Front sidelight replacement mk4 golf

[Big G]

I can not believe that in order to replace this tiny bulb you have to remove the front bumper!

Even with the bumper off and the headlight on your lap it's not straight forward to remove the holder.

The silver lining? bumper is off in 10 mins max. and I fixed the wobbly headlight on the mrs's car. 1 of the pivot points for the adjustable headlight level had popped out.

[MRD]

My corsa is the same. Had to take the bumper off the swap the sidelight last week. I replaced all the bulbs while the lights were out as I don't want to be doing that again. I also used daytime running sidelight bulbs which last longer.



Who OK's these designs .

[Big G]

exactly!

it's like the mk2/3 golf's you had to support the engine if you removed the subframe, but the mk4 golf you don't as the engine mounts are on the chassis rails. Good move VW!

things like this just can't be explained. If they had just used a different type of plug inside the headlight you could easily do it with the headlight still on the car.

[bodgit]

Thats not too bad. To change the bulbs on my wifes micra a few years back I had to remove and replace the two front wings,bonnet, radiator, front grill and bumper.















After she broke them hitting the rear of a stationary ford transit van while changing the channel on her radio.

[Chrislong]

I don't get it, my Mondeo and Focus were hard, there was a door to the rear of the lamp and it looked straight forward enough except for the door not openable due to 12v being located there... I gave up, as I was just considering upgrading bulbs.

The Mini is a doddle, the whole lamp unit is in the bonnet and comes up when I pop the bonnet. The BMW R50 Mini is a doddle to work on, Im always messing with it cos I can.

[daz]

Originally Posted by Chrislong

I don't get it, my Mondeo and Focus were hard, there was a door to the rear of the lamp and it looked straight forward enough except for the door not openable due to 12v being located there... I gave up, as I was just considering upgrading bulbs.

The Mini is a doddle, the whole lamp unit is in the bonnet and comes up when I pop the bonnet. The BMW R50 Mini is a doddle to work on, Im always messing with it cos I can.

Mondeos must be the easiest lights to work on, pull the 2 pegs out of the top then the light will come out, simples....

[SlowOne]

Ditto Volvo - one peg to pull out, give the light unit a small shove and it's all there to work on.

[daz]

Originally Posted by SlowOne

Ditto Volvo - one peg to pull out, give the light unit a small shove and it's all there to work on.

Yeah your right, the XC90's. Thing is i worked in the motor trade for nearly 20 years and i never had a problem changing a sidelight bulb, some could be a pain but never had to remove a bumper to fit one.

[Chrislong]

Originally Posted by daz

Mondeos must be the easiest lights to work on, pull the 2 pegs out of the top then the light will come out, simples....

Probably, I asked Graham Hunter 1st, he put me off the idea...

[savage stevo]

Wow removing a bumper on a golf and a corsa c to change a bulb.
I work in the motor trade and change bulbs daily, on these sort of cars and have never yet had to remove a golf or corsa bumper to do a bulb!

You guys have far too much time on your hands

[MRD]

Originally Posted by savage stevo

Wow removing a bumper on a golf and a corsa c to change a bulb.
I work in the motor trade and change bulbs daily, on these sort of cars and have never yet had to remove a golf or corsa bumper to do a bulb!

You guys have far too much time on your hands

How do you do it then?

The side lights are located pretty much in the wing. I looked it up on the owner websites and the answer is always the same, unless you have tiny hands and are willing to risk breaking the holder pulling them out then take the bumper off

[ben]

Changed the side lights on my corsa c, im sure all you do is take the cover off the back then twist the sidelight holder and it pulls out?
Definatley dont need the bumper off!

[teambowen]

I changed all my bulbs on my Mk4 golf for zexon bulbs 2 weeks ago, (the legal one of course) and you don't need to remove the bumper.
Drivers side, easy.
Remove backlight cover and also move the water pipe behind the spotlight location to gain easier access.


Passenger side. remove battery cover and also the air intake vents to the left of the battery cover and get your hand in there.
H7 dip bulb is a bit tight on the passenger side, the H1 spot is even easier.

simples

[Big G]

there isn't a water pipe on mine and em's golfs... there's a boost pipe which is a pig to remove?

all the other bulbs are easy to do through the holes, but the side lights were a nightmare.

anyway. all back together now and working fine.

[gazhillAE]

Originally Posted by Big G

I can not believe that in order to replace this tiny bulb you have to remove the front bumper!

Even with the bumper off and the headlight on your lap it's not straight forward to remove the holder.

The silver lining? bumper is off in 10 mins max. and I fixed the wobbly headlight on the mrs's car. 1 of the pivot points for the adjustable headlight level had popped out.

A vw dealer did my old v6 4 motion and v5 in a few mins

[Big G]

maybe it was because there was that boost pipe going right behind it I dunno or they have some secret skills.

most MK4 forums also say bumper off unless you have very small hands

[daz]

Originally Posted by MRD

My corsa is the same. Had to take the bumper off the swap the sidelight last week. I replaced all the bulbs while the lights were out as I don't want to be doing that again. I also used daytime running sidelight bulbs which last longer.



Who OK's these designs .

How did you paint your tyres? Was is by tipping the car up on its side and resting it on the wood you are using to change your bulbs

[MRD]

Originally Posted by daz

How did you paint your tyres? Was is by tipping the car up on its side and resting it on the wood you are using to change your bulbs

Naa, I use midgets and tipex

[daz]

Originally Posted by MRD

Naa, I use midgets and tipex

You should of used the midgets to fit your bulbs, would of saved you stripping half of the front end down.

[Col]

Just to stick up for Pukey for a minute...

The "recomended" way to do the lights on mine and Daz's astra is to remove the bumper...
Untill vauxhall realised that all their dealers were losing a fortune taking hours to fit bulbs for free, then they cut a slot in the inner arch to allow access