94 Chim headlamps

[parrot of doom]

No inspection hatch, access through the grille only.

To change the bulbs (and alter the wiring for the modwise kit), do I have to remove the lamp assembly?

[parrot of doom]

But the bulb is held in by a surclip - it will be next to impossible to get it back on.

I reckon the whole lot has to come out tbh.

What sort of mastic is needed on the headlamp assembly?

[kenny chim 4]

Don't know about the wiring for that Modwise kit, but it is possible to get to the bulbs once you remove the grill.

I've done it several times but it's much easier if the car is on a hydraulic ramp- with the lights at around shoulder height. That also makes it (a bit!) easier to replace the grill!

Yeah, it's a shame that TVR only thought of cutting an inspection hatch into the wheel arches of later cars

[parrot of doom]

Anyone know what mastic to use?

[spend]

Just pull the connector off, normal 3 pin H4 bulb. Like all these pinch the wired loop together and it hinges away, the bulb can then be lifted out. Its a bit tight & easier to do the second time, just take your time and its easy. Driving the front end up on ramps make access a little more comfortable, If you've had the front grill diagonal stays cut out its actually an awful lot easier.

Dave

[parrot of doom]

I've never actually replaced a headlamp bulb (only brake lights, I've been lucky with my cars).

So what do I grab and twist then?

[snorky]

if you look at a H4 bulb there is a plate on the back. into and around this plate fits a big clip to hold it in. The bulb pushes into the socket which has tabs to locate it and the clip is in a horseshoe shape, held in the middle of the clip, on one side of the socket as a kind of hinge and the 2 pointy bits clip in and around the tabs on the bulb plate to hold it in circlip-like. You need to feel for 2 protruding bits which indicate both "ends" - squeeze them together and pull the clip away from the back of the bulb. The clip will hinge off to one side out of the way.The bulb will then be loose save for the connector and cable. Pull the connector off and remove bulb. do reverse to refit remembering to NOT get any fingerprints on the new one or you'll be doing this again real soon...can you not just cut an inspection hatch with a jigsaw then seal it up again as with the later Chims ???

>> Edited by snorky on Saturday 23 April 08:16

[spend]

Better to practise on a normal car first - when you can see you will see its easy - just a bit fiddly. "Hi dad, can I just change your light bulb please?"

[thornogson]

Hi Tom,
have you done it yet, if not give me a ring.
G.

[Bob the Planner]

snorky said:

...can you not just cut an inspection hatch with a jigsaw then seal it up again as with the later Chims ???

Yep - Easiest way of doing any major work on the lights and you get a chance of getting the bulb the right way round.

Parrot - You obviously got the bulb in as it appeared to be working fine at Donnington services

Bob

[parrot of doom]

eeehhehe

I just got back now, my head is bloody freezing!

Still, its one of those things you have to do!


Anyhow, I'm taking the car to my mates this week, he's got some ramps that I can get the car in the air on - so I can reach the starter motor for a 12V feed.

I really really must buy some ramps and axle stands......

[kenny chim 4]

Axle stands yes- but be careful of using individual wheel ramps.

Many of them are at such a high angle that the front bodywork on a TVR will snag on them!

[bluechim]

Don't believe that later cars all have an inspection hole to change the bulbs through, my 02 plate 450 has no such hatch. Does anyone else with a later car have such a hole. I think the factory decided not to cut them in my car.