help! how do you change a headlight on a chim!

[deadline21]

Has anyone changed a headlight on their Chim? mines a 95 standard UK car, the drivers side headligt is very dim - I'm guessing you dont change the bulbs on these things but instead its the entire unit (Lucus style)?

How do you remove the little plastic headlight cowl without braking it! I cant get mine to shift and worried I'll crack it but cant see how or where it could be bolted on - theres clearly no access into the wing from the engine bay. Dont want to take it to a garage just for this!

ohh and the headlight switches have come away and fallen down into the dash board - will leave that one for another day!

many many thanks

s

[thenick]

Mines a 97 Chim and on that you reach into the wheel arch and theres a fiberglass 'door' which you unscrew 3 self tappers from then cut around the outside with a stanley knife to get rid of some of the silicon, then carefully prise the door out.. Then its just a case of reaching inside and changing the bulb which can be fiddly as you can't actually see it! Some prefer to take the wheel off to get better access but I found it no problem just putting the steering to full lock...

Nick

[thenick]

hang on... just read that again! Thats how you change the bulbs... if they're dim you might want to change the reflector as well.. To do that you reach into the hole and undo two wingnuts under the front of the cowl, then carefully lift up the cowl and cut out the silicon holding it down. After that you just pull out the lens and replace or carefully clean the reflector then reassemble!

[deadline21]

Excellent - thanks Nick, gonna go outto the garage now to see if this works!

thanks again - much appreciated

scott

[V8 Animal]

I have a 96 car and there is no access panel.
So if thats the case you need to remove the grill under the bonnet and reach in hope you have long arms.
Good luck.
V8 Animal

Edited by V8 Animal on Sunday 11th March 15:46

[Cider Andy]

The headlamp reflectors can get very dirty (dusty), but you wouldn't notice with the headlamps on. The most likely cause is that the H4 lamp is on its way out. Is the main beam lamp still bright?

The second most likely cause is corrosion or dirt in the connector. Some cars have an access hatch as described above. Ones without it: I'm not sure. Access from behind the grille (if fitted)?

[deadline21]

Thanks guys - I've had to go into work so will check and see if I have the hatch when I get home - I dont think it does as I dont remember seeing it when I was under the car waxoyling the whole thing recently. Sounds like its the grill off job!

thanks again

s

[tvr keith]

The lamps are not sealed at the back and my reflectors and lenses were dirty. Have to take the whole thing out to do this but worth the effort.
It's not just about having poor lights, if the lamps are dirty inside it spoils the look of the careven in daylight.
Mine has got the covers in front of the wheel arches I had to take the wheels off because the philips screws that secure them get dirty and rusty and are impossible to remove with the wheel on