Citroen C3 - Headlight repair?

I did it completly different from all of the other posts, being a novice,i removed the wheel and the internal wheel arch cover, this was done on the passenger side not the drivers side

Pete
October 2013

yes there is a blue 15amp fuse 2nd from left for the headlamp in the fuse box at the right hand side of the battery box

keninab
October 2012

£5.36 for bulb and fitting (offside) at Halfords Autocentre.

Bryan
November 2011

first what a bitch of away to change bulbs, but using a mirror and taking your time got it done in 8 minutes. up till then was going to take water tank out and thought about the whole unit idea. good luck

animal
November 2011

The dreaded near-side bulb aaahhhhhh! What should be a 5 min job turned out to be a right pain but, thanks to everyone's ideas and inspiration to have another go, i've done it.

First started this job at 3pm and finally finished at 6pm. In that time i had an initial go, gave up and went round to my garage who could only fit me in in 3 days time, came home and found this site. My second and successful attemp took about 30 mins.

Followed most of the tips given here i.e mirror, make a tool to depress the clip and be patient. Only had limited success with the tool and found it easier to use my finger with a sewing thimble, this allow me to put more pressure on.

Good luck to those who follow.

skinned knuckles
February 2011

Sorry but i've had nothing but trouble with my C3 since i got it. Lamps blowing, handles falling off, lighter not working. What more can i say?

Bubbleboy
December 2010

C3 dipped beam: the clip is the hard part because it is backwards. Instead of squeezing it, you have to push the clip to the front of the car and OUTWARDS to release it. On the passenger side it can help if you remove the battery cover to give yourself a little more space.
With the main beam the clip is the "normal" way and you squeeze it inwards to release.
Good luck everyone!

Jeff PB
July 2010

I purchased my headlight and side light bulb from Halfords maybe a little bit more pricey than I could have purchased them but a very pleasant young lad who was very good took out the bulbs and replaced them in less than 8 minutes the cover took a little longer to put back on but in total was 15 minutes. Total was just over £17. I was very lucky but always find Halfords the best better than main dealers who charge so much and do not do a good job. It was on the offside and his confidence proved this store has very well trained staff and was so helpful.

icebaby 61
February 2010

I needed a new dipped headlight bulb for my C3. Bought it from Halfords, took them up on the offer to fit it - after 15 minutes the man from halfords gave up.
I tired at home for a good hour, then found this website. The mirror idea is fantastic, within 10 minutes i was all sorted. However, it is still the most ridiculously awkward thing i have had to do in a long time

Richard
November 2009

I'm in the process of replacing a dipped-beam bulb on my C5, I've never seen anything so awkward in all my life, I had resigned myself to going to Citroen and just browsed this site in passing, after all the comments I've decided to invent some tools and press on with it, so thanks for your info' folks.

Mike
September 2009

My partner spent almost an hour trying to work out how to remove the left dipped beam bulb. After no success we gave up and went to Halfords to get the new bulb and try again later. The lad at Halfords then informed us they fit bulb for £4.99! It took him about 10 minutes to do it- My recommendation for sure!

Allana
April 2009

Ed,
There is a clip holding the bulb in position.
It is hinged at the bottom and has two arms that kind of lie over the bulb body then clip behind some casing of the light.
Its a pain of a job but screwdriver with a small slot cut in it helps, as does a small shaving mirror.

Once you get the perisher off, its even harder to put it back, thats where the screwdriver comes in.

Also make sure that the rubber cover is 100% in position or rain water will find its way into the lamp.

Good Luck

Muck

Mucky
January 2009

I just changed the dipped beam bulb on C3. After removing the plastic cover pull out the connector i.e. the wires which go on the bulb. You need to put your hands and feel for the holding clip which needs to be pressed to release it. Once this is done the bulb comes out easily. Make a not of the way the bulb comes out. Replace the bulb, put back the clip and then push the connector on the bulb and replace the plastic cover.
It is difficult to see the clip so you have to use your hands to feel around till you find the clip.You could try using a dental mirror to see the clip.

PQ
January 2009

OK Miranda Congrats on passenger bulb changing. Am trying to do same on Daughter's C3. I can get the plastic cover off, but please, can somebody tell me hoe to get the blessed diped beam buld out of the casing. A local garage is going to charge her £80 for a complete unit, plus charges for fitting. Can some C3 owner out there please give my daughter and ME a Merry Christmas

Ed who cannot remove a c3 bulb
December 2008

seriously buy off ebay one of them mirrorrs on a stick so that you can see where the clips are located,first time I replaced a lamp I took the whole of the front of my car apart 2-3 hours.Just replaced both lamps in about half hour using the mirror on a stick method.

biker boy
September 2008

Please nobody pay Citroen to repair their headlights. I paid over £20 for them to repair one, but from what I've heard headlights blowing is a common occurrace with the C3 (I've replaced about 5 bulbs in 4 years). I eventually learnt how to do it myself, and once you understand what everything looks like and how the catches work, it's a lot easier. If I can do it anyone can, but of course it's easier being a women as I have smaller hands.

Miranda
July 2008

Why are we discussing fuses?
The question is about how to change the bulb!!!

BigBarney
May 2008

Brian,

It can be done. I've done it. You need to manouvre a couple of things to get the bulb cover off. Its a cow to get the bulb retaining clips back on so this job must be done in broad daylight for your sanity. You certainly don't need to remove the front wing as some have suggested

Garry
March 2008

I would like to know how you mangaed to replace the bulb on the passenger side!!!
I have just spent an hour trying and it is a nightmare!

My local Citroen dealer wants £30 to replace it.

Brian Langbridge
February 2008

how do you install a frontlight bulb on a c3?

peter
February 2008

The citroen c3 has separate fuses for left main beam and left dipped beam, right main beam and right dipped beam. (i.e. 4 fuses for the headlights) F9 (15A left hand dipped beam) F11 (10A left hand main beam). Both fuses are in a fuse box to the right of the battery when you open the bonnet. Take off the battery cover to help access. The fuse box cover is a real pain to get off. I had to use 2 flat screw drives to open the catch. There are several groups of fuses. The ones you want is a row of 6, Blue(F9), Blue, Red (F11), Red, Blue, Red.
Hope that helps.

Steuart
February 2008

most cars use symbols etched in the plastic usually inside the fusebox lid some used to even tell you what the fuse protected ,look for a symbol of a circle with some lines sloping at about 30/45 degrees could be dipped headlight or could be fog check for other circle combinations rear fog etc check these fuses for broken wire o/c when you have got 40 plus fuses it ain't no fun to take them out and put back

wirecutterman
January 2008

I've never seen a Haynes manual that doesn't provide a key - BUT they don't show this on all the diagrams. Look at the first one or two and you should find it there.

Colin
January 2008