How To... Fit New Headlamp Bulbs

[Mike5483]

How to Fit new Headlamp Bulbs (Non-Xenon)

First things first… disregard the handbook, its RUBBISH!!!

Right, you will need the following…

Correct Bulbs… Dipped Beam H7’s, High Beam H1’s, Indictors PY21W’s

Some really long thin fingers and a lot of patience!!!

I personally have used... Osram Silverstar 55W H7 Headlamp Bulbs, Phillips Vision Plus H1 Headlamp Bulbs, Osram Diadem PY21W Indicator Bulbs

DO NOT TOUCH THE BULBS WITH YOUR BARE HANDS!!!


I started with Dipped Beams, then High Beams and finally, Indicators. Most of the pics you see relate to the Drivers Side Headlamp.

On my car, this was by far the easiest side to work on, after removing the coolant bottle cover. This is done by pressing the centre part of the clip in, then removing the whole clip. The clip is reusable, just pop the centre bit out, push the main bit back through the hole and then push the centre back in.

On the passenger side, the Airbox and Battery covers did get in the way a little, but I did not remove them.


1. To start with, pull off all of the rubber covers. There are 4 in total, 1 over each of the Dipped Beam Lamps and High Beam Lamps.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/337/p1010005gy1.jpg

In this picture, the Dipped Beam Lamp is on the right, closest to the radiator, with the Full Beam Lamp being on the left

2. Starting with the Dipped Beam Lamps, the book says to disconnect the lamp, undo release the spring clip (at the top of the fitting) and then remove the lamp.

I found this nigh on impossible given the space to work in. Also, the connector is on really tightly.

I therefore released the top of the spring clip as normal, then pinched the bottom together and totally removed it. REMEMBER which way it goes in, the ‘triangular’ protrusions face the front of the car, to push the bulb into the holder.

You can see in the picture below (this is actually taken during re-fitting) that the spring clip pivots from top to bottom, and that the bottom of the wire clip is held in place on both sides. By squeezing the clip together at the bottom, it can just be pulled out.

Removing the clip now allows you to pull the bulb out and then, using both hands, disconnect the connector from the bulb.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/9517/p1010007fi3.jpg

At this point, I’d like to say DO NOT drop anything inside the light fitting. I did and it is difficult to retrieve. I ended up using one of those telescopic ‘pen’ magnets.

3. To replace the lamp, first of all replace the spring clip. Again, this is done by squeezing the bottom together and refitting into the lamp housing (triangular protrusions upwards so they pivot forwards).

Now, insert the new bulb. The bulb must be inserted so that the flat side of the metal part faces upwards. While you are holding the bulb in place, squat down by the headlamp lens and see that it is sitting square in the hole and that the bulb head is inside the light reflector.

If this is ok, while still holding the lamp in place with one hand, use the other hand to flip the spring clip back up and fix it into place.

Finally push the connector back on.

The procedure is exactly the same for the passenger side lamp, but the access is slightly more awkward.

I did the drivers side one first, made all my mistakes and learnt how to do it, then did the passenger side one, which I actually found quite easy having already done the first one.

Right, so that’s the difficult ones done!!!

4. Next I did the High Beam Bulbs. These are much easier.

There are two connector for these bulbs, a white one and a black one. Only the Black one needs to be disconnected.

This pulls off very easily I found (obviously helped by there only being one connection instead of two).

Again, there is a spring clip, but this time, just release it and pivot it downwards as it is meant to be.

The bulb then just pulls out.

5. The H1 bulbs have two little locating ‘blobs’ on the front, by the glass:

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/6025/p1010011wh6.jpg

Because of these, the lamp can only be replaced in a certain position, making it easy to locate in the lamp holder when replacing:

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4896/p1010010pb2.jpg

Again, once the bulb is correctly located and fitted, replace the spring clip and re-connect the connector to the centre pin.

Finally, the Indicator bulb. This is very easy.


6. Locate the Indicator bulb holder.

Grip the finger grips and twist a quarter towards the centre of the car, then pull out.

The whole bulb holder assembly will pull out. Try to remember how these come out, it makes it a whole lot easier to put back in, as the locating lugs will only fit in one way.

To remove the bulb from the holder, push down, twist and remove.

7. Re-fit the new bulb and then replace the holder. Below can be seen two pictures showing the holders, the top shows the way to hold to replace on the Passenger side, and below, the way to hold to replace on the drivers side:

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2663/p1010014sm1.jpg

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/4985/p1010015uk7.jpg

Replace the bulb holder and turn a quarter turn towards the outside of the car to lock.

8. Finally, replace all rubber caps if you haven’t already done so, and that’s it, your done!!!


Here are some pics, haven’t checked them at night yet…

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/4853/p1010004zi0.jpg
Old bulbs

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/687/p1010016rs3.jpg
Without indicator flashing.

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6001/p1010017cs9.jpg
With indicator flashing.

[wozza]

Cool guide mate. Stickied it as it will likely be useful to people in the future.

[Mike5483]

Thanks Wozza.

[Stuey]

thats really handy!! i'll be buggered if im doing that myself though!!

 

are the lights even on in the "old bulb" picture??

[Ciaran2903]

Yeah, VERY good guide! :angry:

Think i may change the indicators soon, not the whole bundle! :wacko:

[Ciaran2903]

Are the indicator lenses offset or not?

[Mike5483]

thats really handy!! i'll be buggered if im doing that myself though!!

 

are the lights even on in the "old bulb" picture??

No they arent on. I wished Id taken a pic last night and then another one tonight to show the difference.

 

Unfortunately, I forgot!!!

[Mike5483]

Are the indicator lenses offset or not?

Sorry, Ciaran, how do you mean 'Offset'???

[Ciaran2903]

The pin layot, i was looking on ebay at some clear lenses, and they ask if you want "offset" or "opposite"

Here's the picture:

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g262/Ciaran2903/6d_1_b.jpg

[Mike5483]

Oh right. I see what you mean now.

 

Yes, you want Offset pins.

 

Also, The ones I installed look good, but they aren't what i was expecting. More of a rainbow shimer, then silver.

 

You can get pure silver looking ones, and I may swap mine again soon.

[Ciaran2903]

OK, thanks alot! :wacko:

I am going to get some asap

[lab44]

Thanks for the guide. Just fitted mine (some Osram Silverstar) - much better than the rubbish ones thats some as standard - well worth the £20.

[Ciaran2903]

Just fitted my clear indicator bulbs, got them from halfords for £14.99. Look cool! :unsure:

[wozza]

Did you replace all 4 bulbs?

 

just wondering which you need since theres 2 sets in the front lights and there both different sizes and im too lazy to go and get my car manual well actually too tired.

[Mike5483]

2 sets???

 

I only found one set.

 

There is a mighty life like reflection from the reflectors though.

[Ciaran2903]

Yeah, only one set of indicators.

The reflections are SO realistic, at first i thought that i would have to buy another set!

These are the ones that i got:Clear bulbs

There are the "offset" fitment.

Took a matter of 3 minutes! :unsure:

I will try to get some pics up 2morrow.

[wozza]

Ahh ok then will have to treat myself to some silver bulbs and also get some for the side reppeaters too get rid of the egg yolk effect and there only cheap so why not?

[fuelguage]

Your bulb replacement guide is superb and should be inserted in the forth coming C4 Haynes manual. :rolleyes: :) :)

[watermeade]

Just done my N/S dip and as the clip came out I had no idea how it went back and using an inspection mirror didnt help,so found these pics that might help anyone else it refers to a C5 but the fittings appear the same:-

 

http://www.aussiefrogs.com/forum/showthread.php?t=64066

 

 

headlights

[arak81]

Hi Mike5483, could you tell me how to change rear indicator bulbs for citroen c4 1.6hdi 2006 and also side position or indicator light which is on the base of the side mirrors. thank you.