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Sidelight bulb replacement

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:25 pm
by m4rky
I have tried this morning to replace the n/s sidelight bulb on the missus '56 plate 1.6 16v.

I though the headlamps bulbs were bad but this is ridiculous.

I took out the battery and the air pipe that goes across. Took the rubber cover off the lights fitting and then tried to feel around for the right bulb. There is no room to get you hand in!

I have also tried to get at it through the wheel arch but its too far away and there is a metal pipe in the way.

After 30mins I gave up.

Before I book the car into the stealers, how do you do it???

Re: Sidelight bulb replacement

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:52 pm
by Paddy
Best bet is... front bumper off.

Lift bonnet... 6 plastic clips.

Each wheel arch 2 x torx 10 screews.

Underneath 3 x size 10 bolts heads.

Total time 5 mins..

Allows easy access to the lights.

Re: Sidelight bulb replacement

Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:15 pm
by m4rky
OK so once the bumper is off do you have to remove the headlamp from the car??

Re: Sidelight bulb replacement

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:40 pm
by Gav
Or get a friend with small hands who can do it. When I needed to replace mine about 6 weeks ago, it was under 5 mins start to finish. That's doihng it the first way you tried. The dipped beams are a totally different matter though.

Re: Sidelight bulb replacement

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 12:29 pm
by m4rky
Gav wrote:Or get a friend with small hands who can do it. When I needed to replace mine about 6 weeks ago, it was under 5 mins start to finish. That's doihng it the first way you tried. The dipped beams are a totally different matter though.


The only way I can see is with the bumper off.
I do have small hands and I can get my hands into the bulb holder. With the battery out I can just get my head in the engine bay to look into the opening.
I can get at the Main beam bulb but I cannot see/feel for the sidelightbulb (as its slightly offset from the opening).

I have done the dipped bulb through the hole in the arch before and it was ok.

Re: Sidelight bulb replacement

Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:01 pm
by mattyc25
I find it easiest to change the bulbs under the bonnet. Especially the dipped ones. theres a good photo on google images on the rear of a megane headlight, gives a good understanding of how the bulbs should be seated.

Re: Sidelight bulb replacement

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:18 pm
by Damo2580
Ive just changed mine this weekend. The n/s took me 40 mins to change headlight and side light. the metal bar coming across makes it makes space limited but it is possible.

Re: Sidelight bulb replacement

Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:38 pm
by davelowe
m4rky wrote:OK so once the bumper is off do you have to remove the headlamp from the car??


No. But it's easy anyway if you've got that far.