lightbulbs

[weatherdan822]

First - to change the foglight bulbs on my '04 hatchback, how do I access the foglight housing? Do I need to remove the skid plate? If so, how tedious is that?

Second - What is the bulb type in the back hatch on the right side? I checked the sylvania website for reference, but they said its a 921. This doesn't seem correct because the bulb that's in the back hatch is long and ovular with two metal attachments on both ends.

Third- to change the bulbs in the headlights, do I need to remove the entire headlamp housing?

 

[icspots]

First - to change the foglight bulbs on my '04 hatchback, how do I access the foglight housing? Do I need to remove the skid plate? If so, how tedious is that?

You can access it from the bottom by removing the bolts along the bottom of the bumper to the skid plate. You could probably actually get away with just the several on either side. Total there are about 8-10 8mm bolts so it's not like it takes very long to get to them. Incidentally if you're going in from the bottom it will help exponentially to jack the front of the car up as there isn't very much clearance under the bumper on flat ground.

Second - What is the bulb type in the back hatch on the right side? I checked the sylvania website for reference, but they said its a 921. This doesn't seem correct because the bulb that's in the back hatch is long and ovular with two metal attachments on both ends.

Not really sure. Which lamp are you talking about, brake/tail, reverse, turn signal?

Third- to change the bulbs in the headlights, do I need to remove the entire headlamp housing?

You don't have to remove the housing from the car, however the clip on the back of these headlights is one of the most frustration and anger inducing little pieces of metal I've ever encountered. If you're unable to get it reclipped then removing the headlight will make is super easy. You just remove the bumper cover and then there are 3-4 bolts holding each housing on the car. The bumper cover comes off in less than 10 minutes and is super easy so don't let that freak you out. Also if you're going to remove the bumper to get to the headlights then you can easily access the fogs while it's off.

 

[superdoughboy4]

3rd question: No. If you have big hands, maybe, because there is not much space behind the head light housing and the fuse box/fluid containers.
Just make sure when trying to remove the bulb, do not put any sort of strenuous stress on to the retention bracket (metal thing holding the bulb in place).
I did on mine and now my head lights are derpppppppppp.

Lol Not really. It just doesn't hold the bulb in straight on the driver's side so I had to keep it "straight" with the rubber thing.

To loosen the retention bracket, there's a pretty noticeable break in the straight line ( _____/\_| ). If I remember correctly, pinch the (/\) part and the end should stop hooking itself to the head light housing, and should swivel out for you to replace the bulb.

 

[weatherdan822]

thanks guys. In my second question, I was referring to the bulb that's inside the car. Not the tail lights or turn signals or reverse bulbs, or even the 3rd brake light; the one actually inside the car that illuminates the trunk

 

[icspots]

Hmm, not sure on the cargo area light, I haven't pulled that in some time. You can always pull it and then go to an auto parts store to compare it to other ones.

 

[brians_d-ride]

thanks guys. In my second question, I was referring to the bulb that's inside the car. Not the tail lights or turn signals or reverse bulbs, or even the 3rd brake light; the one actually inside the car that illuminates the trunk

you ever find out which bulb that is? i just bought my 02 P5 yesterday and it didn't have a bulb there, so i have nothing to reference. mine might even actually be broken because i can't even figure out how a bulb would clip in there...

 

[superdoughboy4]

Oh it is the BIGGEST pain in the ASS to get the bulb to fit in for the Sedan.
The socket is actually clipped into the trunk, and POPS out if you push it too hard.
I literally spent almost an hour using a wire coat hanger and rig it so that it stays in place while I place the bulb in.

 

[TA2DMAC]

Also remember when taking headlight bulbs out...dont throw away the black adapter block. The Bulb plugs into an adapter that plugs into the plug. Remember not to touch the bulb when installing. I use powder free surgical gloves (you can get at any pharmacy) to prevent oil or anything getting on the bulb. Halogens will blow from the oils in your skin if you touch them. You can use a small pair of needlenose for the spring clip. Don't take the screw out. The rubber plug can be popped back on but it's a pain in the ass to work with. Just take your time and do it in warm weather if possible.

 

[superdoughboy4]

My driver side bulb is actually being held in place with the rubber thing.
My friend and I couldn't figure out how to get the click to come out, so I'm pretty sure he used a bit of excessive force. Lol...
With the bulb in, it doesn't clip in.