Side Light Bulb Replacement

[Guest Dave B]

Evening guys,

what are the correct side light bulbs for a c5 got to change headlight so I thought I might as well put in new sidelight as well

 

thanks

dave

[coastline taxis]

Capless sidelight bulbs

[seefive]

Capless sidelight bulbs

 

or bayonet on a Mk 2

Piece of advice - only buy bulbs from Citroen main dealer. They are no dearer then aftermarket bulbs, but will last a lot longer..

[Guest Dave B]

or bayonet on a Mk 2

Piece of advice - only buy bulbs from Citroen main dealer. They are no dearer then aftermarket bulbs, but will last a lot longer..

thanks for that

[DaveHerns]

On a Mk2 they're 6watt halogen bulbs - 434 is the number I think

They don't last long ,I'm thinking of trying LED bulbs

[seefive]

On a Mk2 they're 6watt halogen bulbs - 434 is the number I think

They don't last long ,I'm thinking of trying LED bulbs

 

 

My Mk 2 C5 was over 2 years old when the first (Original Equipment) sidelight bulb failed. Afternarket bulbs last between 2 weeks and 2 months,with the norm being about one month.

I've switched to using bulbs from the main dealer (Lucas) a month and a half ago, replacing both, and so far so good.

[Johndouglas]

On a Mk2 they're 6watt halogen bulbs - 434 is the number I think

They don't last long ,I'm thinking of trying LED bulbs

 

Dave is right. Mk 2 C5's have bayonet bulbs with offset pins. The number is 433C. Since getting my C5 I've had to change sidelight bulbs three times, the first one blowing after only nine months. I know some owners have fingers sufficiently agile to replace bulbs under the bonnet, but I find it necessary to remove the bumper each time. At the last change I fitted LED replacements. Maybe not quite as bright as halogen but they are rarely on without the headlights. Here they are - on their own/with headlights:-

 

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i53/Johndug/P1000045.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i53/Johndug/P1000046.jpg

[Guest yeomills]

Original side light bulbs lasted 3 years then nearside failed. Fitted replacement purchased from Citroen dealer this failed after 3 months. Fitted one from Halfords this lasted 2 months. Fitted two led's though offside had not failed both leds failed after 2 months. Now leaving until MOT and will fit replacements the day before. Side lights never on on there own as auto lights selected.

Barry

[seefive]

I know some owners have fingers sufficiently agile to replace bulbs under the bonnet, but I find it necessary to remove the bumper each time.

 

Hi John

 

My fingers are about as agile as pork sausages, but I still manage to replace the bulbs myself, rather than pay through the nose for a dealer replacement. I wouldn't attempt the bumper off, light units out approach. Beyond my confidence /competence level.

 

Haynes have it wrong - you don't twist anything to get the bulb holders out - just pull on the wiring, near the surface of the lens unit, and they come out easy. Putting them back involves groping around and pushing the bulb holder while watching the diffuser - when it lights up you're aligned , then it just pushes in. Best done in darkness.

 

A little bit of swearing helps it go in. Can take a minute or two to get the alignment.

Probably worth wiping the bulb with a clean cloth after putting it in the holder

 

Looks like there's no reliable solution to the problem of frequent bulb failure, so its worth acquiring the knack..

[DaveHerns]

John , those LED's look bright enough .Maybe how long they last depends on how much you pay ?

Where did you get yours ?

[Johndouglas]

I used these. They've been in for more than a year now:-

 

http://www.phoenixautobulbs.co.uk/pr/ign-super-bright-433c-led/

[Old Mosher]

I couldn't do it till I took the HID cover off as well. One finger up to the lamp through the HID access hole one through the side light hole. on the tip of each wing of the lamp holder is a little plastic spring that when pressed in releases a barb that holds the lamp holder in.  I'm thinking of removing the barbs and pushing on a bit of latex tube or something that will be trapped by the cover and hold the lamp in. It's a naff fit anyway and the rattling around from this could be the reason for the short bulb life. I've ordered led's from eBay. then I can enjoy putting the buggers back in. Not!

[Old Mosher]

The LED's arrived so I tried the silicon tube idea, but it didn't fit. Needs around 10mm id but all I have is 6mm couldn't get it over the end. Messing around with the lamp holders I found another method of removing them. Loop a bit of string or a wire hook around the wires and gently pull while pushing the clips in one at a time with the tip of one pinky, easy!....well, relatively. http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x251/Paulus-The-Woodgnome/20151127_161425_zpstr1gfwdy.jpg

Edited November 27, 2015 by Old Mosher

[MikeLane]

I seem to remember that one shouldn't touch Halogen lamps with bare fingers as the crystal (glass) deteriorates very quickly if contaminated.

[MikeLane]

"Putting them back involves groping around and pushing the bulb holder while watching the diffuser - when it lights up you're aligned , then it just pushes in. Best done in darkness."

I missed this from Seefive but found, with the side lamps ON it's much easier to "find the hole" than just groping.

[paul.h]

Just changed the left front side light bulb on our 2007 C5, it was not difficult and did not need the bumper removing. It is the halogen H6W (434) bulb and is a bayonet fit in the holder. First had to remove the battery cover and fusebox cover and then the battery following the disconnection procedure in the Common Problems topic - bonnet open, key out of the car and wait a few minutes for the bsi to shut down, unclipped the negative cable and then removed the positive one. Then pulled off the rubber cap from the back of the light unit and used a mirror to look inside at the bulb holder. It has 2 clips down its sides that need to be squeezed as the holder is pulled out and then the bulb can be removed. The holder fits in one way since it has different width locating lugs down its sides that fit in to slots in the light unit, it is not the clips that go in the slots. As previously noted, the glass on the new bulb was not touched but was held in a tissue since it is said that sweat can reduce the life of halogen bulbs. The battery connection procedure was followed - connect positive cable, then negative and then wait a few minutes, then insert ignition key and turn so dash lights up and wait a minute for the bsi to start up and then start the engine and reset the date/time, take the windows down and up to reset the anti pinch.