W215 sidelights

[Naraic]

These are very very difficult to get out. But I am now able to get my fingers on the offside one...my question...do they twist out, or pull out?

TIA

 

[EmilysDad]

bulb holders generally twist out & the bulb is a push fit into the holder .....

 

[Craiglxviii]

They twist, quarter turn anticlock IIRC. BAX9S bulb type. If you need them they are the same sidelight bulbholders as the W211, ask me how I know.........

 

[Naraic]

Thanks C, later models are 501 W5W...I wonder if the bulb holder operates in a different way.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Thanks C, later models are 501 W5W...I wonder if the bulb holder operates in a different way.

I doubt it, MB keep the same design concepts over decades..!

 

[Naraic]

I doubt it, MB keep the same design concepts over decades..!

Nothing to doubt C...it's stated clearly in the fl handbook.

 

[Naraic]

Found the answer.

For W5W in the W215...the holder pulls out (not easily).

 

[Craiglxviii]

Found the answer.

For W5W in the W215...the holder pulls out (not easily).

Did that cause you a gashed wrist?

 

[Naraic]

Did that cause you a gashed wrist?

Both hands are in pain...bulb still not out. Will use bent long nose pliers.

I'm trying to replace the off side one (MOT next week).

1. Remove pump for headlamp washers.
2. Remove H7 main beam lamp.
3. Struggle to find a way of gripping lamp holder.

I think the nearside is impossible without removing the bumper and lamp assembly.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Both hands are in pain...bulb still not out. Will use bent long nose pliers.

I'm trying to replace the off side one (MOT next week).

1. Remove pump for headlamp washers.
2. Remove H7 main beam lamp.
3. Struggle to find a way of gripping lamp holder.

I think the nearside is impossible without removing the bumper and lamp assembly.

It's possible, but you'll be in pain for a while after doing it. I think I had to remove the upper crossmember.

HLC pump just pulls out. Warning- empty the washer tank first! It might be easier to remove the washer tank; the HLC pump hose does clip onto the pump rather nicely though.

H7 lamp is effin' fiddly and really easy to misalign, be warned. I had to use an offset dentists' mirror (£5 off Amazon) to get it aligned properly.

 

[Naraic]

I thought about the cross member...but not at home so, few tools.

 

[ZZZZ]

Both hands are in pain...bulb still not out. Will use bent long nose pliers.

I'm trying to replace the off side one (MOT next week).

1. Remove pump for headlamp washers.
2. Remove H7 main beam lamp.
3. Struggle to find a way of gripping lamp holder.

I think the nearside is impossible without removing the bumper and lamp assembly.

Sounds exactly like the W169 side lights - W5W, and impossible to grip with your fingers.

I made this, admittedly not pretty, contraption - works perfectly well though:

Despite the rough look, it's actually polished to smoothest possible finish and locks on a bulb holder almost by itself - it's a second prototype - the first one (plastic) required a bit of twisting of the holder to align, this one is self-locating ... sort of

 

[ZZZZ]

PS Bulb comes out without the need to touch the main beam H7 next to it

 

[Naraic]

Sounds exactly like the W169 side lights - W5W, and impossible to grip with your fingers.

I made this, admittedly not pretty, contraption - works perfectly well though:

Despite the rough look, it's actually polished to smoothest possible finish and locks on a bulb holder almost by itself - it's a second prototype - the first one (plastic) required a bit of twisting of the holder to align, this one is self-locating ... sort of

I saw that David and realised mine was the same. Can't make the tool though until I get one out.

 

[Craiglxviii]

I thought about the cross member...but not at home so, few tools.

It was either the crossmember or some of the ABC kit, I can't remember what was in the way.

For the RHS lamp I took the washer tank out to make the job much easier.

 

[ZZZZ]

I saw that David and realised mine was the same. Can't make the tool though until I get one out.

You can get a pair of W5W sockets from Amazon, with next day delivery for a couple of quid, then you'll have a test one to work with?

Tube diameter is 15-16mm; the screw helps to lock on the holder; cutout shape is very simple.

 

[Naraic]

I'll try bent long nose pliers later.

 

[ZZZZ]

I'll try bent long nose pliers later.

I was considering a spark plug remover - like the pliers, but with what looks like a much more suitable grip.

Something like this:

Or this:

 

[Chrishazle]

The 204 side and position lights are equally a PITA to change - I use either a pair of fine long nose pliers or a pair of cranked long nose pliers, and IIRC you pull slightly towards the centre of the car rather than straight back. Plus, as mentioned above, an adjustable inspection mirror helps, mine (from Aldi!) has a mirror a bit bigger than a 50p piece and has a built in 2 x LED lights and telescopic handle.