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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: rskardon on 13 December 2008, 11:04

Title: Side light removal
Post by: rskardon on 13 December 2008, 11:04

Hi guys,

Is there a trick to removing the side lights from the headlight unit? I upgraded my Dipped beam and they are now looking very Yellow and the manual simply says remove the ligt bulb holder (not sure if it needs a twist or just a pull?). Also if i replace for an LED equivalent will this make the bulb warning light come on due to the low current usage?

Thanks,

R

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: WhiteGTI on 13 December 2008, 11:32

I assume that you don't have xenons!?

Just pull as hard as you can and be prepared to scratch your knuckle on the way out!

LED's will make the light warning light come on yep.

Not sure even if they will still work if you put LED's in. When i was fiddling with my rear numberplate bulbs, LED's make the car think that the bulb is out, and it therefore no longer sends power to those bulbs, i.e. both don't work!

Chris.

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: AlanD on 13 December 2008, 11:34

Im pretty sure that using an LED will generate a fault as you mentioned due to low current (I have these in and they are impressive compared to the candles that VW supply - http://www.powerbulbs.com/product_detail.asp?prod=31 in the side and http://www.powerbulbs.com/product_detail.asp?prod=81 in the dipped)

As for getting them out the dipped are easy peasy, but the side are a right arsehole, you are right that the manual says they just pull out but its a load of bollock$ I'm afraid.  I was pulling till I nearly drew blood, ended up getting some pliers out the tool bag and pulled them out with that, they came out MUCH easier so I would recommended.

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: Komenda on 13 December 2008, 11:35

My LED sidelight bulbs don't throw up a fault code, although I do have completely different headlights. Give em a go, Oh and just pull hard.

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: stealthwolf on 13 December 2008, 11:38

I had issues with sidelights >clicky< (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=94144.0)

I have short stubby fingers. Could reach the sidelights but not pull them out. They felt like they were welded in. It took several goes per side. Didn't find pliers to help (couldn't see what I was pulling on so was concerned I might damage the wiring).

Took me a good 5 - 10 mins of pulling before they came out, and when they did, scraped knuckles and skin!

Persevere!

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: AlanD on 13 December 2008, 11:42

Quote from: stealthwolf on 13 December 2008, 11:38

They felt like they were welded in.

lol I can so relate to that, I remember thinking THESE ARE NEVER GOING TO COME OUT !!! ARRRGGHH !!!

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: brian g on 13 December 2008, 14:05

i got LEDs to work in the side lights without bulb out warning

some auto electricians might frown at how I did it but hey they they look 100 times better than even the best blue coated  PolarG ones

I wired a set of universal side repeaters into the side light wiring and keep the ordinary bulbs in these outside the headlamps (good for checking oil level in the dark :wink:) then put the LEDs in the headlamps

bingo LEDs working,  no bulb out warnings

tip No.2 once you get the side lights out wrap some black tape round where you will grip them for the next time you want them out, a lot less painfull on the fingers

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: stealthwolf on 13 December 2008, 14:10

Quote from: AlanD on 13 December 2008, 11:42

I remember thinking THESE ARE NEVER GOING TO COME OUT !!! ARRRGGHH !!!

lol only the fact that others had been successful spurned me on. Had I been the first ever to do this mod on the mkv, I'd have given up!

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: rskardon on 13 December 2008, 14:45

Thanks Guys, got the buggers out in the end, replaced with some shoddy Halfrauds 'Laser Blue Ones' which i actually think may be worse than the originals so i'll be ordering some decent ones today!

Cheers,

R

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: stealthwolf on 13 December 2008, 15:00

You did all that for some halfrauds bulbs?  :laugh:

Should have used powerbulbs.com where you get a free pair of Philips Blue Vision side lights that are way better than stock. Plus if you use the discount code (look in the group buys/trade deals section), you get a discount!

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: rskardon on 15 December 2008, 12:10

Ordered the new sidelights from Powerbulbs as listed earlier in the thread, looking forward to seeing the difference! I got the H7's from a buddy who does the wholesale on them, They are Osram Nightbreakers which looking at the photos on this thread:- http://www.honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2139371 are a fair bit brighter than the equivalent Philips and only cost me £10 so cant complain!

Cheers for the tips on removal,

R

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: davoaj on 15 December 2008, 20:01

Did my dipped yesterday, replaced with the Philips H7 Extreme Powers and really struggled with the sides. Came back in, read this thread and got straight out to the car after work today!

Shoved my hand in the back of the light and yanked them both right out.

All done, looks a lot better now.

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: AlanD on 16 December 2008, 11:07

Im glad we give inspiration :D

Title: Re: Side light removal
Post by: Saint Steve on 16 December 2008, 17:22

yes a good "yank" is always inspirational  :wink: