Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

I've done this job mysef before on the batteryside front light- and you don't need to take your bumper off!!
Just remove lower bumper vent (3dr) pull it straight out!!! get on your back and put your arm up that way! you will need to remove battery cover!
It may also pay to get a second helper as a 2nt pair of eyes and to hold reap lamp fitting out!!! Took me about 20 mins in all!
I have posted this on a thread before in better detail!!!!

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

1)Battery out
2)Push back battery plastic surround (I use large screwdriver to push this while removing cover with other hand)& hold while taking light unit rear cover off.
3)Change bulb
4)Wrestle with back cover to get it back on
5)Refit battery
6)Smile
7)Attatch plasters to ripped skin on hands/arms

Done one today,simple.Just get stuck in there,be rough but careful

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

T14086 said:

1)Battery out
2)Push back battery plastic surround (I use large screwdriver to push this while removing cover with other hand)& hold while taking light unit rear cover off.
3)Change bulb
4)Wrestle with back cover to get it back on
5)Refit battery
6)Smile
7)Attatch plasters to ripped skin on hands/arms

Done one today,simple.Just get stuck in there,be rough but careful

Click to expand...

Pretty much the same as i did, only i took the plastic surround for the battery out

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

activematt said:

Pretty much the same as i did, only i took the plastic surround for the battery out

Click to expand...

As my Abarth is coming up for it's second birthday I'm sure bulbs will start popping soon so I'll keep the above procedure in mind. I certainly am not paying any Dealer or garage £20+ to do that. I had enough of that rubbish on my HGT.

@Mat - it doesn't upset the ECU's to have the battery disconnected then?

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

Well it never upset mine, i had all the fuse box apart aswell

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

Thanks Mat.

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

If my local dealer had quoted £20.00 I would have just gone and had it done .... £90.00 !!! they want

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

Bo~Select@ said:

If my local dealer had quoted £20.00 I would have just gone and had it done .... £90.00 !!! they want

Click to expand...

Mine did it for £30! That includes the price for N/S head light bulb and the N/S Break bulb! How far away from Fareham/Southampton are you?! Might be worth comming down!

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

Is this bulb changing problem typicall of all Stilo's, or is it just Abarths?
I'm currently looking for a Stilo & although this wont put me off, it is worth knowing about.

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

The problem is on ALL Stilos, and tbh, a lot of cars currently on the market....

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

Changed one of mine on sunday. Passenger side, battery cover removed, plug out of back of light, open flap, got some random female with small hands to change it for me. Didn't take me 10 mins.

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

Well its starting to make my 3 hour attempt look quite embarassing! At least i can say i know how the passenger side of the engine bay comes apart!

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

activematt said:

Pretty much the same as i did, only i took the plastic surround for the battery out

Click to expand...

I'm at this point now except the retaining clip that holds the bulb in has come away How much work is there to take out the complete battery tray? I can only see one bolt, towards rear of car, but can't believe it's that easy. :bang:

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

Use a mirror to see what you are doing & clip the 'clip' back in again...take a break every 5 minutes for medical stress related reasons

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

T14086 said:

...take a break every 5 minutes for medical stress related reasons

Click to expand...

Best advice ever ........I think

Thanks for the mirror tip. I think it’s been changed before and was a bit worried that someone may have broken the clip but from what you say it sounds fairly normal.

Joke is; I read how difficult it was and then convinced myself it couldn't possibly be that bad.

Does the H7 bulb go in with the notch at the top (feels like it will go in anyway you put it - and just loves to fall out :bang: ) ?

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

Cant remember about the notch (use the mirror ) but it does locate so turn it until it stops turning...oh forgot the other tip.......a hammer

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

Did mine at the weekend.

No bumper off or battery out or battery tray anywhere. just removed the battery cover and got stuck in.

The only difficult bit was putting the back cover on, until I found the little trick. It was the retaining clip hindering me. The clip un-clips from the light housing by pulling the clip out of the hole (but only at the top) then by pushing it right out of the way, it clears the light back cover and it went on first try.

Total time about 15 minutes.

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

T14086 said:

Cant remember about the notch (use the mirror ) but it does locate so turn it until it stops turning...oh forgot the other tip.......a hammer

Click to expand...

Just did it! - just as the rain started bucketing down! (no pressure).

Used a bit of bluetack on the outside to hold the bulb in place, with notch at the top, whilst I got the clip sorted. Think maybe I'll have a go at getting the bluetack out tomorrow, before the battery goes back, as not sure what might happen if it gets very hot.

Thanks for the help

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

After you have spent 2 hours trying to get the bluetack out you'll realise what the hammers for

Re: Stupid Stilo Lights

Well, that's it, done then! - all 4 bulbs now +50%

@Stilo_ste, amazed that you managed it so easily. I'm usually pretty good at these fiddly jobs but it had me beat. Makes me wonder if there might be a slight difference between the 1.6 and the JTD (smaller battery tray etc).

My recommendation (as least for JTD owners) is to get stuck in as T14086 suggests and get the battery out so you've got another inch or so to work with. A torch, a bit of bluetack and a mirror will all help together with Stilo_ste's tip for un-clipping one end of the retaining clip that fits the cover.

The only issue with removing the battery is having to reset date & time and the fact that the trip computer will be reset - so take a note of the info before you start if it's important.

Like a lot of jobs, you'll feel better when it's done plus you'll know how to change the battery in a hurry!