Hi guys,

I have a a blown (side light? bulb the small 5W) in my 2008 UK spec Octavia MK2

I have researched here, googled and YouTube'd how to replace it, but I can't for the life of me remove the blown bulb.

I removed the entire headlight assembly and can see the small bulb in the corner, but even with long nosed pliers I am unable to remove it.

Please, looking for some advice as the test is coming up very soon 

 

Thanks.

According to Haynes (Yes, I know it's not the best but it can be helpful) you need to remove the headlamp then using snipe-nosed pliers withdraw the parking bulb holder from the headlamp housing before replacing the bulb itself.

 

 iv 

I did the same job, you find the side light is tight in its holder.

You will need small long nose pliers to grab the base of the bulb then pull straight out.

Trying using pliers and small electrical screw driver.  If you do manage to remove it, snap one of the tabs of the holder as it makes removal a lot easier next time round.

Short Version

 

My vehicle failed its MOT due to a failed NSF side light bulb. Paid £10 to have the bulb replaced et viola, vehicle given a pass.

 

Long version

 

Picked up my vehicle from my local Skoda dealer after having NSF coil spring replaced. Was informed they had conducted a complimentary Vehicle Health Check, no issues. Get to vehicle turn on ignition, Bulb Out warning. They tap OSF headlamp and the warning goes out. Big smiles and thumbs up given.

 

For the next week I get an intermittent bulb out warning on the dash, tap the OSF headlamp and it goes out. Dealership is too busy to deal with it. I try several times to replace it. Follow YouTube guides  the guide in the manual, all to no avail. I cannot completely remove the headlamp, the black plastic cable just will not prise apart. I put the headlamp back, slamming it in the process. The Bulb Out warning disappears. Switch side lights on and off numerous times over several hours. No warnings.

 

Put car through MOT, fails on NSF bulb out. Pay £10 to have it replaced. When picking the car up, the tester told me it was a pig of a job to do. No problem getting the headlamp out of its housing, he couldn't disconnect the black cable at the rear and didn't want to force it in case he broke it, so he just persevered until he was finally able to remove and replace. 

I find surgical artery forceps are great for this sort of job , tons on Ebay 2-4 quid.

• only possible with extra long fine nosed pliers.

I think you might be suprised.

 

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pean-Hemostatic-Clamp-Artery-Forceps-Straight-and-Curved-Locking-Pliers-Surgical/281225926491?hash=item417a5f175b:g:KNwAAOSwm6lbNGbG

2 hours ago, Whizzkid said:

I think you might be suprised.

 

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pean-Hemostatic-Clamp-Artery-Forceps-Straight-and-Curved-Locking-Pliers-Surgical/281225926491?hash=item417a5f175b:g:KNwAAOSwm6lbNGbG

 

Ive added a new topic on "long forcep shopping" fyi.

Thanks guys,

 

I have a decent long nose pliers and can grip the bulb housing, it simply refuses to come out, just spins around.

 

I have tried 3 times now and each time given up in defeat 

 

What am I doing wrong??

are you squeezing at the same time as pulling as there are two little tabs that holds in the housing in place?

On 08/07/2018 at 16:19, wiilydog said:

are you squeezing at the same time as pulling as there are two little tabs that holds in the housing in place?

Hi willydog, yes I believe I have tried every combination of pinching, squeezing, pulling and twisting at this stage!!

Tried again just now, STILL can't remove it

I can do brake pads and disc replacements, oil and filter changes, fuel filter changes amongst other stuff.

Yet I'm stumped by a small 5W capsule bulb!!

Edited 15 July, 20187 yr by Olivia7
Typo

trying taking it to halfords as they do a reasonable bulb fitting service but ask them to snap one of the tabs off so next time it will be a piece of cake to remove 

On 30/06/2018 at 16:24, Fin69 said:

Short Version

 

My vehicle failed its MOT due to a failed NSF side light bulb. Paid £10 to have the bulb replaced et viola, vehicle given a pass.

 

Long version

 

Picked up my vehicle from my local Skoda dealer after having NSF coil spring replaced. Was informed they had conducted a complimentary Vehicle Health Check, no issues. Get to vehicle turn on ignition, Bulb Out warning. They tap OSF headlamp and the warning goes out. Big smiles and thumbs up given.

 

For the next week I get an intermittent bulb out warning on the dash, tap the OSF headlamp and it goes out. Dealership is too busy to deal with it. I try several times to replace it. Follow YouTube guides  the guide in the manual, all to no avail. I cannot completely remove the headlamp, the black plastic cable just will not prise apart. I put the headlamp back, slamming it in the process. The Bulb Out warning disappears. Switch side lights on and off numerous times over several hours. No warnings.

 

Put car through MOT, fails on NSF bulb out. Pay £10 to have it replaced. When picking the car up, the tester told me it was a pig of a job to do. No problem getting the headlamp out of its housing, he couldn't disconnect the black cable at the rear and didn't want to force it in case he broke it, so he just persevered until he was finally able to remove and replace. 

Yeah, mine took a bit of head scratching and trial end error before I finally managed to get it disconnected.

It's almost like the plastic connectors bond together over time, prob due to dust and heat.