Sidelight(s) Problem

[GlanzaV]

Hi,

I bought myself a DERV commuter for work (2005 (54) 1.9TDi Sport) 2 weekends ago and I just noticed a problem with my sidelights - Both NS and OS have stopped working, along with my NS foglight.

Normally I wouldn't worry, but all 3 lights were working when I bought the car. Firstly I thought perhaps the foglight had blown a fuse for the sidelights, but I understand the NS/OS headlights are on seperate fuses (along with my rear lights all still working)

Does anyone reckon it could just be a coincidence they've blown? Is this a common issue? I've searched the MK4 common problems and the FAQ's and can't see anything similar.


Cheers

Adrian

 

[Nath.]

All you can do is try 2 new bulbs in the side lights and a new fog light bulb.
If you still have problems start looking at fuses and get a test meter.

 

[RUM4MO]

N/S foglight - if you are meaning the N/S (rear) foglight, then unless someone wired it in, it would not ever be working. If you mean the N/S front foglight, then sorry for that comment. Anyway, like dimmed beams, unless you check them regularly you only notice when they have both gone - as I'd hope you normally only drive with headlights on, you would not necessarily notice the side lights bulbs too much (I know we all would like to think that we check all our lights regularly - but I'm sure we don't really!). I'm in a car pool with someone who can drive and has a car, but that's just about it, he keeps trying to get me to explain to him why some cars only have one front or rear light - its a fairly easy thing to work out, like maybe a bulb has just failed - but he just can not work that one out!

 

[GlanzaV]

I know we all would like to think that we check all our lights regularly

Lol... I checked the lights were all working when I bought the car 2 weekends ago It just seemed funny they've all blown already. I'm going to take it back over the weekend and get them to replace them! May as well save myself a couple of quid first!

I wasn't too sure if it was more of a common problem?

Oh and to answer your question it's the front N/S foglight (sorry thought it would've been clear since there is only 1 (O/S) rear fog )

 

[GlanzaV]

Bloody hell... had a look yesterday at perhaps swapping over the bulbs?! How do you get in without hands like a 5 year old girl?

 

[Ibiza Dan]

Erm, you dont
Bumper off for me im afraid.
Others ave said they managed to do it without taking the bumper off but i dont see how.

Bumper off
Headlights out

 

[Keef83]

I did once get a garage to change my headlight the one in front of the battery and they said they were able to get the catch off with a screw driver but no idea how you would get to the sidelight.

EDIT
Although I have been thinking that it would be worth the £5 or whatever you would pay to get Halfords to fit it just to see their face.

 

[GlanzaV]

^^ Lol yeah! I never thought I'd say it - but I might get Halfords to change my bulbs!

Nah... I couldn't live it down! I'll whip off the bumper, been reading a few posts and it shouldn't be hard (just a nuisance!) - Ok quick question:

I found these recommended through another thread:

MTEC XENON SUPER WHITE NATURAL GLASS T10 (194), 501, W5W CAPLESS WEDGE 5watt SIDELIGHT BULBS, 12v 5w £4.99

Since I've also got a foglight out would I be able to use these (if I got the H3 type) (at the bottom of the page)
MTEC HID class halogen/xenon gas filled bulbs rated 4750k. Cosmos blue. Price £11.99

 

[Damoegan]

Bloody hell... had a look yesterday at perhaps swapping over the bulbs?! How do you get in without hands like a 5 year old girl?

Removing the battery

You should'nt be suprised the bulbs have gone (if they have) just because they were working 2 weeks ago, after all you dont know how long they have been in the car do you..
If you had put them in 2 weeks ago then I would be suprised that they only lasted 2 weeks.

If your going to be changing the side lights you might as well get some HID's for the dipped beam while your on

 

[Breezapom]

i just shove my hand down there then cry afterwards (not in a dirty way!!)

 

[GlanzaV]

get some HID's for the dipped beam while your on

I've got the sport TDi with the single reflector headlights. I'd need to get the dual-xenon's... don't know how good the mechanical switching (HI-LO) ones are? I did have a wee look at them on that site though

Argh! Sidelights turns into sidelights+HID's+fogs... was looking for a cupra front and FR back bumper too soon

 

[Breezapom]

Your dooomed

 

[GlanzaV]

This is my Daily driver too! But not got the weekend car yet so better spend the money on this while I can

 

[cowtc]

my passenger side sidelight and driver side dipped light went out the same time, replaced them both, both bulbs were actually blown.

Can't figure out how to remove the battery though, unplugged everything, took the covers off, but the battery wouldn't budge, am I missing something?

 

[NickyJam]

once you get the knack of it you don't need to take the bumper off for bulb replacement i managed first time...then again i may have hands of a 5-yr-old

it is tight but it is possible