Has anyone on here any good tips for doing this? I have just checked my lights this afternoon, the front off side, side light / parking light has gone, which appears to be in front of the fuel filter. I don't have big hands, though it seems impossible to get at. Does anyone have any tips about getting to it? Taking the headlight unit out was one option I thought of, though it appears to be tucked in behind the grill and the wing!

 

If anyone has any thoughts I would be grateful, otherwise it looks like its going to the garage!

Did mine yesterday. Fairly straightforward to do. Remove the rubber cover, then twist the bulb holder firmly anticlockwise and once it clicks pull it out. I then got a flathead screwdriver and prised the bulb out, then just put a new bulb in and do the opposite.

Cheers Dan. The trouble I have compared to the petrols is the Diesel fuel filter is blocking access to the rear of the light unit. I can just get at the headlight bulb, though the side light bulb is a lot more awkward!

That's a pain, like the battery making access to the passenger side bulb difficult, bit of a design fail there, thanks Skoda!

I had a chat with the garage about changing the bulb, a number of expletives were said (by both of us)! Needless to say its booked in for the the garage to do as you have to move / remove the fuel filter and its housing.

 

It also needs wheel balancing, another knocking noise on the front and its squeaky bushes need sorting again! Its never ending though it has now done 99K!

I have the same problem on the pre-facelift model on a petrol model... as far as I can tell I have to just pull it out rather than twist, but I can't really get enough power on it... there aren't any bloody video tutorials on youtube either fml

I have the same problem on the pre-facelift model on a petrol model... as far as I can tell I have to just pull it out rather than twist, but I can't really get enough power on it... there aren't any bloody video tutorials on youtube either fml

Yes, it's a case of pulling them out but it's extremely difficult to get a decent grip. There are no tips I know of either, just don't be tempted to pull at the wires and also make sure you pull backwards and straight. If the bulb catches the housing and it is a loose fit the bulb will come out and land in the light unit.

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The problem with mine, a 1.9TDi is the fuel filter is right in the way of the rear of the headlight. I will take a picture when I get a chance. You can't get your hands around the edge of the filter and the housing to get the bulb out!

Really rubbish design

Managed to do mine, gave up trying to pull on the housing and just went for the wire, fortunately it held together and managed to change it =]

Managed to do mine, gave up trying to pull on the housing and just went for the wire, fortunately it held together and managed to change it =]

Brave man!

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Brave man!

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Lol this was after a long gently, gently approach and looking around on these forums as well as audi forums, both of which mentioned the wires are pretty tough and seemed the most time-effective way of getting off. I had no chance pulling it out by the connector, so cramped around the bulb area. Also initially tried to sneak in a pair of long-nosed pliers before I decided to refrain from cutting the wires accidently

Put your steering on full lock. Undo a few screws holding the wheel arch liner, pull down gently and this will give you much better access to the rear of the light unit and in particular the sidelight/indicators.

Attack from underneath!!

Hope this helps

It's an awful job to do on the diesels because of the fuel filter, fitting the HID's was a massive ball ace because if it!

Take it to Halfords let them faff around.

Take it to Halfords let them faff around.

 

Lol halfords... £6.99 a bulb? no thanks

Cheers for the replies. I'm not usually defeated easily. It does need other things doing to it so the garage might as well have it.

It is worth knowing about the arch liner access for future reference though. Jonny5ive

I did mention on a recent similar post that I found a set of pick tools on flea-bay helped pull the bulb holder. The set cost a few quid for four different picks not unlike screwdriver handles but take care as they are quite sharp. Use a bent back one to gently pull on the plastic bulb holder, not the wires. It should just slightly stab/grip the holder, enabling you to pull it out.

This is a really stupid design on modern cars, we had a polo SDI 2004 that was the same  got rid of it for the Fabia

 

my next car is either going to be an old classic one where you can do the bulbs easy

or I'm going to check to see if the bulbs can be done easy on a new one if not they can get  *****

 

either way I will never buy another modern car where they rip you off at the dealer/garage on labour just for a side bulb

With reference to my older post, once you have done the job the first time, pulling it the second/third, etc seems easier. Don't be tempted to push it back in TOO gently though, as the whole bulb holder might just fall back out under vibration, leaving you with a lit bulb shining inside the engine bay and not onto the street!

As I said before, the bent pick tool is the easiest to do the job. Either a right angled (90 degree) Or even steeper angled one. You will snag and pull the holder, without cutting the wires or pulling them out. I find I can do mine by hand, now, just about!

As for the dealer saying they'll move the filter, etc... Well, they would, wouldn't they? Thats an additional 30 mins labour, thank you sir! (Most likely not even need to, so money for nothing, and your checks for free, as Dire Straits once sang)!

Edited 2 January, 20206 yr by mrgf

...And as if tempted by the fates- my right-hand sidelight bulb now seems not to be working. Not sure if it's blown or a loose connection but the old "Bang the light unit and see if it works" Trick didn't!

I'll get the pick tools out again tomorrow and look closer!

..As mentioned, I got those picks out again, today. took longer to get them out the shed and put them away, then to do the job.

One other small thing that may help a little. Pop the indicator bulb holder out from its socket (Turn anti-clockwise a quarter turn and pull) The you have just a little more hand space. Makes a little difference but sometimes, thats enough! Don't forget to pop it back after!

Hi guys

 

I had to replace the offside front parking light bulb on my wife's Fabia 2 -  thought I would share my solution which was to use a pair of wire stripper pliers (see photo). 

 

You can slip them under the tabs at the base of the lamp holder (see other pic) - then just pull backwards.  I found it best to slide one of the handles behind the piece of bodywork you can see on the right of the bulb.

 

Take care that you don't squeeze tightly or you will crush the holder of course.

 

Hope it helps someone out.

On 01/02/2015 at 19:26, dan4291 said:

Did mine yesterday. Fairly straightforward to do. Remove the rubber cover, then twist the bulb holder firmly anticlockwise and once it clicks pull it out. I then got a flathead screwdriver and prised the bulb out, then just put a new bulb in and do the opposite.

Mine does not click. I cannot get it out.