Headlight retainer clip

[Scoosh]

I carefully followed the 'instructions' for changing a headlight lamp:
1 Remove rubber cover - Check :thumbsup:
2 Disconnect the electrical connector - Check :thumbsup:
3 Release the retaining tab - Check [tinkle ...] :eek:
4 Change the bulb .... - Check :thumbsup:
5 Reposition the retaining tab - Aaargh; errrrr ; humph; wha' ? cratch:

Cutting the 2-day story short, the [tinkle ...] I heard was the tiny little clip that the Retainer locks into; it had pulled out as I 'Released the retaining tab' ... how is one to know how the tab is to be released ? No guidance given about squeezing, sliding, lifting, pushing under or whatever.

This little clip is not available as a spare - it comes as part of the headlight unit - for circa £185 !!!

The vehicle has been driven while I was trying to work out how to 'Reposition the retaining tab', so it's very unlikely that the clip will still be in either the headlight unit or the plastic undertray. :headshake:

Local breakers yards don't have much in the way of post-2008 Berlingo/Peugot Partners available, so any suggestions please ?

[3rensho]

Welcome to the club. I had to have my local garage remove headlight, fish out the retaining clip and remount it. They should improve on that design for people like me

[Scoosh]

Welcome to the club. I had to have my local garage remove headlight, fish out the retaining clip and remount it. They should improve on that design for people like me

Agree totally - or at least 'they' should advise on how to unclip the thing :brickwall:

Any idea how to remove the headlight ?

Thanks for the Welcome too ! :wave:

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[PugPartnerDriver]

Try DA Autoparts in Dumfries - they have a post-2008 Berlingo Van in for breaking

[3rensho]

Any idea how to remove the headlight ?

Not at this time. I have it on an old PC I've decommissioned but have yet to install it on the new box. Rustscrat has an amazing amount of Berlingo diagrams that he might post if he sees this.

[urgbug]

Read with great interest and amusement the tales of replacing a headlamp bulb in a mk3 Berlingo. I had the pleasure of the drivers side dipped bulb packing in . Thinking it would be a ten minute job , I removed the headlamp assembly back plastic seal , took off the electrical connector and tried to find the retaining clip. After a bit of manipulation I managed to loosen the bulb and remove it after lowering the securing wire clip.
I inserted the new bulb and tried to secure it in ! I could not figure out how the securing clip was held on the assembly , spent ages trying to work it out then realised I must have broken the small clip.
After looking and cursing for ages on the possible ways of removing the headlamp , I read the manual on line and did not fancy stripping the front end of my car to change a bulb.
In dismay over the price of a new headlamp assembly ,£190 or about, I took the decision to use the cutter wheel on my rotary multi tool to cut a panel on the upper assembly to expose the area to make a repair.
To cut a long story short I carefully cut away a section of the panel and this allowed a good view of the offending missing clip. I drilled a hole through the plastic lug where the clip used to be and made up a removable wire clip that went through this hole after the bulb and the securing clip was in place . This works ok and I tested it , success !
The panel was put back in place and secured using two flat metal repair brackets and self tappers, and I used black mastic I found in garage to seal it.
It is working ok and permits access to change the bulb, will do the same on near side when the time comes.
By the way I read this forum the other night and guess what , the bulb I put in blew on high beam , this morning I changed the bulb for a good quality one in 10 minutes.
Worth thinking about , any body wanting photos of my conversion just give me a shout .

[Scoosh]

UPDATE:

• Contacted the very helpful guys at Citroen Servicing in Edinburgh; the man said he was going to the breaker's yard** on Saturday, so to call him on Monday - which I did but he couldn't find the required bit; he'll keep looking ...
  

• Had an unsuccessful attempt at removing the headlight myself, so back to CS for advice; they had a look and told me what it entails - removing most of the front end :eek: ... so 'bring it on Saturday morning and we'll do it for you' :thumbsup:
  

• A mechanic then bodged a temporary 'fix' by getting a piece of plastic and pushing it in behind the lamp, then holding it in place with the rubber cover/ seal - so at least we have working headlights ...
  ... after I changed the NS one which had blown Did it in 5 mins, without breaking anything else !!! :woop:
  

'Easy once you know how !' :lol:


** that's the breaker's yard at Newbridge - run by his bro-in-law !

[pmh]

Any breaker who knows what he is at, (making money,) is not going to want to part break a good headlight assembly for a 10p clip, (unless the said clip just happened to fall into your turn up!). You maybe better off looking at a repair shop with some heavily dented front ends and broken lights on modern cars. I would be surprised if the said clip was not common to a wide range of cars - from memory my Ford 1996 and Picasso 2006 shared the same clip assembly.


Any breaker who knows what he is at, (making money,) is not going to want to part break a good headlight assembly for a 10p clip, (unless the said clip just happened to fall into your turn up!). You maybe better off looking at a repair shop with some heavily dented front ends and broken lights on modern cars. I would be surprised if the said clip was not common to a wide range of cars - from memory my Ford 1996 and Picasso 2006 shared the same clip assembly.

[danensis]

I'm glad I'm not the only one to hear the tinkle of the clip falling down below the headlamp. I tried several ways to retrieve it, without joy. I'm now thinking of other ways to hold the bulb in place, probably try bathroom sealant as a first option. Has to be something easy to peel off next time the bulb goes - seems to be around every 12 months.

[Scoosh]

I'm glad I'm not the only one to hear the tinkle of the clip falling down below the headlamp. I tried several ways to retrieve it, without joy. I'm now thinking of other ways to hold the bulb in place, probably try bathroom sealant as a first option. Has to be something easy to peel off next time the bulb goes - seems to be around every 12 months.

Something like a plastic eggcup, which can fit over the bulb and be deep enough to allow the cap to hold it in place is roughly what I think the mechanic put in ... :S

pmh - I agree totally - hence the annoyance/frustration Garages don't keep 'bits boxes' these days !
Thanks for those suggestions of different cars makes that might have used a similar clip system. :thumbsup: