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Author Topic: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???  (Read 2723 times)

Offline Juswoo98

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Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« on: October 06, 2014, 09:30:18 pm »
I'm looking to change my side lights and my number plate lights to some high quality LED ones. I was told by halfords that the car will throw up an error as it won't recognise these bulbs. Has anyone else found this and if not, what bulbs should I go for?

Offline Andy

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Re: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2014, 09:40:16 pm »
If you put the wrong bulbs  it will..Got led bulbs in my number plate lights and also had side light bulbs with no problems

Offline Andy

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Re: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2014, 09:42:44 pm »
Here is the link for the number plate bulbs
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm?itemId=161374875659

Offline mrxbox360

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Re: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2014, 09:46:46 pm »
Here is the link for the number plate bulbs
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm?itemId=161374875659

Ive just put a set of these in mine & they work perfect without errors see :

Offline GTi-Andy

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Re: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2014, 09:49:51 pm »
Slightly off topic. How on earth do you change the side lights? Think you need the hands of a 14 year old to get in there! Seriously how do they come out? Twist? Pull?


So much for keeping it standard!

Offline Juswoo98

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Re: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2014, 09:55:55 pm »
Thanks mrxbox360. Just purchased some of these number plate bulbs. Do you know which side lights will work without errors? I've also read that it's pretty difficult to remove these, but the general idea is that you pull hard and hope you don't destroy your knuckles.

Offline mrxbox360

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Re: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2014, 10:18:17 pm »
Thanks mrxbox360. Just purchased some of these number plate bulbs. Do you know which side lights will work without errors? I've also read that it's pretty difficult to remove these, but the general idea is that you pull hard and hope you don't destroy your knuckles.

sorry m8 i don't know as I'm running these in mine
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-Osram-Original-Side-Light-Bulbs-Front-Parking-Beam-Lamps-Genuine-Replacement-/141427503341?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AGolf%7CPlat_Gen%3AMK+V&hash=item20edbc70ed

Offline Andy

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Offline adminkatana

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Re: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« Reply #8 on: October 07, 2014, 11:03:01 am »
Here is the link for the number plate bulbs
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm?itemId=161374875659

I bought these ones last year, but they threw an error up and turned off. They look similar to the ones in the link you posted, is it just the fact there's 6 LED's as opposed to 3? (too many??)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2X-36mm-6-SMD-C5W-239-CANBUS-LED-White-Dome-Festoon-License-Plate-Light-Bulbs-/390603351425?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160

Offline njdudsbury

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Re: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« Reply #9 on: October 07, 2014, 12:19:21 pm »
Slightly off topic. How on earth do you change the side lights? Think you need the hands of a 14 year old to get in there! Seriously how do they come out? Twist? Pull?
If you use a little pair of long nose pliers it makes the job easier, battery side is worse if I remember. tip... put a little vaseline on the fitting when you stick it back in.

Offline GTi-Andy

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Re: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« Reply #10 on: October 07, 2014, 12:21:23 pm »
Slightly off topic. How on earth do you change the side lights? Think you need the hands of a 14 year old to get in there! Seriously how do they come out? Twist? Pull?
If you use a little pair of long nose pliers it makes the job easier, battery side is worse if I remember. tip... put a little vaseline on the fitting when you stick it back in.

thanks for the tip, so do they just pull out then??

Obviously im not pulling hard enough (ooer mrs) and they twist too, which I why I thought they twisted out


So much for keeping it standard!

Offline lukemk5gti

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Re: Side light replacement - have been told not to do???
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2014, 03:05:09 pm »
Slightly off topic. How on earth do you change the side lights? Think you need the hands of a 14 year old to get in there! Seriously how do they come out? Twist? Pull?
If you use a little pair of long nose pliers it makes the job easier, battery side is worse if I remember. tip... put a little vaseline on the fitting when you stick it back in.

thanks for the tip, so do they just pull out then??

Obviously im not pulling hard enough (ooer mrs) and they twist too, which I why I thought they twisted out

The other reviews on the forum suggest removing the headlight to this work but it really is not necessary. I used my phone to take a picture of the light so I knew what I was looking for. I then used a needle nosed pliers with a 45° angle to grip the light housing. From the picture shown the sidelights have 2 cables coming off and the housing is an orangey-brown. Grip the housing NOT THE CABLE firmly with the pliers and pull directly out. Grip the original bulb firmly with your fingers and just pull out from the holder. Make sure you give the new bulb a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth before you plug it back in.

Tip: To make sure you’re getting the right light, turn on the sidelights to get an idea of where it is located but be sure to turn them back off before removing,

The driver side is a little more tricky because there’s a few things in the way. You can still get at it with pliers but you’re doing it blind so use your phones internal camera to see what you’re gripping or alternatively remove the front grill, loosen the headlight and pull out at a slight angle to get a better view. You don’t need to take the bumper off because you’re only tilting the headlight to one side.