General side light bulb removal

[steve w hebburn]

hi, replacing a panda headlight. ( 2005 mj) do i remove wheel arch cover to get to the 10mm bottom bolt ? hope i hav,nt got to remove bumper. cheers, steve.

 

[koalar]

I done the job twice and can't fully remember so can't be complicated.


as far as I remember I took a few screws out of the lining and a few out of the bumper. Just enough to peel them back and get my arm in.


Have a vague memory of not being able to get a socket on and having to use a ring or open end spanner.

 

[portland_bill]

The headlamp is a little bigger than its hole. You can get to the lower mounting bolt from behind the arch liner, but the headlamp is difficult to get out unless the front bumper is at least eased a little. Official method is remove bumper. Not too difficult, just tedious, lots of little screws. Remember where they all fit.

 

[portland_bill]

Why do the thread title and your issue not match?

You can change a sidelight bulb without disturbing the headlamp mounting. If needing to change a complete headlamp, why the misleading title?

Is there something you're not telling us, and later you'll surprise us with another more relevant issue?

 

[steve w hebburn]

hi, was also going to ask how to get a sidelight bulb out, after it fell thru the hole ! but changed my mind & asked how to get headlight out instead, got light out by dropping bumper slightly, as i couldnt get to that bottom bolt.even after i peeled back the arch liner. bit of a pig to get to. bolt was seized solid !

 

[steve w hebburn]

engine cutting out.

hi, need some advice guys. went to go shopping in the mj this morning, drove about 200yards. engine just cut out , without any warning. the padlock symbol for immobilser came on. waited a few minutes ,car started up. drove another 2 miles, cut out again. in total its done this 4 times today.ive had this 96k, 2005 mj 3 years & been very good car. any ideas guys ? cheers. steve

 

[irc]

Had similar thing happen on an MJ - it was a totally stuffed earth lead. (When I took it off it fell apart!)
I guess it wasn't happy with the random voltages it was getting.
Wasn't my car, or I'd have added an extra lead anyway, but I couldn't give it back like it was.
Could be your problem. Otherwise, I'd start with any connectors you might have disturbed when spannering recently.

 

[steve w hebburn]

hi, thank you for your reply. only job ive done was replace n/s headlight. the previous afternoon. will check earth cable tomorrow, as other people have had problems with that. thanks again. steve

 

[timmycm850]

Hi

try using the other key as the transponder in your main key might be failing or not connecting to the pickup ring by the ignition lock.

Tim

 

[steve w hebburn]

hi, i only have the blue non remote key. cant see why a loose or faulty battery earth lead would cause the immobliser to cut in.when engine cuts out while driving dashlights are still on & engine will turn over, just wont start( immobliser light on). disconnected live lead, waited 5 mins or so, sometimes car will start sometimes it wont. cant i just bypass the immobiliser. forgot to say, brand new battery fitted last month . thank you for info/help. steve.

 

[koalar]

Once started isn't the immobiliser disabled. Most cars do. So if you are say crossing over a railway track it can't suddenly cut out. No idea on the Panda but suspect seeing its driving a few miles the immobiliser light is a red herring.

Which headlight were you working on drivers or passenger

 

[steve w hebburn]

hi, i have fitted 2 new earth leads from - terminal of battery to a solid part on the body,& also to the engine.to make sure. took car out for a run (needed diesel ) everything seems ok. didnt cut out.( prob was the usual dodgy earth lead under the battery tray) happy days. a big thank you for the advice. cheers guys. steve.

 

[ponsaloti]

This is not an immobiliser issue.
The key is only looked at on start up.
ie, if you start the car and break the top of the key and throw it out of the window, the car will still run.

 

[DaveMcT]

I replaced both headlights but could not do the job without removing the bumper. It's not a huge job and it does give you the chance to replace rusted screws and clip nuts.

Have some soft mats ready, but it's actually a heck of a lot easier than refitting wheel arch liners. They really are two serious bar stewards to fit.