Changing a sidelight bulb

Started by normanh, March 5, 2021, 19:39

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normanh

Is this possible without dismantling the front of the car - taking the front bumper off to remove each headlight? Tried today and found it impossible to get the bulb holder out. Seems a total act of stupidity by Mr T if this is the case or am I missing a trick. Headlight bulbs are fairly easy but sidelights nope -Pre-facelift model. I dont usually give up this easy but what I thought was a 30min job seems the be "Mission Impossible" and it was freezing out today.

Norman

Carolyn

I'm afraid that, unless you have small hands and are quite dextrous, it's a bumper off job.

Mt T doesn't always get it right.
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shnazzle

Quote from: normanh on March  5, 2021, 19:39Is this possible without dismantling the front of the car - taking the front bumper off to remove each headlight? Tried today and found it impossible to get the bulb holder out. Seems a total act of stupidity by Mr T if this is the case or am I missing a trick. Headlight bulbs are fairly easy but sidelights nope -Pre-facelift model. I dont usually give up this easy but what I thought was a 30min job seems the be "Mission Impossible" and it was freezing out today.

Norman
I must find the tale I usually tell and make it sticky.


You're doing the right thing. Freezing cold makes it even more impossible.

Instead of my usual unhelpful tale, this time I will actually do something out of character.... Provide assistance and contribute positively.

Below are two pictures of what you're likely dealing with. This is on FL headlights but should be the same.

There's a little clip that you swing away from the light, stick the new bulb in its holder in, and then swing back and click in place.
Hopefully the below two pictures and video help in your mission.
Try to press the clip on the far end.

Clip open:
You cannot view this attachment.

Clip closed:
You cannot view this attachment.

https://youtu.be/_hbgbyol_Dw

Good luck
...neutiquam erro.

scm2004red

Seems to me you are describing removal of h/l bulb, not sidelight?
MR2 Red Edition 2004
Porsche 924 1984

normanh

Like I said Headlight bulbs no problem on a pre=facelift the sidelight bulbs are located right on the underside of the unit, I cant even see how the plug is fitted little alone remove it.

Norman

shnazzle

Quote from: scm2004red on March  5, 2021, 20:53Seems to me you are describing removal of h/l bulb, not sidelight?
Whoops
...neutiquam erro.

Gaz mr-s

#6
Quote from: shnazzle on March  5, 2021, 19:52Instead of my usual unhelpful tale, this time I will actually do something out of character.... Provide assistance and contribute positively.



That went well then!  : ))

shnazzle

Quote from: Gaz mr-s on March  6, 2021, 11:38
Quote from: shnazzle on March  5, 2021, 19:52Instead of my usual unhelpful tale, this time I will actually do something out of character.... Provide assistance and contribute positively.



That went well then!  : ))
I know right! I think I do better just being a sarcastic bastard
...neutiquam erro.

Gaz mr-s

Quote from: shnazzle on March  6, 2021, 11:55
Quote from: Gaz mr-s on March  6, 2021, 11:38
Quote from: shnazzle on March  5, 2021, 19:52Instead of my usual unhelpful tale, this time I will actually do something out of character.... Provide assistance and contribute positively.



That went well then!  : ))
I know right! I think I do better just being a sarcastic bastard

Don't give up Shnazzle, don't give up!!     I saw your pics & thought 'headlight', but since I've never seen the sidelight mounting I kept quiet.  To think I could have saved you...  tee hee

I'll be finding out in a while though got the same bulb gone.

scm2004red

Quote from: Gaz mr-s on March  6, 2021, 12:23I'll be finding out in a while though got the same bulb gone.

I've got one that looks like a dying glowworm, hence my interest, and confusion.
MR2 Red Edition 2004
Porsche 924 1984

normanh

Anyone have any idea how the sidelight fits into the H/L unit or removing the plug? I'll try again when its warmer when my arthritic fingers decide to work better. Left index fingers not right since it was stitched back on.

Norman

scm2004red

Just a 1/4 twist and remove as far as I can see, bulb is a push fit in the holder.
MR2 Red Edition 2004
Porsche 924 1984

Stuey2uk

<curse your manly big hands> ;-)

scm2004red

At the last MOT in December, the MOT man pointed out a dim sidelight bulb which he said was about to blow.

Since then I read of all the horror stories on here which all seemed to indicate the need for hands of a 3 year old, or a day stripping out front bumpers and removing headlights, etc, so the replacement was put on the back burner.

Having thought about it, I decided Mr T couldn't be the complete numpty everyone was suggesting so decided to investigate to see if the myth was true.

My car is a 2004 FL so should be fairly typical, the offending lamp was the LHS, which after peering down into the back of the lamp. appeared more restricted than the RHS, I am a male, of nearly 6 foot (shrinking a bit with age!), normal size hands and no longer as agile as I once was.

Turned out be quite simple, probably less than 1/2 hour for one side which included about 5 minutes to remove and replace bulb, 5 minutes to check handbook for bulb size and ferret in spare bulb box, and the rest for removing and replacing frunk plastics.

I find it helpful to have a decent tool for pushing in and lifting the plastic frunk clips, a decent hand held work light, and a small mirror on a flexy stem to see underneath the light unit. Removing the 2 top headlamp screws enables the lamp to be lifted a small amount to gain just a bit of extra wiggle room. Replacing the bulbholder is a little bit more difficult as this is mainly by feel. The bulbholder needs a 1/4 turn to remove and replace.

I think Mr T isn't so dumb after all...
MR2 Red Edition 2004
Porsche 924 1984

normanh

Hi SCM, thats as far as I got earlier in the week, its just that my hands were so cold I lost the flexibility in the fingers.

Thanks for confirming I was on the right lines.

Norman

scm2004red

Couple of things to consider, the PFL and FL h/l units are different, but I would assume the FL h/l is more difficult to access due to the additional projector lamp holder in the limited space. After replacing the failed bulb in the bulb holder, check it's operation before replacing it into the h/l unit, it's a pain to discover it still doesn't work when you have re installed everything.
MR2 Red Edition 2004
Porsche 924 1984

normanh

Preface Lift only here and thats enough of a problem.

Norman

Stuey2uk

Did passenger side tonight by unscrewing two top headlight mounts - this gave a little  extra hand room.
Shining a torch in through main headlight (PFL) lens - allowed me to see the tabs for orientation.

Driver side - screen wash fill pipe in the way -so going to try medical forceps or end up taking headlight out!

Carolyn

Could have had the bumper off and on - twice!! ;D
Perry Byrnes Memorial Award 2016, 2018.  Love this club. 
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Stuey2uk

In the 15 mins I get free - I would loose 'something' on the gravel drive !

<must practice bumper swaps>  ;)


scm2004red

Hope you wore full PPE when operating...
MR2 Red Edition 2004
Porsche 924 1984

epiclarisse

Well, I had such a problem. However, I had enough time to replace the light bulb. So I removed the bumper to swap the old halogen bulbs for the new smart light bulbs. I thought it would be faster to remove the bumper than trying to get those little bulbs with my big claws. If I'd been at home then, I'd have asked my 12-year-old son to help me with this. He is always happy to see my car and help with the repair. But then I was in another city and had to deal with it myself. Marker lights are located under all the others, as well as fog lamps. And these are the most inconvenient parts you can find in a car.

MikeBoo

#23
With the MOT due in a couple of weeks I need to replace the sidelight bulb on OSF.
Has anyone attempting going in via the wheel arch liner or is this the musings of a lunatic?

Also I may have missed this, but are they 501 W5W bulbs?
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Carolyn

#24
Quote from: MikeBoo on January 14, 2023, 17:16With the MOT due in a couple of weeks I need to replace the sidelight bulb on OSF.

Has anyone attempting going in via the wheel arch liner or is this the musings of a lunatic?

I've never thought of that, but, seeing as much of the fastening for the liner has to be undone to remove the bumper, it's well worth a shot! 

Come to think of it, with the liner out of the way, the headlamp will unbolt easily, which makes it a doddle,. 

Now I realise I could be wrong about that.  I had the bumper off, lights out and liners out and even the wings off the car only couple of months ago, and I'm struggling to remember the exact details.

I'll take a look at my car tomorrow and confirm.

Damn this getting old shit!
Perry Byrnes Memorial Award 2016, 2018.  Love this club. 
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=63866.0

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