Replacing bulbs!
Discussion
Ease of bulb changing is part of the buying decision process for me. Last three vehicles bought for doing the everyday miles have been ones where you undo two setscrews/pull out a clip, pull forward headlamp unit from panel, unclip lead, take unit and place on seat or boot floor to complete bulb change in comfort.
As far as I can tell its a bumper off headlight out job on the Jag. But I know of one dealership that has a man with very long thin fingers who can change the indicator bulb though the access panel.
I asked them to show me how its done for future reference, they showed me the bloke and his fingers and it was clear that you need to be a freak of nature to do the job without major dismantling
I asked them to show me how its done for future reference, they showed me the bloke and his fingers and it was clear that you need to be a freak of nature to do the job without major dismantling
My volvo c30 needed a side light replaced. I opened the bonnet pulled out the retaining stake, wiggled the entire head light, unplugged the plug at the back of the headlight unit and took the headlight to my kitchen table inside and replaced the bulb in seconds.
The entire operation took 15mins mainly because I watched the news whilst inside.
The entire operation took 15mins mainly because I watched the news whilst inside.
Another reason I like my old E36. Bulb changes are a 5 min job requiring only removal of a plastic cover from the back of the headlights.
Should be do-able by the side of the road in less than 10 mins with no additional tools.
daytona365 said:
It's a bloody disgrace, a crime almost. Cars by law and safety must have lights. Bulbs don't often blow whilst at the dealership, hence people have to change bulbs themselves, unless they park up and call a breakdown vehicle to take car to dealership. Sounds ridiculous, but then we live in ridiculous times. Why can't they just facilitate even this simple task ?
Indeed.Should be do-able by the side of the road in less than 10 mins with no additional tools.
TooMany2cvs said:
Corbeliere said:
Same on my Bentley Conti GT. Front bumper off job. What a pain for DIY'ers!
Somehow, I don't think DIYer-friendliness was high on the design priorities list for Bentley.Ste1987 said:
You'd think, though, that for something so simple to do in your home should be the same in a car.
Even though SWMBO has a good try, I think it's fairly safe to say that my house is nowhere NEAR as solidly packaged as the engine bay of a modern car. I dunno about your house, obviously.TooMany2cvs said:
Ste1987 said:
You'd think, though, that for something so simple to do in your home should be the same in a car.
Even though SWMBO has a good try, I think it's fairly safe to say that my house is nowhere NEAR as solidly packaged as the engine bay of a modern car. I dunno about your house, obviously.S10GTA said:
Here is a picture I took whilst replacing a bulb on my old GTA.
...For the sake of a consumable item that can go pop at any timeWho bothers to change bulbs by the side of the road anyway? I can't imagine that, should you actually get pulled over, you'll need to say anything more than "I know officer, thanks for letting me know, it's the first thing I'll be doing when I get home".
I do agree that it's stupidly difficult on some cars though.
My previous Mondeo (mk3) you needed a Philips screwdriver to remove the plastic radiator cover, then you'd just pull up the 2 retaining pins holding the lamp unit in place and it'd slide out forwards. You didn't even have to disconnect it, you could just open the back of it up at that point. Nice and simple.
I do agree that it's stupidly difficult on some cars though.
My previous Mondeo (mk3) you needed a Philips screwdriver to remove the plastic radiator cover, then you'd just pull up the 2 retaining pins holding the lamp unit in place and it'd slide out forwards. You didn't even have to disconnect it, you could just open the back of it up at that point. Nice and simple.
Uncle John said:
Same boat here, my Alfa is a nightmare. I can't even get my hands into the recess.
I admitted defeat and took it to Halfords where a 20 year old girl fitted it for me.
My man card is in tatters.
I admitted defeat and took it to Halfords where a 20 year old girl fitted it for me.
My man card is in tatters.
I trained my pet 8 year old to do it. He's 13 now and struggles a bit.. My mrs has obviously been feeding him again
Ditto for Alfa's looked at the haynes manual for my 147 that told me to take the bumper off. Took a look at the unit and decided f
k that and took halfords up on there £5 bulb change offer, Guy did it in all of 10 minutes.
On the skoda fabia on the other hand its 3 horseshoe clips and a couple of wiggles and it all comes a part, the only difficulty is with driver side access since the intercooler piping runs about 10cm behind the headlight but it really doesnt cause that much of an issue. German(ish) engineering i suppose.
k that and took halfords up on there £5 bulb change offer, Guy did it in all of 10 minutes.On the skoda fabia on the other hand its 3 horseshoe clips and a couple of wiggles and it all comes a part, the only difficulty is with driver side access since the intercooler piping runs about 10cm behind the headlight but it really doesnt cause that much of an issue. German(ish) engineering i suppose.
My old Fiat Coupe, acres of space behind the bulbs, mainly because they lift up with the bonnet, you then have to proceed to do some backwards limbo/yoga maneuver whilst almost sat on a hot engine all while having the fear of being swallowed by a falling clamshell (look at the support strut for holding the bonnet up).
lostkiwi said:
Makes me laugh the way modern cars are designed to be so difficult - especially when travelling in France you have to carry a full set of spare bulbs and can get an instant fine if you have a bulb out....
At which point you'd send the fine to the manufacture & ask them to pay it as they've designed a car which stops you being able to change the bulb or you ask them to point you in the direction of the nearest 24hr Dealership caelite said:
On the skoda fabia on the other hand its 3 horseshoe clips and a couple of wiggles and it all comes a part, the only difficulty is with driver side access since the intercooler piping runs about 10cm behind the headlight but it really doesnt cause that much of an issue. German(ish) engineering i suppose.
Fabia 1 though to do the n/s you need to remove battery then remove a panel from the battery box. After that it's easy though.vikingaero said:
If you ever get a spare headlight unit take time to photo/memorise the action of the retaining clip. And then learn to use it upside down! Saves hours once you know how - it's a bit like unclipping a womans bra... 
It's *always* the retaining clip that gets me. I've never failed to get to the bulb, but struggle every time with the clip...and generally run out of expletives to use.
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