light trouble

[louise ibiza re]

my passenger sidelight on my ibiza reference isnt working looked under the bonnet and the clips holding the bulbs r fine when i closed the bonnet the light came back on again anyway the headlight is loose do i tighten the 2 bolts at the top of the headlight or is there more than that 2 tighten i know the bulb is fine as it is now working 100% sorry first time havin 2 deal with this thanks louise

 

[Aimez]

The headlight can't be loose as you have to take the bumper off the remove the headlights? Sounds more like the connection wire to the bulb itself maybe was loose and when you shut the bonnet it moved but if it moves that easily then the light could be going on and off when driving!

 

[RossIBIZATDI]

Hey my drivers side light keeps going off and if I wiggle the connection it comes back on for a bit but after a few days or even hours sometimes it's off again. Anyone know of any solution to this? Tried a new bulb with no difference.

 

[beezanick]

Sounds like a dodgy connection. You might be able to cut the wires and solder a new one on, but would be very tricky due to lack of room. Could also be a loose conection else where.

 

[RUM4MO]

I've forgotten what the side light fitting is like, but, if it is possible to remove the fitting and wiggle it with the bulb in and lights on then see if it is still intermittant - don't wiggle it too much though or you will destroy the connection even if it is okay at that point. It could be something simple like a duff bulb fitting that needs the contacts eased back out a bit to maintain contact - but do this with the lights off to avoid blowing a fuse!

 

[louise ibiza re]

headlight is definately loose and its booked into to get looked at on thurs think the clip at the bottom of the headlight is broke bulb still workin when i hit it a tap just doin my head in i think my brakes need done 2 squeeking like mad at the mo

 

[Nath.]

If you have a bulb that seems dead and then lights up after a thump you have a faulty bulb. the filament is broken and the thump makes it bounce about until it makes contact and then temporarily welds itself together. This is a well known fault and there are even jokes about it.

(cop pulls guy over and says your headlight is out, guy kicks headlight and it comes on, cop says can you jump up on the bonnet and kick the windscreen and see if a valid tax disc pops up too)

Get a new bulb fitted and get some new clips fitted to the bottom of the headlight where the motor is that moves them up and down for the level setting.

 

[Aimez]

tbh I would try what Nath suggested first after all you will just end up with a handy spare set of bulbs if this fails. Plus even if it is under warranty saves the hassle and if it is just a blown bulb you will then have to pay for the privilege of having a bulb changed I'm sure you don't want that?!

 

[Nath.]

Stealers will charge you 1/2 an hour labour to replace a bulb plus an inflated price for the bulb too. I have heard of people being charged £45 for a new headlight bulb to be fitted at a dealer £20 for the bulb and £25 labour

 

[Aimez]

This is true! People seem to forget that if something is not warranty they have to pay dealer prices. I constantly have to remind customers at work that they may face a fee if it is not warranty but they don't wanna listen then shout at me when they have a dealer priced bill!

 

[RUM4MO]

If you have a bulb that seems dead and then lights up after a thump you have a faulty bulb. the filament is broken and the thump makes it bounce about until it makes contact and then temporarily welds itself together. This is a well known fault and there are even jokes about it.

Hummmmm, at work we had some very expensive odd sized type of bulbs and when I got the old "bulbs f----d" report, I removed its fitting complete with u/s bulb, power on, tap bulb while holding it "correctly" - as you said "job done" - for a few weeks!

 

[RUM4MO]

Stealers will charge you 1/2 an hour labour to replace a bulb plus an inflated price for the bulb too. I have heard of people being charged £45 for a new headlight bulb to be fitted at a dealer £20 for the bulb and £25 labour

Yes, that happened to me for being careless and submitting a car for MOT with "see-through" orange indicator bulbs (VW dealer), a work mate with a Ford Mondy only ever gets charged sweetie money for new bulbs with free fitting!

 

[louise ibiza re]

bulbs

looks reallt tight havnt got a clue how to change a bulb my brakes gettin worse squek squek squek had a look at the pads and discs r fine neighbour said 2 put copper grease on them will let u know how i get on many thanks for the info really appreciated

 

[Nath.]

Just so as you know, you don't pus the grease on the brake disc or pad friction surface, you remove the pads and put it on the backs of the pads.

 

[Aimez]

I take it you have a diesel if you see the lack of space to change a bulb! It is a pain but us girlies have it a bit easier not having shovel hands! You can do it, pull back the metal clip holding the cover on carfully make sure you don't drop it down in the engine bay like I did, I used pliers to push the metal clip back on when I replaced the cover as it's too difficult to do. You may want a garage to grease the pads if you do not want to remove them, think you need a tool for the caliper anyways.

 

[louise ibiza re]

update

got the light fixed the dealer took the front bumper off and had 2 put a new screw under the headlight bulb fixed 2 took back calipers off and cleaned inside them brakes far better they said that i needed 2 reconect back wiper hose as it is just squirting a wee bit of water will get this done near mot time in oct the info was great many thanks louise