HOW TO: 2012+ Side Marker Replacement

[jdubhack]

I've seen it commented on in other threads but couldn't find a dedicated thread specifically for replacing those more than pesky side markers. Here's a how to with pictures.

For reference, this is the side marker:



In order to take them out you need to remove the headlight housing by removing these two screws (torx 30 for reference).



A close up.

The lower headlight screw:


The upper headlight screw:


Once the headlight housing is off you'll need to remove the wiring harness from the housing unit. Be careful, too much force and the retaining clip will break .



Once the headlight unit is fully removed you'll notice on the back of it 3 rubber "plugs." Simply pull them off and place them to the side. The two that need to be removed are:

This one is for the low beam light access:


This one is for the side marker light:


Once you've got the covers off this is what you'll see inside of the side marker housing:



In order to remove the side marker you'll need a longer flat-head screwdriver. Place it on the back of the bulb housing and apply pressure up and to the left (counter-clockwise & if your not in the US, anti-clockwise).



The bulb will now be loose enough to pull out. You're going to want to pull GENTLY on the wires up and then from the low bulb housing pull the plug out through it.



Remove your old bulb and place the new bulb in it. In order to make sure your bulb works you're going to need to plug the wiring harness back into the headlight unit. Do that now.



Argh. The frustrating part. Now feed the bulb back through the low bulb hole into the side marker spot. It is going to take some finagling to the bulb back in it's spot. Happy Gilmore's, "Go to your home! Are you to good for your home!?" comes to mind here.

I used two fingers in the side marker hole and two in the low bulb hole to get it in. Once in your going to use the screwdriver to apply pressure again and this time spin clockwise. Give a gentle pull on the wires to ensure that you've properly seated the bulb in its housing.

Now is a good time to replace the rubber "plugs" back in their proper place. Plug the wiring harness back in.

This part:



Is going to slide into here:



It's important that this happens or your headlight housing will not fit properly. Once in re-insert the two screws.

Here is the final results.




I'll post up pics of the lights at night. All in all this small mod took me 20 minutes to do. 10 min a side and that was with taking pictures for this write up. Happy modding!

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[Chickenmuffn]

'twas here all along! http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=297167

Nice write up though!

[focus4john]

I used a 13mm deep socket on the assembled plug/bulb. worked great and took me just a min to wiggle it in place, as opposed to the hour + I spent before I got smart.

[Chickenmuffn]

Needlenose pliers work really good too.

[TiStick]

Can't have too much info! You both get

[BLarson]

Well done Justin! Nice write up!

[RAF_S197]

Nice write up. Thanks