side light bulbs on a tdi cupra...

Mar 16, 2008
692
0
Wiltshire / Bristol
Try pulling the wires which hold them in place, they should just pull out. It is a 'little' trickey geting at them. If your changing the headlights at the same time it is probably worth removing the front bumper and taking the headlights out. This is how I did it, as I couldnt get at the n/s side light (130 TDi).
 
I just did it last weekend - I've not got the smallest hands and managed it! Mine is also the Diesel so has absolutely no room at all!

Firstly take the covers of the main headlight unit, this will give you a bit more room now:

For the O/S: come in perpendicular to the direction of the car and bend your hand round towards the sidelight bulb - I pulled from the wires as per the user manual (but I'd be gentle just in case!) get the bulb out just enough to change it then the hardest part I thought was trying to find the hole and have enough extension with my fingers to re-seat the bulb properly!

For the N/S: take the cover off the main headlight section again as you did with the O/S. But also dismantle the battery cover, first the fuse cover, then unclip the battery cover (ie the fuses) and try and move these out the way. Then there's a front cover that you can unclip that will give you a touch more room too! once you've done this the best way I found was to stand at the front bumper but come in parallel with the direction of the car with your left arm (awkward!!) Again pull by the wires and because of the direction I came in at it was even harder to re-seat the bulb but eventually got it!


I'll admit when I first looked I never thought I'd have a chance of getting my hands in at the bulbs but thought I'd give it a try before taking the bumper off and taking the headlights out which is the alternative!
 
Oct 17, 2006
2,141
0
Mid Wales
Good advice - one more tip that I found helped - turn the sidelights on when re-fitting - the light helps you relocate the lamp
 
^^ That's actually how I ended up doing it, forgot to mention! But was still not sure if the had "clipped" (clipped is the wrong word....) in place or whether a few potholes would rattle them out. I just never had enough room to give enough force to check if they'd go in further?
 

UncleFester

Grumpier by the day!
Apr 30, 2006
4,764
2
Milton Keynes
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Having done this twice for Tony ..... they do need a good push to locate them in the hole and as above, leave them turned on so you can see the hole. Hardest part is getting the covers back on as there really is NO room!
 
Another tip regarding getting the sidelight covers back on:

Since there isn't much room to put pressure on the cover the clip is extremely hard to get on! I lodged a long thin socket extension against it with one hand and pushed the clip over with my fingers on the other hand!
 

Neo

Fool member
Mar 24, 2009
881
1
If I can offer a tip? Try using your right hand for the O/S and your left for the N/S (sliding your arm between the battery and the wing). I have tried a few different bulbs in mine so am used to it now (multiple cuts later!).
 

X_Lollypop_X

ur only jealous :)
Sep 20, 2008
179
1
Bucklebury, Berkshire
mine isnt a diesel but tried getting one of mine out last night as its gone so the "leave the lights on" wont work as it doesnt work lol, I think I tore my arm to shreds last night aswel trying and then gave up!

Will try again today but what a nightmare! on my old 206 I could just take the back of the unit off and take out which light I wanted with no problem........

J
xx
 

NickyJam

FR - gone, not forgotten
Mar 17, 2008
1,669
0
SW LONDON
not too bad in the FR TDi's...changed mine today all with right hand although had to remove offside main beam cover due to the massive pump in the way
 

CJRamze

Proud Seat Owner
Jun 29, 2008
2,014
2
Caldicot, South Wales
mine isnt a diesel but tried getting one of mine out last night as its gone so the "leave the lights on" wont work as it doesnt work lol, I think I tore my arm to shreds last night aswel trying and then gave up!

Will try again today but what a nightmare! on my old 206 I could just take the back of the unit off and take out which light I wanted with no problem........

J
xx

It was the same on my 1.2 Ibiza Loads of room.
The problem is thats the largest engine to go in the bay so it leaves little room for anything else.
 

st10587

i only brake for cake!!!!
Oct 4, 2007
3,669
0
Hindhead
Another good tip is to replace the standard bulbs with LED's then you'll never have to change them again! Ebay Item Number:- 360130659236 These will work a treat!

.G.

my cars has now been through 3 set of LED side lights so this is not true!! another tip take both covers off the headlight as it gives you so much more room! i have 'the nack' now i have changed soooo many :lol:
 
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