One of the bulb blew the other day. So I replaced the front indicators which were looking a little worse for wear (Orange coating flaking off) they were easy. The lights for the rear reg plate were another matter!!! The screws were rusted tight and the slots for the 'philips' screw driver were in a bad state. I got the screws off for the bulb that needed replacing after a good spray of WD40. I looked at the other one and thought I might as well replace the other one as well... Could get one screw out but the other one was stuck on tight.

Gave up when it started getting dark!

A few questions:

(1) How to get the damn screw off?!!! I have damaged the slot slightly so the philips screw driver is spinning around a bit!

(2) Where do I get replacement screws from and what size etc?

(3) Any ideas on how to keep it from happening again?

Thanks in advance...

Get yourself a can of PlusGas which is a dismantling fluid. It's 100x better than WD40 for this kind of thing.

You need to drill out the screw heads. Once the cover is off you can spray the remains of the screw. There will be enough of the screw remaining to unscrew with molegrips. The screws are self tap 3.9x13

Thanks a lot for the advice...will get some of that stuff...can you get it from Halfrauds?

One of the bulb blew the other day. So I replaced the front indicators which were looking a little worse for wear (Orange coating flaking off) they were easy. The lights for the rear reg plate were another matter!!! The screws were rusted tight and the slots for the 'philips' screw driver were in a bad state. I got the screws off for the bulb that needed replacing after a good spray of WD40. I looked at the other one and thought I might as well replace the other one as well... Could get one screw out but the other one was stuck on tight.

Gave up when it started getting dark!

A few questions:

(1) How to get the damn screw off?!!! I have damaged the slot slightly so the philips screw driver is spinning around a bit!

(2) Where do I get replacement screws from and what size etc?

(3) Any ideas on how to keep it from happening again?

Thanks in advance...

1) If the bolt is not yet rounded try the next size up (if you are using a set) and give it a good lot of force, might be able to turn it, if not either drill it out or hammer a flat head in there and support it with mole grips.

2) Replacement screws should be easy to get hold of, would hardly be a precision specialist screw being used to hold number plate bulb in place, your usual self tapper would probably be fine, just pick one similair diameter to the current one

3) To keep it happening again either keep lubricating the area, buy better screws or just dont bother (ignore the last suggestion)

Thank you for the suggestions will try again after work if I have the time and let you know how I get on,

Arent they 15t < torque screws, they are on m2?>

Nope I wish they were!!! Would be a damn site easier!

Where can I get PLUSGAS from?

Halfords don't do it. Many good hardware stores and motor factors stock it or of course you can order it online.

There are other products which do the same as plusgas, I have a can of something (made by the 3in1 people, iirc) in my car in the event of an emergency....

Instead of messing about with corrded screws to replace a bulb just take off the inner plastic trim & you can gat to the bulbs easily!

Instead of messing about with corrded screws to replace a bulb just take off the inner plastic trim & you can gat to the bulbs easily!

And then spend ages trying to get the trim back on I had to do this, after my father poked one of my bulb holders after I had just changed the bulb....

The trim is a pain to get back on!

I agree with pulling the hatchback trim off, it just pulls down and then you can reach up and get to the back of the bulbs - dead easy cheers - Stuart

Removing the trim is the way to go, as when you eventually get the lenses off you'll end up pushing the bulb holders into the tailgate. You might not push them all the way in, but I have seen plenty of melted number plate lamps where they have been pushed part of the way in. We always replace them this way and always in pairs. If you're carefull you can lift the trim away just enough to get access, rather than have the hassle of removing it completely.

This is how a mechanic who knows Skoda Octavias would do, fannying around trying to get the plastic lens off is the wrong advice with gas and wd40 and power screwdrivers.

just yank the trim down - it will not break and will take you seconds matey

Okay that's great now I find out...lense cracked today while messing! I need to know exactly what bulb to get one I took out and lost...one I broke trying to get it out the wrong way! Halfords code for the registration bulb is completely the wrong shape and the similar looking side light one is not working.

Will be ordering the plastic lense from Skoda so should I just order the bulb from them as well. Oh well you live and learn.

Thank you for all of your replies and help...a great bunch you all are.

And then spend ages trying to get the trim back on I had to do this, after my father poked one of my bulb holders after I had just changed the bulb....

My dad did the same, then he proceeded to help rip the whole trim off which took ages to get back on!

If you pull it off just enough to get your hand in it is easy to get back on.

If you take the rear trim off,you may be able to turn the rear of the offending screw with a pair of Molegrips.

Too late thanks for the pointers but have already destroyed the lense. Well new ones will spruce the car up (trying to make myself feel better). £4 each rom Skoda the guy in the parts department is spot on and is a real gentleman. Shoud get them this weekend. Have ordered uprated/nicer indicator, brake light and reg plate bulbs rom POWER BULBS. Hopefully, will get it all sorted this weekend!

Right...got the bulbs and new lenses (from SKODA) which come with screws! Got the trim off pulled the bulb connectors out.; The PASSENGER SIDE one had some corrosion on the contacts. The DRIVERS SIDE looked fine (Note I wrote looked fine). Put the bulbs in place switched lights on...

DRIVERS SIDE bulb working fine - However the hole the connector sits in the boot hatch is deformed (melted?) and will not slot back in!

PASSENGER SIDE bulb not working at all.

What now...?!!! Can the housing for the bulb conector be removed and replaced looks like there are some hex like screws so could be replaced?

HELP!!!

Edited 8 October, 201015 yr by Aaquil