How much to change headlights on Ford Focus?

[maniac886]

Hi,


I own a ford focus 1.6 LX 02 reg. The left main beam bulb(H1) has gone and the other one is very weak. I have just purchased the replacement bulbs but Halfords won't touch it as 'they need tools to replace them.'

I have had a look myself and it looks like a nightmare to get to the headlights!

I am probably going to get a mechanic to replace them and was wondering what sort of price I will be looking at so I don't get ripped off?

Thanks in advance!

[anewman]

First register with some Ford user forums or Ford Focus ones if there are any. This is the sort of thing that pops up in those forums and there will probably be guides on how to do it. If that doesn't help then it's probably best to call around the independent garages asking for quotes, someone you get hold of should know the Focus and know what they're doing with it. How much greatly depends on how long it takes them I would think.

I know that Halfords refuse to fit batteries on a Skoda Felicia, because they have to remove a suspension strut brace which involves removing 4 nuts. A small bit of a challenge and they won't fit it, it might not be as difficult as you think.

[goldspanners]

i have an 04 plate 1.6,the headlights are easy to change,there is a black cover over the back of the headlights this is the hardest part to get on and off,once you do that it is straight forward.
if halfords wont do these headlights what headlights will they change?
it can be done with out tools,but at the most you will need a screwdriver as a lever to take off the covers.
but if you really arent confident then take it to someone who is.as it is possible to break some parts if your not sure.
i dont imagine a garage would charge the earth to change these bulbs.

[maniac886]

Cheers for the info guys. I will ring round some local garages and get some quotes as I am not confident doing it myself.

[vansboy]

Ask these owners.. www.ffoc.co.uk/ (http://www.ffoc.co.uk/)

VB

[ManAtHome]

Mondeo passenger side is a pig as well, but a bit of "stick to it-ness" and an old CD as a mirror did the job. As mentioned above, it's getting the back-plate off (not much room between this and the battery on the mondy).

[Inactive]

Usual poor design by Ford.:rolleyes:

[skintas]

im lucky my mechanic is very good...i usally give him a tenner..

[skintas]

have you got haines manual.if not go to the library and borrow theres .......

[maniac886]

Looks like you have to move the battery and battery cover to get to the passenger headlight, unless you have small hands which I don't. Won't be doing this myself so gonna ring some local mechanics!

[maniac886]

Just to update

Found a garage thats about a mile away from me and have booked it in for the weekend. £20 inc vat to fit both bulbs which isn't too bad!

[maniac886]

Right guys the right main beam has gone now and I am determined to change the bulb myself. I have bought some Osram Nightbreakers so I will probably have to change both left and right so the lights match.

Anyone developed any easy solutions to change the bulbs?

I know there will be some moderate swearing involved!

[Keith]

Call the AA out, and buy the bulb from them, it's what we've done with our Ka and they fit it there and then :)

[jimbo_the_jetset]

The way the garage do it, I watched Ford do it, is to undo the bolts holding the whole headlight in place. From memory there are 3? on top. The tricky one is underneath. On my diesel he went from underneath through the engine tray. I understand you can get access via wheel arch but never tried myself. Try google-ing it

Drivers side is not too bad, it's the passenger side where the battery is that is troublesome. My advice would be to take it to the garage and get them to leave the underneath bolt out. Then next time all you have to do is undo the top ones and access is easy

[Garetha]

Right guys the right main beam has gone now ...
Just a thought - why have you had so many bulbs go?
It could be an electrical fault.

I'm not up to date with modern car electrics - but it was possible for the voltage to rise above the maximum 'in the olden days' :D

Does anyone know?

[maniac886]

Just a thought - why have you had so many bulbs go?
It could be an electrical fault.

I'm not up to date with modern car electrics - but it was possible for the voltage to rise above the maximum 'in the olden days' :D

Does anyone know?

Hi, I don't think its an electrical issue because its the first time I have changed the bulbs since I got the car.

[Conor]

Mondeo passenger side is a pig as well,

Which one are you on about? On the MK3, you take the headlight out. It takes 10 minutes.

[Conor]

Usual poor design by Ford.:rolleyes:

What do you mean? On the MK3, there's two twist tabs to turn to pop off the grille and two metal tabs you lift on the back of the headlight unit and you can take the complete headlamp unit out. Takes 10 minutes the first time from start to finish including changing the bulb.

[maniac886]

I am sure there is a way of doing it without removing the whole unit. I just need to see the layout behind the unit, suppose I could use a mirror and have a look. Its the passenger side which is a PITA cos the battery tray is in the way. Why can't they make it easy!

[hewhoisnotintheknow]

£20 to change two bulbs? WTF

[Conor]

I am sure there is a way of doing it without removing the whole unit. I just need to see the layout behind the unit, suppose I could use a mirror and have a look. Its the passenger side which is a PITA cos the battery tray is in the way. Why can't they make it easy!

That's why they made the unit removable on the MK3 Mondeo. It's two twist tabs and two pull tabs. The fact you pull out the entire unit is irrelevent as it doesn't make it any more complicated other than what you've decided in your own mind.

My wife can do it.......:rotfl::rotfl:

[Conor]

£20 to change two bulbs? WTF

Half an hours labour, perfectly reasonable. If the owner can't be bothered to read the manual or learn extremely basic maintenance of their vehicle, they should be prepared to put their hand in their pocket and pay the bill. Just because it's a simple 10 minute job like swapping a couple of headlight bulbs over doesn't alter the fact that when you take a car to a garage, the whole idea of being a garage is to charge labour for doing jobs on vehicles that the owners either can't do or can't be bothered to do. And to those who are thinking about it, don't go the whole "well it's customer relations, innit?" route because this time of year, it's quite feasible to end up with a mechanic spending a week changing bulbs over and that mechanic needs to be paid.

[maniac886]

If I pull out the units will it affect the alignment?

[goldspanners]

it is very simple to change the bulbs on the focus,ive changed the headlight bulbs a few times now and i will admit it isnt the biggest space to work in but it is possible to get the covers off both sides and change the bulb.
have a practice with the side you can change,do it without looking and then memorise it and do the same at the side with the battery,its on a little spring clip holding the bulb in.

the light will be out of alignment if you take the unit out, but they say even if you change the bulb the lights should be realigned.

i used the nightbreakers on my focus,didnt last as long as the ring bulbs i had last time,ive fitted it with the philips power to night bulbs and they seem to be lasting ok so far.

get your fingers in there!

[mcjordi]

unlikely although there is a slight possibility, but it is simple to replace headlamp bulbs on modeo focus fiesta its not rocket science

[maniac886]

it is very simple to change the bulbs on the focus,ive changed the headlight bulbs a few times now and i will admit it isnt the biggest space to work in but it is possible to get the covers off both sides and change the bulb.
have a practice with the side you can change,do it without looking and then memorise it and do the same at the side with the battery,its on a little spring clip holding the bulb in.

the light will be out of alignment if you take the unit out, but they say even if you change the bulb the lights should be realigned.

i used the nightbreakers on my focus,didnt last as long as the ring bulbs i had last time,ive fitted it with the philips power to night bulbs and they seem to be lasting ok so far.

get your fingers in there!

I bought the nightbreakers off a mate for £5 which isn't bad. I will try and replace them at the weekend, I will let you know how I get on. Thanks for all your advice!:money:

[continualdiamond]

I must say i agree about getting the manual for your car.

My OH is a semi qualified mechanic and though he doesn't currently work as one, its a dream having him know about cars. However obviously no one can possibly work on every model and he never worked on a saab 9-5 which is our current car.

But from his experience etc he will give anything a go when it comes to doing work on our car. So when one of our light bulbs went on the front, he just bought the bulb from a part supplier, as opposed to retail outlets and had our light bulb changed over in 5mins.

He swears by the manuals and has always purchased one along side every car we've had and then just sold them on when we've changed cars.

[goldspanners]

I bought the nightbreakers off a mate for £5 which isn't bad. I will try and replace them at the weekend, I will let you know how I get on. Thanks for all your advice!:money:

keep us posted,once you've done them and your putting plasters on your cut hands you will say that was easy.no pain no gain!

[maniac886]

Right,

Well the good news is I now know how to change the bulbs and the bad news is I bought the wrong ones(bought fogs instead of dipped ones) and my hands are cut to shreds.

Using a mirror was an absolute godsend. I practiced opening and closing the clip a few times using the dead bulb and then replaced fogs on both for practice.

The drivers side was fairly easy but the passenger side was a PITA. You have to remove the battery cover so you can remove the weather proof casing and then after using a few choice words manged to replace the fog lights on the passenger side.

Going to have to do it again when I get the correct bulbs but it shouldn't be too difficult. There is definately no need to remove the entire headlight!

Thanks all for your advice!

[MORPH3US]

Not read the thread so might have been mentioned...

Get yourself a haynes manual. Cost you £15 but will save you loads on stuff like this in future.

[fatdeeman]

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds it a pain in the !!!!!!

The driver side is pretty easy but as has been said the space on the passenger side is really tight and taking the battery cover off is a must.

Funnily enough the time I did the passenger side was in the halfords car park, glad I didn't bother asking now!

The spring mechanism that holds the bulb in is simple enough, it's just getting the cover aligned properly again afterwards that's a nightmare!

I see they're selling bulbs in lidl at the moment, no idea if they are good or not though.

[maniac886]

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds it a pain in the !!!!!!

The driver side is pretty easy but as has been said the space on the passenger side is really tight and taking the battery cover off is a must.

Funnily enough the time I did the passenger side was in the halfords car park, glad I didn't bother asking now!

The spring mechanism that holds the bulb in is simple enough, it's just getting the cover aligned properly again afterwards that's a nightmare!

I see they're selling bulbs in lidl at the moment, no idea if they are good or not though.

Yeah true the cover was pretty tricky but using the mirror I managed to line up the plastic tabs at the top of the cover. Think it took me around 30 mins for both bulbs which was ok for my first go.

[goldspanners]

The driver side is pretty easy but as has been said the space on the passenger side is really tight and taking the battery cover off is a must.


the battery cover comes of quicker than you could type battery cover. hardly a drama?

at least you know how to get to them now maniac!

[molerat]

There is definately no need to remove the entire headlight!

Thanks all for your advice!
Now try changing the main beam on the passenger side ;)

[maniac886]

Now try changing the main beam on the passenger side ;)

Just done this today. Absolute pain in the a*se!:mad:

Think it took me about an hour to change the bulbs on the passenger side as there is hardly any room to move your hands, even after I removed the battery cover. Then the plastic case was pretty difficult to but back on as you had to put it in at an angle but there was hardly any room because the battery tray was in the way.

Just hope the bulbs don't go again anytime soon!

[molerat]

I have done it a couple of times on mine and my son's. I always remove the headlight, takes about 15 mins, 3 10mm bolts on the headlamp and one on thr grille.

[XDA]

I found how difficult Focus bulbs are to change a few weeks back, when my dipped main beam bulb went (passengers side!!).

Tried changing them in the cold and dark with a torch and a mirror, but they are a nightmare. Got both the bulbs out, but the clips fell out. After 3 hours, plenty of cursing and 2 pairs of hands I gave up.

Took them to the main Ford dealer which cost me £87. This was for 2 bulbs, headlight allignment and labour. Not cheap, but atleast they were changed.

Poor design by Ford - Probably a ploy to get everyone to use the main dealer when bulbs need changed.

[cyclonebri1]

£20 to change two bulbs? WTF

My sentiments too:eek: Times like this you need a practical mate, suprising what you get done for the price of a pint;)


Oh, it's not just Fords, my Renault is just the same, still not cause for taking it to a garage tho'

[Inactive]

What do you mean? On the MK3, there's two twist tabs to turn to pop off the grille and two metal tabs you lift on the back of the headlight unit and you can take the complete headlamp unit out. Takes 10 minutes the first time from start to finish including changing the bulb.

Nobody should need to dismantle the front of a vehicle to change a bulb, poor design.

[maniac886]

I found how difficult Focus bulbs are to change a few weeks back, when my dipped main beam bulb went (passengers side!!).

Tried changing them in the cold and dark with a torch and a mirror, but they are a nightmare. Got both the bulbs out, but the clips fell out. After 3 hours, plenty of cursing and 2 pairs of hands I gave up.

Took them to the main Ford dealer which cost me £87. This was for 2 bulbs, headlight allignment and labour. Not cheap, but atleast they were changed.

Poor design by Ford - Probably a ploy to get everyone to use the main dealer when bulbs need changed.

87 quid:eek:

I admit I almost gave up and rang my local indie and he said he would do them both for £15 all in.

I think using the mirror deffo helped me lock and unlock the clips, but there is hardly any room.

The Osram nightbreakers are so much better than my old bulbs, just hope they last!

[goldspanners]

I found how difficult Focus bulbs are to change a few weeks back, when my dipped main beam bulb went (passengers side!!).

Tried changing them in the cold and dark with a torch and a mirror, but they are a nightmare. Got both the bulbs out, but the clips fell out. After 3 hours, plenty of cursing and 2 pairs of hands I gave up.

Took them to the main Ford dealer which cost me £87. This was for 2 bulbs, headlight allignment and labour. Not cheap, but atleast they were changed.

Poor design by Ford - Probably a ploy to get everyone to use the main dealer when bulbs need changed.

next time the bulbs blow phone me and i will do it with my eyes shut in 5 mins for half of what you paid at the ford main dealer.
infact i'll even supply the bulbs at that kind of money.

[XDA]

You've got yourself a deal Goldspanners - especially as i see you're in scotland also! ;) :rotfl:

I should have perhaps attempted it during the day, rather than 8pm at night in the pitch black. Hopefully they wont need changed for quite some time.

[goldspanners]

You've got yourself a deal Goldspanners - especially as i see you're in scotland also! ;) :rotfl:

I should have perhaps attempted it during the day, rather than 8pm at night in the pitch black. Hopefully they wont need changed for quite some time.

well let me know when they go,i will fit new bulbs for £43.50 no problem. i'll even travel to you for that! (if near enough!) ;)

[tonymc]

In the same positionhere - the passenger side main dipped has just gone (2006 model). The annoying thing is that the owners manual has some simplistic instructions to remove the screw on the top and then take out the light unit - surely misrepresentation!!

However, to get back to the issue at hand - reading the above posts, am I correct in my understanding that removing the battery cover should give sufficient room to remove the cover? Should it then be a simple case to release the spring clips to withdraw the bulb holder and replace the bulb?

Some other articles I have read on the same subject suggest removing the wheelarch liner or the engine cover to remove the lighting unit.

Lesson learned - I'll never be buying a Ford again, especially as the dealer (reluctantly) replaced the first Focus I had as there were so many faults with it. I should have got a refund there and then!!

[goldspanners]

In the same positionhere - the passenger side main dipped has just gone (2006 model). The annoying thing is that the owners manual has some simplistic instructions to remove the screw on the top and then take out the light unit - surely misrepresentation!!

However, to get back to the issue at hand - reading the above posts, am I correct in my understanding that removing the battery cover should give sufficient room to remove the cover? Should it then be a simple case to release the spring clips to withdraw the bulb holder and replace the bulb?

Some other articles I have read on the same subject suggest removing the wheelarch liner or the engine cover to remove the lighting unit.

Lesson learned - I'll never be buying a Ford again, especially as the dealer (reluctantly) replaced the first Focus I had as there were so many faults with it. I should have got a refund there and then!!

the focus is as i said ages ago on this thread easy,especially compared to other makes and models. there are plenty of makes that even require bumpers removed to change bulbs!

[tonymc]

the focus is as i said ages ago on this thread easy,especially compared to other makes and models. there are plenty of makes that even require bumpers removed to change bulbs!

The owners manual certainly makes it sound easy :rolleyes:.

I guess then that if I whip the battery cover off, I shouldn't need to remove the headlight unit but should be able to unclip the cover and replace "in -situ"? Will have plasters on stand-by!!

Thanks.

[terryya]

Just make sure there aren't any children around (or adults who disapprove of bad language.)

[goldspanners]

The owners manual certainly makes it sound easy :rolleyes:.

I guess then that if I whip the battery cover off, I shouldn't need to remove the headlight unit but should be able to unclip the cover and replace "in -situ"? Will have plasters on stand-by!!

Thanks.you could take it off if you like but it doesnt really make much difference.
i used to have a capri,there was a large triangular hole to put your hand in to change the bulbs on that, you couldnt get your hand in and see at the same time, you had to do all the work by feeling alone,nothing much has really changed to be honest.
you could remove the screws from the top of the light casing and move it forward if it helps i suppose.

[mchale]

Call the AA out, and buy the bulb from them, it's what we've done with our Ka and they fit it there and then :)


I thought the AA were a breakdown service, since when did a blown headlamp bulb become a breakdown, no wonder some people with genuine breakdowns are waiting hours if people like you are calling them out to change bulbs

[vikingaero]

I thought the AA were a breakdown service, since when did a blown headlamp bulb become a breakdown, no wonder some people with genuine breakdowns are waiting hours if people like you are calling them out to change bulbs

I suppose it is technically a breakdown as you could argue it's illegal to drive without lights - more so at night!

I wouldn't call the AA out for this though. You use up one of your call outs and never know when you might need them during the rest of the membership year.

[bob_a_builder]

And lets not forget if you were on a driving holiday in France with your spare set of bulbs ( as reqd by french law), you would/might be expected to do this on your own in the pitch black, no manual , no internet friends
All very well carrying the bulbs but if you can't change 'em whats the point
'letter of the law' I suppose


Just as well we don't seem to use sealed beam units any more, else be less room for the luggage

[tonymc]

Just make sure there aren't any children around (or adults who disapprove of bad language.)

Better have a go after the 9pm curfew then ;)

[Premier]

And lets not forget if you were on a driving holiday in France with your spare set of bulbs ( as reqd by french law), you would/might be expected to do this on your own in the pitch black, no manual , no internet friends
All very well carrying the bulbs but if you can't change 'em whats the point
'letter of the law' I suppose


Just as well we don't seem to use sealed beam units any more, else be less room for the luggage

You don't have to be able to change the bulb roadside in France - the law simply needs you to carry the spare bulbs. There are plenty of cars on the road that it just simply isn't possible to change the bulb roadside.

However, with the Ford Focus, there is access available to remove the bulb without removing anything else (except the rear bulb cover of course) ... as long as the vehicle hasn't been modified in any way from the original factory built condition.

[wxmlad]

i had to change both headlight bulbs on my astra sport hatch - through a flap in the wheel arch!!! need long arms!

[bob_a_builder]

the law simply needs you to carry the spare bulbs
Thats sort of what I was getting at by "letter of the law"

There are plenty of cars on the road that it just simply isn't possible to change the bulb roadside
Again thats what I was getting at - should have added a few :confused: to original post

[tonymc]

I thought I'd chance it at the Halfords near to work today. It wasn't looking promising when I asked, as when they checked their system it came up with all kinds of warnings about the Focus.

However, another member of staff had a quick look and had the unit out, new bulb fitted and unit refitted in 5 minutes - well worth the charge to save me 30 minutes of fiddling around in the dark later tonight!!

:T to Halfords.

[goldspanners]

I thought I'd chance it at the Halfords near to work today. It wasn't looking promising when I asked, as when they checked their system it came up with all kinds of warnings about the Focus.

However, another member of staff had a quick look and had the unit out, new bulb fitted and unit refitted in 5 minutes - well worth the charge to save me 30 minutes of fiddling around in the dark later tonight!!

:T to Halfords.

i hope you watched how it was done so you can manage it yourself the next time.

[tonymc]

Unfortunately not - Sod's law that I received a phone call from my mortgage lender about a new mortgage deal at precisely the same time he was taking the light out :sad:

[Jimibeee]

Some cars are total nightmares to change the bulb, your unfourtunate as yours will be very hard

[dieselhead]

I think the key to changing bulbs in any car is having small hands and even then I wind up with grazed knuckles!

[goldspanners]

Some cars are total nightmares to change the bulb, your unfourtunate as yours will be very hard

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: :confused::confused::confused:

[tonymc]

The saga continues - the offside bulb went the other day, and sure enough again I struggled to remove the headlamp unit. Took it to Halfords once I had tried for about 10 minutes (well worth the few pounds fitting charge), and I found that the lamp unit has two plastic retaining clips on the underside, one which is fairly visible and easy to get to (on the rhs of the unit as you look at it), the other is on the lhs and more difficult to locate. However, once these are unclipped and the retaining screw removed, the unit can then be removed.

As the advert says, seeeeemples (at least when you know how)!!

Hope this may help someone in the future.