Technical How to change a DRL (NOT the bulb)?

[Eltezz]

Morning,

Continuing with my list of jobs to do, next is fitting a replacement DRL to the drivers side. The original had a hole punched in it that the previous owner had taped over with a clear tape but, of course, this leaks and lets condensation in, etc. I managed to get a second hand one off Fleabay (triple checked it is the right one) but am not sure what is the best way to change it. Does anybody have an idea? Will it be simplest to remove the inner plastic arch or can it be done through the bonnet? Or mix of both?

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Through the removable access hatch in the wheelarch liner. Three screws hold it in place.

 

[Eltezz]

I removed the wheel and entire inner wing but unfortunately the top left screw can barely be seen but is impossible to get to. After an hour of trying to get various tools in I realised that the only real solution is to partly remove the bumper in order to have any chance of changing it. I will try again next weekend and see if I can manage it.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

If you have small hands, you can possibly reach in through the bonnet and around the headlight? Not actually tried though

 

[lunchbeers]

It's not a fun job, you can access 1 of the bolts from the wheelarch, but the other 2 are beneath the headlamp, so that needs to come out.

Remove bumper screws/rivets at the top corner of tour headlamp and slacken the 2 bolts holding headlamp in at the top, and disconnect the headlamp wiring, pull bumper away to clear headlamp corner.

I managed to remove the 3rd headlamp bolt with a spanner, blind, but it wasn't too arduous... that comes later - remove this bolt and the 2 at the top and you can withdraw the headlamp, note the weird plastic bracket which sits atop the bumper and below the headlamp.

Remove the final 2 screws from the DRL and replace with the new one.

Refit as the reverse, the arduous part is the plastic bracket and making sure its sat in place before the headlamp goes in, and doesn't fall down the bumper..

My first try took about an hour or so, most if that was finding the 3rd headlamp bolt and fannying on with the bracket... I could do it in a bit less now.

 

[Panda IIs]

Morning,

Continuing with my list of jobs to do, next is fitting a replacement DRL to the drivers side. The original had a hole punched in it that the previous owner had taped over with a clear tape but, of course, this leaks and lets condensation in, etc. I managed to get a second hand one off Fleabay (triple checked it is the right one) but am not sure what is the best way to change it. Does anybody have an idea? Will it be simplest to remove the inner plastic arch or can it be done through the bonnet? Or mix of both?

Just take the bumper off! It will be good practice for when you have to do the wishbone/ball joints. It's pretty straightforward, have a look for FIAT 500 wishbone replacement videos on YouTube - they all start with bumper removal and the Panda is essentially the same. Do disconnect the DRL wire before you drop the bumper (and snap the cables).

 

[Eltezz]

Just take the bumper off! It will be good practice for when you have to do the wishbone/ball joints. It's pretty straightforward, have a look for FIAT 500 wishbone replacement videos on YouTube - they all start with bumper removal and the Panda is essentially the same. Do disconnect the DRL wire before you drop the bumper (and snap the cables).

I have more or less come to that conclusion. Thanks for the video tip, I now understand the sequence and will give that a go this weekend.

Thanks all.

 

[Jambalini]

Do you still have the broken DRL? I need a bulb holder out off an old one to replace one on my daughters car which had burnt its holder out?
any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm struggling to find a replacement bulb holder without buying a complete new light unit.
thanks, Andy

 

[Eltezz]

Andy, you are out of luck as the DRL was second hand and it was only the DRL, nothing else, no bulb holders or fixings, just the unit itself.

 

[Jambalini]

This bulb holder I am after is inside the DRL behind the rubber cap. It is the plug which actually connects to the bulb. You could buy even a second hand one without this plug in it. The only external connection you have is the green multi-pun plug which isn't what I need. Thanks, Andy

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Can I chime in with a daft question v-a-v the wee DRL access hatch? What's the best thing to use to replace the retaining screws, various that have almost all disappeared on the hatches on both sides?

 

[Eltezz]

Plenty of self tapping screws for plastic on Fleabay should do it I would think. Something like this:

Self tappers

Size not sure, 3-4 mm x12-16 ish?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Bad luck it wasnthe drivers side. I had to tighten up the near side DRL as it ws loose on my daughters easy. The screws that hold it were accessible through the wheel arch liner and the whole light accessible to patient purple hearted saints.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Can I chime in with a daft question v-a-v the wee DRL access hatch? What's the best thing to use to replace the retaining screws, various that have almost all disappeared on the hatches on both sides?

Ordered up some plastic push fitting wheel arch widgets in the end. Worked perfectly.

These (photo shows the after-install position, which is slightly confusing):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004VVDEFC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[Eltezz]

Question is...have you tried removing one? I normally have a complete sense of humour failure when trying to remove this kind of plastic fastener.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Question is...have you tried removing one? I normally have a complete sense of humour failure when trying to remove this kind of plastic fastener.

I'll let you know how Halfords Man gets on

Being more serious, a kind mechanic once left a Snap On trim tool behind some years ago, which is helpful to say the least!

 

[porta]

I'll let you know how Halfords Man gets on

Being more serious, a kind mechanic once left a Snap On trim tool behind some years ago, which is helpful to say the least!

It’s mine! Well, if it was a Mac tool it might have been

 

[Bonefish Blues]

It’s mine! Well, if it was a Mac tool it might have been

I almost fell over when I looked up what it costs!

 

[porta]

I almost fell over when I looked up what it costs!

Yes…’scam on’ tools

 

[SiloSean]

Morning,

Continuing with my list of jobs to do, next is fitting a replacement DRL to the drivers side. The original had a hole punched in it that the previous owner had taped over with a clear tape but, of course, this leaks and lets condensation in, etc. I managed to get a second hand one off Fleabay (triple checked it is the right one) but am not sure what is the best way to change it. Does anybody have an idea? Will it be simplest to remove the inner plastic arch or can it be done through the bonnet? Or mix of botbothIf I

If I were doing it, I would remove the bumper, it doesn't take long to do and will give you easy access. The hardest bit is unplugging the lights, which I did through the wheel arch and from the bonnet. Photo attached from when I changed the black plastic trim that the fog light fits in, but you can see the DRL. Getting the old one out without removing tge bumper is one thing, but fitting the new one is going to be a lot easier with the bumper off.