a nightmare - and when I finally dropped it somewhere in the well, I gave up on it: the bracket seems fine with just the one screw, and I doubt the car will fall apart as a result. Many thanks for the help. Cheers, Ian.

[Guest fredt]

and when I finally dropped it somewhere in the well, I gave up on it: the bracket seems fine with just the one screw............... but that tiny rattling sound you can hear from inside the rear quarter panel will drive you loopy in the end :(

 

ps. you werent in the forest on sunday? bloody dogs and kids all other the place! couldnt get any speed up without fear of running one or the other over :D

[Ian in Northampton]

I thought that at the time... :( Oh well, as they had the dashboard off to replace the aircon compressor, a small rattle at the rear will be the least of my worries. And no, we weren't there. Personally, if I were you, I'd have done a seek and destroy for the children and dogs; they make a really nice scrunching/sqealing noise under the wheels of an all-terrain bike moving at high speed... :D

[Guest fredt]

I nearly took out a dog but it was rather a large one and may have damaged a wheel or two with the impact! and I didnt fancy the walk back :(

I cant work out why they all insist on walking down the single track tracks made by the mountain bikers and get upset when we appear at speed round the bends :D and what part of ON YOUR LEFT/RIGHT! dont they understand? and then they have to spread out across the track or step infront of us! DOH!

and another thing, why is that responsible dog owners pick up, bag and carry home their dogs waste, but horse rider dont have to? :D