Why are new car headlight bulbs so effing hard to change?

gizmo555

This just wrecks my head every time I have to do it.

I have a Chevrolet Captiva (08) and my wife has a Renault Fluence (11). I've just changed a headlight bulb on the Renault, which involves unscrewing three Torx head screws (of two different sizes!) then jiggling and tugging on the light unit to pull it forward so you can get access to the bulb holder. If you're lucky, you won't snap part of the plastic surround while you're doing it. The owner's manual says you can do this yourself, but you "may want to go to a main dealer" to have the job done. No sh1t!

In the Chevy, you have to unscrew 12 plastic screw fixings on a plastic strip covering the top of the radiator, then use a spanner to remove three bolts before you can pull out the entire light unit to access the bulb holder.

When I first did these bulb changes, they each took over half an hour - to change one bulb! Now I have it down to about 15 minutes. There's no way an ordinary driver could do this at the side of the road on a dark, wet and windy evening - even if they had a set of Torx head screwdrivers in the car . . .

Earlier cars I had weren't anything remotely as difficult. My wife's last car, a Saab 9-3 allowed direct access to the bulb holder and you could change it in two or three minutes. Did we just pick two particularly badly designed cars in this respect, or is this normal now?

colm_mcm

Keeps the main dealers busy
Bad design
Discourages DIY

Mc Love

BMW are the same, bloody nuisance trying to change the wifes bulbs in 3 series. Apparently in the mondeo, you have to take the grill out to change them

moonlighting

Colm is correct. They want you to send it to a dealership and milk money off you.
Here is a fine example,

kc66

Honda Accord is a nightmare. Have to go in through the wheel arch and there is barely space to squeeze a hand up to the bulb.

Stallingrad

Passat, Grand Scenic both very easy. Strangely hit and miss.

Tweaky

Mc Love wrote: »

BMW are the same, bloody nuisance trying to change the wifes bulbs in 3 series. Apparently in the mondeo, you have to take the grill out to change them

Yeah the Mondeo is a PITA to change - whole headlight comes off the car - you can squeeze it past the grill but only just - first time was a bit nerve wracking thinking you were going to break anything

Kimbot

This is the reason there are so many one eyed bandits (as i like to call them) on the roads.

gizmo555

The daft thing about the Renault is that in France, you're required by law to carry a full set of spare bulbs in your car.

What's the point?

PaddyTheNth

Audi A4 is a frigging joke in this regard. Disconnecting what feels like half the pipes/hoses in the engine bay. Need a nice long slim unusual head driver (can't swear it's a torx) which I actually bought something specially for.

Previous Seat Ibiza on the other hand was a 2 minute job.

It must be by design.

ianobrien

Well, if I want to change the headlight bulb in mk2 Escort at home, I've got to remove the grill (with various clips & fixings). I then remove the headlight (three screw clips) and try not to drop the light. Change the bulb, reattach the headlight, focus it and then reattach the grill.

Even 40 years ago car manufacturers had daft designs for changing the headlight bulb!

Flint Fredstone

Opel Insignia are a nuisance. The passenger side in particular, there is so little room to accommodate your hands let alone use the torx.

Atlantic Dawn

Lately I replace them in pairs, if one goes I will do the other at the same time, it saves you having to spend another few hours another day on the other one as it will go quick enough after.

looksee

kc66 wrote: »

Honda Accord is a nightmare. Have to go in through the wheel arch and there is barely space to squeeze a hand up to the bulb.

Honda Jazz is the same, had to get my garage mechanic to change a headlamp bulb; I saw the difficulty he had and I knew I would never be able to do it myself.

Cienciano

It should be easy to do by law as it's a safety issue. I've had 2 bulbs go in the one day before, luckily it wasn't hard to change (in through the wheel arch). An old car though, any new car it seems to be a nightmare

colm_mcm

Some cars turn the parking lights off when the headlights are on. Meaning when the bulb goes there are no lights on that side.

vandriver

My C4 has a hole precisely two fingers wide to get at the bulb,the retaining clip and the plug.All completely blind of course.
I can change a bulb now in about 2 minutes because C4s give you lots of practise.

My wife's Skoda Fabia has a side light that thankfully hasn't blown in 9 years,because I can't see a way to change it.

emeldc

I worked in BMW for a while in the mid noughtys. One of the 7's was definitely a main dealer job. The front bumper had to be removed in order to remove the headlight. One customer was advised to replace both at the same time even though only one was blown. The cost was €50 per bulb and about an hours labour at €120. He refused the option on the second bulb saying he felt he was being ripped off.

He came back in a few weeks later to have the second one replaced ....... another €170 :P

colm_mcm

BMW will do it for free at the moment

CJhaughey

Best design is Volvo in the V50, instead of all the stupid bolts and screws and trying to fit your hand into a hole that a 6yr old kid would have trouble putting their hand inside, you just pull 1 pin out and the whole headlight assembly comes free and can be replaced inside the car if its dark and wet outside.
Even the bigger cars like the V70 are easy and fast to replace.
Its a safety issue and they take it seriously where the nights are long.

Mervyn Skidmore

emeldc wrote: »

I worked in BMW for a while in the mid noughtys. One of the 7's was definitely a main dealer job. The front bumper had to be removed in order to remove the headlight. One customer was advised to replace both at the same time even though only one was blown. The cost was €50 per bulb and about an hours labour at €120. He refused the option on the second bulb saying he felt he was being ripped off.

He came back in a few weeks later to have the second one replaced ....... another €170 :P

€340 to change the headlights? I can see why he thought he was being ripped off.

ba_barabus

The Alfa 159 has the most piss easy bulb changing arrangement I've ever encountered.

My B6 Passat was the worst I've ever seen.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Legacy is a bit of a cumbersome job too, you need to remove the air intake/funnel to do the drivers side. The passenger side is easier as you just unclip the neck of the water bottle.

foxy farmer

Peugeot 207 passenger side would need the services of a mouse trained in gynaecology to get the bulbs out. Cousin of mine asked me to replace the passenger side several times. Buy 4 because you'll break 2 before you finish. My Focus needs torx screws to be removed to get out the whole fitting just to get at the bulb. Heard of a Peugeot 2008 that needed bumper loosening and then go up inside the wheelarch to get at the lamp.
A LR Defender headlamp on the other hand could be done by a elephant!

edburg

I can change indicators through the arch on Astra but I just drop bumper and remove lights for rest of lights.

Could take airbox and battery tray etc but bumper just 4 torx bits and clips to get at bottom bolts on headlights is easier way.

Not needed to touch my insignia thankfully, guess I found out 1 day if it same.

Voodoomelon

emeldc wrote: »

I worked in BMW for a while in the mid noughtys. One of the 7's was definitely a main dealer job. The front bumper had to be removed in order to remove the headlight. One customer was advised to replace both at the same time even though only one was blown. The cost was €50 per bulb and about an hours labour at €120. He refused the option on the second bulb saying he felt he was being ripped off.

He came back in a few weeks later to have the second one replaced ....... another €170 :P

Been there. Look familiar?

BrianD3

The Renault Megane Mk3 is easy, a 5 minute job and plenty of room to work once you pull the headlight forward after undoing the bolts holding it in place. There is a tool provided (which is stored in a slot in each headlight unit) for undoing the bolts. I would have thought that the Fluence would be similar.

gizmo555

BrianD3 wrote: »

The Renault Megane Mk3 is easy, a 5 minute job and plenty of room to work once you pull the headlight forward after undoing the bolts holding it in place. There is a tool provided (which is stored in a slot in each headlight unit) for undoing the bolts. I would have thought that the Fluence would be similar.

There is a tool provided as you describe - in the five door version. My wife's is the four door and there's no tool, just the advice to take it to the dealer in the handbook . . .

Also, pulling the headlight forward is a pig, very very hard

slimjimmc

moonlighting wrote: »

Colm is correct. They want you to send it to a dealership and milk money off you.
Here is a fine example,

LOL, the only thing that's a fine example of is an incompetent roadside technician. The headlamp bulbs in that model Megane can be changed in 10mins without any tools whatsoever, less time when you've done it a few times.

Hachiko

I replaced d4s Xenon bulbs on my Lexus last year, saved about £400 over going to a main dealer. Not a terribly hard job, space a bit tight but doable.

hardCopy

This seems like a prime place for EU regulators to do something worthwhile for the consumer and for safety.

Bulbs should be swappable in under a minute with no tools.

Armchair Andy

kc66 wrote:

Honda Accord is a nightmare. Have to go in through the wheel arch and there is barely space to squeeze a hand up to the bulb.

Used to do that too on my 11 but much easier take off front grill and bumper. 4 13 bolts a dozen or so plastic snap in studs 4 10 mm bolts with an extension bar and you can take the whole headlamp out. Bulbs used last only pissing time up under the arch as nigh on impossible not to come in contact with the bulb itself. Still a dose but same as OP I've whittled it down to 40 minutes from almost 2 hours.

5W30

It's an 8mm bolt on the Mk2 Focus and the whole headlight comes out by simply pulling it.

I actually prefer that then easy to access bulb replacement because you can look at the headlight in proper lighting and not have to stick your head behind the headlight.

_Kaiser_

ba_barabus wrote: »

My B6 Passat was the worst I've ever seen.

+1.. I still have a scar from trying to change the driver's side bulb blind.. whoever the genius was who decided to put the water bottle behind it needs a kicking.

+1 also on the Jazz,, having to strip back the wheel arch lining to change a bulb is ridiculous.

My current A6 looks no better (remove half the hoses) but thankfully they're xenon so haven't had to worry yet. Worth getting them just for that alone.

R.O.R

CJhaughey wrote: »

Best design is Volvo in the V50, instead of all the stupid bolts and screws and trying to fit your hand into a hole that a 6yr old kid would have trouble putting their hand inside, you just pull 1 pin out and the whole headlight assembly comes free and can be replaced inside the car if its dark and wet outside.
Even the bigger cars like the V70 are easy and fast to replace.
Its a safety issue and they take it seriously where the nights are long.

I was delighted to find the headlight set up on the XC60 is the same as the V50, so only took 5 mins to change a Xenon on that.

Did take a while to find the "pin" first time I changed a bulb on the V50, but once you know what to do, it's a piece of p1ss, and an example for other manufacturer's to follow IMHO.

whiterebel

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

+1.. I still have a scar from trying to change the driver's side bulb blind.. whoever the genius was who decided to put the water bottle behind it needs a kicking.

+1 also on the Jazz,, having to strip back the wheel arch lining to change a bulb is ridiculous.

My current A6 looks no better (remove half the hoses) but thankfully they're xenon so haven't had to worry yet. Worth getting them just for that alone.

I gave up with my 09 A6. You can't get your hands down the back of the lamp unit at all. Went in to Audi Cork and threw a mild wobbler, so they changed both front bulbs including labour for €40.

5W30

I saw a Mk2 Megane this morning behind me with 1 headlight out. Now I know why :pac:

gizmo555

It's worth noting that Halfords offer to change bulbs free, if you buy them from them.

But, as hardCopy says, this shouldn't be necessary. The inability to change a bulb easily and quickly at the side of the road is a serious safety issue.

5W30

gizmo555 wrote: »

It's worth noting that Halfords offer to change bulbs free, if you buy them from them.

But, as hardCopy says, this shouldn't be necessary. The inability to change a bulb easily and quickly at the side of the road is a serious safety issue.

Do they change even the difficult cars like the Megane Mk2 though? Or other cars that involve removing bumpers, grilles and other stuff.

WicklowTiger

07 Skoda Superb, and, well let's just say, life is to short! Had one go on a Saturday, dealer not open so went into Halfords. Even they eventually gave up! Was like disassembling a nuclear reactor. I've always gone to main dealers though, last car was a focus. Never charged more than €20, usually €10 or less.

gizmo555

5W30 wrote: »

Do they change even the difficult cars like the Megane Mk2 though? Or other cars that involve removing bumpers, grilles and other stuff.

Dunno. Never asked them to do it myself, I've just seen the sign on the storefront in Castlebar.

H3llR4iser

ba_barabus wrote: »

The Alfa 159 has the most piss easy bulb changing arrangement I've ever encountered.

Diesel I guess? My dad's 2.0JTDm is the same. On my 1.9JTS there's a caveat - driver's side is no problem, although getting to the full beam is a bit cramped; Passenger side, the piping from the power steering essentially blocks access to the full beam cap. I dread the moment I'll have to change that.

The tail lights are extremely clever, 'though, as the whole assembly comes off from inside the mounting - you essentially end up with a plastic "rail" in your hand with the three bulbs mounted on.

Now, if we want to talk about air filter access, however, that's an entirely different story...

slimjimmc

gizmo555 wrote: »

It's worth noting that Halfords offer to change bulbs free, if you buy them from them.

But, as hardCopy says, this shouldn't be necessary. The inability to change a bulb easily and quickly at the side of the road is a serious safety issue.

According to their website they charge €8 per headlamp bulb or €5 per other bulbs. And I doubt they'll start dismantling any car in the carpark.
http://www.halfords.ie/advice/motoring-travel/service/halfords-car-bulb-fitting-service

foxy farmer

Wonder do the car production designers ever see their cock ups when they have blown bulbs in their own cars?
As an apprentice i was given the following advice when laying out a job.
Always think of the man that coming after you to work on this again- It could be you.
In other words dont just do a job to get it off your hands but make it easy for future work.

bladespin

Audi A5 - never seen anything like it, honestly it would be easier to take the engine out.

WicklowTiger

foxy farmer wrote: »

Wonder do the car production designers ever see their cock ups when they have blown bulbs in their own cars?
As an apprentice i was given the following advice when laying out a job.
Always think of the man that coming after you to work on this again- It could be you.
In other words dont just do a job to get it off your hands but make it easy for future work.

It's easy for them - just bring the car into work!

BraveDonut

Wife had a megane mk2 and I changed the bulbs a number of times.
It IS a PITA and I felt that the only reason that I could do it was because I have slender hands.
Tricky to get the bulb out but an absolute b@stard to get the new one back in an locked into position.
I did lose the skin from my knuckles but that was a small price to pay for not giving any money for labour to Renault.

One thing I disagree with in the video is that you don't need to take the wheel off - just lock the steering over and it gives you enough clearance.

whippet

the first time I had to change the headlight on my MK V GTI I was on a country lane, pull in, out came torch, replacement bulb and went at it. Easy enough to get old one out but for the life of me couple not get the bulb to mount properly and couldn't figure out if i had it the right way up. Couldn't remember the way I took it out

So, being a logical sort of bloke, I went to the other side and took out the other bulb making sure I noted how it came out. But, murphy's law, I couldn't get that one back in either .. in total took about 2 hours on the road side fiddling with the bulbs to get them in.

Once I figured it out it was a 5 min job.

neilthefunkeone

On the 350Z you have to remove the bumper to take out the headlight so you can access the bulb. I believe you can take the front wheel off and remove the arch liner.. Both a pain!!

cruizer101

As other have said this really needs an EU regulation brought in otherwise there is little incentive for manufacturers to make it easy.

How many new cars come out in EU a year, all it would need is some new regulation and then have one guy who inspects and approves the design, the approval has to be paid for by car manufacturers, simples.

JJJJNR

Changing on a Seat Altea is very simple, pull off a rubber cover and you have access to the bulb holder, rear's its just as simple, no getting away its still fiddly the first time but theres a nack to them, better than going through the wheel arch on the accord, and haven't had to change anything on the xsara yet.. dreading that one by the sounds of it.