54 reg mk2 ford focus headlight replacement

[Jamesyboyjim]

In my limited experience of Ford, the headlights are always a pig to replace, I need a new dipped beam bulb, one has dimmed and the other isn't very bright so I was going to replace the pair.

Does anyone have any experience of this? will it be a 5 min job as you'd expect or will I end up having to take half the car apart and buying a Haynes manual? Any pointers would be great. Seems a silly thing to ask I know but we all know cars are built to be as awkward as possible

 

[Janesy B]

It's held on with one screw and it'll come out, obviously don't yank it out too hard otherwise you'll take the wiring loom with you. Just need to unplug the socket from the back of the headlight unit and it'll be free.

Ford lights are usually very easy to remove, thankfully. Changing the brake bulb on my MK1 Focus was a 5 minute job, I'm sure if it was a Renault I'd still be putting my car back together now.

 

[Jamesyboyjim]

It's held on with one screw and it'll come out, obviously don't yank it out too hard otherwise you'll take the wiring loom with you. Just need to unplug the socket from the back of the headlight unit and it'll be free.

Ford lights are usually very easy to remove, thankfully.

Thank you Janesy, are mk2's the same as mk1's then? Or do you have experience of both?

Although tell that to my girlfriend's old 09 reg fiesta. The drivers side headlight you hand a tiny hole you had to get your hand (well, fingers) in.

 

[Silent Bob]

I used to have a MK2 Focus and it was just a single screw and clip to remove the headlight. Doesn't take long at all. I now have a Mazda 6. The recommended way to change a bulb on that is to jack it up, remove a wheel and go in through the wheel arch!

 

[Jamesyboyjim]

I used to have a MK2 Focus and it was just a single screw and clip to remove the headlight. Doesn't take long at all. I now have a Mazda 6. The recommended way to change a bulb on that is to jack it up, remove a wheel and go in through the wheel arch!

Madness!

Thanks for the reply, I'll get the bulbs ordered

 

[Diddums]

A Haynes manual will start off by telling you to remove the rear bumper & backbox and continue until you have a pair of headlamps standing on a front bumper, and expect you to fit it all together again, rating the job as "easy" and stating that it "should take no more than 40 minutes".

 

[tl45]

The mk1 Focus I think you had to go exploring behind wheelarch liner for one of the headlamp screws, but the mk 2 is pretty simple really.

One TX30 screw then there's 2 long plastic tabs/tangs at the bottom of the lamp where it locates into the slam panel - often these will just release as you pull the lamp or you can push them down with long screwdriver or similar to help them.

The wiring connector can be a bit fiddly, it's a snug fit and the release catch on the plug doesn't flex that easily as you squeeze it but bit of patience and maybe something to help pry the connector loose as you hold it may help.

If all else fails........youtube

 

[thingemajib]

I'm sure if it was a Renault I'd still be putting my car back together now.

My Mum used to have a Renault Modus. Ended up going back to the dealer when one of the headlights blew (and took the other one with it for some reason!?)

Thankfully it had about one week of warranty left at the time, otherwise it would have been 90 quid just to change a pair of bulbs!

 

[radderfire]

Have you tried searching on YouTube?

 

[Jamesyboyjim]

The mk1 Focus I think you had to go exploring behind wheelarch liner for one of the headlamp screws, but the mk 2 is pretty simple really.

One TX30 screw then there's 2 long plastic tabs/tangs at the bottom of the lamp where it locates into the slam panel - often these will just release as you pull the lamp or you can push them down with long screwdriver or similar to help them.

The wiring connector can be a bit fiddly, it's a snug fit and the release catch on the plug doesn't flex that easily as you squeeze it but bit of patience and maybe something to help pry the connector loose as you hold it may help.

If all else fails........youtube

Thank you

Have you tried searching on YouTube?

Yes.

Guides on YouTube always make everything look so easy, I wanted to hear from people personally. Also, although very similar, it seems in all the mk2 focus videos I've watched, all the cars differ ever so slightly.

 

[233]

mk2 focus is a doddle,

couple of minutes a side,

just remember and put the cover back on before you refit the headlight,

I tend to forget that a lot