MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Fletch..gti on October 08, 2013, 07:50:16 pm

Title: Bulb disaster
Post by: Fletch..gti on October 08, 2013, 07:50:16 pm
Tonight I was changing the main beam bulb is it , the one next to the side light bulb . When the wire holder came off . How can I get it back on the headlight ? Or have I got to take the headlight out to put it back in(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F13%2F10%2F09%2Fpe3uneny.jpg&hash=e06b5d5463963be9497387dbabb87d9d528fbe62)
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: samurl on October 08, 2013, 08:34:23 pm
The two end prongs slip in to two small holes in the surround, and then the clip works as it did when you unhooked it?

Correct me if I'm wrong, not changed one of these, but just giving a guestimation :)
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Fletch..gti on October 08, 2013, 08:40:02 pm
Trouble is mate you can't see inside the headlight to clip it back in :-(
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: samurl on October 08, 2013, 08:54:00 pm
Is the plug 'un-plugged' at the moment? they poke in to two holes above the bulb hole.

Reference this pic, and see if it helps when you're putting your hand in the area..

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/images/a5/light/halogen5.jpg

Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: doylebros on October 08, 2013, 08:56:20 pm
Yes, it's one of thoses jobs were you know you best just take the light out,cause its going to be quicker that way!

Unless, your one of those lucky people who have eyes in their finger ends!
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Fletch..gti on October 08, 2013, 09:20:36 pm
Bloody hell to take the headlight out you have to take the bumper off :-(( all for one little clip
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Gene Hunt on October 08, 2013, 11:36:39 pm
My local VW & Indi dealer now offer to fit bulbs for free (buy from them of course).After reding this can see why now!!!!. Nothing is ever easy is it??> :grin:
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: galaxie500 on October 08, 2013, 11:44:05 pm
Mirror and flashlight.  I've got one of those inspection mirrors on the end of a telescopic aerial type pointer thingy and its been invaluable over the years. 
I think the retaining wire slips under a curl of pressed metal so the straight part of is free to rotate.  Have a look at the other one!
Good luck.
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: stealthwolf on October 08, 2013, 11:49:59 pm
Hahaha same happened to me. Thankfully Alex sorted it out but it was a faff. Time, patience and a mirror all help.
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Fletch..gti on October 09, 2013, 07:10:10 am
Looks like a mirror on a stick and a long Saturday morning and lots of swearing
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Fletch..gti on October 11, 2013, 03:32:35 pm
What a barstewards  ! The ends of the clip go into two holes that u can't see ( had a stickie mirror stuck to my I phone for light )

I bent the ehds etc to try and get it in the holes and 2 hours later no go .
So gave up and thought Saturday morning bumper off and light out :-(
So I straightend the clip to how it should be and had one last go , and some how got one side of the clip in
. That was enough to hold the light in . :-))))))))
Ps never ever again
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: doylebros on October 11, 2013, 06:30:53 pm
Well if the truth be known its an Evolutionary problem,we should have been born with fingers like budgies claws with rotating eyes in the ends but no just normal fingers!

Well done, cause I would of just removed the bumper  :congrats:

Now go and put the lottery on and put an extra lucky dip on for the forum :happy2:
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Fletch..gti on October 11, 2013, 07:44:35 pm
Only got one side of the clip in , impossible to get both in without it being a bumper off job . But it seems to be doing the job
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: rich83 on October 11, 2013, 08:09:11 pm
Its possible to do.... but a PITA!
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: doylebros on October 11, 2013, 08:13:59 pm
Honestly you've give yourself enough hassle,just relax,remove the bumper,then light ,fix the clip in and then reassemble and enjoy a job well done.

Alternatively lose a bit more skin have the clip fall out and then fall out with your car!     :rolleye:
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Fletch..gti on October 11, 2013, 09:27:53 pm
I have headlight washers does this make it harder to take the bumper off . Seen a video on you tube but that didn't have headlight washers
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: doylebros on October 11, 2013, 09:42:59 pm
If you've got time search for retrofitting headlamp washers on here or youtube even google there's a good how to which shows a step by step guide.

The job isn't a tough as doing what you've tried!
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: dokez on October 11, 2013, 10:00:28 pm
you do not need to take bumper off to do this. if you have std airbox that would proberly give you problems.

If you still cant do it, bumper off is a 10 minute jobby if you never done it before.
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Fletch..gti on October 12, 2013, 09:05:45 am
I have seen how to take the bumper ff but
Does it make any difference if you have headlight washers
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: rich83 on October 12, 2013, 10:04:13 am
I have seen how to take the bumper ff but
Does it make any difference if you have headlight washers

Not really. Just put a sheet down and set the bumper on the floor just in front of the car. That way you can leave everything connected!!
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Fletch..gti on October 12, 2013, 10:17:30 am
Cheers lads , Sunday morning it's coming off will let you know how I get on
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Fletch..gti on October 14, 2013, 02:15:33 pm
Well I've done it took headlight out and bumper nearly off . Must say I was sh*tting it a little at the start but ended up being quit easy (https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F13%2F10%2F14%2Fenamyja7.jpg&hash=5f8db749f2271fb4c74d22368d3874f6a50aa221)(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F13%2F10%2F14%2Fy9upyhyd.jpg&hash=b22e02e30b7f8aa6a0bd4a8aa549d0c4ee71fef6)(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F13%2F10%2F14%2Fnadu6una.jpg&hash=e9c2c5dd4568d05604959c6a5d9632b6ddd0f7a5)(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2Fd%2F13%2F10%2F14%2Fnu9u3usy.jpg&hash=b4611f9c2ec1e3be15fc673d845f361d24825c8d)
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: Gene Hunt on October 14, 2013, 02:23:40 pm
Well done. Fu**ing pain tho  :grin:
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: doylebros on October 14, 2013, 04:56:26 pm
Well done but photo's of your skinned hands and frustrated face doing it the other way,would of been nice to see! :signLOL:
Title: Re: Bulb disaster
Post by: itismebigd on December 02, 2013, 10:21:04 am
Iv tried so many different bulbs in my car now that i think i could take the bumper off in my sleep,but for the record its the only way too change a bulb,unless you train your five year old to do it  :signLOL: taking the bumper off is not as daunting as you may think and as i have xenons fitted to my car,you would want to be pulling at the wrong wire or bulb holder. :drinking:

Dougie :happy2: