General Changing main beam H3 & fog H1 bulbs

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General Changing main beam H3 & fog H1 bulbs

Joined
May 16, 2012
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26
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Location
Lewisham, SE London
Hi, all

My lovely RO51(e) Multipla went for a booze cruise the other day I threw in miscellaneous spare bulbs for strict French regs. Not stopped thankfully. On getting home I hunted net for full set replacement.I found some on Am, EB & Eurocraparts plus here on FF (thanks 'widemouthfrog' in 2011) but conflicting results for main beam (just under windscreen) being either H1 or H3 (extra earth cable).

I found the dipped beam (H7 - two prong - and side lights w5w) easy to access and check but main beam and fog are completely inaccessible! I cannot find any 1st gen Multipla manuals online, no YuTb vids or threads here on FF. I am pulling my hair out wondering if I need to order H1 or H3 at all since I cannot get to replace them anyway in an emergency (but technically I need to carry a full set, especially abroad).

I traced a heavy set of cables into the bulkhead above the passenger (UK n/s) footwell into the main beam rear but I could not remove it. A thinner cable went into the back of the o/s main beam above the driver's footwell, even more difficult to access and unremoveable. Can anyone tell me how to access (I have large hands, a dodgy shoulder and not a contortionist). There is no access behind the fuse o/s compartment I can see either. If replacing a blown bulb is a workshop only task then it is expensive and a nice little earner.

I am not looking to upgrade to Xenons or LEDs, all I want is a simple spare set of bulbs.

As I'm in SE London just inside the imminent (25/10/21) ULEZ extension to the South Circular I am only keeping my lovely diesel workhorse another year. I could take a risk and not keep a spare H1 or H3.

I cannot find a petrol standard (not converted to wheelchair accessible) Multipla anywhere, grrr.

BTW this great car is a brilliant booze cruiser or transporter by taking most of the seats out. I just moved a 5ft 6 fridge freezer, washing machine plus housemate (sitting behind). The middle front seat is a pig to remove though as both front side seats need removing first (I broke a ratchet handle getting to the bolts without removing the driver's seat first as it got wedged - what fun).

BTW my lovely Multipla has scared Chinese tourists in Whitstable and it looks more like an Axolotyl more than a frog! Pity it is a diesel!

Sorry some pics Are upside down as iPhone/Apple and this website do not agree!

Thanks in advance, Mike
 

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Thanks, again, widemouthfrog (how do I officially thank you as you only have 200 odd thanks for lots of help)? I'm not that savvy to have noticed the access caps.... a bit of jiggling and use of some bent pointy things got the beam unit out but it was tricky to try not to crack or check the lens. I confirmed it was the H3 bulb, cleaned out the gunk and slipped it in again, bolting it in, hoping not to lose the 4mm torque bolt in the chassis. All I need is a reply with the access to the fog now. No similar access caps seen and using a screwdriver I was afraid of breaking the plastic and having it dangling out forevermore. I'll wait for the reply just in case someone knows exactly where to insert that screwdriver! thanks Gary too! I'll try to thank him somehow for his post almost 15 years ago!!
 

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The fogs just pop out of the bumper. Have a look at post #141 in the Glopsy thread. You can see the fog light lying on the ground. I think reaching around behind the bumper to ease it out can help. Best ask @Tubthumper73 about that one!

Liking the black bonnet btw (y)

Take care when adjusting the main beam height. I found the plastic mech to be stiff and it's quite easy to round out the drive socket. Seem to recall trashing a couple in my early days. If you're popping the light units out, it may be worth giving the gears a clean with a toothbrush.
 
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I cannot find a petrol standard (not converted to wheelchair accessible) Multipla anywhere, grrr.

According to the latest figures on Howmanyleft, there are only 156 petrol roundnoses still on UK roads, which probably goes some way to explaining why you can't find one. I reckon a fair percentage of those are the Brotherwood wheelchair conversions so the pool is even smaller. There are a further 227 SORN'd.

The above numbers include the SX trim, which are minus sunroofs, climate control etc. If you take them out of the picture, there are only 106 ELX models still on the road. They're getting scarce and should be looked after. But probably won't be, but for a lucky few.
 
As mentioned, the front fog lights are fixed with 3 screws,one just above the lens and two at the bottom of the front valance. Once undone the light and its housing just needs a gentle wiggle and nudge from behind for it to pop out..
The attached pics shows the osf one out to gain access to the washer pump.
 

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