General Panda Sisley 4x4 - replacing rear bulbs.

[Latman]

I have the good fortune to possess a 4x4 Sisley with bull bars front and back. That was until yesterday. I had lent it to someone for a month or so and he recently discovered that both stop light bulbs had ceased functioning. They were working when it passed it's MOT some months back but anyway. The fun started when he tried to change the bulbs. He (nor I) could find a way to remove the cover over the lights. The bullbar upright was firmly in the way. The only solution, as far as we can see, is to remove the bullbar but this seems a bit draconian. I can't believe, that in 17 years, nobody ever changed any of the rear light bulbs! Anyone know better. Obviously, this Sisley being a bit of a rarity does not feature in any of the manuals available.

 

[pandafan]

Hi Latman,
Sorry, but I've only just read your posting,
You are correct....it IS virtually impossible to change a 4x4 rear light bulb; particularely if you have the original light-guards as well as the rear drop-down bullbars.
If you don't want to do anything too drastic you can pull the rear bullbar bak just enough to allow a small screwdriver access. When reassembling: screw the bottom screw in, leaving approx.1/8" gap.Cut a slot in the bottom of the light and cage fittings, up to the original screw-holes. Then cut two saw cuts into the top corners of the light clusters to help thep fit into the housing . You should then be able to slip the light fitting (and cage) over the lower screw, compress the newly-slotted top of the cluster int the cut out and finally secure with a top screw.

For myself, I prefer to dispense entirely with the bottom fixings by sawing them off ! I then take the captive plastic nut from the lower mount and fit it half way up the side of where the light cluster fits. I then drill a hole through the 'spare' of the cluster to allow a screw to pass through and into the captive nut.

Long-winded I know, but I hope it helps...........

HHmmmmmmm

 

[Latman]

Thanks for that Pandafan. The problem was, in fact, solved about a week ago, finally. I haven't got the light guards, only the dropdown bullbars. The bullbar fixing under the bumper was loosened enough to allow it to be pulled back slightly and therefore to allow the light cluster to be removed. I presume your solution above applied to instances where a light guard is fitted.?

 

[pandafan]

Hi,
Yes it did....but I will still do it to all future Panda 4x4's I own....it just makes life a little easier !
Glad you got your problem solved.

p.s. ... be careful about pulling the bars back too often and too much. It is a good idea to spray around the area of flexing with waxoyl after replacing the fittings to cover any hairline cracks in the paintwork, etc. This is a bad rust area.
Kindest,

HHmmmmmmm