Replacing the headlight bulb on a 2005 Polo August 13, 2005
Posted by doobya in cars, fuck this, money.trackback
The car’s owner’s manual recommends paying a visit to your favorite dealer to get the light bulb replaced.
In Holland, if the cops pull you over and one of your headlights is out, you must be able to replace it on the spot, otherwise you’re up for a fine. This is why my 2005 lease VW Polo came with a VW-labeled box of spare light bulbs.
Earlier this month I was driving from Rotterdam to Paris, a 5-hourish drive. At one of the pit stops, I noticed one of the headlights on the Polo was out. Since I would be driving at dusk, I though I’d quickly replace it before hitting the road again. I pulled out a new headlight bulb from the box of spares that came with the car and opened up the hood. I found it wasn’t obvious to localize, and even less reach, the back of the headlight.
Flipping through the owner’s manual for this car, I eventually found a section called “Replacing light bulbs”. The subsequent instructions consisted of two paragraphs of text telling me to please ask my car dealer to replace the light bulb for me, as it required disassembling several pieces from the engine compartment.
So, replacing a dead light bulb from a 2005 VW Polo’s headlights requires to (1) find my dealer’s phone number, (2) schedule an appointment with him, (3) drive to and from the dealer, probably waiting at least a half-hour for the mechanics to do their work in the meantime, (4) probably have to pay for the whole thing.
Replacing a dead light bulb from my 1987 [t]rusty old Badax took about two minutes, including ample time to wipe both my hands clean.
What was bound to happen, did. I thought, “screw that noise,” and decided to fix the light bulb myself, on the side of the highway, without tools, right then. Ten minutes later, I was back on the road with a brand-new headlight shooting up towards the stars, annoyed about the blinker’s light bulb that decided to fall into the water-tight plastic headlight block during the process. (I do use my blinkers, and having to drive without one, sucked).
Anyway, long story short, it cost me the better part of the following morning to fix both lights, disassembling in the process such minor, insignificant parts as the entire front fucking bumper.
What can we learn from this experience, asks the inquisitive wise-ass in me? For one, that your local VW dealer wants your money. And two, that VW gives not a shit about your time, as long as you give money to your local VW dealer.
The Polo is an otherwise good car. I certainly don’t mind having to drive it, all expenses paid by my generous employer. And I really could have asked my dealer to fix the light without having to pay for anything. Nevertheless, spending several hours with a car dealer to get a dead light fixed still sounds like a suboptimal way to waste my free time.
Praise the lord of über-sub-compact cars. I remember going to a presentation in college about the Polo. I learned that this car was so warped and twisted under the hood that an untrained mechanic would turn to stone just by looking at it. Thus, the engine is neatly hidden away allowing easy access to only the window washing fluid and the oil dip-stick.
So, learning point number 3: this car has not evolved much since your college days.
Well this was in 1999 or 2000 or something, so it’s not like it should be all that different.–>
I had to do the sidelamp bulb on my 2004 Polo.
It was a swine of a job.
Unless the salesman can demonstrate how to change the bulb on the spot I won’t buy another VW.
just attempted to change my main headlight bulb and appears i need a PHD in engines and a head that can turn 360 degrees and upside down. even with the manual there I couldn’t for the life of me find the ‘bulb release spring’ given up! THANKS VW!!!!!! Your manual is rubbish
The best part of 4 hours it took me to change both headlight bulbs on my 2005 VW Polo GT, forunately I managed to get the job dones with removing nothing more than, the fuel filter, filter housing, intercooler pipe, battery and battery tray! This give me nearly enough room to get to the back of the headlights. Technically you should remove the bumper and then remove the headlights to change the bulbs properly but fuck me if I could find how to remove the bumper!
I feel that I must join in this discussion… I am currently struggling to type as i have ripped my hands to shreds trying to sort the twatting bulbs on my partners 04 polo…
It is about -5c outside and my hands were falling off anyway, i came inside to look for inspiration and all I can find is VW saying take it to your dealer…
It has got me stumped and there is no way that i am about to remove the bumper and/or battery etc in fading light..
This is totally ridiculous, They cash in on their customers… set of gits.
Throughout my time fumbling under the bonnet all I could hear going around and round in my head was that famous phrase…. “IF ONLY EVERYTHING IN LIFE WAS AS RELIABLE AS A VOLKSWAGEN”
Load of shite… this is the 5th set of headlight bulbs since 2004..
VW can ram it… I will never buy another
Just tried replacing headlamp bulb in 2004 polo, what a fucking nightmare. A bulb should be simple to change afterall you wouldn’t call an electrician to change a bulb in your house. I am cold and totally pissed off that a company such as volkswagon could make a simple job so hard. In fact i am going to take it to main dealer to get fitted. Then when it is done i am going to book car in for a new clutch and just not turn up and see if they like their time being wasted.
I was quite prepared to take the bumper off on my 2000 Polo but the release screws are in the wheel arches and are, understandably, rusted solid after 9 years’ worth of road spray.
And I’ve tried going in under the bonnet by releasing all screws and bolts for the grille and front bracket. No way in!
It really shouldn’t be this hard to change the headlight. The indicators are accessible enough (as I’ve replaced two of them so far) but it’s the headlights you can get a spot fine for if stopped by cops.
I am really loathe to spend money at the garage on something that any resourceful, self-respecting person should be able to do in 5 minutes…
I had a 2004 polo headlight go on me as I was on a long drive home the other night, I stopped at a petrol station, bought a new bulb, popped the bonnet and spent a solid hour in the freezing cold trying to get the bulb in place. With nothing but the light from my mobile phone to help find a retaining spring I ended up just resting the bulb in place until I could get a better look. Next morning I had another look only to discover there is no spring but instead it’s a couple of torq screws in the most awkward of places that hold the bulb. And to make matters worse the plastic housing has melted from the heat off the bulb I tried to fit. Now I’m 50 quid down for a new headlight. I NOW FUCKING HATE VW’s
Thank fuck for this site. I’ve been outside trying to replace the headlight bulb on my wife’s Polo. Having spent a few moments scratching my head, I came to the conclusion that:
1. I’d have to remove the front bumper to get the access I need (this seemed so improbable that I thought myself an arsehole just for considering it); or
2. I’d have to remove the fuel filter, the housing and the intercooler pipe.
Both of these seem fucking ridiculous and certainy not something you’d want to be doing on the side of the road in the dark, cold and rain. VW have most certainly pissed on their chips. They’re sorely mistaken if they think I’ll ever buy another one of their cars again. Wankers!
My headlight bulb (drivers side) on my 2003 polo has just died. I thought this would be quick to change… a quick twist, pull out the bulb and swap. Dammit was I wrong. I unscrewed the two screws that held the light in. Took out the metal and plastic ring. Connected the new bulb, and then was totally fucked. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how the fuck this bulb is held in place, because the stupid thing just drops through that metal ring. If anyone can assist please let me know. By the way, I am an experience engineer – who can’t change a fucking lightbulb in a car.
I have a polo 1.2 (from 2002) and was going to try change my left sidelight.. but from the sound of things here it does not seem very easy!! this is redicoulous.. (although being a girl i’ve changed several bulbs in other cars since i come from a country where you have to have 2 spare bulbs in the car at all times and change any bulb immediatelly if it dies.. or huge fine!). can anyone advise me if i should just pay the fortune they willl charge me to change a bulb or is there any easy way to replace the left sidelight?
this website saved me – the picture gave me an indication of what was in store for me after my polo 2002 se headlight went out.. i tried taking out the coolant reservoir and poking my head in all sorts of directions – but that damn metal ring kept falling out! so today (saturday) i set aside a good few hours in daylight to do the whole bumper removal. let me tell you – do not even try to attempt changing the headlight any other way.
while it’s a total joke you need to take half your car apart to change the headlight, it’s much, much, MUCH easier to do once you have the whole headlight piece disconnected.
probably took me 1-1.5 hours all up to do both headlights, only because after i screwed everything back, the bumper didn’t look like it sat right so i unscrewed and tried again.
if it helps anybody, here’s how i got it off. the screws are all torx bits/screwdrivers.
- 2 screws either side of the front grill.
- pop grill off (I just lifted it up).
- 3 more screws after the grill is out.
- 4 screws for each front tyre holding the bumper (total of 8).
- 2 screws on the bottom of the bumper on either side, and there might be another screw nearby you need to take out.
- you should be able to slide the bumper towards you a little and free up some room.
- there’s 4 screws holding each headlight “container” in place, pretty easy to take those out (2 underneath, one on the top, one on the side).
- disconnect the power cable to the headlight “container”.
- from here, it’s pretty easy to work it all out – take note of the way the metal “washer” is held – the 3 hooks should point upwards. you don’t need to unscrew the screw at the bottom, just the 2 screws on the left and right.
hope that helps.
just to point out and be clear – you don’t need to take the ENTIRE bumper off (as shown in the photo).. in my instructions above where i mention to slide the bumper towards you, do it as much as you require to access the screws on the “container” and pull the whole thing out.. pulling the whole bumper off will just make more work for yourself.
We have a 2002 Polo bought new, we have replaced 3 headlight bulbs. When I lifted the bonnet I envisaged problems, my mate does the job for £20.00, money well spent! I still think my wifes Polo 1.4 TDI is still one of the best cars on the road. Bought from Holland with masses of extras. We want to buy the new one when it comes out in autumn, to piss off the local agent I will ask him if he can change the headlight bulb in 15 minutes we will buy the car ( hope he cant ) I would prefer to buy it online.
Dunno about you guys, but I managed to change my main head light bulb in a few minutes, by taking the rubber cap off, turning the two black things, and popping the globe out, and then replacing it, and turning the black things again.
Very easy if you know how
I have a 2003 Polo, and it’s the same on a 2004.
Neil, I thought i knew how to do it that way but every time i do it, it goes in for MOT it has been done wrong and they charge me to fix it. VW are absolute bastards for making it such a hassle. I agree you do not have to take the whole car apart to do it otherwise VW would charge you nearly £200 to do it (such is the huge price of their labour charges), I just ordered the Hayne’s manual for my polo and i hope this might shed some light on the topic…I shall try remember to let you all know what it says when i get it….
Don’t know if it is different in various countries. My 2005 Polo in South africa took me 5 minutes yesterday. Removed Rubber cover, loosened 2 torx screws on the metal plate (not remove), twisted and pulled out the bulb fitting. Replaced the buld and reversed the procedure. When I had the same problem 2 years ago and the car warranty (and did not want to fiddle too much), I phoned the VW assistance line who told me that I had to take the car in to the dealer as they had to remove the whole bumber to do the job. When I took it to the agent they said the same thing. Doing the job my self cost me a 10th of the cost of taking it to the dealer ship.
I think, besides the means of getting extra money, VW don’t want to risk people injuring themselves or damaging something. From what I have read, touching the crystal on the HID bulb can have bad results.
Hey,
I did it in 30 seconds::))) All I had to do was to remove the back cover, then I put my hand inside de hole (:) ) and put two fingers on the black plastic ring ( the one you can see from the outside) exactly in the two spots where you can see the two torq screws (which seem to hold everything). Then I twisted that counterclockwise just a bit and the bulb pupped out. I changed the bulb and reversed the procedure.
Usually on a car you have to twist the bulb in order to pull it out. On this car ( as on my previous honda accord 96 ) the bulb stays in place as is and another part( in this case the black ring) is the one that needs to twist and holds the bulb in place.
Hope it helps
Good day to you and…visit Romania its nice around here:)
put a new bulb into my polo 1.L YEAR 2000, IT WILL NOT LIGHT ,
THE BULB IS OK ,ANY IDEAS?
I’ve had exactly the same problems as you guys. I was actually given the car as a repalcement for my Ford Focus that I’d sold. When I tried to change the bulbs, the same issue applied – can’t get your hand into the headlamp unit to twist out the bulb because: 1) Some major mechanical parts are in the way and 2) the battery and housing are in the way.
Kwik Fit changed the bulb for me for £10 but the guy made a pigs ear of it. When I inquired at VW, they wanted to charge £54 to change a £2 part. I opted for the Haynes and Halfords approach – Socket set and Hayne manual – Total cost £44. First time I change the bulb, it took 2hrs but thats because there are a few bolts under the wheel arch that can be missed. But I’ve had the bulbs go twice since and I’ve changed the lot in 1/2hr at a saving of £54 each time. Money well spent.
If I ever buy a car in the future from VW, I’m gonna make the salesman change the bulb before I consider buying. You’d think German design would be practical and efficient! Bollocks is it!
pretty easy to remove the bulb from my 2004 polo, remove the rubber cap, remove the wire connector attached to the back of the bulb, pull the bulb out of the headlight, attach a new bulb to the connector, push back through into the headlight.
Let’s get it straight – it IS easy to change the front headlight bulb – see Johny’s post. Do NOT twist he bulb – twist the black ring – anticlockwise to open, clockwise to lock. The pointy bit on the metal ring on the bulb has to point straight up. Don’t forget to put the rubber cap back on!
Actually I’ve just changed my main head lamp on my polo, and its not as bad as it first seems, although it still took me 15mins to figure it out (I didn’t read the comments or advices here until I had figured it out and that was by accident lol ) Tom is right, all you need to do is twist the black ring which looks like it is being held solid with two hex screws but in fact it does twist slightly (you don’t need to twist too much only a little is enough to loosen the containment ring holding the bulb in place, you will feel it move ever so slightly when you twist it). Once you have loosen the containment ring by twisting the black ring, it is a simple matter of pulling the bulb out easily, no resistence at all. replace it making sure the square tab is at the top, then simply twist the black ring clockwise to tighten the containment ring, re-attach the wire connector and the rubber cover and job finished. Simple as that, it should really take you 2 minutes tops to change it once you have figure out the solution
17. Neil – July 23, 2009
Dunno about you guys, but I managed to change my main head light bulb in a few minutes, by taking the rubber cap off, turning the two black things, and popping the globe out, and then replacing it, and turning the black things again.
Very easy if you know how
I have a 2003 Polo, and it’s the same on a 2004.
Thanks, it really is as easy as that!!!! only took minutes, no need to remove anything other than the bulb
was seriously panicing having read some of these other messages!!!
Thanks guys, after getting the bulb out fairly easily I was having a hard time getting the new one in. I am an engineer so logically there had to be an easy way as VW would not make assembly that difficult, however I could not understand why the bulb would not clip back in as the clip at the bottom seemed to stop the bulb locating. In frustration I googled and found this site and had the bulb back in 30 seconds. This was the bulb behind the battery on an ‘05 Polo GT and I did not remove anything other than the rubber cover.
Thanks again!