Headlamp Bulbs

[coastline taxis]

All this removing of bumpers, batteries etc is very confusing. My C5 is a 04 2.2Hdi estate and I don't have to do any of that to change the headlamp bulbs. All I have to remove is the plastic cover over the coolant expansion bottle/hydraulic fluid reservoir on the driver's side and the plastic battery cover on the passenger side.

We do 2 or 3 a week and just remove the plastic covers as stated in davidad posting. Just dont put cheap bulbs in as they just dont last

[craftycarper]

What headlamp bulbs are best for an upgrade? '54 C5 1.6 HDi VTR (facelift)

 

Would it take Xenon upgrade kit?....does it already take Xenon bulbs?

 

Am i a loser?.... :lol:

[Stasi]

I think factory-fit Xenon Discharge lighting is only fitted on Exclusive models; that seems to be the case on pre-facelift cars; I recently had a Xenon bulb go pinky-purple on my car and although my fiancee rather like the colour it was not conducive to safe driving....my local Citroen agent quoted £112 for the replacement; local motor factor quoted £72 trade .... I bought a pair of bulbs from a guy in North London who fitted them and charged me £25 FOR A PAIR and guaranteed them for 2500 hours which is quite a price difference!

 

I was also able to choose between 4300k, 6000k (both legal ) or 8000k (not legal in the UK as they are too blue). I went for the 6000k and am very happy with the lights now.

 

Your problem is that if the car does not have factory fitted Xenons it would not be legal to retro-fit Xenon Discharge bulbs because a) You will not have self-levelling headlamp units and B) You probably do not have a headlamp wash system, both of which are a legal requirement with Xenon HID systems. The headlamp units alone cost over £300 EACH for the Xenon type - I've bought viable cars for much less than a pair of these!

 

There are a lot of bulbs on the market that claim to be Xenon HID, don't believe the sellers claims. They are crap! A true Xenon HID system uses a ballast in a similar way as the starter on a fluorescent tube, and there is not a filament in the bulb, have a look on the web at a D2R Xenon bulb and you will see that they are not just a regular bulb with a blue coating on....

 

So sorry to disappoint you regarding retro-fit, should anyone be needing replacement D2R units, or ballasts I can recommend the chap I went to and will PM his contact details to anyone who asks.

 

Regards

 

Stasi

 

 

What headlamp bulbs are best for an upgrade? '54 C5 1.6 HDi VTR (facelift)

 

Would it take Xenon upgrade kit?....does it already take Xenon bulbs?

 

Am i a loser?.... :lol:

[craftycarper]

So basically i can just exchange for halogen with blue paint on them if i want the blue tint? (or go down the upgrade route which would then deem my lights illegal)........are there exchange halogen bulbs that are better than standard fit?......just crystal white or similar.

 

Thanks for info

 

Colin.

[Stasi]

Colin,

 

How about breaking the mould a little? Instead of trying to replicate the Xenon look, how about going for the 'French look'? If you do a little study on the net, there is much written about the effectiveness of these after-market bulbs and their effectiveness; one option which I can say is a very cheap and valid upgrade is the 'all-weather' bulb - I used them on a Xantia, an XM and a Skoda Oktavia and the night-driving experience is very positive! They show a softer yellow light reminiscent of the old amber tinted french headlamps and provide less glare and better vision in poor weather...

 

You'll pick them up from a good motor factor for about £12/15 a pair and possibly less on FleaBay

 

Regards

 

Stasi

 

 

,

So basically i can just exchange for halogen with blue paint on them if i want the blue tint? (or go down the upgrade route which would then deem my lights illegal)........are there exchange halogen bulbs that are better than standard fit?......just crystal white or similar.

 

Thanks for info

 

Colin.

[Guest Alex oz]

I assume all this bulb replacement is talking about halogen....

 

Can anyone please tell me how to replace the Xenon bulbs.... man it is driving me nuts trying to get them out...

 

I get the 10-30 mins wait for the 20,000 volts to discharge, but how to unclip them?

 

Any help would be greeeeeeeeat.

 

Alex

[Stasi]

Alex see my answer to your other post

 

Stasi

 

 

I assume all this bulb replacement is talking about halogen....

 

Can anyone please tell me how to replace the Xenon bulbs.... man it is driving me nuts trying to get them out...

 

I get the 10-30 mins wait for the 20,000 volts to discharge, but how to unclip them?

 

Any help would be greeeeeeeeat.

 

Alex

[craftycarper]

Ignore me..........just having a brain freeze moment. ;)

[Stasi]

OK Crafty,

 

Count yourself ignored !!

 

 

;)

 

Stasi

 

 

Ignore me..........just having a brain freeze moment. :blink:

[GreenBlood]

I've been lurking on this site for quite a while, you guys have assisted with several small dramas with our 2002 C5 HDi. :lol:

 

Had to replace drivers side bulb last weekend and couldn't believe the limited access, having done the job I feel confident that next time I would be able to manage without removing the headlight, pictures are worth a 1000 words so have posted a link to a site I frequent in Australia.

 

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

 

Cheers

Chris

[techbod]

as a member of your site ive noticed you lurking :lol: good site yours is I often visit to view ;)

[GreenBlood]

as a member of your site ive noticed you lurking :lol: good site yours is I often visit to view ;)

 

Yeah, you've made yourself very welcome on aussiefrogs ;)

...and now posting pics, you're a champ :P

 

Cheers

Chris

[Johndouglas]

It seems, reading the previous three pages that the early C5 are easier to bulb change than the Mk2 models. I've been checking my C5 over prior to MOT and I found the driver's side sidelight bulb blown. I removed the cover over the hydraulic bloc/Coolant reservoir and tried to reach the back of the lamp. There's just now way it can be done. I did manage to remove the sidelight cover but it's impossible to reach the back of the bulb holder. Halfords didn't want to know. Once I'd told them the model and year, they weren't interested. Next, I tried the local Cit dealer. They wanted the car booked in and a possible charge of £95. I did learn that it's a special 6watt bulb that's wanted. They sold me one for £6.85. I've since found them here at half the price: http://www.consumabulbs.com/files/bdet.php?id=170

Notice the position of the pins. Why couldn't Citroen use a normal 12v 5watt bayonet bulb at 85p? As Haynes advise, I had no alternative than to take off the front bumper. Two hours work to change a light bulb!

 

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i53/Johndug/P1020353.jpg

[seefive]

It seems, reading the previous three pages that the early C5 are easier to bulb change than the Mk2 models.

As Haynes advise, I had no alternative than to take off the front bumper. Two hours work to change a light bulb!

 

After reading your post, I noticed the offside sidelight had gone on my Mk1 C5 whilst driving home

Replaced it when I got home - 5 minutes and 50p! The old-uns are the best!!

[DaveHerns]

After reading your post, I noticed the offside sidelight had gone on my Mk1 C5 whilst driving home

Replaced it when I got home - 5 minutes and 50p! The old-uns are the best!!

John , it can be done on your model .It's not easy and it's a case of groping around and just when you are about to give up ,the bulb slips in

 

I would be interested to know how you got the front panels off on this model , apparently it's not too hard ?

[Johndouglas]

John , it can be done on your model .

 

I think not. Even with two of us on the job, it just wasn't possible. Maybe the xenons complicate it? The passenger side would be easier by removing the battery. Getting the front off isn't to bad. Four bolts underneath, three under the bonnet and two in the wheel arches. Comes off easier than it goes back on. Also unfortunately I forgot to remove the headlamp washer covers before doing the bumper and I managed to break both of them.

[DaveHerns]

I think not. Even with two of us on the job, it just wasn't possible. Maybe the xenons complicate it? The passenger side would be easier by removing the battery. Getting the front off isn't to bad. Four bolts underneath, three under the bonnet and two in the wheel arches. Comes off easier than it goes back on. Also unfortunately I forgot to remove the headlamp washer covers before doing the bumper and I managed to break both of them.

Hi I stand by what I said .

I have Xenon headlamps and have changed sidelight bulbs each side at least twice .You get the old bulb out by pulling on the two thin black wires . Use a miiror and torch to see which way the bulb holder is orientated and then grope around till it slips in

 

Dave

[techbod]

side lights lol they are a bayonet fitting so doesn't matter which way they are connected its like a switch on and off.

 

Xenon could be different though ive never played with them.

[DaveHerns]

side lights lol they are a bayonet fitting so doesn't matter which way they are connected its like a switch on and off.

 

Xenon could be different though ive never played with them.

These are special H6 halogen bulbs with offset pegs so they only fit one way and they only go into the holder in one of 2 positions

 

John - before I try removing the bumper , how do you remove the headlamp washer covers without breaking them ?

[DaveHerns]

side lights lol they are a bayonet fitting so doesn't matter which way they are connected its like a switch on and off.

 

Xenon could be different though ive never played with them.

These are special H6 halogen bulbs with offset pegs so they only fit one way and they only go into the holder in one of 2 positions

 

John - before I try removing the bumper , how do you remove the headlamp washer covers without breaking them ?

[Johndouglas]

John - before I try removing the bumper , how do you remove the headlamp washer covers without breaking them ?

 

Sorry for the delay in replying - been away for a couple of weeks and although I had a laptop with me, I couldn't find a connection. Yes! take off the covers before removing the bumper, otherwise they break. I know!!! Switch on the headlights, have a helper pull the washer stalk and when the jet carrier springs forward, grab hold of it and hold it out. The covers are held by plastic clips.

[RedStormV]

Looks like I've finally lost my virginity :P to this forum anyway

 

I know this an old thread but it seems to be heading in the direction I need, just doesn't fill all the gaps.

 

I have an '03 C5 estate, think the model is the Exclusive? which allegedly has all the bells and whistles, electric mirrors, leather seats etc etc.

 

Typically, a week before the MOT, the drivers side (UK) dipped beam has turned up its toes!

 

Yes, it's the HiD (High intensity Discharge)) one :blink:

 

Read on here that Halfords would change it for £5 "bargain" I thought, and got the wife to ask while she was nearby one the other day. Yes we do fit them etc etc... turns out that they don't stock the HiD bulbs, but had it been a Halogen, no problem they'd have sold her a bulb and fitted it for less than £12 :(

 

I also have the what seems like a common problem of the washer reservoir deciding it's not a camel any more, proceeding to leak it's contents all over till there's maybe 1/2 a litre left in.

 

So I reckon that I'm going to have to dismantle the front of the car (inner wheel arch and maybe bumper?) to get at the offending items.

 

So,

 

A) Am I right in thinking that I need to remove the inner wheel arch and / or bumper to get to them? If so, how / where are the fixings please?

 

B) Thanks for the tip on not getting 8000K bulbs (whoever you are, can't remember your uid). Think I'll stick with 4300 or 6000K. Incidentally, would your average MOT station guy know they were 8000K and illegal?

 

C) Followed the link to the pictorial step by step on the Aussie site, seem like this refers to halogen units, not HiD. Anyone have any tips on removal of this unit or at least changing the bulb. Do I need rubber gloves, wellies and a lightning rod? I believe the ballast is like a V. large capacitor and therefore stores lots of lovely volts, like the back of an old CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TV, just ready to throw mw into the middle of next week if I touch the wrong bit :o

 

Do I need to discharge it somehow first, or will it discharge over time (hours? days?) since the last time lights were on?

 

I know not to touch the bulb with fingers etc as it drastically reduces its useful life (have an HiD dive torch, made that mistake before!)

 

Any handy hints etc will be gratefully received.

 

 

I'm off to order some 6000K's from ebay I reckon as they seem cheapest so far at £25 + P&P the pair.

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/D2R-XENON-HID-BULBS-...:1|293:1|294:50

 

If link doesn't work look for Car Mod Shop on e-bay, user is CMS_SALES

 

Anyone tell me whether they're D2S or D2R? Sir=te seems to suggest D2R

 

What's the difference? :(

 

Cheers,

 

Graeme.

[Johndouglas]

If you've got HID you'll also have lamp washers. Remove the covers first or they'll break. Get somebody to pull the washer stalk (with the headlamps switched on), and grab hold of the arm that shoots out. Carefully unclip the cover off the arm. Open the bonnet and remove 3 maybe 4 torx screws on the front grill. Undo the screws in the wheel arch where the bumper meets the wing and also the screws securing the wheel arch to the bumper. Leave the wheel arch in. Give the 3 screws underneath the bumper a 1/4 turn and pull them out. The two sides of the bumper need pulling outwards to release clips from slots. Bumper pulls forward, releasing connectors as you go.

 

Pre-facelift models use D2R bulbs.

 

Regarding removing old bulbs. Seem to recall reading on here about disconnecting the battery and leaving for some time. Maybe do a search.

 

That price of £25 is good. The local dealer told me they were £175 for tham.

[RedStormV]

Cheers

 

Yep forgot to mention I'd read the bit about the washers - but thanks anyway

 

Great tips on bumper removal though - That'll be twice in a week where my £5 set of security bits has come in mighty handy :blink:

[Johndouglas]

Before you rush into removing the bumper, as yours is a pre-facelift model, you might be able to reach the lights from under the bonnet. It seems some guys have managed it.