Sidelights want to make me scream!

[kbrad44]

For about two weeks now I have been trying to find ways of changing my sidelight bulbs as they have both blown, but with no luck. Tried fingers, screwdrivers, pliers, friends and still can't get them out.

Today I finally gave up and took it into a dealers for them to fit the bulbs for me. I was under the impression that they have a special tool to remove them. Guess what? They could not remove them either! So the mechanic suggested that the only way I would be able to change them was by removing the front bumper , then the headlights and then would have enough access to change them. Is this an easy job?

Do other people really have this much bother with removing these bulb holders? Seems to be a really crap design in my opinion.

Has anyone tried fitting different bulb holders for easier fitment?

I need to get this done soon as my area is becoming a Boy racer breeding ground, PC plod is beginning to stomp his feet a little and dont want to give him an excuse for pulling me over.

 

[Logan 5]

What a nightmare problem to have! Small but annoying.

Dont want to make this worse for you but im guessing something is stuck on yours. I dont recall every having a problem with mine, there just very fiddly to do.

Good Luck

 

[s1l3nc3r]

Not the same car i no but had a bit of trouble getting my drivers side one out when i needed to change it...

came out in the end though after it had abused my fingers enough...

 

[Markyboyt]

Mine were tight but with a bit of wobbling while pulling them by hand or pliers and they came out. if both are out I cant see the police noticing unless they are very keen

 

[lordgibbness]

Use some pliers to grab onto the sidelight bulb from behind - and just keep pulling until it comes out, which it will eventually...

 

[nutter_engineer]

when I did mine I noticed the plug had two little tabs on the side which I presumed was what holding the plug. I used a very small flat head screwdriver to 'undo' the tabs and the whole plug came out no problems. Took me ages to figure out that was the way to do it though.

 

[LEE69]

Simple, just pull them as above use pliers or try squeezing the holder to get more pressure on them.
As for taking of the bumper pmsl are they having a laugh.
Shame your not closer I'd do them for you.

 

[Fl@pper]

first time they are a real pain but twisting em seems to help, once out they seem fine but sadly to get at em cleanly it's a lights out job and it's bumper off to do that

you could try the middle one of these was my favourite in the past as it's angled and my set is 16" long and gets in there a treat

just don't pull the wires because from new they will break off before it comes out

 

[kbrad44]

Yes I have tried using pliers, but as the inner headlight shell was flexing so much I was afraid of breaking it . But I have not tried pliers and twisting at the same time so will give that a go.

@nutter_engineer, Yes I also have the small tabs on the holder which are inside the hole. I have a reason this part might have been re-designed as I often hear you just need to press either side to release them. Mine will spin but not budge.

So it looks like I will give them another try by using a watchmakers screwdriver for the tabs and at the same time twisting and pulling with pliers. Not an easy job for someone who wears size XXXXL gloves

I don't want to be beaten by this and really don't want to dismantle the front of the car for such a little job. Will also investigate if its possible to modify these holders while out or maybe find some rubber motorcycle pilot light bulb holders to fit in place.

 

[Fl@pper]

you wanna try the ibiza or a ford ka then - still bearing the scars here

isn't the battery a bit in the way on the nearside ? wouldn't take too much to rip that out for some extra room once the covers/etc are taped out the way

 

[leed]

SideLights!!!

ARRR just changed mine for some new ones took me 15mins and a cut finger, but its done now.

 

[borisvanhalen]

mine took 5 mins...

just pulled out, might be revised design - the bulbs will only work one way around so test them before re-inserting

 

[SalSheikh]

mine took 5 mins...

just pulled out, might be revised design - the bulbs will only work one way around so test them before re-inserting

i did mine rcently and mine too were a pain in the butt. i was tempted to give up after 25 mins of fiddling around and not being able to get mine out easily.

looks like the above pic now

 

[MarkWales]

got one of mine out and now have odd sidelights nevermind decided to change headlights to projector lamp units now so have to take off the bumper

 

[andycupra]

i changed mine no probs, but cant remember how its done.

I do know on aftermarket ones that the side light holders need to be twisted then removed.
Ie they are pushed in then twist...
Just thought it could be something people had not tried.

 

[markmck]

I managed to get one of mine out but the passenger side broke while trying to get it out.

Can you buy the holder as a replacement part. Also, any ideas on how to get the holder out now that its broken and I managed to push it in whilst trying to lever it out.

Awkward or what?

 

[deano23285]

got my sidelights changed pretty easily, my headlights are a different story, i just can't get them to sit level, ive tried everything, in the end i just got them as level as possible and used the clip to hold them in.

problem is i think my drivers side is higher than my passenger side, still id recommend the bulbs im using, osram nightbreakers, loads more light than my previous ones

 

[SalSheikh]

yeah, i've been told the nightbreakers are one of the best on the market - this is from an engineer i work with who tests these bulbs!

 

[Wolvotim]

i spent ages trying to get them out thinking they just twisted out then i knoticed the tiny little tabs i pushed them in with a small flat blade driver and they just popped out

 

[markmck]

i spent ages trying to get them out thinking they just twisted out then i knoticed the tiny little tabs i pushed them in with a small flat blade driver and they just popped out

Now why doesn't it tell you that in the car manual