How do I replace light globes in my car?

Before commencing work, refer to the owner's manual for your vehicle for the correct procedure.

Replacing a headlight globe typically requires the bonnet be opened first. Disconnect the battery. The rear of the headlight cluster should be accessible from the engine bay. There's a weatherproof plastic boot to remove, exposing the rear of the headlight bulb and the connector to the car's wiring loom.

You will need to gently pull the wiring connector off the back of the bulb. Replacing headlight bulbs will vary from one car to the next, but you should be able to remove the headlight cover to access the bulb.

In modern cars the cover is frequently a clear, polycarbonate unit, rather than a fluted glass lens, as in the past. Chances are the cover will be fastened to the headlight cluster by small metal clips around the edges. These can be gently prised off with a screwdriver.

The headlight bulb is often held in place by a spring-loaded clip. From the front of the car you will need to press the bulb back against the clip (gently) and turn to release it. Once the bulb is loose, you should be able to withdraw it from the front of the car.

Replacing the bulb is a reversal of the process to remove the old bulb. Once the headlight cluster is back in one piece, you will need to have the headlights realigned. In the event that this procedure is not right for your car, refer to the owner's manual for further information, and failing that, arrange for a mechanic, auto electrician or the servicing dealer to replace the bulb for you.

Tail light globes can usually be purchased through an aftermarket parts retailer. Headlight globes may be available only through the dealer.

Before starting work on any aspect of the car's electrical system, it's good practice to disconnect the battery. Bear in mind that you may have to reset the car's clock and radio station presets if you disconnect the battery.

To access a tail light globe (parking, stop, brake and fog lights), open the boot and find the tail light cluster inside. Some cars will have tail lights located in both the boot lid and the rear quarter panels. Locate the tail light cluster containing the blown globe. Gently remove the rubber boot that keeps moisture out of the tail light cluster. The rubber boot may also incorporate the electrical connector for the globe.

If not, gently tug the electrical connector away from the base of the globe and unscrew or unclip the globe from its mount. Remove the new globe from its packaging and reverse the removal process to fit the new globe.

Globes can occasionally fail in dome lights and map-reading lights also. The manufacturer of your car often supplies replacement globes with the car when purchased new. These are often found in the glovebox. To replace these, the cover for the light (and sometimes the bezel or surround) has to be removed first. In older cars these are often fastened in place by screws, but in newer cars they're held fast by plastic clips that are part of the cover.

To remove the cover use a small screwdriver either to unscrew the fastener or gently prise the clip from the mount. The procedure to replace these globes may be detailed in the owner's manual for your vehicle. If not, you'll need to ask a friendly mechanic or a friend/relative who can find their way around the car without damaging the cover.

The car's fusebox is usually located low on the dashboard, at about the four o'clock position from the steering wheel. A little plastic panel flips down to reveal the fuses for the car's various electrical functions. Sometimes the fuse box can be located elsewhere, the boot for example. The owner's manual in your vehicle's glovebox will identify the location for you.

Withdraw the fuse slowly and gently from the panel and check visually for a break in the fuse element. A fuse will be 'blown' if the metallic element inside the transparent plastic sheath is broken. Replace with a new fuse, resecure the panel and reconnect the battery.