Guest dabtoe Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 To replace the bulbs on my 2003 C5 do I have to remove the battery first? It looks like the side light bulb it difficult to change, any information regarding removal of the side light would be most welcome. Quote
Johndouglas Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 It looks like the side light bulb it difficult to change, any information regarding removal of the side light would be most welcome. No need to disconnect the battery if you're removing the bumper. You're right - sidelight bulbs are troublesome to change. Some say it can be done under the bonnet, in which case remove battery for access - others say remove the bumper and undo the screws holding the headlights. I always have to take the bumper off. Going on the frequency that the bulbs blow, it's worth considering LED's Quote
Guest penwith24 Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 To replace the bulbs on my 2003 C5 do I have to remove the battery first? It looks like the side light bulb it difficult to change, any information regarding removal of the side light would be most welcome.Hi yes you do have to take the battery out to replace all bulbs on the N/S as for the O/S you have to use a mirror preferably a small one on the end of a telescopic something are other i dread haveing to do it all the best m8.Penwith24 Quote
seefive Posted February 2, 2011 Posted February 2, 2011 To replace the bulbs on my 2003 C5 do I have to remove the battery first? It looks like the side light bulb it difficult to change, any information regarding removal of the side light would be most welcome. You have a Mk1 C5 and they are a lot easier than the mk2's (the bulbs are deeper inside the lens unit on the Mk2's) I have replaced sidelight bulbs on my old Mk1 and my current Mk2,both sides, and have not resorted to dismantling the front of the car or removing the battery.I am not a nimble fingered contortionist, nor am I especially patient.I'm certainly no mechanic! It takes a couple of minutes per side -trust me. It really isn't that big a deal. Quote
milpol1 Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 You have a Mk1 C5 and they are a lot easier than the mk2's (the bulbs are deeper inside the lens unit on the Mk2's) I have replaced sidelight bulbs on my old Mk1 and my current Mk2,both sides, and have not resorted to dismantling the front of the car or removing the battery.I am not a nimble fingered contortionist, nor am I especially patient.I'm certainly no mechanic! It takes a couple of minutes per side -trust me. It really isn't that big a deal. Dont say that to the local Halfords in Plymouth, they spent 3/4 of an hour and in the end gave up and said they couldnt change one of the headlight bulbs, although they managed to change one and the retaining clip is now unable to be pulled out from the unit as it has slipped down, ;looks like a main dealer jobby, unless anybody else has any other way of doing it. Quote
seefive Posted March 17, 2011 Posted March 17, 2011 Dont say that to the local Halfords in Plymouth, they spent 3/4 of an hour and in the end gave up and said they couldnt change one of the headlight bulbs, although they managed to change one and the retaining clip is now unable to be pulled out from the unit as it has slipped down, ;looks like a main dealer jobby, unless anybody else has any other way of doing it. Ahh - This thread is about sidelights, not headlampsI wouldn't attempt headlamps on my current C5 - it has 26,000v xenons!On my old Mk1,(halogen) Halfords did one OK for me. Took about 15 minutes. Other than that,it's a bumper off job. Probably best left to main dealer, depending how confident/masochistic you are! Quote
Guest Boon Posted March 18, 2011 Posted March 18, 2011 Buy yourself a torxscrew tool, and a socket set, the bumper will be off in 10 mins flat ( remember to unplug the spotlights ). My advice is to also line up the screws / bolts you take out so you know how many went in and where they went, also un screw the screws inside each wheel arch - and simply pull it out of place Unscrew the headlights and disconnect it from the electrical supply and you have access to the bulbs easyYou also have the opportunity to give the bumper a clean from behind - and to clean the inside of the wheel arches / driptrays etc - and take away that sense of pride the you have done it yourself Quote
DaveHerns Posted March 20, 2011 Posted March 20, 2011 Easier to just unbolt one side of the bumper and some of the bolts across the front Just pull one side of the bumper forwards and prop it up on something - it's a big old piece to refit single handed otherwise And don't forget to remove the headlamp washer covers first Quote
Guest OzC5 Posted March 22, 2011 Posted March 22, 2011 Hi - I agree with Dave Herns but would add that replacing the sidelights with LED's is an answer for longer life. Look a little weird though....Dropping the bumper as described takes all of 10 mins and is easiest way to avoid insanity. Quote
Johndouglas Posted March 22, 2011 Posted March 22, 2011 Look a little weird though.... How come? These are LEDs http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i53/Johndug/P1000045.jpg Quote
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