Megane Headlight D'Oh

Boom_Bap

i noticed the passanger side headlight was gone on my Megane. Popped into Halfords, picked up the bulb and got set for my 2 minute replacement job........then the headscratching started, then the manual came out, then i found the compartment in the wheel arch!! then i looked for a child with long skinny arms and with a brain but failed to find one. Then i found this video clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCZ2v-nIF4

i managed to unscrew the cap and unhook the metal hooky thing but had to stop. I could have done more but was worried that i wouldnt be able to re-assemble.

Anyone have any tips?

Carson10

Good luck. I changed one in our 06 Mégane Touring a few weeks ago. horrible job.

Got it done after 2 hours, one smashed bulb and cut knuckles.

Took ages to get the clip back on and then the bulb was shooting up to the sky. Took off the clip again and eventually after another hour got it level.

They cost about €60 if i bring it back to the main dealer..Really annoying

Boom_Bap

i've been doing a bit more reading up and taking the wheel off apparently helps alot. But i might try lock up the steering to allow more access instead of getting the wheel off. I was nearly there yesterday so with a bit more room i think i can do it.....well, hope i can do it

Henry Ford III

Ludicrous design.

Stevie Dakota

Renault Sandyford will do them for around €12 or so, takes 5 mins or so as they are well practiced.

The whole bumper off nonsense is just that.

cml387

In my experience it's best to learn how to do it yourself,because you 're going to be doing it a lot.

Removing the wheel is a help, although I've done it with the wheel on (practice makes perfect).

And don't mention the Renault Modus.That is a bumper-off job.

frank gooding

CMl could be a business op out there for you.

My sis has a megane not looking forward to the first time this comes around.

Casati

I've done them too - never had to take the wheel off, but unlike your road side assistance #expert# in the video I would take my jacket and pull up my sleeve. They do go through bulbs unless you change both sides together with a matching replacement. Agreed a right pain, if you dont want to do it yourself the dealers will do it for about €15 inc the cost of the bulb

slimjimmc

Boom_Bap wrote: »

i noticed the passanger side headlight was gone on my Megane. Popped into Halfords, picked up the bulb and got set for my 2 minute replacement job........then the headscratching started, then the manual came out, then i found the compartment in the wheel arch!! then i looked for a child with long skinny arms and with a brain but failed to find one. Then i found this video clip


i managed to unscrew the cap and unhook the metal hooky thing but had to stop. I could have done more but was worried that i wouldnt be able to re-assemble.

Anyone have any tips?

That Fifth Gear clip is bull! I know, I always drive with lights on so I usually end up replacing at least one bulb each year.

I just changed the driver dip light 40mins ago, took me less than 3 minutes (literally).
There is no need to remove any wheel, just turn the steering for best access to the hatch.

The driver side headlight takes a minute or so longer because it's harder to get at but still not particularily difficult. Passenger-side lights are a bit more tricky because the battery restricts access but I've often changed either bulb in less than 5 mins.


Tip: when removing the old bulb note which way the little tab on the bulb was facing. Hold the new bulb in the same way and it should line up with the holder much easier.

Make sure you put the cover back on the access hole properly, people tend to rush this bit and covers fall off a while later. Missing cover can allows wheel spray up through the wheel arch and corrode electrics (particularily passenger side where most wiring is ).

Boom_Bap

VICTORY!!

Took about 30 minutes but got it done, the key was locking the steering to get better angle of approach into the hatch.

Probably would have been quicker if the young fella wasnt jumping all over me while doing it.

Tip: when removing the old bulb note which way the little tab on the bulb was facing. Hold the new bulb in the same way and it should line up with the holder much easier.

Great piece of advice. I was doing this until again the young fella decided he wanted to run out onto the street and i had to pounce to save him.

My tip is to lock your children in a cage while doing it

Now to the medical forum to seek info on how to fix my arm.

Thanks for the help

Grimreaper666

There's more to life than a Renault too by the sounds of it!:D

Bodhan

Bad design by Renault, it looks stupidly fiddly.

Fifth gear getting 6minutes from changing a lightbulb, must have been no new cars that week

cml387

Congratulations!

Reminds me of the old joke about the mechanic's class which included a gynaecologist among it's students.

At the end of the year, the exam consisted of changing the timing belt.

The gynaecologist got top marks.

The examiner pointed out that not only had he done a perfect job, he had carried out the entire procedure by reaching through the exhaust pipe.

slimjimmc

Bodhan wrote: »

Bad design by Renault, it looks stupidly fiddly.

Fifth gear getting 6minutes from changing a lightbulb, must have been no new cars that week

Cramped awkward access to headlight bulbs is not unique to Renault, plenty of other marques have similiar access problems, some of these even involve removing the battery or headlamp to get access. At least the Megane gives you an option which doesn't require tools.

Pimp Ninja

Yeah I learned this the hard way.

It is possible to do, passenger side easier than Drivers side. My first time took about 2 hours. I can do it in about 10 mins now.