Changing all front-facing bulbs w/o removing bumper?

[Yella Beeza]

Hi. Just joined the forum tonight, after getting lots of helpful tips for the Ibiza 130 TDi FR. Bought a yellow one in March this year, and so far have only put 200 miles on it! This is due mainly to me working away from home - but now I'm back!

My initial impressions have been summed up already - eg windnoise from driver's mirror (though this seems to be drowned out as the speed rises), paintwork not that great (though I've managed to polish out a lot of the blemishes) - but it is quick! Can't wait to get run in.

With this engine is it possible to change all five bulbs each side (ie head x 2, side, indicator, fog) without removing the bumper? Has anyone done it? Some people seem to have more success than others. If Seat fitted decent bulbs, wouldn't have to change them at all!

So far only fitted Green panel filter, but PD 160 intake to follow ....

 

[skott101]

Hi and welcome to the site!

Yeah it is possible to change all the bulbs without removing the bumper. Drivers side is no problem but you will struggle on the passenger side because of the battery being in the way. Removing the battery is going to be quicker than taking the bumper and the 3 retaining screws off each light assembly. If you do remove the battery make sure you have any radio codes to hand!

Good luck!

 

[air121005]

welcome aboard matey!

they are quick, gets even quicker after a remap!

had mine remapped at the weekend,


edit: just realised you were actually asking a question, which i can't help with , i shall go back to thinking about how fun my remapped derv now is!

 

[Yella Beeza]

Thanks. Well I'll chase up Arnold Clark (Edinburgh). But when I got car new, no sticker with codes etc (either under boot mat or in service manual), and they forgot to take tyres out of transport mode so I drove off with 47psi in all 4 along Edinburgh bypass at 70mph! Will take the car in so they can plug it into the computer.

 

[Nath.]

welcome to the forum

 

[davels]

yes you can change all bulbs, but it's very very easy to take the bumper off if need be , welcome to the forum


i miss my FR

 

[Nathanio]

You might need some small hands to do but it is doable!

 

[Yella Beeza]

I'll get my ten year old daughter to help ....

 

[Nathanio]

I'll get my ten year old daughter to help ....

Wise idea... start them on the cars young. Thats what my dad did

 

[hon_n_gem]

lol, welcome to the forum mate...

on my FR i found it harder on drivers side, just grit your teeth and bare the pain! you will get a few scratches!

 

[deadeyejim]

I did mine about a month ago, Drivers side on the FR TDi is the hardest, especially with the sidelights. The others aren't too bad. Give yourself plenty of time and good light to work in.

I had a nightmare with mine including the spring clip for the weather cover coming off and falling down next to the SMIC. Long flexible magnet helped out there.

Passenger side is a doddle in comparison.

 

[Guinness]

Yep I changed some of my bulbs, accessing the battery is easier on the 1.2.

On another note 6months till I can get something bigger and faster WOOOOOpp (will have had a liscence 2 years and wont need to worry so much about points). What to buy what to buy

 

[muddyboots]

If you've got the relevant Torx screwdriver bits, removing the bumper is fairly easy - this means you can get the headlight units out and change all bulbs fairly easily.

My Ibiza had OE Xenons, with these, you HAVE to take the headlights out to change bulbs, which means a bumper-off job. I got quite well practised at it !

 

[Aimez]

managed to do all of my bulbs and in the tdi with so little space its a tough job!

 

[Yella Beeza]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll see what I can do without removing the bumper first. Have Torx bits so can always take bumper off if necessary.

Just need to get some bulbs first (wasn't wanting to get them if it was going to prove too difficult and not worthwhile). Sure if will be worth it though, especially later in the year (no, not thinking of winter already!).

 

[Yella Beeza]

Has anyone fitted the +80% Philips X-treme dipped bulbs (H7)?

Some people on other forums are saying they are too bright for the dipped beam and drivers are flashing their lights coming in the other direction, as they think it's the main beam. Maybe the +50% Vision Plus are bright enough.

Thanks, John.

 

[Nathanio]

That means they need to get their lights aligned as they're set to high. If you get that issue you need to get an MOT garage to align them. Very simple and cheap. It does mean that the bulbs aren't too bright but they are numb skulls and got the bulbs set in correctly

 

[Yella Beeza]

Or move the headlight leveller one notch on the dashboard so they point more downwards. Saves visiting a garage I suppose.

 

[Nathanio]

Get them aligned as otherwise your not getting the full use of the beam and the pattern it produces

 

[Yella Beeza]

Apologies for revisiting this again, slightly off topic, but query about the H3 bulbs for main beam.

These are usually fitted in the foglights of cars, and the bulb usually has a short electrical wire attached to it. Could someone tell me please if the bulbs in the Ibiza mainbeam also have this wire. I think the answer is probably 'yes'.

Don't want to buy a couple and realise I can't use them! Cheers.