MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: berg on January 14, 2013, 12:57:15 pm

Title: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: berg on January 14, 2013, 12:57:15 pm
it was very easy in the halogen lamps, but how the hell do you get to the sidelight/indicator bulbs in the xenon headlamp assembly  :confused:

cheers
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: graeme on January 14, 2013, 01:04:17 pm
 :laugh: takes a while.
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: Banham on January 14, 2013, 01:09:32 pm
I nearly lost a finger and mine aren't that big
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: berg on January 14, 2013, 01:49:13 pm
mmm, so is a PITA looks like these LED bulbs might be going in the number plate at rear instead then
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: marko on January 14, 2013, 02:02:06 pm
nearly quicker to remove headlamps to change the parking lights to led
 :happy2:
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: berg on January 14, 2013, 02:49:30 pm
nearly quicker to remove headlamps to change the parking lights to led
 :happy2:


so basically it is nearly as quick to remove the bumper and take the headlights out than trying to lose a finger and fiddle with the bumper on??  :confused:
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: marko on January 14, 2013, 02:52:36 pm
in my experience...yes
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: itismebigd on January 14, 2013, 03:42:02 pm
bumper off its by far the quickest way,plus it allows you to properly make sure the bulb is seated correctly :happy2: :happy2:

Dougie
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: Matto on January 14, 2013, 04:44:47 pm
I took this photo a while ago to help someone else out so you can get an idea what it looks like inside. The orange holder to the right is for the sidelight and it pulls straight out. No quarter twist necessary.

Saying that I did do mine before the new headlights went in  :P

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/66245_10151142195904858_323388413_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: Luka on January 14, 2013, 06:30:34 pm
I tried to do mine in situ, ended up pulling the bulb out of the holder and it dropped in the headlight.  :scared:
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: Jonny on January 14, 2013, 06:32:12 pm
I'm so glad I put LED's in when I put my new lights in months back! What a pain in the arse it'll be to change em!
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: ttdan on January 14, 2013, 08:40:37 pm
It's really easy, once you locate the orange/brown bulb holder you can see it has some small ridges on the side. Get a small long ish flat screwdriver, place the end of it in the ridge and just use it as a lever against the housing. Once I had Sussed this out it took 30 seconds a side.
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: skard on January 14, 2013, 08:46:16 pm
Bumper off??!

Persist the first time and it takes seconds next time round, honestly.
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: JJW on October 19, 2014, 02:54:44 pm
Just changed mine - the on the driver's side just pulled out without any effort (had probably been changed before).  The passenger's side was a different story though - it was stuck solid. 
Tried long pliers as suggested in another post - they kept slipping off and it was impossible - ended up with just standard size pliers, got a good grip on the housing, gave it a little twist & it came straight out - had to guide the pliers in carefully, but standard size pliers are definitely the way to go.
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: akbarirfan on October 19, 2014, 08:18:24 pm
Which LEDs are you guys using in the side lights?

These look good to me but not sure if they will fit:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360953916962?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Thanks
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: lukemk5gti on October 20, 2014, 08:27:55 am
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.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fn211%2Flukeoconnor2014%2FIMG_1429_zps3579dddf.jpg&hash=0d90f92d60b7874d1e06ba352615ff4e82823352)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fn211%2Flukeoconnor2014%2FIMG_1428_zpsc673da0f.jpg&hash=4f3dcba931bb445bca44ea84c0e59d158ec9a007)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fn211%2Flukeoconnor2014%2FIMG_1431_zps857f3ab4.jpg&hash=139ce5b65c84aa20cd236a8a3a02903f1a039da1)
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: H18Golf on October 20, 2014, 12:04:20 pm
Need to do this on mine.  Anyone got any links to any decent bright white sidelight bulbs that they have fitted and look good with the xenons?

Thanks
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: numec on October 20, 2014, 01:40:39 pm
i thought VW dealers fit them for free if you buy the bulbs from them?

http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/service-promise
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: Shoduchi on October 20, 2014, 02:08:07 pm
Need to do this on mine.  Anyone got any links to any decent bright white sidelight bulbs that they have fitted and look good with the xenons?

Thanks
I'm waiting for a pair that I ordered from www.bold-sport.com.

I hope I can change them with some pliers...
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: Yorkie92 on October 30, 2014, 07:33:55 pm
I just did both of them in about 2mins after reading this. I did it in the dark without removing anything. On the drivers side I just moved the charcoal cannister which gives you loads of room then just felt my way on the passanger side lol as I have a Twintake in the way  :fighting: but planted my phone down there so I could see a little  :happy2:
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: jaye2992 on December 13, 2014, 01:59:54 pm
Anybody know how to change the indicator bulbs and what bulbs they are? Pulled one out and it fell into the headlight  :fighting: not sure how it seats back in or what bulb. Very annoying! Also is there a bumper removal guide.....haha
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: Shoduchi on December 13, 2014, 03:48:58 pm
Just google "mk5 bumper removal" and you'll get many great DIY.

What indicator bulbs have yours fitted?

Mine are like this:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fc1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com%2F353317_x600.jpg&hash=41e325507a6dbd2b298685556acb787642947925)

They're easier to remove than my sidelights were when I replaced them for LED lights.
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: jaye2992 on December 13, 2014, 03:59:02 pm
Yea most likely them....i found them easy to get out, was just the bulb didnt come out with it haha. Do they just push back in or twist? Found a bumper guide yea so will do that next week.

Also do the headlight washers get in the way when taking off the bumber?
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: Shoduchi on December 13, 2014, 04:43:50 pm
They twist a bit, not like the sidelights that just need a good pull.

The headlight washers will have the water tubes connected, but nothing that will get too much in the way. I think you can place the removed bumper in the front of the car and then remove the headlight.
Title: Re: Changing sidelight bulbs in Xenon headlights...
Post by: jaye2992 on December 14, 2014, 02:10:51 pm
Thanks its good to know just to try get it working till the weekend haha. May as well swap both while i'm there! Cheers  :happy2: