mgcvk

Right, I’ve already had the drama of changing the sidelight bulbs. Had to get the garage to do it at service in the end. Mechanic well versed in Subaru said it took him over an hour and a lot of yanking and pulling! I can’t myself get a turn on the hidden bolt behind the grill to get the unit out. Already sheared off one of the top bolts from each headlight unit. The design is so crap. How on earth would you change these bulbs by the “side of the road” if you had to?

So, can I change dipped bulb without getting the sodding unit out? Haven’t found any videos. The one that has blown is nearside so may have to take the battery out? I’ll do both sides as usually one follows the other. Any advice?

danwrxwagon

They're a bit fiddly but nowhere near as bad as the sidelights. Remove battery from nearside and plastic air intake (just 2 bolts) from offside, then just rotate the plastic cover behind the bulbs to access them.

boggissimo

It's a pain, but you don't need to take anything else out. Might make it easier I suppose, expect a few scraped knuckles and lots of swearing

mgcvk

Thanks for the tips. I’ve got battery side out but the bulbs look wrong!! I’ve got 472 H4 as the Halfords system says is correct. These are too big though. The bulb in the light is held in by a spring and narrow?

danwrxwagon

Halfords website is incorrect. Dipped beam bulb is an H1.

mgcvk

Yeah I’ve just done some more searching. Have checked on their website again and it still comes up with the H4 bulb so I don’t think they can argue with exchanging. More time wasted.

JDM_Stig

iTrader: (3)

Do you not have Euro Car Parts local ?

mgcvk

For more space I’ve also unscrewed the little square sensor behind the headlight next to the battery attached to wing. I now realise this is going to be an **** to screw back on! What is it?

mgcvk

Possibly, but Halfrauds nearby plus I have effectively been sold the wrong parts so will go and exchange.

mgcvk

Well it is a bit of a ball ache. For any future readers with a similar level of mechanical numptiness to myself, you can just unclip the spring once you have the back cap off. Replace the H1 bulb and replace the spring I think without needing to unscrew anything else. I of course unscrewed everything!