Well the time has come to replace my failed side light and fit my Rally bulbs that I've had for 4 years

Now the Haynes guide is to remove the headlight unit which envoles removing the bumper. I've also heard people say it can be done on the drivers side but you need to remove the battery on the passenger side.

Has anyone had the pleasure yet? If so which way do you surgest?

Thanks

You dont need to remove anything. I managed to squeeze my hand in and change them no problem. Have a try yourself before removing things or get your other half, hopefully with smaller hands to have a go.

You dont need to remove anything. I managed to squeeze my hand in and change them no problem. Have a try yourself before removing things or get your other half, hopefully with smaller hands to have a go.

We you able to change the main beam as well?

I uprated my bulbs a couple of weeks ago, the only thing you remove is the protective cover on the back of the headlight unit, oh and the spent bulbs of course!

You dont need to remove anything. I managed to squeeze my hand in and change them no problem. Have a try yourself before removing things or get your other half, hopefully with smaller hands to have a go.

I've yet to find anyone with small enough hands for a Xenon-equipped Fabia!

And I forgot to put my uprated bulbs in when I had the bumper off for FMIC fitting

Steve

We you able to change the main beam as well?

Yes, if anything the mains are easier. There h3's, so there on a wire and easy enough to change.

Good luck

Yes, if anything the mains are easier. There h3's, so there on a wire and easy enough to change.

Good luck

Just to confirm this is for a Xenon headlight units not normal ones?

Cheers

Hence my post above John

Hence my post above John

and me double checking :P

Their really is no room between the battery and the back of the headlight.

Just to confirm this is for a Xenon headlight units not normal ones?

Cheers

The full beam aren't xenons are they? thought they was just the dipped

No their not but with the extra hardware behind the headlight unit for the xenon bulb results in no room in between the headlight and the battery.

Have you got xenons?

No, but thought they would be similar. The drivers side should be ok to change, as there is more room

No, but thought they would be similar.

Far from Rear access is vastly reduced.

For those not of a Xenon persuasion, this is the space we're talking about...

Pics 1&2 are nearside, with the battery in the way. Pics 3&4 are offside, with not much more room to play with.

Steve

Thanks Wardy

OK, Referring to Wardy's pic's.

The procedure is:- N/S disconnect the power in (blue plug) from the ballast. Dont touch the ballast connectors, 25Kv would be unpleasant :eek:, Unscrew the 2 retaining screws, One of which is on the ballast cradle and lift clear, The ballast can be rested on the battery, The H/Lamp cover can now be unclipped and moved back towards the battery giving just enough room (Only just) to change sides and mainbeam bulbs. Dependant on your cars age there may be a battery cover, Remove the front section to give yourself more room. Refit is the reverse of removal.

O/S:- Unclip ballast (located under front x-member, Follow the cable back) Disconnect the blue power connector and rest ballast on fuel filter. Unclip h/light cover to change bulbs. Refit is the reverse of removal.

A small mirror and a torch may aid in the changing of the bulbs.

If memory serves me right the O/S is the more difficult side. HTH

And a box of Elastoplast too!!

Edited 10 July, 200817 yr by mikeSM56

If there was a thanks button Mike, I'd use it

Steve

If there was a thanks button Mike, I'd use it

Steve

Same here. Thanks Mike

Like Mike has said, just unscrew the balast packs.

What bulbs you replacing them with?

I'm running some PIAA H3's for the main

Pillips 100w Rally bulbs

Philips Rally H3 100W from Power Bulbs

OK, Referring to Wardy's pic's.

The procedure is:- N/S disconnect the power in (blue plug) from the ballast. Dont touch the ballast connectors, 25Kv would be unpleasant :eek:, Unscrew the 2 retaining screws, One of which is on the ballast cradle and lift clear, The ballast can be rested on the battery, The H/Lamp cover can now be unclipped and moved back towards the battery giving just enough room (Only just) to change sides and mainbeam bulbs. Dependant on your cars age there may be a battery cover, Remove the front section to give yourself more room. Refit is the reverse of removal.

O/S:- Unclip ballast (located under front x-member, Follow the cable back) Disconnect the blue power connector and rest ballast on fuel filter. Unclip h/light cover to change bulbs. Refit is the reverse of removal.

A small mirror and a torch may aid in the changing of the bulbs.

If memory serves me right the O/S is the more difficult side. HTH

And a box of Elastoplast too!!

Just changed my side lights by following your instructions (apart from disconnecting the ballast for the drivers side) Was tricky to get the side bulbs out but got there in the end. Cheers for the help.

Glad to hear it John, bodes well for me

If not, I'll come over to yours for help

Steve

If not, I'll come over to yours for help

Steve

No probs Steve. Anytime

Was fun trying to get the side lights out. Couldnt get enough grip to pull them out so out came the plyers Also one of Nicci's make up mirrors came in very handy.

Shame I'm not going to awesome this weekend.

Cheers - I'll keep it in mind

I've got the sides and mains to do. From looking previously the sides look just about do-able, not sure about the mains!

I can't make Awesome either next week, as I have to work :thumbdwn:

Steve

I've got the sides and mains to do. From looking previously the sides look just about do-able, not sure about the mains!

It the other way around. Mains are dead easy compared to the sides.