C5 Sidelight bulbs

[Alec B]

How the heck do you replace them? The N/S bulb was replaced on mot but never refitted correctly so I don't know how it came out. I removed the battery for extra room but it just will not go back in. I haven't even attempted the other side as I have no way of seeing how it comes out. After about half an hour of trying I gave up as it got too dark. If anyone has done this job could they let me know the secret to success. I'm off to hospital for a skin graft on my knuckles .

[Citroenmad]

I have these down to a fine art now, literally takes me a minute or two

They are right in the top inner corner of the light unit, remove the rubber cover and deep inside you will see the bulb. It ony pushes in to the holder, you dont need to turn it or unclip it. Try and use some long nosed pliers or gently pull the wires (not great but its the method I use and have not broken one yet). It'll soon come loose. Refitting can be the hardest bit, as there are two lugs which need lining up on the bulb holder in order for it to slide into the light fitting. Its just a matter of feeling around until you get it lined up and remember which way the holder came out of the light unit.

Use good quality replacement bulbs and dont touch the glass bit. They dont have a long life anyway, and poor quality bulbs can last only weeks!

[Alec B]

Cheers for that. It just doesn't seem to push in. How far does it slide into the holder? I only get it in about 2-3mm then when I touch it it falls out so I'm assuming it has to go in further. Would I be right in assuming this?

[Citroenmad]

It does go in by quite a way, about half an inch at least. Sounds as though you have not got the lugs on the hilder lined up with the slots in the light unit. They either go at the top of the side, I have forgotten now, but they need to be lined up to be able to push the holder into the light.

[Estately]

Getting those side light bulbs out isn’t too bad but you have my greatest admiration at not only being able to refit them at all let alone in just minutes and without touching the glass as you wangle them into position.

One of the two that I had difficulty in sourcing last December has already blown.

The only way that I could replace mine was by removing the bumper and the light assembly.
The air con evaporator had to be changed earlier in the year so bumper removal was already a known operation and did not harbour too many horrors.

Wishing you good luck with what would appear to be an unnecessarily difficult replacement.

[myglaren]

The guy I buy my bulbs from always supplies a pair of latex gloves so you can handle the bulbs without them coming into contact with your fingers

[SaabC5]

Try these LED bulbs from eBay...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A2-A3-A4 ... 3f0ffce565

They last a long time and are easy to install (push fit). Do the bulbs in daylight and you can look into the engine bay and see daylight come through the mounting hole from behind, its just a case of pushing the bulb/fitting into the hole until it wont go any further. Both sides are do-able in 10-15 mins total.

[GB]

Tried ebay LED bulbs last year, both lasted less than 30 minutes - they just melt.

Then installed Osram Ultra Life H6W sidelight bulbs - they are still OK after 13 months.

[Citroenmad]

Try these LED bulbs from eBay...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A2-A3-A4 ... 3f0ffce565

They last a long time and are easy to install (push fit). Do the bulbs in daylight and you can look into the engine bay and see daylight come through the mounting hole from behind, its just a case of pushing the bulb/fitting into the hole until it wont go any further. Both sides are do-able in 10-15 mins total.

They are not the correct fitting for a facelifted C5, they use a small halogen style bulb with an offset pin.

I have tried some LED bulbs in a C5 facelift, however they lit blue and I didn't like them. I fitted them to my uncles C5 instead and they have lasted.

[Lighty]

These bulbs sometimes melt the holders, and then you can't get them out.
Replacement holders are available at about £30 each.
They are not listed if you have hid lamps, but the holders are the same as the normal lamps.

[SaabC5]

MY bad, i was talking about MKI and facelift MKI's not the MKII.

[Citroenmad]

MY bad, i was talking about MKI and facelift MKI's not the MKII.

Yep, C5I has the push in bulbs like the LED ones you linked to. C5IIs (also known as facelift) has small halogen sidelight bulbs qith captive offset ends. C5III (the 'Germanic' ones) who knows, ive not got there yet

[Lighty]

MY bad, i was talking about MKI and facelift MKI's not the MKII.

Yep, C5I has the push in bulbs like the LED ones you linked to. C5IIs (also known as facelift) has small halogen sidelight bulbs qith captive offset ends. C5III (the 'Germanic' ones) who knows, ive not got there yet

You are in for a treat . These are the only bulbs, and Renault Modis headlamps, that we charge labour for.

[Citroenmad]

MY bad, i was talking about MKI and facelift MKI's not the MKII.

Yep, C5I has the push in bulbs like the LED ones you linked to. C5IIs (also known as facelift) has small halogen sidelight bulbs qith captive offset ends. C5III (the 'Germanic' ones) who knows, ive not got there yet

You are in for a treat . These are the only bulbs, and Renault Modis headlamps, that we charge labour for.

Oh, goody Something to look forward to