Any tricks to do this?

Capital Slow

Hey guys,

My passat's front left sidelight bulb (the smallest bulb in the head lump)just blew, and find it very hard to reach the bulb itself and not dare to pull the wiring, per the Hayens manual, need to take the whole head light unit off in order to replace the light sidelight bulb, anybody know any tricks to do this without taking the whole headlight unit off?

Also, I have tried to take the unit off (taking off the four screws), it seems the unit would not go off without taking off the griller, I am just wondering does it take this much effort just to replace a sidelight bulb?

Thanks in advance!

kermitpwee

So you won't do what the haynes manual says, so you decide to take out the light unit yourself. Am i missing something or has the motors forum gone mad?

Capital Slow

I tried both,

Tried to change the bulb by pulling wiring at the back of the bulb, and the bulb should come out with the casing and wire together, but I am afraid of break the wiring or anything else,

So I tried to take off the unit, but after taking off the 4 screws per the Haynes manual, the whole headlump unit still would not come off the car, when I went back to the manual, it seems in the picture that the griller was off the car as well, off coure the manual did not say it needs to take off the griller,

I just need some one who has experiences on this one to shed some lights for me.

Seth Brundle

I find it hard to believe that its not like every other bulb holder out there - one that requires a slight turn before you take it out of the light.
As for removing the lamp, now you will need to get your lights re-aligned!

Anan1

My guess is that the connector has to be pulled off the back of the bulb first, and the OP is afraid to pull too hard? If that's the case, OP, you need to pull the connector block, not the wires.

kermitpwee

Anan1 wrote: »

My guess is that the connector has to be pulled off the back of the bulb first, and the OP is afraid to pull too hard? If that's the case, OP, you need to pull the connector block, not the wires.

Exactly what this person has said, pull the Unit.

I don't have exp of your car but there is prob a rubber round the wiring that needs to be pulled of first.

If your worried go to a garage and ask one of the mechanics to do it. Tbh i don't think they will charge you.

milltown

kbannon wrote: »

As for removing the lamp, now you will need to get your lights re-aligned!

He may be lucky. I had to remove one of my headlamps to change the headlight washer nozzle (not on a Passat though) and had my NCT a few weeks after. I fully expected it to fail for headlamp aim but it sailed through.

rufio306

is there something behind the lamp fitting that is stopping you getting at the bulb? like the airbox or something? might be easier to try remove that to get more room rather than removing the light fitting itself.

Capital Slow

Thanks for the reply, Lads,

No internet during the day, good to see the responses,

I think I may leave it to a mechanic to do it, the bulb is at the very tight corner, as the connection of the bulb could not been seen or felt by a blind touch, the only thing is the wiring.

Anybody to recommend decent garages or auto shop won't cost me a arm just to change a bulb and they know what they doing.

Oh, btw, the bulb needs to be replaced is 501 5w.

Cheers!

Captain Slow IRL

You're on about the parking bulb cap'n?!

They are a b*tch to get out, you have to take the headlamp out to change them - there's no room to grab the back of the connector and it's too dodgy grabbing by the wires. And the front bumper has to come off to take the headlamp out!

EDIT - If you look in the vehicle handbook to check how to change the bulb, it just says "Go to your local authorised VW dealer":mad:

Green Hornet

What is it with manufacturers these days? I have one of the new Civic's and the parking bulb has gone but cant be accessed from the engine compartment. I have to lock the wheels to one side and take off the plastic moulding inside the wheel arch (as per instruction manual)!

Probably trying to make people go to the main dealer and spend more money.

eringobragh

Green Hornet wrote: »

What is it with manufacturers these days? I have one of the new Civic's and the parking bulb has gone but cant be accessed from the engine compartment. I have to lock the wheels to one side and take off the plastic moulding inside the wheel arch (as per instruction manual)!

Probably trying to make people go to the main dealer and spend more money.

Try changing a fuse in the engine bay on a 08 Megane. Some module (cruise control I believe) Sits on top of the fuse box cover so it requires moving battery and loads of other bits! Such a pain

Capital Slow

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

You're on about the parking bulb cap'n?!

They are a b*tch to get out, you have to take the headlamp out to change them - there's no room to grab the back of the connector and it's too dodgy grabbing by the wires. And the front bumper has to come off to take the headlamp out!

EDIT - If you look in the vehicle handbook to check how to change the bulb, it just says "Go to your local authorised VW dealer":mad:

that just confirmed my worst fear, thanks anyway,

but dont really want to go to a main dealer to change a bulb, may charge me 50 yoyo for half an hour labour for a bulb cost 2 quid:o