Ford Fiesta help (Headlights)

Camalot · 2 Jun 2008 at 12:37

Hello. Sorry for the noob questions.

Basically my front right headlight is playing up. Somedays they come on, others they dont. I've been told there might be a loose connection.

Just can't seem to get at the bulbs really, how do you get at them in Fiestas? Mines a 1.25 Ztec. Ive took the clips off and the screw, but it doesn't budge

SB118 · 2 Jun 2008 at 12:42

STOP!

That is to remove the front glass. To get to the bulb you go in from the back, usually a plastic cover.

Camalot · 2 Jun 2008 at 12:44

SB118 said:
STOP!

That is to remove the front glass. To get to the bulb you go in from the back, usually a plastic cover.

I see that, its very awkward to get at it. The one on the left is totally covered by something, so i thought theres another way. lol

Firestar_3x · 2 Jun 2008 at 12:46

If you want to take the light out odds are the bumper has to come off, or thats what i've found with other cars i've worked on.

Whats in the way in the engine bay?

SB118 · 2 Jun 2008 at 12:46

Camalot said:
I see that, its very awkward to get at it. The one on the left is totally covered by something, so i thought theres another way. lol

That's normal, they make it a ballache to get to in the hope you'll take it to the dealership and pay out.

Took me 20 minutes to change a sidelight bulb in the wifes car last week.

fonzee · 2 Jun 2008 at 12:53

thats the clips to the front of the headlight! wrong way!

look to the back, theyll be a large cover on these, with a clip towards the bottom. have a gander at it and unclip it, then pull the cover off.

bingo.

changing the bulbs on my MK4 fez was fairly easy compared to all other cars ive changed them on.

edit: anyway, come to think of it, get a haynes!

Camalot · 2 Jun 2008 at 12:55

Firestar_3x said:
If you want to take the light out odds are the bumper has to come off, or thats what i've found with other cars i've worked on.

Whats in the way in the engine bay?

Don't know what it is, i have no idea about cars.

As you see, the one on the right is easy.

Left side is totally blocked!

The fact that it was working last night, but this morning it went off again would suggest the bulbs are actually ok? But theres a lose connection? Not sure what im looking for.

SB118 · 2 Jun 2008 at 12:59

Could be a connection to the bulb, the fuse holder, or the stalk controls.

Camalot · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:06

Would that stop the indicator to stop working? As thats always worked.

fonzee · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:17

get yourself a haynes and take the airbox lid out. iirc thats what i had to do to get to mine.
nice and simple, 4 screws iirc.

Camalot · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:39

Made a discovery!

Hope i dont sound silly.

Basically, when the engine is off, only the front left lights come on. With the ignition on, they both work !!!!

Is that normal, or is there still a problem somewhere? Least i know the bulbs are working.

Firestar_3x · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:39

Hmm, Parking lights?

You got the indicator stalk pushed over to one side?

Phil W · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:40

On my MK5 fiesta, 2 bolts at the top of the headlight held it in.

I had to undo these and pull the headlight out when ever i wanted to change a bulb, totally poo design tbh.

Clarkey · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:42

lol, yes I'm pretty sure that is normal parking light behaviour on a Fiesta.

Camalot · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:42

Firestar_3x said:
Hmm, Parking lights?

You got the indicator stalk pushed over to one side?

No, its in the middle, with the ignition on, all the lights work, full beam etc.

With the ignition off, only the first lights come on in the left hand side. Not sure what the first ones are, parking maybe?

Clarkey said:
lol, yes I'm pretty sure that is normal parking light behaviour on a Fiesta.

If thats normal then i'm going to feel so stupid lol

needmorespeed · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:44

You'll probably have to take the grill between the lights out to get the lights out thats what you have to do on mondeos

T1rez · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:49

ok mate... you dont have to remove the bumper... All you need to do is take out the centre grill.... then undo the screw you have highlights on the left.. and then theres another one behind the grill.. and then when thats done the light should slide out.. then all you have to do is undo the two clips on the back to get access to the bulbs you will also be able to see the connections and see if they are rusted or crossing... good luck!

let me know if you want any help and i will send some images... as i recently had to replace the hole light unit on my mk4.

Camalot · 2 Jun 2008 at 13:59

Thanks mate, but it does look like the bulbs are all working. Its just the front right parking light doesn't come on when the ignition isn't on. Maybe thats normal i dont know!

But one things for sure, the bottom right fog light doesn't work

Are they just as arkward to get to?

Appreciate the help.

needmorespeed · 2 Jun 2008 at 14:06

with the igition off you will only get side lights sounds like you might have a blown side light normally a 5w wedge bulb

Camalot · 2 Jun 2008 at 14:22

needmorespeed said:
with the igition off you will only get side lights sounds like you might have a blown side light normally a 5w wedge bulb

But with the ignition on, the bulb lights up, with it off, only the left hand one does.

Its the same bulb, just one doesnt work without the ignition on.

Maybe i'm not being clear and just confusing you all