just tried to upgrade the front side light with a led, what a git to get at? got the cover off eventually and did not find what i expected looking in the manual. car has xenons and looks totally different could not find any trace of a side light bulb can anyone throw any light (no pun intended) on this?
front lights
- Thread starter ace
- Start date
There's hardly any room in there - the sidelight is at the bottom of the halogen high beam reflector slightly further away from the HID ballast.
If I remember correctly it's quite deep in on a longish bulb socket. The end of the bulb socket has a tab to help you pull it out.
Hope that helps.
If I remember correctly it's quite deep in on a longish bulb socket. The end of the bulb socket has a tab to help you pull it out.
Hope that helps.
Actually, ace, you might find it as easy to take the bumper off:
Bumper Removal
Only thing, before you start digging the tools out just check the bolts under the front of the bonnet - I think mine were TORX 25 (or there abouts), rather than hex listed in the guide.
I did it and it's not that difficult - then you can take the headlight off fully and probably do what you want a lot quicker! Just try and mark the headlight position as lining those up can be a pain. I'm going to post sometime soon, but if you want the pics sooner let me know and I'll email to show what I did. Actually worked first time, thank God! And then the second time - I forgot to reconnect the fog lights
Bumper Removal
Only thing, before you start digging the tools out just check the bolts under the front of the bonnet - I think mine were TORX 25 (or there abouts), rather than hex listed in the guide.
I did it and it's not that difficult - then you can take the headlight off fully and probably do what you want a lot quicker! Just try and mark the headlight position as lining those up can be a pain. I'm going to post sometime soon, but if you want the pics sooner let me know and I'll email to show what I did. Actually worked first time, thank God! And then the second time - I forgot to reconnect the fog lights
This seems a somewhat confusing thread. No need to take wheels off and certainly not the bumper cover. Simply turn the wheel to full lock.
As daveg says it's below the main beam refloctor (but has nothing to do with the HID ballast as that's fixed underneath the headlight)
Easiest way is to simply reach in and if you look at where the bulb is from the front of the light you will spatially 'feel' where the bulbholder is. Wriggle it and it will pull out. Witht he sidelight on you'll se from the front with the light as the bulb gets closer to it's fitting position. Of course ensure the xexnon are OFF due to the dangerous voltage.
As a sidenote LED's are often too big, look ugly as they stick into the reflector or unless ballasted trip a bulb out warning. Pick carefully
As daveg says it's below the main beam refloctor (but has nothing to do with the HID ballast as that's fixed underneath the headlight)
Easiest way is to simply reach in and if you look at where the bulb is from the front of the light you will spatially 'feel' where the bulbholder is. Wriggle it and it will pull out. Witht he sidelight on you'll se from the front with the light as the bulb gets closer to it's fitting position. Of course ensure the xexnon are OFF due to the dangerous voltage.
As a sidenote LED's are often too big, look ugly as they stick into the reflector or unless ballasted trip a bulb out warning. Pick carefully
I changed my sidelight to a Canbus style LED sidelight - with 4 led's (which look like smd type LED's), however it my my angle eyes dimmer not brighter and unevenly lit towards the top, :x so back to stock now - and put these in my numberplate instead.
And i can confirm changing them is a piece of cake using the small access panel with the wheels on ful lock.
And i can confirm changing them is a piece of cake using the small access panel with the wheels on ful lock.
Have this by my desk (don't ask!)... assuming it's the same thing (if someone can confirm)... it may give you an idea of what you're aiming for:
I've not tried going through the access panel, but even with the lights out I can't believe what a fiddly job it is! I can barely get the damn cover off, maybe it's easier when the light's bolted to something.
EDIT: In defense of my remove the bumper strategy... if I am having trouble trying to access or do something (to the point of say removing a wheel) I prefer to get at it (bumper off) and look at it properly and access the problem. Otherwise I tend to get frustrated and break things. But yes, I appreciate the long way is possibly not the best advice for others. Also should have realised more experienced advice would be along shortly
I've not tried going through the access panel, but even with the lights out I can't believe what a fiddly job it is! I can barely get the damn cover off, maybe it's easier when the light's bolted to something.
EDIT: In defense of my remove the bumper strategy... if I am having trouble trying to access or do something (to the point of say removing a wheel) I prefer to get at it (bumper off) and look at it properly and access the problem. Otherwise I tend to get frustrated and break things. But yes, I appreciate the long way is possibly not the best advice for others. Also should have realised more experienced advice would be along shortly
PawnSacrifice said:Have this by my desk (don't ask!)... assuming it's the same thing (if someone can confirm)... it may give you an idea of what you're aiming for:
I've not tried going through the access panel, but even with the lights out I can't believe what a fiddly job it is! I can barely get the damn cover off, maybe it's easier when the light's bolted to something.
EDIT: In defense of my remove the bumper strategy... if I am having trouble trying to access or do something (to the point of say removing a wheel) I prefer to get at it (bumper off) and look at it properly and access the problem. Otherwise I tend to get frustrated and break things. But yes, I appreciate the long way is possibly not the best advice for others. Also should have realised more experienced advice would be along shortly
thanks for the advice, mine look different are yours xenons, i may not bother if the leds are no brighter.
Sorry, ace... I saw a couple mentions of xenons... here's one from the garage, halogen:
On the right below the main bulb is, I think, what daveg mentioned.
I think it best if this ends my career in light advice.
On the right below the main bulb is, I think, what daveg mentioned.
I think it best if this ends my career in light advice.