Replacing headlight and side light bulbs help please - sorry

[agentdagnamit]

The fact sheet on this doesnt help me, as it says the side light procedure is the same as the indicators. I've changed a headlight bulb once before, which I remember being a bit of a PITA.

I need to replace the passenger side light bulb, located just inboard of the headlight. As far as I know, this is done from behind the assembly? So far I've managed to unplug the wiring harness to the back of the bulb, but that doesnt give access to the bulb itself. The leisure battery might need to be removed.

I'm assuming I dont need to go near the headlight bulb, which is fine, so the boot with "top" and "bottom" written on it can stay in place?

Also, on the rear of both side assemblies are 2 metallic grey "dials" with teeth in the circumferences. Do these adjust the alignment of the headlight bulbs (or do I need to use them to access the headlight and side light bulbs)?

thanks.

[Simon Jones]

What year is the vehicle as there are three types of headlamp. 1995-1999 the side light bulb is in the separate indicator unit which needs to be removed. From 1999 onwards, the bulb is in the main unit (on an extention tube) and is easily accessed from the rear.

[agentdagnamit]

Thanks. Turns out mine is the newer version. Eventually worked out that the extension tube unscrews, then it was a pretty easy job even though the leisure battery gets in the way.

Seems like the indicator bulb would be tricky to access?

[Simon Jones]

For the indicator bulb you have to loosen the whole unit but it's pretty straightforward.

[agentdagnamit]

Thanks again.

And was I right about the the 2 wheels / nuts - do they adjust the angle of the headlight beam?

[Simon Jones]

Yes they will adjust the angle of the beam. If you've got the xenon/HID bulbs then they have a motorised leveling system controlled by the adjuster to the right of the steering wheel:

[skater]

Yes they will adjust the angle of the beam. If you've got the xenon/HID bulbs then they have a motorised leveling system controlled by the adjuster to the right of the steering wheel:

Hi, I used to have a '95 with normal headlights but now I have an '02 with, by the looks of them, the above mentioned xenon/HID lights ( all-in-one unit with black interior ).
What kind of bulbs do you use? Any brands to avoid or recommend?
Cheers, James.

[Simon Jones]

Mine came with these Osram Xenarc bulbs and they're still going fine, but I've just bought some Philips ones to put in and then I'll keep the Osrams as spares.



One thing to watch is the colour temperature. The Osrams have a slight hint of blue but nowhere near the chavvy blue / purple colour you see on aftermarket kits. The new ones are 4300K which I'm hoping will be the same or slightly whiter.



Avoid cheap bulbs as they won't last as long. Stick to well known makes from reputable suppliers (there are lots of cheap bulbs being sold as brands but they are just copies). For branded bulbs, expect to pay £50 - £100 a pair, but they are well worth it as they are far superior to conventional halogen bulbs.

[skater]

Thanks. Will look into it. Are the full beams separate?
I'm not able to look at mine at the moment.
I assume they're easy to change like the old halogens

[Simon Jones]

This is the main beam bulb and it's probably less fiddly to remove the whole unit but it can be done in situ. The bulb just untwists and comes out. None of those wirey metal clips to worry about like in the olden days .

[skater]

Just had a look at mine. The full beam is a separate bulb above the "side light" ( in-board of the main light now ).
My side light bulb seems to be LED I think or is that how they are?

Thanks for your help by the way.

[Simon Jones]

They are not originally LED but someone may have fitted them. I've changed mine to LED as they were too dim and yellowy for my liking.