Stupid Question- Light Bulb replacement

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reffro
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Stupid Question- Light Bulb replacement

Post by reffro »

I know this is dumb, but not having a Haynes manual to hand how the hell do you replace the bulbs in the Headlights of a 1994 Xantia. I can't see a way in from round the back of the light unit, and it appears you need remove the grille off the front to get the light units out. So a little advice would be gratefully received, preferably idiot proof, point by point directions...........
lozian
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Post by lozian »

Hi reffro,
There are 2 bulbs in each headlamp assembly. 1 for dipped beam and 1 for full beam. The outer bulb (nearest the wing) gives dipped beam. The inner bulb gives full beam. Both bulbs in each bulb assembly, are on, when in full beam (i.e. 4 bulbs burning in full beam, 2 in dip beam). The renewal procedure is the same for all headlight bulbs.
Open the bonnet. Depress the retaining clip and withdraw the cover from the rear of the headlight. Pull the wiring plug from the rear of the bulb you require to change. Squeeze the locating tabs, and release the bulb securing spring clip from the rear of the light unit. Withdraw the bulb. Avoid touching the glass of the new bulb with your fingers. If you do touch it, clean with meth. Insert the new bulb, ensuring that it's locating tabs are correctly seated in the light cut-outs. Secure the bulb in position with the spring clip, and reconnect the wiring plug. Refit the plastic cover, ensuring that it seats correctly on the headlight. Have fun.
NiSk
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Post by NiSk »

Hi Lozian,
Very good description - however you left out a crucial part - FIRST file down you fingers so that you can get two of them inside the light socket, then have them stretched 50% so you can actually FEEL the irritating wire securing clip! You'd almost think that Citroën had developed a special tool for this purpose (or is it just MY fingers that are too darn clumsy for this operation?), however,they are not alone in the automobile worls as far as this is concerned - Audi actually recommend their owners to take their car to a workshop to have a bulb changed!
"Er, sorry officer, I know the bulbs dud, but I'm just on my way to the local VAG workshop! (damn they close at 5!)" How many would buy that one?
//NiSk
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Post by RichardW »

My mate has a Mk V Golf. He's no novice in the mechanic department, but couldn't work out how to change it - rang the VW garage, and they quote 1/2 hour labour to change it!!! He found out from another friend that there is a release lever hidden away somewhere that you can't see - find this by feel and it's a 5 minute job.
BTW - isn't the filed down / stretched fingers a requirement for working on all Citroens? Took me 40 minutes the other day to get the distributor off a Visa - and I sure could have done with flat and extended fingers (and an extra joint or two!)
Richard
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Post by MW »

[quote]
My mate has a Mk V Golf. He's no novice in the mechanic department, but couldn't work out how to change it - rang the VW garage, and they quote 1/2 hour labour to change it!!! He found out from another friend that there is a release lever hidden away somewhere that you can't see - find this by feel and it's a 5 minute job.
That's interesting, Richard. The missus's new VW Polo also comes with an instruction book that tells you that replacing rear light bulbs is a job for a skilled technician and not just a mere owner. I'll look into it.
Must be a German habit. Vorsprung Durch Chequebook.
Mike
Mike
reffro
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Post by reffro »

I'm sorry Lozian but having a look under the bonnet there is no way to get in from behind the unit. The expansion tank on the off side precludes it, slong with all the wiring and hoses running behind the headlamp units. Plus I saw no clips to remove the rear of the unit. I'm not being awkward here, but are you sure about what you said, because short of removing the exapansion tank, hoses and other wires there is no way in round the back.
Dave Burns
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Post by Dave Burns »

If you have the Citroen owners manual that comes with the car it shows you how to change the headlight bulbs in there, more importantly it shows you where the clips are.
Dave
lozian
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Post by lozian »

Hi reffro,
I have scanned the bulb replacement info from the Citroen Owners manual for a Xantia Lx 1.8i 1993.
A link to the scanned image is here :-
<font size=2>http://www.the-specialist.demon.co.uk/C ... cement.jpg</font id=size2>
It's about 140k in size.
Later models do have the header tank in an awkward place, but it is still possible to get in. I have a 1997 Xantia and I can get in to change the bulbs albeit a bit difficult.
Have fun. ;-)
P.S. Check my website out...
http://www.lozian.co.uk
(It's sometimes a bit slow though.)
Edited by - lozian on 22 Sep 2002 17:26:45
NiSk
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Post by NiSk »

Quote:
"That's interesting, Richard. The missus's new VW Polo also comes with an instruction book that tells you that replacing rear light bulbs is a job for a skilled technician and not just a mere owner. I'll look into it."
I have an Audi A4 TDI as company car and received the same advice from the owners handbook; I'm still looking for VAG workshop that employees skilled technicians!! (after 2 1/2 years).
//NiSk
reffro
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Post by reffro »

Thank you for your patience guys, but it is all to no-avail. My car got reversed into at the weekend whilst parked out side my house. The unknown perpetraitor has smashed completely the nearside Headlamp unit and Indicator Unit. So I'll be at my local garage tomorrow for the repair to be done, I'll ask them to bung the bulbs in at the same time. Thank you all for your help though.
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