Change Bulb in 2004 Polo

roughan

Does anybody know how to change a headlight bulb in a 04 polo
its inpossible, i was told to dissable the air intake pipes and the manual states its a dealer job ,
its absolutly disgraceful that you cant do it yourself anymore
in some european countries you are required to carry spare bulbs by law
but what happens if you cant put them in yourself!
does anyone know how to do it?

C_Breeze

Surely, there must be a way you can put them in yourself!!??

Have you checked the manual? - if it says take it to the dealer thats an absolute disgrace

craichoe

roughan wrote: »

Does anybody know how to change a headlight bulb in a 04 polo
its inpossible, i was told to dissable the air intake pipes and the manual states its a dealer job ,
its absolutly disgraceful that you cant do it yourself anymore
in some european countries you are required to carry spare bulbs by law
but what happens if you cant put them in yourself!
does anyone know how to do it?

A quick google reveals this wonderful statement
http://doobya.wordpress.com/2005/08/13/replacing-the-headlight-bulb-on-a-2005-polo/

What was bound to happen, did. I thought, “screw that noise,” and decided to fix the light bulb myself, on the side of the highway, without tools, right then. Ten minutes later, I was back on the road with a brand-new headlight shooting up towards the stars, pissed at my blinker’s light bulb who decided to fall into the water-tight plastic headlight block during the process. I do use my blinkers, and having to drive without one, sucked.

Anyway, long story short, it cost me the better part of the following morning to fix both lights, disassembling in the process such minor, insignificant parts as the entire front ****ing bumper.

GreeBo

I've done it on an 02 polo and I guess they are the same.
It was a royal pain in the ass let me tell you.
I probably spent the guts of 2 hours at it but finally managed it with the help of a small mirror so I could actually see what I am doing.

From what I remember there are 2 small clips that you need to snap back to get the bulb out (and in).

It is possible to do it yourself but my jesus its annoying and not for the easily frustrated.

C_Breeze

Good link there craichoe.

God forbid somebody tries to fit a HID kit to one of those :eek:

Thats absolutely disgracefull though - if this is the way all car manufacturers are going they need a kick up the @rse!

..Thats why i like my old 90's cars best - never an easier car to work on ... From DIY'ing Light bulbs, CD Players, brakes , oil changes / filters etc - its all a doddle and actually gives you satisfaction in maintaining your car.

bazz26

Most modern cars these days are dealer jobs. Some require front bumpers to be removed to get at the headlights.

As cars are generally more reliable these days, manufacturers have to make money off the consumer in other ways. As technology becomes more advanced and complex DIY maintenance on cars will eventually become a thing of the past.

It is quite embarresing going into a dealer and asking for them to change a light bulb. Should be a simple thing to do yourself.

GreeBo

I was watching MythBusters during the week and they were rigging up a car for remote control.
The car had a dead battery but when they tried to change it they discovered you had to remove the near side front wheel to get at the battery. Nice.

craichoe

The lights on my 2000 Octavia are a doddle to change
That guys post is right though, i live in the Netherlands and if you dont change the bulb there and then they'll either fine you or tow the car away at your cost as its not fit for the road.

I had to get that other stuff for the boot too, triangle, first aid kit, luminous jacket and stuff.

bazz26

I think most of Continental Europe have similar laws.

Not much good though if the manufacturer makes changing bulbs almost impossible for the owner without bringing the car to a dealer.

roughan

GreeBo wrote: »

I've done it on an 02 polo and I guess they are the same.
It was a royal pain in the ass let me tell you.
I probably spent the guts of 2 hours at it but finally managed it with the help of a small mirror so I could actually see what I am doing.

From what I remember there are 2 small clips that you need to snap back to get the bulb out (and in).

It is possible to do it yourself but my jesus its annoying and not for the easily frustrated.

no tis different then an 02
i had an 02 one and it was fairly easy

roughan

just found out

You have to remove the grill and front bumper to gain access to the bottom mounting screws that hold the headlight unit in. You have the remove three "torx" screws in the inner wheel arches, and remove the vent mouldings, were the foglights are situated on upmarket models, to remove two further bolts. Pull the bumper moulding forward it slides into the wings.

rang VW they said its 8 euro for the Bulb and 1 hour labour
60 QUID TO CHANGE A BULB:eek:

GreeBo

roughan wrote: »

no tis different then an 02
i had an 02 one and it was fairly easy

I must get you out to do ours then.

roughan

you dont have to take off the bumper and grill on the 02 model

petronius

Twist off Rubber cap
pull the connector off noting the way it connects to the bulb
tape the connectors so as they don't fall into the plastic moulding (it happens)
around the hole where the bulb goes into there is a moveable piece which you can turn anti-clockwise
you should be then able to tease out the bulb - note how the bulb goes in .
place the new bulb in
turn the moveable piece clockwise fixing the bulb in place
reattach the connector
test the bulb is working
reattach the rubber cap

job is oxo

Mint Sauce

petronius wrote: »

Twist off Rubber cap
pull the connector off noting the way it connects to the bulb
tape the connectors so as they don't fall into the plastic moulding (it happens)
around the hole where the bulb goes into there is a moveable piece which you can turn anti-clockwise
you should be then able to tease out the bulb - note how the bulb goes in .
place the new bulb in
turn the moveable piece clockwise fixing the bulb in place
reattach the connector
test the bulb is working
reattach the rubber cap

job is oxo

But how much do you have to remove to get to the rubber cap?

Even my Astra is a bloody hard job, have to go through the wheel arch and work blind. First time changing the bulb gave up after 30 minutes, went down to the local Opel Service centre, and even took one of their lads 15/20 minutes.

L-M

Yours isn't diesel by any chance OP?

The petrols are relatively easy once you can work blind.

Where are you based? Halfords would charge you 20 euro to supply and fit.

L-M

Mint Sauce wrote: »

But how much do you have to remove to get to the rubber cap?

Even my Astra is a bloody hard job, have to go through the wheel arch and work blind. First time changing the bulb gave up after 30 minutes, went down to the local Opel Service centre, and even took one of their lads 15/20 minutes.

You can lock the wheel either way and as I said, once you can work blind it's easy. Just be careful not to touch the bulb off the crap on the arch

Mint Sauce

Limerick man wrote: »

You can lock the wheel either way and as I said, once you can work blind it's easy. Just be careful not to touch the bulb off the crap on the arch

Precisely what I was attempting, but after struggling to engage the bulb into its clip, and taking half the skin on my arm I gave up.

2nd time I had to do it I had it down to 10/15 minutes, although having a second set of eyes, and doing the other side may have made a difference.

L-M

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Precisely what I was attempting, but after struggling to engage the bulb into its clip, and taking half the skin on my arm I gave up.

2nd time I had to do it I had it down to 10/15 minutes, although having a second set of eyes, and doing the other side may have made a difference.

When you put your arm through the arch you can lean forward and look into the front of the headlight.

Spike Witwicky

I believe the Citroen C5 and Renault Modus are pigs to change bulbs on too?

cml387

Spike Witwicky wrote: »

I believe the Citroen C5 and Renault Modus are pigs to change bulbs on too?

Modus requires the entire front of the car to be removed.