How to change headlight - VW Polo?

travel_freak
travel_freak Posts: 879 Forumite
First Anniversary Combo Breaker
in Motoring
Hi,

I wondered whether anyone has/had a VW Polo and could explain how to change the headlight bulb? Mine has gone. I've looked at the manual and there is no info. at all - it just says to take it to a dealer!! I rang VW and they want to charge £55 to change the bulb!!

If anyone could help with any steps that would be great. I am reasonably handy but don't have any specialist tools, beyond screwdrivers.

Also, is it an automatic fine if you are stopped by the police? I'm working late shifts this week and not sure when I'll get a chance to try and fix this myself.

Thanks in advance.
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Comments

  • hewhoisnotintheknow
    hewhoisnotintheknow Posts: 3,162 Forumite
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Post
    not sure on a polo, but open the bonnet and see if you can work it out

    sounds like a bad design really
  • davetrousers
    davetrousers Posts: 5,862 Forumite
    First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    What Model/year?

    There is likely to be a black plastic cover that will need removing first.
    .....

  • kitchpoo
    kitchpoo Posts: 1,255 Forumite
    more than likely at those charge rates it is going to be the bumper off to fit.

    Look inside the inner wheel arch lining to see if there is an inspection cover to take off - that may help.
    Praying at the church of MSE should be compulsory!

    There are three types of people in the world, those who can add up and those who can't.
  • travel_freak
    travel_freak Posts: 879 Forumite
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Hi,

    The year is a 2004. I've just googled and seen plenty of other people asking similar questions about Polos and Golfs - but haven't yet found any sort of guide. If anyone knows of any guides or instructions I'd be very grateful.

    I'm prepared to have a go but don't want to break something in the process....

    I guess I could try Halfords but am a bit worried they're all youngsters and might also break something....

    I'll pop into a bookshop to see if I can find a Haynes manual and take a nosy at that but if anyone has ever done this themselves and can offer any tips I'd be very grateful - can't spend £55 to have a lightbulb changed, that's just madness!!
  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    First Post Combo Breaker
    travel_freak wrote: »
    I'll pop into a bookshop to see if I can find a Haynes manual and take a nosy at that but if anyone has ever done this themselves and can offer any tips I'd be very grateful - can't spend £55 to have a lightbulb changed, that's just madness!!

    Are they not all sealed nowdays? Why not try EBay/Amazon? The manual will be a good investment anyway will probably save you money on other small jobs (eg changing brake pads).
  • mrdunkleysexy
    mrdunkleysexy Posts: 123 Forumite
    Morning

    The best thing to do is join a enthusiasts Polo Forum like http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/ etc

    too be honest, any car Ive brought I always join a couple enthusiasts forums as they always have people on there with the help you need and youll save you a lot of time and money in the long run

    If it is a bumper job a lot of small garages will do it for roughly £20 - £25 pounds so it may make sense to get all them changed at the same time

    Just to add my old vectra needed the front fogs changing, it required the front of the car to be jacked up! I took it to my local garage and he changed both foglights for £10 labour

    Good luck
    "One Man Can Make A difference" Michael Knight KNIGHTRIDER
  • TonyMMM
    TonyMMM Posts: 3,379 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    It isn't a bumper off job, at least it wasn't on my wife's 2002 model. But it was very awkward to get your hand into where you need to be on the back of the light from under the bonnet ....Haynes manual will show you
  • fatboyonadiet
    fatboyonadiet Posts: 5,397 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post Combo Breaker
    You can do it yourself, I did BUT there is 2 clips that hold the bulbs in place, I lost mine while taking the bulbs out and subsequently it failed it's MOT and I had to get 2 new headlights because I couldn't buy the clips!

    I just went to the local garage after that and they charged £15 for the bulbs and fitting, Halfords was about £15 for one but they wouldn't fit them.
    2p off is still 2p off!
  • travel_freak
    travel_freak Posts: 879 Forumite
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Hi

    Many thanks everyone. I found a manual in the library! Have read it and looked under the bonnet and it is deceptively simple...it doesn't require any parts to be removed. I just remove a black rubber cap and then can see the bulb. Manual tells me to "pull off" the wires which attach on to the bulb ends and then to release a spring that holds the bulb in place.

    For the life of me I can't get the wire parts to come away from the bulb - no idea why! I don't want to overly force it and risk breaking it. It is awkward to get at but I can see it well enough, just cannot free the bulb.

    So maddening! I just can't believe manufacturers can get away with this sort of thing - or the stories above about removing a bumper - how crazy!!

    I'll just have to get a few quotes from smaller garages I guess...thanks anyway for the helpful advice.
  • goldspanners
    goldspanners Posts: 5,910 Forumite
    travel_freak wrote: »
    Hi

    Many thanks everyone. I found a manual in the library! Have read it and looked under the bonnet and it is deceptively simple...it doesn't require any parts to be removed. I just remove a black rubber cap and then can see the bulb. Manual tells me to "pull off" the wires which attach on to the bulb ends and then to release a spring that holds the bulb in place.

    For the life of me I can't get the wire parts to come away from the bulb - no idea why! I don't want to overly force it and risk breaking it. It is awkward to get at but I can see it well enough, just cannot free the bulb.

    So maddening! I just can't believe manufacturers can get away with this sort of thing - or the stories above about removing a bumper - how crazy!!

    I'll just have to get a few quotes from smaller garages I guess...thanks anyway for the helpful advice.

    pull the plug that connects on to the bulb, they will be tight, they need to be.
    ...work permit granted!
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