FIAT Punto II (1999 - 2006) - Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs

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Thu 26 Feb 2009 09:31
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - oilrag
Fitting new dipped beam bulbs on a Mk2 Punto

1 Unbolt the three headlight mounting bolts and pull the headlight forward two inches.

( Haynes make no mention of this - " release the spring clip and lift off plastic cover" Picture one 4.3a, shows the spring clip being released - Picture 4.3b shows the plastic cover being lifted off. Look closely though and you will see that this is possible because the fuse box seems no longer present in that pic - although there is no mention of it...
So you just remove the headlight mounting bolts instead you then can lift back the plastic cover and insert the new bulb.
Its a five minute job on both sides done this way. You need a 10mm spanner and perhaps needle nosed pliers to pull the electrical lead off the bulb.
Best to check headlight alignment afterwards
The Mk2b looks easier than the Mk2 - it uses rubber `caps` over the bulb insertion apertures and nothing needs to be undone.
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Thu 26 Feb 2009 09:37
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - oilrag
Cost - £9.98p - for two (manufacturer - Ring) bulbs, from Charlie Browns

Edited by oilrag on 26/02/2009 at 09:38

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Thu 26 Feb 2009 09:45
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - doctorchris
However, oily, you then need to get headlamp aim checked/adjusted, as you rightly say.
Hence, drive to local MOT garage and wait 30 mins until equipment is free to use, 15 mins to check and adjust then 15 mins to shuffle cars around so you can get yours out, collect keys, pay garage (how much? At least £5).
So job takes 1hour more than you state and costs at least £5 more.
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Thu 26 Feb 2009 09:50
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - oilrag
I adjust them against a wall Chris, as I`ve always done over 40 years. Never failed an MOT yet ;-)
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Thu 26 Feb 2009 10:00
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - doctorchris
Phew!!
I never managed to get my head round drawing those chalk marks on the wall as per old Haynes guides.
I always confused the lime seeping out of the bricks and mortar with my chalk.
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Thu 26 Feb 2009 10:04
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - oilrag
Don`t mention Haynes ..;-)
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Thu 26 Feb 2009 10:09
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - John R @ Work {P}
Dr. Chris,

you should use coloured chalk, not some 'borrowed' from the dartboard at the Pub... (it's where I get mine!)

;¬) John R
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Thu 26 Feb 2009 10:19
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - doctorchris
I always used chalk collected from the beaches of Dover or Folkestone. Lasted much longer than blackboard chalk.
When I was a kid, this chalk was great for drawing roads on our backyard, to drive my Corgi and Dinky cars on. Never Matchbox cars, they were too small.
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Thu 26 Feb 2009 11:00
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - oilrag
One of the bottom headlight mounting bolts was missing when I did the job. Just returned from the local Scrap yard having taken one off a Punto - given it free too.

The Punto section of the yard was a feast of parts and no rust on these cars (accident damaged) I did notice that more than one had its complete front end cut off - the main chassis rails at the front. No doubt a front end accident damaged car being rebuilt somewhere.

Edited by oilrag on 26/02/2009 at 11:02

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Wed 1 Aug 2012 10:42
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - TeeCee

If you have combined dip/main headlamps rather than seperate ones, it's a doddle.

Find a flat bit with a wall next to it. Drive the car's nose right up to the wall and put the main beams on. Draw an "X" on the wall on each light spot. Reverse car straight back several yards. Adjust lights until beams are centered on the "X"s.

I've been doing it that way for years and never had a problem when the "real" test is done later.

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Wed 1 Aug 2012 10:36
Fitting new dip beam headlight bulbs - Meetz

Thank you very much--I haven't had a Punto before, so this type of headlight installation is new to me.

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