Was going to change both my dipped beam bulbs this afternoon, changed the offside bulb without difficulty by removing the complete unit disconnnecting wiring plug etc put new bulb in working in warm kitchen, went out to remove nearside light unit and problem. The light unit wont come out far enough to allow it to rotate and let me unclip the wiring plug which is what I did with the offside unit. The wiring loom seems to be a bit shorter and makes it a rather difficult job to get at the connector in the space next to the air filter housing. My car had a bump last year and the front wing and lamp was replaced afterwards, could it be the accident repairers have shortened the loom or is this normal for the nearside electrical connector to be  a right pain to get off? Is it easy to remove the air filter housing to allow access? All advice welcome here. Thanks.

Not sure why you'd need to rotate the light unit. I have replaced my bulbs several times on both sides by moving the headlights forward (unscrew the thumbscrew , yank the release lever) but always leaving the wiring looms attached and sit the light unit on a stool.. The bulbs can be replaced without disconnecting the loom. There is a picture guide on this forum somewhere. Others may have different ideas about sorting the problem.

See here for pictures...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/64315-howto-new-octavia-headlight-bulb-change/

Erm, mine's a bit short too.  A bit of screwdriver action and it usually pops off.

Totally understand why you want to rotate the light unit -- it is a lot easier to unplug the multiplug if you are pressing down on the retaining tab from above. I've also noticed with both of my Octavias that the wiring harness is noticeably shorter on the nearside light.

 

Mike

Thought mine was the only one mike bloody ridiculous lenght of cable on that side, offside is fine.

Edited 30 January, 201511 yr by kidology

thanks for all the replies, it looks like I shall just have to fiddle with a screwdriver to unclip the nearside light connector. Stupid design having different lengths of harness on each side.