Technical 500X Front Bumper removal

[Isotope]

We have a 69 plate 500x and I need to change the DRL indicator unit. I know the bumper needs to come off, but all the videos I can find are of older cars with out the radar unit. If I take the bumper off does the radar come off with it and will it need recalibrating? I've seen a Giulia with the bumper off and the radar unit is fixed to the cars frame, the plate on the bumper is just a lense. Does anyone know if the 500x is the same? Any help would be appreciated?

 

[s130]

I'm fairly sure you don't have to remove the bumper to change the DRL unit. There is an access panel in the wheel arch. If you remove the engine undertray then that gives full access to the DRL retaining screws.

 

[nico77]

On my 66 reg 500X there is an access panel in the wheel arch guard that can be removed to get to the DRLs. It may be different on later models but it's worth a look. I did mine on the drive. I think I turned the wheels in the direction of the bulb I wanted to change for easier access.

Just reread the post - I just changed the bulb, not the whole unit.

 

[Isotope]

I'm fairly sure you don't have to remove the bumper to change the DRL unit. There is an access panel in the wheel arch. If you remove the engine undertray then that gives full access to the DRL retaining screws.

The access panel in the wheel arch (drivers side) has some sort of aircon component in the way possibly a dryer, I'll try the undertray route first.

 

[arekp]

Isotope, check my post on page 2. You don't need to remove front bumper. Only wheel & mudguard. You can then unscrew the whole light - there's 3 totx screws. I think T20 or T25.


https://www.fiatforum.com/500x/462042-drl-bulb-failure-2.html?p=4607677

 

[Isotope]

I know its' been a while but with the MOT looming I deceided to be brave and took Arekp's advice, spot on wheel off and arch liner only needed removing to change the whole DRL unit. I don't think you need to remove the wheel arch trim but I did and 30% of the trim clips broke even though I have the proper trim tools. Still all sorted thanks for the replies!

 

[arekp]

I'm glad you got it done, well done for posting. Fiat trim clips are easily the most brittle I've ever dealt with.

 

[Isotope]

Thanks for the hint in the first place Arekp! Once the liner was removed I was actually surprised at how much room there was and how easy it was, loads of room, my second photo shows horizontal upside down heatsink on headlight and vertical lozenge shaped heatsink is on the back of the DRL unit . The third photo shows the old DRL on the grass and it had a hole in the outer lens, the LED's still worked fine but constant problems with condensation made it look really unsightly. I don't think the small removeable panel in the liner is really any use on the newer cars, all the lamps are LED's, even the fogs and headlights on our car!!