Ok, a little off topic, but, need to rant ..... GF - Headlight in car gone Me - OK, I'll have a look, not too dark outside, only take a min Me - 20 mins later, WHAT THE F**K !!!!!!! and bulb still not replaced Been on you tube and google, loads of reports about the passenger side head light bulb replacement. Need to remove either the battery, cover and tray, or, the whole head light unit to swap the bulb. Madness. OK, glass of wine in hand and rant over. Will tackle in the day light, think it will be a headlight out job, seems easier than the battery out.
its no better on a Alfa 147 you need to be double jointed and have about 3 sets of hands all half the size of mine and you can even see with one of those mirrors on a stalk what the hell you are doing
Hi. I changed the passenger side bulb on my 03 focus a couple of years ago and its not to bad a job, bit fiddly but not bad. This is from memory. The problem is the cover on the rear of the headlight won`t clear the battery tray enough to remove it. I removed the battery, the grill and loosened the headlight bolts, (think one is behind the grill but can`t remember exactly, don`t touch the beam alignment screw) this allows the light to move forward enough so the cover can be removed. Its tight but can be done. You could leave the headlight and remove the battery tray instead, then cut the offending corner off ready for next time. The wire clip that holds the bulb in doesn`t need removing, unplug the connector then squeeze the clip and it should come unclipped and swing open allowing the bulb to be removed. Like I said, this is all from memory and I might have forgotten some bits so no guarantees on the details. I`d read the horror stories on the internet about this job but I was surprised how easy it was, not as easy as on a mk 1 escort though. Have fun. :wink:
Agree with all you have said ..... but when was removing the grill and headlight "normal" and "not too bad a job" to replace a headlight bulb ??? Agree not a bad job, 20 mins all in I would guess, but, still madness to do all this to replace a bulb.
Yeah, I agree, it is madness having to do all that just to replace a bulb. Apparently, on some Audi`s you have to remove the front of the car (lights, grill, bumper etc) just to change the cambelt. Audi A6 cambelt change. | Technical matters | Back Room Forum | Honest John How crazy is that. "not to bad a job" was just my opinion, everything I did went right, the headlight moved enough to clear the battery tray without removing either, all the bolts undid ok and I didn`t drop or loose anything. Changed the glow plugs,did that in the snow, skinned my knuckles, lost a socket, found it after half an hour of searching and cursing when I removed the stupid plastic cover under the engine
Did the same job, did not drop a socket, but, did drop 3 of the 4 small nuts that hold the wires on the glow plugs ..... they were left to rattle around in the stupid plastic tray :smile:
its no better on a Mk 2 Megan Convertable either, I took it to halfrauds to save me doing it in the snow, even the Muppet there gave up with blood coming from every knuckle....its easy after you dislocate your elbow and wrist! :wink:
Its GREAT when you have mutually complimentary skills Katie, but ironing and washing are so much easier ! Lol.....( head down....) Try doing the cambelt on an Alfa 156, or changing the alternator........Even swapping the alternator/steering pump belt takes a main dealer an hour ffs........
I did a cam belt on a Subaru Impreza I had...won't be doing that again, they're about 6 foot long. The access is easy but it was like a chinese puzzle, I've never seen so many pulleys An octopus for a helper would be a benefit.
No problem on an old astra and little hands. I suppose they do it so you take it back to the garage easy money when you know how.
