How NOT to change a headlight bulb

neildavies · Post by **neildavies** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 5:40 pm

Right then, the missus came home and told me the passenger light was out, yesterday, so today, I got to work to change the bulb. So after half hour trying to get to the bulb (not much space and really awkward), I changed the bulb, then turned the lights on, still no light. Then I put main beam on, nothing on that side of the car. CRAP, I thought. So I got to work, pulled out every fuse, in and out of the car. All OK.

So then I came to the conclusion that the wiring must be going into the unit under the headlight. I then got to work getting the headlight out to look further. After an hour or so and a couple of broken clips, I got the car to this stage

Once I had the light out, I realised I'd removed this connector to gain access to the bulbs

This is the connector supplying power to the lights and all I'd needed to do after changing the bulb is to plug it back in!!

So now I have put the car back together and will buy some clips to replace the broken ones Monday, and also a touch up pen where I'd slightly chipped the paint to lever off the panel under the lights.

The moral, don't change headlight bulbs with a hangover.

Post by **Lyndon** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:49 pm

thx for write up m8, guess the lesson is check ya wiring then check it again :redface:

Post by **GrandadMonkey** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:01 pm

Neil,
It just goes to show, even the simplest of jobs can turn into a major headache.
At my age I often write down what I am doing when I dismantle, making diagrams as I go along, then I tick off each item when reassembling.
Call me pedantic if you like but my memory is not what it was.
I still make mistakes too!
Ron

neildavies · Post by **neildavies** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 11:27 am

The strange thing is, I could have sworn I'd plugged that in before I went to dismantling the car, but obviously I couldn't have. Also, I assumed it was for the headlamp height motor, but that's the other side of the light.

Never mind, lesson learnt for me, and I hope that it might stop someone else doing the same.

DavidGilmour · Post by **DavidGilmour** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 10:57 pm

I have to change the bulb as well. Do I have to take the full unit out just to change a lightbulb? The one on the UK Drivers side went easily but this one on the passengers site is tough!

carl · Post by **carl** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:33 am

No, you just need thin fingers and a bit of dexterity.

If you have kids, this is where they could come in useful

neildavies · Post by **neildavies** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 11:45 am

Yes, no need to remove the full headlight unless your a peanut like me.

DavidGilmour · Post by **DavidGilmour** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 12:27 pm

How do I take it off? I did manage to change the light on the other side but on this side (same as yours) there is little room to change it. Do I Really have to take the whole unit out?

neildavies · Post by **neildavies** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:28 am

Sorry for the late reply. If I remember,you have to take the wiring plug off the ABD unit (sounds worse than it is), then the rest should be the same as the other side, just with less room to work.