General Replacing front and rear bulbs

[jayteedee]

Hi

I need to do some repairs to my stilo after an unintended launch at 60mph into 3 feet of water the other night.. Before anyone starts I was on a very familiar straight of road, however there was a blocked drain (or way too much rain) so completely out of the blue and unexpected.

Amazingly, everything on the car is A-OK apart from on the front light on one side the side lights are out, look as if they are black or have fizzed out so need replacing. Also the motor which adjusts the pitch of the headlights is out (pointing upwards) and on closer inspection I can hear the motor going when the lights are on, like it's trying to move but can't.

On the back (i think unrelated) I have a stop light out on one side.

On both i've had a look and can't for the life of me figure out how to get to them! What would you do? Go to Fiat and risk huge charges or do a DIY?

 

[ChrisMClark]

Well my local service and parts centre didn't have a clue about front lights...and they're senior fiat techs! I drop my bumper and change bulbs on the bench, with the cluster removed, but others will tell you to just get in there. Rear cluster comes out on 3 nuts and the obvious electrical connector. Have a look at this guide for headlights.

Rear cluster: pull oput interior carpet on the offending side, I think there's one small screw under the shelf supports, then it just pulls free and you'll see the three nuts to undo, and the connector. Then the whole rear cluster pulls out and the rear clips off. I forget which bulb is the brake light, but you should be able to see which bulb is knackered.

 

[Argonought]

I'd drop the front bumper as that will make it a lot easier to see what damage you've done.

 

[jayteedee]

just done the stop light. I'd never have thought removing the lining from the boot was the plan when the car was designed... there's a flat you can pull down but doesn't give you access to all the bolts. All I needed was a spanner and screwdriver... so easy in the end.

What do people think would be easier? Replacing the whole headlight cluster? Or the sidelights and the motor thing that levels the headlights (what is this called?)? The inside of the light is a bit dirty from the water as well......

 

[jayteedee]

sorry to keep bumping this threat up to the top....

Can anyone tell me if the headlight levelling motor is part of the light cluster? I've seen a cheap cluster, and i'm thinking it's probably best to change the lot as the inside of the light is filthy and I need new sidelights as well

 

[Argonought]

I'd drop the bumper and replace the complete assembly but you'd best make sure it includes the leveller unit before you buy it.