[C5 X7] Sun visor bulb-changing guide

[the-termin8r]

It's strange to me that nobody has documented this before, but here goes.

I'm doing a full LED conversion of my interior and went looking for a guide on doing the sun visors, but couldn't find one. The visors each use a pair of W1,2W bulbs (I think W3W is the same size), which is also the same size of bulb used in the front ash tray (though that process is a different can of worms). I used these. The process is relatively simple, just a faff (I did it with the visors still mounted to the car). You have to be quite delicate though.

- Pry off diffusers. I had to carefully use a flathead screwdriver as my spudger was too soft.
- Pry mirror / bulb module out of visor. I started at the corner and slid my spudger along the long side. When the last clips let go, DO NOT yank the module away, it has a pair of short, thin, wires soldered to it.
- Pop bulbs out from under side.
- Fit LEDs.
- Turn on ignition to check LEDs are lit.
- - If LED isn't lit, try moving it up or down a little, contacts might not be aligned properly (check underside of module to see alignment).
- - - If LED still isn't lit, flip it 180 degrees as they are polarised
- When all are working, turn the ignition off and re-fit the main module (don't pinch the wires!).
- Refit diffusers.
- Job done.

[GiveMeABreak]

Thanks for posting that - I've now moved it here in the 'How To' section for you.

I guess it's because not everyone wants to change those bulbs. I did most of the interior ones too, but didn't find the vanity mirror ones a priority.

[MattBLancs]

As these bulbs are wedge base (like a mini T10) is it necessary to pop the unit out of the visor to access the bulb holder from the rear?

Thinking if able to get a decent grip on the bulb that is visible (blob if blue tak??) And remove just from the front. Saves risk if damaging the soldered wires.

Not tried it, just a thought.



New ones look very bright! Certainly wake you up when doing your lippy!

[the-termin8r]

Thanks for posting that - I've now moved it here in the 'How To' section for you.

I guess it's because not everyone wants to change those bulbs. I did most of the interior ones too, but didn't find the vanity mirror ones a priority.

For me it was more for the OCD than anything else.

Thinking if able to get a decent grip on the bulb that is visible (blob if blue tak??) And remove just from the front. Saves risk if damaging the soldered wires.

New ones look very bright! Certainly wake you up when doing your lippy!

That was my first approach, I really didn't want to pry anything more than the diffusers. Unfortunately the bulbs are in there surprisingly snugly. I had to apply a surprising amount of force from the back with the spudger. You definitely can't do it with fingers. I didn't think of blue tack, but I'm not sure it'll work. You could try pliers if you really don't want to pry the mirror, but you run a high risk of breaking the bulbs and getting glass everywhere.

It's bright, but I wouldn't call it blinding.

[MattBLancs]

That was my first approach, I really didn't want to pry anything more than the diffusers. Unfortunately the bulbs are in there surprisingly snugly. I had to apply a surprising amount of force from the back with the spudger. You definitely can't do it with fingers. I didn't think of blue tack, but I'm not sure it'll work. You could try pliers if you really don't want to pry the mirror, but you run a high risk of breaking the bulbs and getting glass everywhere.

It's bright, but I wouldn't call it blinding.

I suppose the bulbs have had more than a decade to get comfortable so perhaps no surprise so reluctant to budge. Blue tak unlikely to succeed given your feedback, next one up (I haven't tried as yet but is on my list for next method in similar situation) would be a good blob from the hot glue gun onto the bulb and say a match stick into the glue, let it harden off then a quick yank of that "assembly" might be enough. That hot glue is sometimes surprisingly tenacious if has a reasonable surface area. Wouldn't go for plyers myself - unless I'd bits of an already broken bulb to retrieve hence nowt to loose.

Perhaps I'm seeking to avoid dismantling, as you've nicely described and presented, unnecessarily and "just be careful" would do then follow you method.

I think I've same job to do on my 406 Coupe at some point as one side at least the bulb on one side has given up - but they've had 20 years to get comfortable so may prove even more reluctant to move! (Tried gently on bulb with fingers, no chance!) So it's good to know what is behind.

Thanks,