Ford Mondeo 2L Diesel (08 reg) - Replacing a headlight - HooverDam

Hi,

My left headlight seems to have failed, and I wonder if anybody could advise on the best way to proceed.

If it is just the bulb, is it something that I could diagnose and replace myself, or do I need to get a garage involved now?

Could anybody also please give me a ballpark of best/worst case price wise?

Thanks,

Mike

Ford Mondeo 2L Diesel (08 reg) - Replacing a headlight - HooverDam

I found this video on YouTube, so it does appears that it is possible.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KivS5ekY3J4

I fancy having a crack at it myself. I suppose that I might as well replace all of the bulbs in one go, rather than having to dismantle the headlights again.

It looks like it's about £20 for all four bulbs on Amazon (two low beam and two high beam), although I can't work out which of the H1/H7 is high beam and which is low beam.

They both seem to be 55W, so are high beam bulbs the same wattage as low beam bulbs?

Ford Mondeo 2L Diesel (08 reg) - Replacing a headlight - elekie&a/c doctor

The dip beam will be an h7 ,the main beam will be the H1.Both are 55w rating.I would use only Osram or Philips makes.Remember,buy cheap, fit twice.hth

Ford Mondeo 2L Diesel (08 reg) - Replacing a headlight - HooverDam

The dip beam will be an h7 ,the main beam will be the H1.Both are 55w rating.I would use only Osram or Philips makes.Remember,buy cheap, fit twice.hth

Thanks, that's very helpful.

The ones that I am looking at on Amazon are Osram, so hopefully they will be OK.

Just got to locate the tool that he uses at the start. Will have a look in the morning.

Thanks again.

Ford Mondeo 2L Diesel (08 reg) - Replacing a headlight - HooverDam

Hi again.

Thanks again for the help so far.

I've just looked at the headlight again, and I've realised that I'm not entirely clear on what all of the bulbs are called.

The headlight knob on the dashboard has two settings, I think that they are "side lights only" and then "side lights and low beam", and the "high beam" is controlled by the stick to the left of the steering wheel. Are they the correct terms?

If so, it is the low beam bulb which has gone. So, I think that (from what elekie&a/c doctor said), I will need an H7 for the low beam.

I had planned to replace the high beams also, but given that I hardly ever use them, perhaps they are a long way off from needing to be replaced, but maybe I should replace the side lights, which are used at least as much as the low beams.

Does that seem a good idea and, if so, which bulb would I need for the side lights?

Ford Mondeo 2L Diesel (08 reg) - Replacing a headlight - HooverDam

OK, as usual, right after posting I found the info myself (I think).

Looks like I need W5W bulbs for the side lights. I'll get a couple of those and pop them in with the H7s. Thanks again.

Ford Mondeo 2L Diesel (08 reg) - Replacing a headlight - MrEckerslikefromRamsbottom

'High beam' and 'low beam' are terms in the American language. I still use 'main beam' and 'dip' as that is what is understood in Ramsbottom! I'll never understand why they make the job so difficult on modern cars. The old Rover Metro bulbs could be changed in seconds!

I watched the video. Getting the headlamp loose is very similar to my '06 Fiesta.

Remember, if you're not familiar with headlamp bulbs, DO NOT TOUCH THE 'GLASS'!!

Because it isn't glass, it's quartz, as in Quartz-Halogen, and they run at a temperature which would shatter glass. Unfortunately, just a bit of a finger print can cause the quarts to shatter when they get hot. Pick them up using a piece of kitchen roll for safety.

I changed the T30 screws holding mine for 10mm hex-headed Acme screws to make life easier for myself.

Edited by MrEckerslikefromRamsbottom on 19/05/2013 at 21:40

Ford Mondeo 2L Diesel (08 reg) - Replacing a headlight - MrEckerslikefromRamsbottom

Quartz, not 'quarts'. 0 out of ten for spelling!

Ford Mondeo 2L Diesel (08 reg) - Replacing a headlight - HooverDam
Remember, if you're not familiar with headlamp bulbs, DO NOT TOUCH THE 'GLASS'!!

Because it isn't glass, it's quartz, as in Quartz-Halogen, and they run at a temperature which would shatter glass. Unfortunately, just a bit of a finger print can cause the quarts to shatter when they get hot. Pick them up using a piece of kitchen roll for safety.

Thanks very much for the advice. Unfortunately, I changed them on Monday without checking back here first. :(

I can't say for sure whether I touched the glass with my fingers, but it is very likely that I did. So far, no problems, so hopefully all will be well.

The headlight units were a bit of a chore to wiggle out and then back in again, but not too bad. I ended up changing both of the low beams, but I left the side lights, as the housing was a lot deeper so I couldn't easily get hold of the bulbs. The parking light bulbs only cost a couple of quid for a twin-pack, so not a big problem, and at least I have some if they ever do blow.

Thanks again to all for the advice. Just hope the bulbs hold out!

Edited by HooverDam on 23/05/2013 at 18:44

Ford Mondeo 2L Diesel (08 reg) - Replacing a headlight - MrEckerslikefromRamsbottom

If the wedgie 5w bulbs are hard to change, then it's worth while seeking out the more expensive long life ones (Halfords do have one type). I've had a pair in for well over 18 months now and I've had cheaper ones that don't last 12 months. I once boght a pair which lasted less than three weeks one winter - they went black and blew, as they say.