Mk1 Changing headlight bulbs - simple right?
Discussion
I came to turn my lights on the other day (just as it was getting dark), noticed the full beam dash light was on and wouldn't turn off, so got out to check and I have no headlights, dipped or main beam.
First thought was the fuse, but seems intact. Second thought was the bulbs. So now I've been and bought 2 headlight bulbs that I hope will be 100000x better than what was there before.
As far as I know you take out the 2 little screws then slide the ring round, pop the front off and replace, right?
I'm now faced with this... Rusty screws strike again on this car.
Not much chance of getting those off I don't think. Is there another way I can get in there does anyone know?
Will have to sit on the street until I sort it as it can't be used in the morning or evening
First thought was the fuse, but seems intact. Second thought was the bulbs. So now I've been and bought 2 headlight bulbs that I hope will be 100000x better than what was there before.
As far as I know you take out the 2 little screws then slide the ring round, pop the front off and replace, right?
I'm now faced with this... Rusty screws strike again on this car.
Not much chance of getting those off I don't think. Is there another way I can get in there does anyone know?
Will have to sit on the street until I sort it as it can't be used in the morning or evening
Correct it's the one on the left (the one to the right is the beam adjustment screw so best left alone).
Two others to undo at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock
Might be and idea to spray some Q20 (or WD40) on the thread overnight to help unscrewing.
An electric screwdriver works for me on the stubbornest screws (even a cheapo from Clas Olson).
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe.
Two others to undo at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock
Might be and idea to spray some Q20 (or WD40) on the thread overnight to help unscrewing.
An electric screwdriver works for me on the stubbornest screws (even a cheapo from Clas Olson).
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe.
WD40 leave 24 hours.
Fit screwdriver to screw, tap sharply with hammer.(an actual impact screwdriver is best at this point but only saddoes like me have those). Unscrew or
strip centre from screw and skin knuckles.
Cut slot in screw with hacksaw, use biggest flat blade screw driver you have. Unscrew or
screw driver slides out of slot and stabs hand.
Fit mole grips to screw head and unscrew or
break head off screw. Repeat
Fit new bulb and wipe off the blood before reassembly.
Fit screwdriver to screw, tap sharply with hammer.(an actual impact screwdriver is best at this point but only saddoes like me have those). Unscrew or
strip centre from screw and skin knuckles.
Cut slot in screw with hacksaw, use biggest flat blade screw driver you have. Unscrew or
screw driver slides out of slot and stabs hand.
Fit mole grips to screw head and unscrew or
break head off screw. Repeat
Fit new bulb and wipe off the blood before reassembly.
Oldandslow said:
WD40 leave 24 hours.
Fit screwdriver to screw, tap sharply with hammer.(an actual impact screwdriver is best at this point but only saddoes like me have those). Unscrew or
strip centre from screw and skin knuckles.
Cut slot in screw with hacksaw, use biggest flat blade screw driver you have. Unscrew or
screw driver slides out of slot and stabs hand.
Fit mole grips to screw head and unscrew or
break head off screw. Repeat
Fit new bulb and wipe off the blood before reassembly.
This sounds familiar Fit screwdriver to screw, tap sharply with hammer.(an actual impact screwdriver is best at this point but only saddoes like me have those). Unscrew or
strip centre from screw and skin knuckles.
Cut slot in screw with hacksaw, use biggest flat blade screw driver you have. Unscrew or
screw driver slides out of slot and stabs hand.
Fit mole grips to screw head and unscrew or
break head off screw. Repeat
Fit new bulb and wipe off the blood before reassembly.
Oldandslow said:
WD40 leave 24 hours.
Fit screwdriver to screw, tap sharply with hammer.(an actual impact screwdriver is best at this point but only saddoes like me have those). Unscrew or
strip centre from screw and skin knuckles.
Cut slot in screw with hacksaw, use biggest flat blade screw driver you have. Unscrew or
screw driver slides out of slot and stabs hand.
Fit mole grips to screw head and unscrew or
break head off screw. Repeat
Fit new bulb and wipe off the blood before reassembly.
Sounds fun, will attempt in the light tomorrow. To be fair I've learnt my lesson with this car, every bolt or screw on it looks like the one in the pic. Fit screwdriver to screw, tap sharply with hammer.(an actual impact screwdriver is best at this point but only saddoes like me have those). Unscrew or
strip centre from screw and skin knuckles.
Cut slot in screw with hacksaw, use biggest flat blade screw driver you have. Unscrew or
screw driver slides out of slot and stabs hand.
Fit mole grips to screw head and unscrew or
break head off screw. Repeat
Fit new bulb and wipe off the blood before reassembly.
Hey, whoa. Snotrag, nail, head. Totally blanked on the underlying issue.
You've got the blue indicator light on permanently but no light? At all? I don't see how bulbs are the issue. The old ones might have burnt out but will the new ones just be on all the time? Stuck relay? Faulty stalk switch.
Get a meter out and see if there's 12v to the lights right now.
You've got the blue indicator light on permanently but no light? At all? I don't see how bulbs are the issue. The old ones might have burnt out but will the new ones just be on all the time? Stuck relay? Faulty stalk switch.
Get a meter out and see if there's 12v to the lights right now.
Go to screw fix and get a screw extractor. Go to B and Q for replacement machine screws. Lather in WD or Plus Gas. Leave and go and play Battlefield 4/ Drink a crate of beer etc. Use screw extractor to remove screws. I found that removing things like that on my car are all to do with preparation. And frequent use of expletives.
Also, if you have sealed units buy some different ones with replaceable bulbs so you don't need to f
k about taking the whole lot out next time.
Also, if you have sealed units buy some different ones with replaceable bulbs so you don't need to f
k about taking the whole lot out next time.Edited by Pablo Escobar on Monday 2nd December 19:49
Oldandslow said:
You've got the blue indicator light on permanently but no light? At all? I don't see how bulbs are the issue.
It would be extremely, extremely odd for both bulbs to fail at the same time. Are you sure you've checked the fuse (there's two fuse boxes, I can't remember which one has the headlights)?Guess I just got some on the off-chance/hope it was, as well as not having any spares anyway. I thought it was pretty simple to have a quick look but couldn't get in due to the screw so definitely more investigation needed.
I did check the fuse - The 10A marked 'head' on the box and was fine.
I don't have a meter so looks like a trip to a garage. Not sure I'll be able to tell any other way what's wrong?
I did check the fuse - The 10A marked 'head' on the box and was fine.
I don't have a meter so looks like a trip to a garage. Not sure I'll be able to tell any other way what's wrong?
put the headlamps raised using the switch by the hazard lights then look closely at the units , if the filaments are bare not shrouded in glass and you cant see the lamp base they are sealed units. Even easier mine have H4 cast in the glass so that shows they take H4 lamps.
Edited by mad4amanda on Tuesday 3rd December 14:41
Bit of an update - I've found what I think is the issue.
On both sides, one of the electrical connectors to the prongs on the bulbs has melted the plastic. I've disconnected and cleaned all the points and have all lights working apart from one main beam (the side that's the most melted).
Suppose I'll have to look around for replacement connectors.
On both sides, one of the electrical connectors to the prongs on the bulbs has melted the plastic. I've disconnected and cleaned all the points and have all lights working apart from one main beam (the side that's the most melted).
Suppose I'll have to look around for replacement connectors.
just fitted a HID kit to mine... H4 Hi/Lo kit. its night Vs Day now, fantastic lights! I have them correctly adjusted so not to dazzle other drivers.
Before any of the PC brigade start sucking their teeth... yes I know they are illegal... but so is a lot of things we ALL do... I don't give a ste!
My screw were rusted like that... I just touched the heads with a thin disc in an angle grinder and removed them with a flat blade screw driver.
Before any of the PC brigade start sucking their teeth... yes I know they are illegal... but so is a lot of things we ALL do... I don't give a s
te!My screw were rusted like that... I just touched the heads with a thin disc in an angle grinder and removed them with a flat blade screw driver.
Alapeno said:
Bit of an update - I've found what I think is the issue.
On both sides, one of the electrical connectors to the prongs on the bulbs has melted the plastic. I've disconnected and cleaned all the points and have all lights working apart from one main beam (the side that's the most melted).
Suppose I'll have to look around for replacement connectors.
here you go :On both sides, one of the electrical connectors to the prongs on the bulbs has melted the plastic. I've disconnected and cleaned all the points and have all lights working apart from one main beam (the side that's the most melted).
Suppose I'll have to look around for replacement connectors.
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinest...
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff