Changing headlight bulbs, quick question...

[MarkW19]

Just about to install Philips Vision Plus for both high and low beams, and bluevision for the sidelights.

1. Has anyone worn glasses/gloves as the MINI handbook says, because of the pressurised bulbs.

2. Do I need to disconnect the battery or anything?

Regards,

Mark

[ALD0]

Yes wear gloves as the acids etc off your hand minimise life of the bulbs if you touch the glass bit, I have never disconnected the battery to change a bulb-I think you only have to do that with xenons-and in that case its should be carried out professionally!!!!!!!!

[MarkW19]

could be a bit fiddly with gloves - holding with a cloth ok?

Any tips for changing the bulbs (both headlights and sidelights)? Never done this sort of thing before!

Thanks for the help :-)

[NEMINI]

disposable latex gloves work well (like doctors or mechanics use)

[RustyPaint]

if it is just a cartrage (a plastic thing with a bulb on it), you can just handle the plastic part and don't tuch the bulb. Since hologen bulbs heat up so fast, the temp. differation from the oils on your hands cooling the bulb causes them to shatter. The disconecting the battery part is not a bad idea. Its more for your safty than anything else since those bulbs can give you some nasty burns while in operation.

[FREEZE BOX]

check out the forums FAQ section..I followed it to the letter and everything went according to plan. I love it when a plan comes together

[morrisminiminor]

Changed the main beams on MINI and dips on another car without any difficulty.
Shouldn't need gloves or glasses. Gloves make it more fiddly/tricky. Could try those used to protect hands when filling car with diesel available at petrol stations. They aren't bulky. I needed glasses cos I couldn't see without them.
There is a rubber cover used to keep the moisture out each lamp. It is a push fit - remove first.
Pay particular attention to how the clip secures the bulb in so you can replace it easily. Try unclipping and clipping so you see how it is fixed in position.
The bulb only fits in one way so check how it is removed and you can offer the new bulb in the same position. Remember which way round the electrical feeds are positioned as you have to pull them off - one terminal - before you can remove the old bulb. They are not the same on both sides. The hardest bit is getting in a comfortable position to start as you are working with your hands up in the air with your body in a twisted position as the headlamp unit is in the raised bonnet.
Don't touch the glass anywhere on the bulb. Getting the new bulb out the box can be tricky. Only hold by the terminal base. Keep hold of the bulb till it is secured. It could drop out and smash otherwise. You may also want to check that the new bulb is working before re-fitting the waterproof cover.
Finally don't always believe what the manual tells you. The bulbs are identified on the base. What my manual advised on my other car to what was fitted in the car were two different types of bulb.

morrisminiminor

[jasonfields007]

I changed my high-beam bulbs to the phillips blue thing to attempt to match my xenons... not quite the same but better than the standards.

j

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by jasonfields007

I changed my high-beam bulbs to the phillips blue thing to attempt to match my xenons... not quite the same but better than the standards.

j

I'd be quite interested in a piccy of that if you have one!

Mark do you find yer lights to be any better now??

[MarkW19]

Redun: am doing it tomorrow morning, in the daylight. Wanted to see what everyone had to say first.

Thanks loads for the help guys!

[jasonfields007]

Quote: Originally Posted by RedUn

I'd be quite interested in a piccy of that if you have one!

Mark do you find yer lights to be any better now??

will do as soon as my lights de-frost

j

[MarkW19]

Quote: Originally Posted by morrisminiminor

Remember which way round the electrical feeds are positioned as you have to pull them off - one terminal - before you can remove the old bulb.

Great help mate, but stuck on this bit. The wires are connected into a black plastic part, which is in turn connected to the bulb holder. So, surely I just need to remove the bulb holder from the black plastic part and not mess around with any wires?

And, the retaining clip goes all the way round the bulb holder. I assume I need to take the whole clip off - how exactly do I do this without bending the clip?!?

Please help guys

[PMM]

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19

Great help mate, but stuck on this bit. The wires are connected into a black plastic part, which is in turn connected to the bulb holder. So, surely I just need to remove the bulb holder from the black plastic part and not mess around with any wires?

Yes the black plastic part with the wires just pulls of the back of the bulbs. It should pull off the back of the bulb quite easily.

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19

And, the retaining clip goes all the way round the bulb holder. I assume I need to take the whole clip off - how exactly do I do this without bending the clip?!?

The retaining clip is a spring that goes in a U shape and at the top is clipped under part of the retaining bracket. You need to push it down and to one side, and then it will allow the bulb to come out. The clip will stay attached at one end. To be honest, this is the hardest part of the job, and you will probably be swearing a bit on the first bulb, but by the 4th it will be easy.

[MarkW19]

Thanks a lot mate, just the help I was needing. Too late now, will do it in the morning :-)

[Bear]

Quote: Originally Posted by PMM

To be honest, this is the hardest part of the job, and you will probably be swearing a bit on the first bulb, but by the 4th it will be easy.

Truer words haver never been spoken. And yes, 4 is the magic number...

Bear