Replacing a brake light....

[keefy]

.....any tips?

I tried to do this earlier on, as we noticed the other day that one had failed.

I undid the two screws that are visible when u open the boot lid, and then tried to pull the light assembly out but it wouldn't budge. I was pulling it hard enough to cause some creaking etc. so called it a day in case I snapped something.

I found a thing online saying to undo the screws, then stand alongside the car facing towards the rear and strike/push the light unit to release it from the spring clips. Anyone tried this? Does it work?

Any tips appreciated as I don't really want to take it to a garage just to change a bulb!

Thanks in advance.......

 

[DEAN0]

Did this two weeks ago - couldn't belive how much I needed to pull to get the light unit out.

The creaking is the spring clips that hold the unit in.

 

[GlanzaV]

Just give it a good firm whack with the ball of your hand towards the rear of your car - The clip should pop out.

Can't believe the hassle to change bulbs on the mk4! Guess you haven't tried to change the sidelights yet?

 

[lil3520]

did this a month ago. tough job doing it, worried about breaking it. first time since the car was new.

 

[keefy]

Cool, I will try whacking it this evening as suggested.

GlanzaV.......changed the sidelights several times (my Ibiza seems to chew through them fairly quick) and yes they are a complete ar5e! Kinda getting a knack to it now though.....

 

[IainW]

I find once you remove a part on the car, it's easier to do it the next time. Changed a rear light and a brake light on the same side a few months apart and it came off no problem second time round.

 

[Aimez]

I find once you remove a part on the car, it's easier to do it the next time. Changed a rear light and a brake light on the same side a few months apart and it came off no problem second time round.

Yes mine have been out several time and are now very easy to do just be careful when it pop out you don't catch any paintwork so easily done! This reminds me one of mine has been playing up must be loose.

 

[Proff_CUPRA 180]

Pain in the rear to get out, i reckon mines never been removed cause its so stiff, i gave up in the end cause it started to rain lol.

Does it help if you get a set of pliers on the clip at the back and try and prize it out??

 

[Aimez]

Pain in the rear to get out, i reckon mines never been removed cause its so stiff, i gave up in the end cause it started to rain lol.

Does it help if you get a set of pliers on the clip at the back and try and prize it out??

Yes use something to prise it out but cover it with a cloth first obviously first.

 

[Proff_CUPRA 180]

Yeah tried that but had no luck, got a flat head screw driver and covered it in a bit of rag, gave it a good yank, but nothing??

Daint wanna over do it because the paltic bracket (where the two bolts are located) was catching on the bodywork so would of snapped or cracked.

Stupid design lol

 

[GlanzaV]

Honestly:

• Undo the two bolts
• stand next to the back wheel facing the rear
• Hit the side of the light unit with the ball of you hand so as to force the light towards the rear of the car
• The clip should pop out

I think it would be a more awkward job to try and prise it out! Plus more chance of catching the paintwork even trying to be careful!

 

[IainW]

Another thing. The screws could be a bit brittle because of water running down that part of the body when it's been washed or has rained. I found that out last time. One of the screws almost crumbled because it was a bit corroded.

 

[keefy]

Brilliant tip. I tried whacking the light as described above to release the spring clips and it worked a treat. Took 2 mins to change the bulb.

The only thing i would add is that once you remove the electrical connection make sure it doesn't fall back inside the bodywork - it didn't happen to me, but has happened before with a Fiesta side repeater & I ended up spending about 20 mins with a bent coat hanger trying to hook it out.

 

[kidinspace]

Had to do this myself a few weeks ago, came out no problem.
Has anyone on here put LED brake bulbs in, like the ones below?
Or would it not work out because we have twin element bulbs?

 

[Aimez]

Apparently they make warning light come on the dash if you fit them, dunno why when people fit front ones though?

 

[NickyJam]

Had to do this myself a few weeks ago, came out no problem.
Has anyone on here put LED brake bulbs in, like the ones below?
Or would it not work out because we have twin element bulbs?

Ibizas have twin element brake light bulbs so led's won't work

 

[DEAN0]

Ibizas have twin element brake light bulbs so led's won't work

They do if you use LED stop/Tail light bulbs - Twin feed dual brightness just like std bulbs

http://www.1topstore.com/product_info.php?language=en&currency=GBP&products_id=6456

 

[GlanzaV]

^^ If anyone fits them let me know what they look like... LEDs have a habit of being very directional.

 

[Davecutts]

Had to do this lastnight for the first time, did the screws, found where it was sticking and prised it with a wooden ruler until the clips popped.

 

[Proff_CUPRA 180]

I used the 'ball of the hand' trick mentioned earlier in the thread and it came straight out