Volkswagen Polo IV (2002-2005) - 04 1.4 Help please - broken my headlight!

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Fri 3 Apr 2009 13:36
04 1.4 Help please - broken my headlight! - Clio87
Hi,

I posted a while ago looking for help on how to change the bulb in my headlight. I gave it a go after looking at the manual and thought I had done it fine.

BUT, went for MOT today and apparently I have either broken or lost the clip and the garage said I need to either get a new clip or a "bulb holder" otherwise I will have to replace the whole headlight which will cost hundreds as the bumper has to come off....

Please can anyone tell me if/where I can get hold of a clip or bulb holder? I'm really desperate as just can't afford a bill for hundreds right now to replace the whole thing.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 03/04/2009 at 13:39

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Fri 3 Apr 2009 14:05
04 1.4 Help please - broken my headlight! - rtj70
The most obvious place to try would be the parts department in a VW dealer. Might not be the cheapest but you are talking about just a clip.
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Fri 3 Apr 2009 14:19
04 1.4 Help please - broken my headlight! - bell boy
hi clio87
what you will have done is lost the metal clip that supports the rear of the bulb up to the headlight so the beam is correct
if you can get to the back of the light again look to see if the clip has dropped down somewhere
alternativly try and make a new clip up out of some strong but bendable wire and see if you can fashion this to locate the bulb
be aware it gets very hot in there so dont be tempted to bodge it with old newspaper or similar as it will quite likely catch fire
i doubt the dealer would sell a clip as the lights are usually outsourced to someone like valeo
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Fri 3 Apr 2009 14:45
04 1.4 Help please - broken my headlight! - rtj70
If you live near a car scrap yard that could be an option. Even if a car has frontal damage from an accident the clip at the rear of the headlight is probably still okay.

But Bell Boy's idea of bending some wire to fashion a clip may just work.
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Fri 3 Apr 2009 15:49
04 1.4 Help please - broken my headlight! - Clio87
Hi

Many thanks for the useful replies.

I'll have a look to see if it's dropped inside but I've been driving round for days since changing the bulb so I guess it will have fallen out on the road by now.

I will try some DIY with some wire - should that be acceptable for the MOT, provided it holds the bulb so the beam is in the right place?

I don't have a scrap dealer near me but will see if my brother can help on this.

Many thanks again.
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Fri 3 Apr 2009 19:39
04 1.4 Help please - broken my headlight! - Peter D
No it may in the rear of the headlight unit. Regards Peter
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Fri 3 Apr 2009 19:14
04 1.4 Help please - broken my headlight! - SpamCan61 {P}
Wire coathangers are probably about the right gauge wire for this sort of job,although hopefully the clip is just rattling around in the headlamp casing somewhere..
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Fri 3 Apr 2009 19:38
04 1.4 Help please - broken my headlight! - Dynamic Dave
Wire coathangers are probably about the right gauge wire .....


I would have said something a bit thinner, such as a paperclip.
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Fri 3 Apr 2009 22:46
04 1.4 Help please - broken my headlight! - rtj70
Or a heavy duty paper clip instead of hangar. I have a big box of them and could spare a stamp/envelope too. Wire gauge a fair bit thicker than a paperclip and longer too.
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