156 Headlight bulb replacement

[CaptainSlow]

Some help please. I need to replace the headlight bulb on my 2005 156, I aslo need to replace the small sidelight buld on the other side.

I've had a quick look just now, it seams there are two large round covers on either headlight, I'm guessing one is for the dipped light and one for the full beam. Both these covers seem a far way back from actual bulbs though.

I can't work out how to get to the small sidelight though.

There is another piece that comes out the headlight with coneectors attached, I turned this 90 degrees and pulled back slightly, this seemed to cause the internal reflector come loose.

Any help please.

[anonymous-user]

Two round covers yes, turn through 90 degrees. I reckon the thing you pulled off is the dip adjuster motor, might be a ball and socket joint. Need very dexterous hands and a mirror would be useful. I seem to remember that you squeeze metal overclips inside to release the bulbs from the reflector.

[tr7v8]

Fiddly especially on a JTD as the battery is in the way. Twist the cap off the bulb you want to change & pull off connector, then squeeze the clips together. The side light bulb sits in between & is on a bayonet thing with a plastic ear. Make sure you get the right side light bulb, the accessory shop I bought mine from was quite surprised as it is normally a panel lamp!
A degree in gynecology would be useful, with double jointed 6" long figures.

[CaptainSlow]

Thanks chaps will give it another go on Friday when I get the first chance of doing it in daylight.

[trashbat]

Alfaowner has a good guide with a diagram. I'll see if I can find it.

The sidelight is inside one of the other lamps and you need to know what you're doing to remove it.

It's not that hard a job.

[trashbat]

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt...

Look for the post by Chris de Ze.

[caiss4]

And make sure you put the headlight bulb in the right way up. The wrong way and the beam pattern is all over the place.

I had my local garage replace the n/s headlight bulb and noticed that the beam pattern was 'different' but the car then failed an MOT and the testing garage (not the same as the servicing garage) said it needed a whole new headlight unit. I thought this strange but paid up.

12 months later I'm changing the o/s bulb and I notice the beam pattern was 'different' again. This got me wondering so re-fitted the bulb turned through 180 degress. Hey presto, a proper beam pattern. £70 wasted the year before for a 5 min job.

[Willeh85]

I need to replace the main headlight bulb and the smaller one, where did you purchase them from?

[CaptainSlow]

You can buy bulbs on ebay or Halfords

[CaptainSlow]

ohwell it;s in...took 5 minutes. I fitted with the tab on the bulb facing upwards, the bulb doesn't slot in anywhere though which is what I am used to with Subarus. Seems to be ok.

[Paul S4]

You may be pleased to know that those sidelight bulbs do not seem to last very long...and at about £5 each that is not good news... !
I am sure that you can now get 'canbus compatible' LED replacements which should last a lot longer, and will not put up the bulb warning lamp on the dash.