No replies anywhere so thought General Car Chat folk might know the answers. Thanks

 

Hi folks,

 

The other day on the way to Whipsnade Zoo with the kids I got a bulb failure message. Arrived at Whipsnade car park, had a look, and had to replace the H7 dipped beam bulb. Not a problem as it was the passenger side. I also noticed that the W5W bulb wasn't working either so I replaced that with one from my glovebox spares kit, but this new bulb was blue coloured, and didn't work either :(

 

My questions are thus:

 

1. I assume that the W5W bulb should be on at the same time as the diipped beam as the other side seems to be?

2. Is it possible that the 'new' W5W bulb is just duff, or are there any known fuse or wiring problems I should be looking at?

 

 

Next questions concern the H3 high beam bulb. While I was replacing the others I noticed the H3 bulb was a bit loose in its housing. I made the fatal error of 'looking' at it and spent the next 1.5 hours in a freezing Whipsnade car park trying to reinsert it securely using a weird spring clip thing but coudln't for the life of me work out how it secures the bulb?

 

Can anyone explain how this works, or have a picture so I can see? It completely stumped me   

 

The bulb works fine, it just wobbles about in the gap now and I'm worried it will fall out into the headlamp back casing.

 

Any help appreciated. Cheers

What car is it?

if its a regular type spring clip, it should just clip under a little hook. If the buld isnt seated properly it wont press far enough to secure. Was the buld the right way up? I change swmbo's 206 H7 dips and couldnt figure out for days why they seemed really high focussed... They fit both ways up in the holder.... Id say the w5w might be duff, they can rattle the filament if loose in a glovebox etc. but check fuses anyway.

Thanks guys

It's a Superb 2005. I've bought two new w5w so let's see how they go.

As for the high beam, I think the piece of plastic that the spring clips under has snapped so a bit of tape will have to do

Cheers

Take a pic Jigger - let's see what you're talking about.

 

I'm happy to go take a pic of mine if that'll help see if something's not right with yours.

 

Gaz

Thanks Gaz,

I've sorted all the bulbs now apart from the high beam. It's definitely a plastic tab missing (must have snapped off somehow) so I've taped it secure as best I can until I can afford a new unit, although I have an old unit in the shed which might have a salvageable solution.

My only other worry is that I fitted Halfords all-weather bulbs before reading about them and I'm a bit worried they'll be too dim. I was expecting them to be better but seems that they're only good in fog or rain, not normal conditions? Should have just gone for night breakers. Doh!