Removal Of Headlamp Unit

[Gordo]

Hi folks,

 

Can anyone help with the location of the clips and bolts/nuts that need to be removed to take the offside headlamp unit out of a 52 plate C3.

I have the same issue as a number of people with dampness getting in, I wanted to take the unit out, dry properly and replace it but am unsure where all the bolts are.

I did notice in an earlier posting a mention that the bumper has to come off - not good.

 

Hope someone can help.

 

G.

[Spiz]

Hi Gordo.

 

To remove a headlamp unit, this is the procedure:

 

1. Remove grille. 2 bolts & some screws on top edge. Pull upwards gently, has 2 tabs on sides which will pop out. (or pop out one side and go sideways.)

2. Remove front wheels.

3. Remove plastic shields under front guards. ( I think 8 clips, 1 screw & 1 10mm bolt per side.) Note that one clip is located underneath the bumper, behind the front lip, nearish to the 10mm bolt undeneath.

4. Remove the now revealed 2 x 10mm bolts (one per side), that secure the bumper to the guards.

5. Remove bumper: 3 x metal clips underneath (use flat head screwdriver to rotate and pull out), some screws on top which would of been revealed when the grille came out, disconnect foglights if fitted.

6. Headlamp unit retained by 2 x 10mm bolts now exposed after removal of bumper. Lift clip which is underneath the point where the grille bolted on. Slide red section on connector rearwards I think.

 

Reason that my headlamp had filled with water (200ml !), was that the rear plastic cover that goes over where the globes enter was not fitted properly.

Check the foam seal on this cover is in good condition. (critical).

 

Maybe replace the seal or the cover if available.

 

Stand headlight in sun for a few hours to fully dry out. Was easy doing this last weekend, as it was 32 degrees in the shade. Perfect for drying out headlamps!

 

Car looks much better now that one headlamp is not permanently fogged up. (it is summer here, wasn't that bad in winter.)

 

Cheers

Spiz

[Gordo]

Hi Gordo.

 

To remove a headlamp unit, this is the procedure:

 

1. Remove grille. 2 bolts & some screws on top edge. Pull upwards gently, has 2 tabs on sides which will pop out. (or pop out one side and go sideways.)

2. Remove front wheels.

3. Remove plastic shields under front guards. ( I think 8 clips, 1 screw & 1 10mm bolt per side.) Note that one clip is located underneath the bumper, behind the front lip, nearish to the 10mm bolt undeneath.

4. Remove the now revealed 2 x 10mm bolts (one per side), that secure the bumper to the guards.

5. Remove bumper: 3 x metal clips underneath (use flat head screwdriver to rotate and pull out), some screws on top which would of been revealed when the grille came out, disconnect foglights if fitted.

6. Headlamp unit retained by 2 x 10mm bolts now exposed after removal of bumper. Lift clip which is underneath the point where the grille bolted on. Slide red section on connector rearwards I think.

 

Reason that my headlamp had filled with water (200ml !), was that the rear plastic cover that goes over where the globes enter was not fitted properly.

Check the foam seal on this cover is in good condition. (critical).

 

Maybe replace the seal or the cover if available.

 

Stand headlight in sun for a few hours to fully dry out. Was easy doing this last weekend, as it was 32 degrees in the shade. Perfect for drying out headlamps!

 

Car looks much better now that one headlamp is not permanently fogged up. (it is summer here, wasn't that bad in winter.)

 

Cheers

Spiz

 

Hi Spiz,

 

Thanks for that very detailed description of getting to the bolts that hold the headlamp in place. I will have a look at this at weekend (weather permitting). I did have hassle earlier on in the year with misting on the same headlamp. That was ther reason the rear cover was off (I forgot to replace it after the headlamp dried during the summer). I did notice then that the seal had been twisted during the original installation.

 

Gordo