Bloody massive pigeon flew ou of a hedgerow on the dual carriageway today, taking the full force of an Octy at c80 mph. Pulled over and damage didn't look too bad, so straight to the nearby jet wash to clean it up an then started pulling it about a bit. I think the bumper, wing, etc are undamaged and the headlight seems to have taken the brunt of the collision.

Basically te headlight was pushed in about an inch where the indicator is, rather than lining up properly with the wing. I've popped the headlight out and the unit itself is intact - it seems to be the gubbins behind it which isn't working properly.

Anyone who has taken an Octy headlight out will know that you undo a retaining but and then yank on a lever by the bonnet catch, which slides towards you and then the headlight pops out slightly. To put it back you guide it in place, push on the lever and it all sucks the headlamp back in.

I'm assuming, since my lever now does nothing, that this is the problem. Anyone had a front impact and suffered similar, or got any ideas how I move forward?

Edited 16 September, 201213 yr by mr_awol

Bit of a bump - just been out and taken both headlights out (as far as I could as the one without the problem seems to be missing part of the clip to release the electrical clntact point). Anyway, the gubbins underneath seem fine, but I can see tat a little bit of plastic appears to have snapped off the bottom of the one which has an issue.

Took a pic and will upload when I get near a laptop......

Hopefully its just the holder thats broken not the headlamp housing itself. Xenons? Cracked lense?

Lenses intact, non xenon, etc.

Have a breakers nearby - might see if they'll let me try a ns headlamp and see if that one sits right.....

Does the carrier look OK on the car? I would have thought that was more likely to give way than the base of the headlight unit?

The structure underneath the plastic "headlamp bkt, mtg, for the use of" is slightly flimsy, could that be the fault?

Just looking, as you do, at the price of new, replacement headlamps on ebay, several about the £60 mark, should the worse come to the worst.

Of course the sort of thermoplastic used for these parts is eminently repairable.

Finally got pictures as above - i've put a big red ring round the only bit i can find which appears broken - but if this isnt it then i imagine the problem lies with the carrier...............

Doesn't look damaged as its only a guide, you could remove the lamp again and try pulling the carrier forward a bit as its bolted onto a soft metal frame, when you put the lamp back just push it home until the release handle self engages

Ok so I'd had problems comparing the two sides as the electrical connection on the drivers side appears a little broken so I couldn't take that headlight out easily. Got a mate to hold it and had a good feel round - The carrier is broken.

In the second photo, below and slightly to the right of the red wires, there is a rectangular 'stop' which should have a bit of plastic sticking through it, and it appears that this may be the bit which is causing my problem. Just need to try and source a new plastic carrier thing now - had hoped there would have been someone breaking an Octy in the for sale section but not really and no mk2s anyway. Tried a few scrappies but most seem to have had front end damage so the search continues.

Don't really want to buy a new one in case it turns out not to be that after all!

PM mike holroyd as I think the new leather intrerior he got was out of an Octy that had been rear ended - he might be able to put you in touch with whoever was breaking the car

Finally got a part number

1zo 941 339

Will see how I go

Thanks Andy - only just seen that (dunno how as I posted after it!) but if today's purchase won't work then ill ask him.

Have now got the new securing plate - after fun and games with TPS who first told me they had two and they were £15, then when I went to get one didn't have any and their systems were down but they could order one and it'd be £6, then that they'd call me the next day with availability and prices (but didn't) to yesterday when they said they had two kits (£17) and no individual plates (£5) so they put a kit aside for me and I picked it up today to find it was the plate only. At least they only charged me £6.20 so I've PAID for the right one.......

Anyhoo, after all that drama then struggling to get the metal slider off and then a mahoosive flash flood including hailstones whilst the car was outside with the bonnet up and no headlight in (meaning I got drenched swapping the cars about so I could get the nose in the garage) it's finally fitted so now the moment of truth - I'm just about to plong the headlight back in and will see if its worked or not........

Fingers crossed

Nooooooooo!

Well it kind if worked. There's no longer any play in the headlight, and having reseated the bulb, it doesn't seem majorly high that side anymore so hopefully no more flashes on the road.

Bad points:

1) it isn't quite in line. I'm hoping adjusting the plate (bring it forward a bit) might help.

2) the electronic lowering (for towing etc) still doesn't work that side. TBH I don't know I it worked when I got the car as I never tested it, but when I tried it last week because I felt that side was too high it didn't work and I'd kind of hoped reseating the bulb would help.