Does anyone know a mechanically-minded midget contortionist?

Because I need to change the front dipped-beam headlight bulb in Helen's
Citroen C3. I can just about get my hand behind the bulb holder, as long
as I can put up with the battery-cover release lever stabbing the back of
it. Removing the offending dud bulb and replacing it is another thing
altogether. Apparently it can eventually be done - given enough time and
determination. Other victims say that a mirror onna stick is a definite
advantage.

In my view any design, cage or bike, that makes it damned near impossible
for the average owner to change a headlight bulb is grounds for castration
of the offending designer.

 

My Citroen van is a right bastard when it comes to changing headlight
bulbs. The nearside one is ok if you use a mirror and a torch to see
what you're doing but the offside one is a case of working blind
because you can't even get a mirror and torch in there to see what
you're doing.

It'll be going to the garage next time it needs one.

 

Say no more - it's French. You're probably meant to remove the engine
& gearbox first. Shame really as used C5s are amazing value, but the
electrics are worse than Lucas or the Italians ever were, & the few
jobs I did on the ex's Kangoo were enough to put me off French cars
for life.

 

When I first saw K's Vecra, I was impressed at how roomy the engine
bay was and how asy everything seemed to be to get at, though I never
had to do anything except check the oil.

Then an indicator blew. Then a headlight blew. **** nose how you get
at the bulbs.

 

Its not one of those like the Picasso where you are supposed to take
the bloody bumper off / remove the wheel and whistle Handle's Water
Music just to replace the bulb is it?

As you say a suitable punishment needs to be found

Boxerboy

 

TMack spoke:

Similar on the Alfa 156 - I was reccomended to just wait for the next
service and let the garage worry about it, however it turned out to be not
*that* difficult, once you figured it out (and grew some extra-long triple
jointed fingers)

My old Jeep Cherokee OTOH, required partial dismangling of the entire front
wing from the outside to get at any of the bulbs. First time I did it it
was a 2 hours job, in the snow!

--
Rob_P
UKRM(at)indqualtec.co.uk
uppercase(d) BBIWYMC#1 BOG#11? MRO#31 IBCDBBB#1(kotl)
FJ1200, CCM130 Benelli Cabriolet (gone)
Looks like Rab C Nesbit.

 

On our BMW Barge-O-Matic, to replace the front indicator
bulbs you have to take the indicator out. To take the
indicator out, you have to take the headlight out. To
take the headlight out, you have to remove about 3 acres
of plastic sheeting first. Only then do you realise that
they're some special design bulbs that only BMW stock,
and you have to put everything back together to drive
to the dealer to get them.

DAMHIK,IJD,OK?

 

heh. The Kangoo uses the same engine as the Clio, but the Clio has a
smaller engine bay.

The auxiliary drive belt tensioner is an absolute swine to get to, you
need hands the size of a childs to get in there.

Where's Oskar Schindler when you need him ..

Paul.

 

Our neighbour has one and the electrical system has driven him (and
several garages) nuts.

 

On the late unlamented Primera, the right-hand bulb was a bastard
because the windscreen washer filler got in the way until I realised
that some unsung hero at Nissan had made it detachable via a snap-lock,
precisely so you could gain access to the bulbs.

 

If it was a 2001 or earlier, you were doing something very, very
wrong.

 

Volvo - open bonnet, pull locking pin, remove headlight assembly, change
bulb,
replace headlight assembly, insert pin, close bonnet.
It takes about as long as it did to read this.
Just one of the benefits of getting old.

 

The ones on my octavia are a right bastard. To do the bulbs you have take
out the whole headlight and that takes almost a minute to achieve.

Thinking back I think the phrase I was looking for was a well thought out
solution, not a right bastard.

 

Krusty spoke:

It was 199-something. This included removing the bull-bars before getting at
the headlight.

There was absolutely no way to get at the bulbs from under the bonnet.

--
Rob_P
UKRM(at)indqualtec.co.uk
uppercase(d) BBIWYMC#1 BOG#11? MRO#31 IBCDBBB#1(kotl)
FJ1200, CCM130 Benelli Cabriolet (gone)
Looks like Rab C Nesbit.

 

Ah, that's a bit different then - aftermarket accessory init. Still
don't see where the front wing comes into though, you just have to
remove the corner reflector & its plastic surround.

Indeed, but it doesn't take more than a few minutes to pop the lights
out the front (if there isn't a bull-bar in the way).

 

(Krusty) said


Say no more - it's French. You're probably meant to remove the engine &
gearbox first. Shame really as used C5s are amazing value, but the
electrics are worse than Lucas or the Italians ever were, & the few jobs
I did on the ex's Kangoo were enough to put me off French cars for life.

Not just French cars
Nissan just as bad--I bruse easy so
i gave up and got some1 else to
put it in

 

Wotcha.

VW { work's }Caddy van.
Warning light on dashboard tells me I have a brake light bulb gone.
Phone work to tell 'em I'll change the bulb and bung the receipt in with my
timesheets.
The gaffer tells me to take it to the garage because you need the special VW
tool in order to take the rear light lens out . . . . he was bloody right
too. Seems a waste of time carrying one of those bulb kits that you seem to
need when travelling in foreign parts - do you have to carry a VW trained
mechanic as well ?

 

Remember who you're replying to.

 

How are you getting on? Able to walk properly yet?

 

Back in my panel-beating days I can remember cars where it was easier
to slacken-off the headlight bolts, move the whole assembly just to
change the bulbs and progress seems to make that more common...

I think part of the problem is that manufacturers figure that the
components are more reliable, so bulbs shouldnt need changing so
often... But now I work with children and animals, so what do I
know...