Xenon Bulb replacement with big(ish) hands?

[Ben82]

So earlier in the week one of the Xenons went on my C5. Reading around it seems like swapping them over is best to determine if it's the bulb that has gone or the ballast.

On the Passenger side (Driver's side in the UK), I managed to get the cap off and struggled to rotate the bulb, and there was no way I was going to get any leverage on it to pull it, so I gave up.

Driver's side seems OK for the most part with the battery out.

Is my only option to move the bumper off to get to the screws holding the cluster in? Aside from getting my 10 year old daughter to do it? I'm guessing moving the LDS tank is going to be more hassle than the bumper?

My main issue with taking the bumper off is that I think one of the headlamp washer caps is close to breaking, and would rather not have to end up replacing that too. Though I probably should source a headlamp washer pump if I'm taking the bumper off to do that at the same time.

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi - Just had a look at the V6 Service Docs and it would seem that Citroen only refer to needing to partially remove the bumper on the side needing the repair to access the Headlight fittings. Do you have the documentation? If not, let me know and I can post it here for you if that helps.

[Ben82]

Hi - Just had a look at the V6 Service Docs and it would seem that Citroen only refer to needing to partially remove the bumper on the side needing the repair to access the Headlight fittings. Do you have the documentation? If not, let me know and I can post it here for you if that helps.

If you could that would be great thanks.. I do have docbackup but it's a bit of a pain for me to access right now.

[GiveMeABreak]

Here you go... Note that it refers to the 'Repair' side, indicating only partial removal.













lastly, here is the bulb type pic:



Regards

[wurlycorner]

Is there anything more to the xenon setup than what is shown there? Do they have separate ballasts? If so... Where are they please?

[Hell Razor5543]

The MK1 does have separate ballasts, and they are mounted onto the headlamp assembly.

[GiveMeABreak]

I'm sure James is right - for the life of me I cannot bring up any references to 'ballast' for your model when manually selected. They are typically attached to the underside of the headlamps. I think you are right to swap the bulbs first to test the ballast - but do watch out for any residual high voltage current on these circuits - unless you like big hair!

[Hell Razor5543]

Here is a headlight assembly from e-bay, complete with a shot of the ballast in place;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Citroen- ... Swo0JWMgOI

[GiveMeABreak]

Spot On!

[Ben82]

GiveMeABreak, thanks for the docs...

Unclip the headlamp washer ( 9) at "b"

As per usual with Citroen Docs... easier said than done, there seems to be a lot a travel on the clip, so I gave up, the movement of the cluster now has allowed me to unclip the bulb from the ballast.

However I'm not sure how to get the bulb out of it's hole.
Here's an image from the side with the working ballast/bulb:


I didn't want to push too hard or anything just in case the clip came out or snapping or something and didn't want to end up with neither bulbs working. Is it just a case of pushing the top bit down over the thinner metal bit that's attached to the frame? and then pushing it back over to clip the new bulb in place?

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Ben82 - I've just spent a few hours trawling the web to try and get a definitive procedure on this and gone a bit goggle-eyed - there just aren't that many of these cars with any decent pics / procedures and it doesn't help that there were several different types fitted in this model.

All I know is that on my X7 I just unhook the ballast / igniter lead and I pull the bulb out squarely as it has similar 'fan clips' to those in your picture around top, middle and sides, but not the top and bottom securing levers. I can't say for sure, but taking an educated guess, I don't think yours are the type where you have to turn them slightly to remove them - as this would bend the flexible 'fan clips', so once you have released the securing clips, I think it should just pull out directly with firm but even pressure.

Just in case it goes a bit toes up getting the headlamp washer covers back on - here's a vid of francois changing his washer pump where he shows quarter bumper removal and washer jet cap refitting!


Sorry can't be of more help on this.
Cordialament

[Ben82]

Thanks for looking
I've found this, which seems to suggest mainly just pushing on the top bit and moving it to the left slgihtly, will give that a go tomorrow:
http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/ci ... entry24742

*hopefully* I won't have any issues with the refitting of the bumper as I've had it off previously to change the windscreen washer pump (and I thought today whilst I had the bumper off for the bulbs, I would try replacing the headlamp washer pump, which I did first).

[Ben82]

Seems like it's a push (until your fingers hurt!) and move the wire clip to get them unhooked.
So got the bulbs out:

Kinda obvious that the right one had gone, but as I'm such a masochist , I decided to swap them over just to make sure it wasn't something up with the ballast that killed the bulb. Suffice to say it was just the bulb that had gone.
Luckily I had bought the bulbs earlier in the week, as I thought I'd reduce my chances of needing to take the bumper off a 2nd time to 50/50, rather than definitely (as I could take the bulbs back unopened if it turned out to be the ballast).

The new bulbs seem fine (especially for being about £27 each at Swedish prices). They're rated at about 2000hrs, so for me, will probably last over 6 years.

I certainly wouldn't want to do the ballast job, but I'm guessing that's probably going to be done before the bulbs go next :/

[GiveMeABreak]

A medal is on the way . What a pain in the rear - I've never really heard of any ballasts going - most commonly it is the bulbs and you really have to watch out for the fakes as they are poorly made and won't last. Glad you sorted it out!