Simple how-to: Change headlight bulbs, Ford Focus Mk1

[@CraigsDIY]

Amazon links to relevant products are in the description.

[@Preview43]

I frigged around for an hour trying to pry this thing apart, armed with nothing but primal 'man skills'. Gave up after a lot of cursing and skinned knuckles. But now I just found this simple HOW-TO and can see now that I completely missed the underside bolt. _CURSE YOU, FORD DEMON!!!_ Also it was dusk and I didn't have a torch so I was screwed regardless. Thanks Craig!

[@ChrisPrieto]

I think you did an excellent job of showing how to get it off and how to get it back on. The detail of taking a light out of its socket and putting a light back into the socket That's a little more difficulty in would have been a little more helpful A reminder when you're messing with light bulbs that you need to have a pair of gloves on or a handkerchief to make sure that the bulb doesn't have your moisture on it to blow out fast Again I'm telling you you're done an excellent job of what you've shown and you had a good atmosphere of how you said things across to us and I think that was very good too

[@Shaftmonde]

Absolutely brilliant presentation; clear, thoughtful and easy to follow. No stupid unnecessary annoying music either. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@bazp67]

Don't often comment on videos but this one really helped me out. I've seen videos before where the battery has to be removed but this made it so simple. Only problem I had was trying to remove the power connector (which I thought would have been the easiest part!) so I just replaced the bulb once the headlamp unit was free. Thanks!

[@AnomanderRevan]

Very thorough video. I've changed the headlights on my focus twice now in situ and I've become quite decent at it. I can change them both in 5-10 minutes now, but the first time it took me nearly an hour to get the clasp on the left headlight to click back. If you don't have the tools to remove the light, i'd suggest working on the right headlight first and taking a good look at how the clasp clicks into place, then tackling the left.

[@chrishughes9971]

Top man! With your help I have successfully changed the left hand light on my focus mk1 - this is the first thing I have done on the car myself. You have saved me a trip to the mechanic and I have learned something. Thank you very much!

[@davidgale2737]

Found this extremely helpful and so much better than all the other vidoes I could find on youtube. Thank you Craig. Given me the confidence to have another go after giving up because I just couldn't see what I was going.

[@lastbreathexe]

It shouldn't be this annoying to replace a simple headlight bulb... Thanks a lot for this video, it helped a lot

[@WalksandAll]

Absolutely spot on video. No other update by anyone should ever need to be made. Thanks a million

Thank you for your nice and detailed explanation. Greetings from Türkiye -Ankara-Çankaya.-Dikmen

[@MegaSpike1960]

Brill video, without it would probably have broken something luckily I had the driver side bulb to replace took me about 10 mins .. I did it in situ with a penlight torch so I could see Best tip was checking the bulb through the lense to see it was seated correctly A flat blade screwdriver in the harness connector was easy just slide in and twist gently to release tab then pull backwards... thanks again for a well made and informative video

[@mickandyo]

Thanks Craig. Changed my 2004 Zetec today. Couldn't have done it without this.

[@daviddean8198]

Thanks a million - I changed both in under an hour - would otherwise have wrecked something trying to work out how to do it. Greatly appreciate the clear instructions in your video.

[@patthewoodboy]

I did exactly what was posted on this before watching it .. removing the headlight on the left side is the easiest way of getting to the dip beam headlamp ... I wish I had watched this first , would have saved me time but I would have lost out on my brain working it out :-)

[@larrydzemorsky1777]

Thank you so much! I would go crazy without your tutorial. Whoever placed the low beam light bulb socket upside down in my right reflector I HATE YOU.

[@toru_dj_uk]

I was absolutely dreading this. I've tried to change bulbs before which normally ends up with me swearing profusely at the car for about an hour then taking it to Halfords the next day for some 12 year old boy to replace it in 30 seconds, but this time I was determined. I watched this video and left the house feeling prepared as much as I can be, but with low expectations of success. After 5 minutes I had changed it. In the dark. I had only gone and bloody changed the light on my own. I hadn't felt this level of euphoria in a long long time. Sure I'd cut my hands a few times and probably got a bit of oil on the bulb, but the bastard was in. I turned on the ignition to bask in my glory only to find the bulb I had replaced was faulty. It was a low point. I knew there was no way the second time would be this easy, but I was wrong. I couldn't believe it. I popped out the bulb and then popped another in within 5mins. The only really difficult bit was getting the cover back on, but it went on in the end. I am so happy. I am awful at these things, but I did it.

[@marianandrei8946]

Jesus Christ!I have never seen a british man write in such a manner that we could all understand. You have my respect sir. P.S: I just assumed that you are british when you mentioned Halfords.So sorry if you're not british.

[@Lionel_473]

This cracked me up 🤣🤣🤣🤣 the way you described it was hilarious. I’m happy for you man! I also seriously suck at DIY stuff so to change this bulb I felt like a champion lmao

[@mikejarrett851]

Great video - was struggling then watched this & done 10 mins - thanks very much !!

[@willemkleijn7925]

Thanks Graig. Best video on KZbin for replacement Light. 👍

[@tomdytrych]

This was spot on. Thank you for taking the time to film and assemble this video.

[@Colin623]

Thank you for a brilliant video, very professionally presented and great vid quality, it was the H1 I was hoping to see changed, but still very helpful for removal of headlamp etc, well maybe its because I am a frustrated mechanic that I changed both the dipped headlight bulbs and sidelights in situ in 20 mins for BOTH sides in total, seriously, the locating tabs on the cover plate is a real pain, took me longer to locate the cover than changing the bulbs, so I removed the locating tabs and now can replace the cover in seconds !

[@CraigsDIY]

+colinf1951 The H1 high-beams are replaced in just the same manner as shown. Unplug first then remove the metal clip, and bulb will be loose. They are a bit easier to do in situ because the low-beams are tucked away in a more awkward spot. The locating tabs on the cover have to be 'felt' into place. Check you have a good seal on the grommet now you remove them. Thanks for the comment.

[@Colin623]

+Craig's DIY Car Jobs Thanks Criag, but now I know how to remove the headlight assembly will probably change the H1 that way , don't get me wrong, when I first tried changing dipped bulbs took me over 1 hour for one side ! its only through practice (had the car 6 years) that I've got it down to 10 mins for one side !! thanks again.

[@iscreamsunday9827]

Excellent tutorial for beginners like me. Clear and concise directions

[@phillsplace3470]

good video really helpful. I had a friend who told me the headlights were a bugger to get out and u had to pull the front bumper off to get to the 3rd bold under the headlight so saved me a lot of time and effort. thanks

[@darkshippo]

Thanks man! You helped me. I also tried to change the bulb without removing the headlight. It ended with a clip in my hand and I have to remove the it. Using your guide helped me alot and now I have a working bulb on the left. =)

[@chromatinis]

Thank you for a very helpful video. For a moment you got me disappointed that I would have to take out the whole headlight assembly just to change a bulb. What kind of car it is! But fortunately, I did not need to do that. And very good point about wearing gloves and not touching the glass of the bulb. Perhaps that's the reason why I had them burning out prematurely in other cars!

[@oc2phish07]

Lovely and very useful video. One small point regarding the removal of the low-beam lamp; pull off the electrical connector BEFORE you undo the lamp retaining clip.

[@Swiss_Moonlight]

perfect manual! Followed the steps and managed to change the bulbs all by myself. thank you for that video it was really, really helpful last saturday! My Ford focus is shining again :) Greetings, Rina from switzerland

[@traveller539]

Well done Craig, you tips and directions are spot on. It helped me get there especially the bolt to the underside of the head light.

[@alanus52]

Just to say thanks for the video. I found that unplugging the wire from the back of the bulb before undoing the clip made it a whole lot easier to get the bulb in and out. Haynes says to do it that way too.

[@stephenhoward8289]

thank you for showing that I was struggling on my wife's car ! top work

[@remywilsondias]

Thank you very much for your helpful video! After seeing your video it was possible for me to know the parts and change the right bulb without taking the headlight out. It was just needed the cellphone camera to see what was my fingers doing. It is really hard to change that lightbulb without knowing the parts. Thank you

[@michaelcohen5505]

Excellent video - without it I'd have struggled for ages, replacing a parking/side light bulb. Ford must have used their "Friday p.m. B Design Team" for this bit of their Focus design!

[@BirdmanNorfolk]

Thanks, this really helped me, that hidden bolt under the bulkhead is a sod if you don't know it's there, why do the manufacturers make simple jobs so difficult, even the trade complain about this sort of fiddly time wasting job, they have in fairness made it easier on the later models, but you really wonder why something so safety critical should be made so unnecessarily complex When you might have to do it on the roadside miles from anywhere without help....

[@Redbrickbin]

Excellent video and presentation. Wouldn't had been able to change it with this video. Really enjoyed do this on a wet Tuesday. Thank you very much Craig!

[@rallychamp01]

Nicely done. 3 x M6 self tappers for each headlight (one of which from underneath) then 2 x M6 for the front grille. All easily done with a 10mm socket and ideally a 10mm ratchet wrench for the underneath. Jacking up and using one axle stand on one side only is plenty enough for access underneath both sides (that, or drive up a couple of ramps). ** For the ST170's fitted with Xenon light option you will need to remove the headlight unit to change either the Xenon bulb or the main/full beam bulb - they cannot be removed with the headlight in place. N.B. The main/full beam bulb on the ST170 fitted with the Xenon light option is an H7 fitting (not H1 as is in the standard headlight).

[@joanbrown9376]

Brilliant vid. Saved £8 @ Halfords/discovered previous owner botch of not replacing cover/seal. Smugger than a smug thang - many thanks......

[@twyfordlion]

First class video Craig, really helped me understand what to do. Thank you.

[@CraigsDIY]

There are a number of comments that seem to be jumping the gun before watching the video (or reading the desc). To be clear, you can do this with the lights in situ, it is possible - but the LH side is difficult, especially if unfamiliar with the process, and it is much easier removed. So the video shows *both* ways.

[@hannanielwebb8331]

And now I have working lights. Great work.

[@daviddean8198]

Excellent no nonsense expose of how to do it either way. Well explained and clear as. Thanks a million.

[@flycorvus]

Great video, thx!! I've just bought my mk1 Focus Turnier, and I'm looking for these type of DIY videos. Greetings from Hungary. :)

VERY thorough instruction video! And very well done. I had great problems today w my bulb change so this video was 100% helpful. Thank you very much! 👍🏻

[@MrNesl]

Many, many thanks sir! I've tried changing H7 on my brother's Focus MK 1 a few days ago and couldn't even take off the black plastic cover. I didn't know that it has two plastic bits on the upper side and that you have to pull it down a bit after releasing the metal clip on the bottom side. From the standing point in front of the car it's extremely difficult to see anything. You mainly rely on touch instead of sight and if you don't know where each part is, you're scr***d. Thanks a lot once more!!

[@mennokempff4891]

Thanks a lot! Saved me a trip to the garage. Thumbs up!!

[@Europelite]

So pro guide. You have anwered my all questions. Great job man !

[@leesampson3521]

Great tutorial. Couldnt have done it without the help. The space to work with otherwise wouldve been impossible

[@allmancolin]

Great video ! I've had a Focus since 2003 and it's still running thanks to proper care and maintainance. I have to say that headlight bulbs seem to fail with monotonous regularity despite taking every care with installation as in your video. I always managed to replace them with the headlight unit in situ however, pain in the ass though it is !! As car technology strides on, the manufacturers seem to make it less and less possible for DIY repairs and maintainance, even such mundane things as changing a bulb ! Whether this is deliberate on their part in order to channel more work to dealers / independent garages is hard to say. It wouldn't surprise me though.

[@CraigsDIY]

I think it's more what makes for design and manufacture ease and economy, rather than the conspiracy version. Although, I don't know why Ford made the Focus this dumb, when the same generation and similarly designed Mondeo has very easily removed headlights (you don't even need tools). But bulbs failing routinely is probably a problem with the electrics. Try to get LED headlights in any new car purchase from now on :)

[@berkannnn5140]

Craig's DIY Car which led u prefer? H7 and??

[@atilllathehun1212]

Just about to do a bulb change, very informative video.

[@gaetanogrimaldi8193]

Complimenti per la bellissima spiegazione, io posseggo la stessa autovettura, l'altro giorno mi ero messo a smontare il faro proprio quello vicino alla batteria, è dopo aver smontato le due viti di sopra, il faro non usciva poiche' c'era un terzo bullone che va' svitato da sotto, adesso mi è stato chiarito con questo bellissimo video, quando posso tempo permettendo mi mettero' a sostituirlo, solo che c'è la difficolta' che uno si deve sdraiare per terra, grazie per la bellissima spiegazione.

[@BenThePassenger]

Thanks! Your help spared me a lot of trouble!!

[@reho4083]

I have a focus mk1 for 11 years now and i can change a bulb in under 1 minute. The thing i changed was that the connnector is not entangled with the hook. This works much easyer. The connector can be placed after the bulb install. You have way more room like this.

[@willemkapel]

Excellent and very help full, today a needed this video 👍👍👍

[@KafanskaTV]

Than's for this.. was stuck feeling for the clip on top of the light until I realized it's actually on the side.. after that it was a breeze to take it out. Had some more trouble due to previous owner having installed custom xenon lights, so the original switches and all that were replaced with custom stuff, but this video got me trough the main part.

[@knee5onix191]

Sorted, many thanks for posting this video - Very helpful.

[@tristangwithian4010]

Great video. Excellent that you gave a plan B (which I needed). Car good to go. Thanks!

[@rubiconnz1754]

Well explained what bulbs can be put into the lower fog lights on Ford Focus to make them brighter ?

[@CraigsDIY]

You could put in up-rated bulbs like kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3aqmGSJoayWotU - don't do anything silly like illegal LED retrofits. Otherwise you might be able to fit whole replacement LED fog lights. Not much point tho, fog lights are intended to be yellowish and not super bright, hence the yellow filter on many, and the standard halogens are pretty suitable.

[@SkorkWB]

Thanks for the manual how to do this. As I tryed it the first time on my own I completley missed the small metal clip holding the bulb ... I was wondering so much what is the problem. Now with your video I know how to handle this thing. Thank you so much! :) Kind regards from Germany

[@adia3056]

Brilliant video. I sorted my light out. Thank you.

[@paultrilly6488]

great vid after watching this i managed to change mine within 15 mins :)

[@chrisrussell4270]

Superb You have given correct information

[@geminigemini8955]

Thanks for manual. Hi from Ukraine)

[@nigellow9712]

thankyou for good informative video. i did changed the same bulbs but with LED replacements, for some reason the bulbs are not as strong / bright?? would you know any reason why?/ regards nigel

[@CraigsDIY]

Headlight bulbs? You can't replace with LED, the LED retrofit things that are available are junk and probably illegal wherever you are. They can never replicate the halogen beam because the reflector isn't designed for them. Bin them and put decent halogens back in.

[@TimelessMomentsLtd]

Excellent presentation, lots of detail, perfect, thanks.

[@daveymcg53]

great video. good shots and clear instructions.

[@garrypkeogh]

Great vid but I suggest taking the plug off the bulb terminals before you release the retaining clip and then you have no issue with the plug and wires passing through the wire clip. You have more room to work this way. HTH? Garry

[@CraigsDIY]

You're right.

[@jpelt2001]

That's not recommended. On older cars the bulb terminal gets very stiff to unplug and you can damage the retainer clip. A friend of mine was forced to replace the entire head lamp assembly because his pulling action caused the spring to break and jump away.

[@user-xq9ns1wb5c]

How did you extract the leveling actuator? After rotating the body and releasing it.

[@michaelhawkins4005]

Thank you, made it so much easier!

[@davidhustle483]

Brilliant video; this is just what I needed. Thank you!

[@teotl65]

Thanks! Very helpful video. With your aid I had the job done in 5 min (easy side). It's absolutely doable with a mirror. My problem was that the clip fell out and I couldn't figure out how to position it :)

[@thefarmer4586]

Thank you so much, sir. God bless you!

[@spapanek1]

Hi, nice video. Just wondering if there anything wrong to unplug the wire before you remove the clip holding bulb. I do it with my car and no problem with bulbs.

[@CraigsDIY]

No that's a better way to do it.

[@cedrikbla9053]

Hello, i have one big question... @ min 13:30, that plastic wich cover the bulb... how can i put it back because at me it falls down in headlight. Is any king method?

[@jotad5980]

wonderful video, very complete and also gladly, thank you my friend

[@jakesomeone2584]

Saved my life!

[@Stevesixty7]

I changed the left sidelight bulb in situ but it was awkward. I took the two top screws out that hold the headlight which gave a little more wiggle room. Thanks for the video though, I at least know about the third screw.

[@papapi9082]

thank you very much, would you know the specifications of the fog light bulb?

[@Janisg616]

Watching this video and headlight on a bench helped. But did not remove headlight to change a bulb, for me removing battery was enough to change low beam bulb in Ford Focus MK1. If in doubt you can practice to remove and install back broken bulb without touching glass part of it. If success change it to a new bulb, if in doubt, go ahead and remove headlight as shown in this video and then install new bulb. High beam bulb was even easier to access (when battery was removed). Not sure about right side, I will change it when it will burn out. It is easier to remove and install bulb when wire is disconnected, especially if you try to change bulb without removing headlight.

[@jeprerderwererwer56]

Very clear video thanks Craig

[@petezulema]

Thanks for this video, once I saw what the clip looked like and how it released I was able to change the bulbs without taking the headlight off the car.

[@kakoiniksvoboden]

Thank you a lot for this video! Helped me a lot changing the headlight! Was a bit different on my german Focus, but was very similar :)

[@DOOFxr2]

thank you! helped alot when doing the headlight where the battery is

[@motomachigrooves]

I have replaced passenger side headlamp bulb several times, and I'd still rather prefer removing the battery and undoing three bolts which hold the battery box in place in order to move it freely (sort of). Even if you do so it is still painful to get an access to the back cover and the bulb itself, though. I don't know if you can save your time by this method, but I hate getting under the vehicle for such a minor fix, especially at night.

[@alexanderwhite8320]

Do You also remove engine to change engine oil?

[@evzalxheladini1205]

Perfect video! Those disliking haters!

[@leexr2i]

Oh wow! Thanks ford! Why the hell do they make it so hard... I think I'll pay the guys at Halfords to do it.

[@lucystokes12]

True but the rear fog light is easier to replace

[@DudesWazap]

You think that this is hard? Look at Reno Scenic replacement and then we'll talk.

[@originalGFLEX]

If I didn’t see this video the plan was a quick replacement fitment outside the store after bulbs purchase minus tools. Hate the fact you have to lay down and go under bumper to remove bolt. On the bright side there a far worst awkward diy fitting replacement bulb on other makes of cars.

[@brinckje]

Thank you for this great video.

[@IStabChavs92]

I tend to leave the underside bolt out the headlights are firm without. (same with my sisters mk7 Fiesta too) Also do not need to remove the the grill bolt just unclip the grill.

[@scottgoodinson659]

What number is the right headlight fuse in focus 2005 lx

[@lolo3817]

Brillant video and instructions ! thx a lot !

[@jonnygabriel5325]

What indicator bulbs does this take please

[@graemehunter5403]

Thank you. I have to replace both units.

[@nachobassman]

Brilliant video, thank you. I wonder what kind of ugly stuff Ford designers were smoking when designing this... 🙄 This should have been an easy access panel. I remember in my previous car, a Renault Clio from 1999, it didn't took me more than 2 minutes to change ALL front bulbs from both sides.

[@kostaschondros8324]

Nive video mate,very helpful!! Thank you very much!

[@leexr2i]

I just changed both headlight bulbs in 6mins WITHOUT taking the headlight out... this is a lot of unnecessary work. As long as you know how the metal clips work and can get them off with out seeing them your good to go.

[@doyoulikebeetroot]

leexr2i I can't get the box cover of my mk 1.5 on the left hand side in situe as the battery tray blocks it coming away so the battery and tray has to come out or the cluster Do you have or did you have the mk1 or mk1.5? It's different on the facelift as this vid shows

[@BlueOrcX]

I had LED H7 in my MK1 Fase 2. Same model as this one. For LED you have to take battery out or headlight unit. Later i put H7R Xenon in, without any removal. Only i had to remove for Xenon was the metal clip to fit over cables. Yesterday i put H7 Philips Racing Halogen lamps in. Did not remove anything, beside clip to get Xenon out. People who remove on this model whole unit to change normal lamp are not handy or they love to remove headlight units.

[@robinj5]

The MK1 is a lot easier than the MK1.5. it is very difficult to do the battery side without taking it out

[@Jase-Jaye]

Great video, really helped. Don't understand why Ford stuck a bolt under the Bloody car 😫

[@Mattjaylane1]

Thanks for your help, still a ball ache to do! But very, very helpful :-)

[@ballkeeper6662]

cheers and thanks for showing both ways

[@LarkspeedNL]

I have changed both bulbs in my MK1 focus and it's not hard at all to just change them without all this messing around, there is more than enough room to get your hand in and you really don't need to see what you are doing it's done easily by feel.

[@rasmadrak]

This is pretty interesting. On my 2003 Flexifuel the lights are easily accessible via the hatches (without removing the lights). Lucky me, I guess.... :|

[@stefanlange1792]

Great tutorial! Thanks!