2004 Headlamp - Rear Cover

[jumbojake]

I feel stupid asking this question, but without wanting to break something, I thought I'd better ask before I loose my temper!

A while back I changed the nearside headlamp, no problem, piece of pie (as you'd expect)

The off side has gone and today I've had a go at that... but I cannot figure out how to remove the back cover... It looks like I either have to remove the washer bottle or remove the headlamp assembly ... neither of which seem right to me.

I've loosened the top mountings for the headlamp, and also levered the washer bottle spout as far as I can but I just cannot wriggle the cover out.

So, does it really come out... would loosing my temper help?

Or, do I really need to remove the headlamp assembly... (from what I can see, it looks like that might need the bumper to come off :( )

[Fitter]

Are you wanting to replace the headlamp or the bulb? If it is the bulb you can turn the back cover using long nosed pliers and by slightly bending the neck of the washer bottle it can be lifted out with the pliers. Lever off the connector with a scewdriver and remove and replace bulb with the pliers.

If you want the headlamp assembly out you will have to remove the bumper.

Fitter

[jumbojake]

thanks for your reply Fitter... I only want to change the bulb.

But, I spent ages wriggling the cover about yesterday. Looking at the design of the near-side cover (which comes off easy), it looks like I have to get it far enough open so a sealing lip is freed-up enough to let me pull it out.

however, I just can't seem to get the cover opened enough (despite a lot of force on the washer bottle) to free it up.

So, are you suggesting using pliers to bend the cover ... ? (I don't understand the relevance of using pliers)

[Fitter]

I only suggested using pliers to grip the cover to turn it and lift it out as people with large hands cannot get them into the space to turn the cover and remove it and the bulb. Once I got the cover turned a quarter turn I was able to press the washer tube back enough to get it out.

Fitter

[jumbojake]

Thanks Fitter ... but (and apologies for me being dimm.... )... but when I 'open' the back cover about a quarter (using the 'tab' as a hinge), then bend the filler pipe as far as I can (until it's creating white strain marks on the neck) .. I still cannot pull out the cover.

Do you mean twist (distort) the cover... ?

As far as I can tell, the problem is a lip on the lid (presumably weather seal), which is fouling on the light assembly. Do you need to apply a lot of force to snap it off that lip? I'm very nervous about being too rough, as I can see that tab (or it's bracket) snapping.

As I said the nearside comes off easy, but I can't get the offside open as far in order to pull it out .

[Fitter]

I was able to get my cover off this way but I have the petrol engine so perhaps there is a little more room on this version.

Fitter