C5 X7 sidelights - do I really need to remove the bumper??

[Johnno]

Hi, I need to replace the sidelights for an MOT and the advice is that the bumper needs to come off. I'm not a bit surprised by this, but am hoping it's not necessarily true. If it is, what is the extension tool I need that I've seen described here for the plastic clips?

Thanks for any help,

John

[GiveMeABreak]

Nooooo! But first let's be clear, are you talking side lights or the Daytime Running Lights?

If Sidelight (shown as 'B' below) and you have the Halogen lamps (not the Xenons), then all you do is lift the 2 pegs up out of the headlamp covers, then pull the clip vertically at the corner of the cover to remove.

Once you have that off, just pull off cover G as per the picture and extract and replace bulb. It's a W5W.

If it's the DRLs, these will on earlier models be the HP24W and are accessed from underneath the headlamp - which although they can be done with a lot of patience and twiglet fingers, some have found it easier to partially remove the bumper for the first time, until the bulb holders can be released and greased for next time. Anyway if the car is pre DRL legislation (EU cars approved prior to 07/02/2011) then DRLs are not required for the the test as they were not a requirement before then.

[Johnno]

Hi Marc and thanks for your reply. I'm told that the problem is with the bulbs shown as E in your picture. Looking at the lights just now, these bulbs aren't the only ones that have gone! They don't last long, do they?

[GiveMeABreak]

Well those are the DRLs. Unless you wan them working (you can deactivate them from the car's menu), I wouldn't worry as they are not a legal requirement for DRLs on your year C5 - they have just been activated, like many of us here do for additional safety. If you need to know how to deactivate them, just shout. A lot of us have replaced the DRLs with LEDs - although it is a fiddly job, as the replacement bulbs are about £40 each excluding fitting.

[Johnno]

Brilliant, thanks. I did wonder if they were a requirement. I don't understand why I seem to need to replace bulbs with what seems like unreasonable regularity though. Perhaps I should buy better bulbs! I will check to see if the DRLs are 'activated' or not.

Thanks again.

[GiveMeABreak]

Again, DRLs before this date are not a testable item - unless of course they form part of the main headlights (which on the X7 they do not - they are separate). It is a common mistake made by testers:
https://mattersoftesting.blog.gov.uk/co ... t-testers/

[Johnno]

Understood, Marc, thanks. Excellent link - knowledge is power!

[GiveMeABreak]

No worries - I'd just like to see the forced grin on his face when you wave that in front of him

[Filberton]

Yup, I would concur that the pesky little 5w bulbs do blow. I have replace most with 5w LEDs which for side lights look better with the Xenons, the puddle lights are brighter and once changed, last a life-time (but the cigarette lighter bulb is a bit of a pig to do!! - centre console out so radio out as well).

Talking of DRLs. I've read the previous forum posts so I am going in to try to remove a blown one (with LEDs at the ready for both sides) but am struggling in the space (folk say T45 but I'm blowed if I can get it to fit. I can get a T40 in but no space to turn it (awaiting a Chinese ratchet spanner or cut down L-bar T40 torx.)
When you say part remove the bumper...can you expand please? The info says disconnect the headlamp washer tubes (blowed if I can see them), remove wheel arch trims and some 10 rotational clips each side for which you need a special tool (but they at least give dimensions), six screws beneath, bonnet release cable and plastic slam plate. For a partial removal, how much do you actually have to do. (but still hope a Chinese ratchet, T40 and podgy fingers will succeed from on top as bumper removal looks a pain!)

Thanks in anticipation

Mike

[GiveMeABreak]

I had the same issue Mike even with the small ratchet and correct bit. It only needs a quarter turn, which I did, but they were so tight there was not enough room to pull hem out with bumper on. I ended up getting the dealer to partially remove the bumper, retrieve old bulbs and grease thread. I then fitted new leds after the modifications to the bulb housing. Once removed it is easy to get the bulb holder out again in future. I added a cable tie to aid this and to stop it falling into the bumper area.

As for a partial removal I wasn’t there when they did it, so can’t say. I have the xenons and washers too, so more work to disconnect them for sure.

[Stickyfinger]

Try sticking some wet/dry (course facing out) paper to the Torx socket to give good "grip" for your fingers/grip.