replacing bulbs

[james butler]

i have been replacing the bulbs in the ash tray and the headlight switches as they were all blown and i thought i would share how i did it for those who are interested.

the bulb holders look like this once removed



the bulb and the contacts can be removed from the holder by using a flat head micro screw driver and lifting the barbed bit that holds the contacts in place



then push the contact out with the bulb



break the contacts free from the bulb as you will need them and dispose of the bulb



then solder some new bulbs (available from maplins http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/12v-096w-wire ... type-wq13p ) onto the contacts



then reinsert the bulb and contacts back into the plastic bulb holder and push the barbs back down so they cant be pulled back out.



test the new unit with a 9v battery just to make sure it works then put it back in the car

job done.

would be nice to try some leds instead which i might do at some point.

[GTXTRA]

Stickied

[mark1gls]

Very useful guide, I did try to solder a bulb in with the ends still in the holder but it melted the plastic, I did not realize you could remove them so easily and I went out and bought a new bulb with the holder already attached.
My headlight switch bulb has blown again so I'll try your method.

[C 20 CCO]

Thanks for the heads up..... Whilst I'm in the middle of rewiring I think LED's might be the way to go.

[whiteshark]

James, that link is now gone, what type are these bulbs called?