Headlight bulb retaining spring clip?

[steve4mg]

Just had to replace dipped beam bulb (Type H7 / 499), on my 2006, 56 plate, dynamique 1.6 VVT facelift model. As stated earlier there are NO wire spring retaining clips on these projector type headlights. The bulbs are held in place by two cut-outs that form retaining lugs on the shaft of the bulb holder. To get the old bulb out you need to depress one of these with a screwdriver or the likes and the bulb will pop out at an angle and should easily come out. Be careful not to flatten this lug as it will be awkward to push it back again. Doing this on the near/passenger side is not easy due to cross member making it difficult to get your hand in through the access hatch in the wheel arch. On the drivers side you can do this from the engine compartment by removing the windscreen washer filler tube from its saddle clip and moving the radiator reservoir hose out of the way. You can then get to the bulb and see what you are doing. Doing this through the drivers side wheel arch is difficult as the hatch is so low down. Inserting the new bulbs is quite easy. Just make sure that the square shaped key on the bulb rim is at the seven o'clock position on both lights and gently push the bulbs in. When you hear the click you should not be able to remove them. Finally just make sure that the bulb has seated correctly on both sides, i.e. it has been held in place by both lugs. You may need to push in the bulb rim in with a screwdriver if it's not sitting correctly.

From experience, if you call a Renault service department and ask them "do all Meganes have wire spring type bulb retaining clips on the headlights?" you will get the answer YES! This is NOT the case! Check to see if spring clips exist before proceeding. If they do, remove the plug from the bulb then squeeze both sides of them and move the top slightly to the right. This will then clear the holder at the top and allow the spring to fold down. Be very careful not to remove this clip entirely as refitting is awkward. If you lose the clip then you are in deep S—T. You cannot get these from Renault and they will tell you that you need a complete new light cluster. Try the local breakers yard. Fitting a new light is a major job and requires the front bumper / valance to be removed. Once the clip has been released the bulb will slide out. Insert the replacement and fold the clip upwards again. It will click over the retaining post at the top. Remember to reconnect the wiring and test at this point.

[archy]

I have been attempting to change the headlight bulb drivers side and as i removed the retaining clip i just happened to drop it (yeh i know) now i have spent a good hour trying to find the bloody thing yep you guessed it has disapeared now is there anywere i can get a new clip other than going to the main dealers as there miles away atb archy.