S-Max 2nd generation headlights

[seoras]

Does anyone have experience or replacing a headlight bulb in this model? I've removed the unit securing screws but it won't budge an I'm not sure in which direction it moves in to come away from the car.

According to the handbook, it's supposed to pull towards the front of the vehicle but the front panel seems to prevent that.

Terrible headlights in this car.

[mike wilson]

In my Mondeo experience, you have to undo that side top fixing of the black plastic panel that covers the bonnet catch to allow the light surround to be pulled slightly forward.  Then you can push the front of the light inwards and lift the unit out sideways.  Reverse the procedure going back.

Something around the point of the arrow labelled 3 on this image.


On the next generation, you have to remove the whole bumper to replace bulbs..........

[mike wilson]

Actually, looking at your profile, maybe you do have the next generation.  In which case....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9y4lrxPHS8

[seoras]

Thanks for the replies. I'll have to have a closer look when it's light but at a glance it did seem that the front panel - you call it the bumper - has to be removed, That really is something else just to replace light bulbs. And there's no mention of removing anything in the handbook.

I doubt if I'll be tacking this - all those plastic push pins, many of which could be destroyed when removing them...

It really is a complete bugger that the headlights are so utterly grim.

Thanks again - I'll have a closer look tomorrow.

[seoras]

Thanks again for the detailed informative video - I hope many others will be helped by it too.

The S-Max seems similar and would indeed need the same comprehensive dismantling to access the rear of the healdamp unit. The handbook is thoroughly misleading by including headlamp bulb replacement when it is clearly not a normal owner/driver function, as would be expected in the handbook.

The handbook is ridiculously misleading and worse than useless regarding this. I wonder what Halfords would make of this if I asked them to replace the bulbs?

[mike wilson]

It would, unusually, be a bargain price...