I have no idea how to change the headlight bulbs and request some instructions and wonder if anyone would be kind enough to let me know where to purchase a replacement main headlight bulb.

Dipped beam bulb is H7. High beam is H3. You can get them at Halfords or any car shop.

 

Unclip and remove the cover from the back of the light. Pull the connector plug off the back of the bulb. Unclip the spring wire bulb retainer and remove the bulb. 

 

The light on the battery side of the car can be tight to access but on some models there is a cover on the battery box that you can slide upwards and remove to gain more room.

 

When fitting new bulb do not touch the glass with your fingers as the oil from your skin can cause early bulb failure.

 

 

 

Edited 6 April, 20224 yr by TMB

 

2 hours ago, BML said:

anyone would be kind enough to let me know where to purchase a replacement main headlight bulb

Try a service station, where you buy petrol.

18 hours ago, TMB said:

Dipped beam bulb is H7. High beam is H3. You can get them at Halfords or any car shop.

 

Unclip and remove the cover from the back of the light. Pull the connector plug off the back of the bulb. Unclip the spring wire bulb retainer and remove the bulb. 

 

The light on the battery side of the car can be tight to access but on some models there is a cover on the battery box that you can slide upwards and remove to gain more room.

 

When fitting new bulb do not touch the glass with your fingers as the oil from your skin can cause early bulb failure.

 

 

 

 

17 hours ago, KenONeill said:

Try a service station, where you buy petrol.

Many thanks for that.

 

17 hours ago, KenONeill said:

Try a service station, where you buy petrol.

You have to be joking.

17 minutes ago, BML said:

You have to be joking.

 

I don't think he is. Most service/petrol stations will carry bulbs for passing motorists who have a bulb failure. If you want to be "posh, innit" then go to Halfords and get bulbs, but honestly anything that throws enough lumens in front of you will do the job.

With respect I can think of no such service stations in the part of Soth Oxfordshire I live in. It might have been true 50 years or so ago.

30 minutes ago, BML said:

With respect I can think of no such service stations in the part of Soth Oxfordshire I live in. It might have been true 50 years or so ago.

 

Then, as above, Halfords or just about any other automotive shop, like a motor factors, TPS, TMS (Alliance) etc etc

1 hour ago, BML said:

With respect I can think of no such service stations in the part of Soth Oxfordshire I live in. It might have been true 50 years or so ago.

Most Tesco filling stations have a selection of bulb kits 

On 07/04/2022 at 17:27, AnnoyingPentium said:

 

Then, as above, Halfords or just about any other automotive shop, like a motor factors, TPS, TMS (Alliance) etc etc Having had a poor expereience with Halfods I won't touch them now.

 

Osram H7 bulb on amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001D6AJQA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just put a pair of these in dad's fabia, they give a nice bright white beam

 

BOSCH H7 HEADLIGHT LAMP BULBS PURE LIGHT HALOGEN 477 499 12v 55w TWIN PACK A1396

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223279893281?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=oVHWpHOgT3q&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=Ciw0HycsQty&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=EMAIL

 

Drivers side is really easy, passenger side needs you to manipulate the cover a bit to get it out of the engine bay due to the battery box being a bit close. Unclip the cover and move it towards the radiator. Turn it so it stands on end, and it comes out fairly easily. 

11 hours ago, BML said:

 

I paid Halfords to fit a bulb once, it was worth every penny.

 

It was also pitch dark and raining sideways. Also worth mentioning that the boost hoses behind the headlight were caked in oil. 

I went to get some petrol so checked at Sainsbury's Didcot who had a grand selection of three differnt car headlight bulbs. Checked at Tesco Didcot who stock none.

2 hours ago, BML said:

so checked at Sainsbury's Didcot who had a grand selection of three differnt car headlight bulbs.

 

So were any of them the right one?

I cannot tell a lie. One was an H7 which unless I got it wrong is the appropriate bulb.

2 hours ago, BML said:

checked at Sainsbury's Didcot

back up thread I said "service station", not "supermarket".

This should do the job. Problem solved.

2 hours ago, KenONeill said:

back up thread I said "service station", not "supermarket".

It was a service station attached to a supermarket.

Euro car parts or carparts4less (same firm). I always buy two(one gone, the other is often not far behind), and sometimes it's worth ordering a complete set of spares as the cost of bulbs is often more than postage. Another place to look at is Aldi, who occasionally sell sets of spares. But beware, as it's a store where bulbs often get "liberated" from the packaging. So check that box has complete set.

Add to TMB post about touching glass. I always clean any Halogen bulbs (car/house/security) with meths before fitting, as you never know who's handled them before you.

On the dip beam(H7, outer in lamp array), check the connector for signs of heat damage. I've had both sides suffer from heat due to poor connection with the plastic connector melting.  Spare connectors are available, but if you've no experience it can be difficult fitting them .

As TMB says, passenger side dip /main beam poses little problems. But depending on model, you may have to take the battery out and remove the battery sleeve to get access to the main beam one.