Removing the offside headlight to change sidelight bulb 2006 Ford Galaxy Mk2

I have subsequently found out that there is a sliding hatch in the plastic wheel arch which in theory gives you access to the lamp holder. I haven't got particularly large hands and found it cramped and difficult to manoeuvre my hand in the space. Plus you cannot see what you are doing once you hand is in the opening. So I thought I'd share what I found out during this 5 minute task.
Please 'LIKE' if you found the video useful as it will help to raise the video up the suggested list and help others. I don't stand to make anything from this as I cannot monetise below 1000 subs anyway.

[@AcornElectron]

Access hatch for this bulb is in the wheel arch behind sliding panel. Use a square piece of wood to rotate and remove or a 12mm ring spanner in maul grips. You can guide it in visually from above as you can see the back of the bulb holder through gap on top.

[@twotone3070]

Thanks for adding the information. I have had to do the near side since and did go in through the sliding hatch, although not being able to see in very well, I didn't take the road wheel off, does hinder the process if you don't know what to expect in there. As you say, in principle it is a simple operation, but that's not how it felt at the time :)

[@lespaulplayer23]

Yeah the sliding access panel in the wheel arch is for gaining access to the side light bulb and the indicator bulb. The indicator bulb has a long stalk attached to it (you can see this in the video) which makes it easier for you to turn the indicator bulb and remove it. I would imagine this would also make it easier to locate the replacement bulb in the socket 😁👍🏼

[@AcornElectron]

@@lespaulplayer23 indeed. Unfortunately, unless you’ve recently moved the bulb holder on sidelight it often sticks like mad and you’d need tiny hands to be able to manipulate it via the hatch. Hence the 12mm long ring spanner suggestion. Works a treat for removal & replacement.

[@lespaulplayer23]

@@AcornElectron I had a problem with changing bulbs in the wifes Renault Megane Mk2 as there was no real access for my shovel hands down the back of the lights and if i tried to go in through the wheel arch access panel, the access panels are way too small. You can see the bulb you need to change through the access panel but once you put your hand through you can't see anything and you're working blind. I ended up unclipping the front grille and removing the front bumper which is connected to the grille. I then used a socket with an extension bar and removed the lower bolt holding the headlight in place. After removing the top 2 securing bolts the whole headlight slid forward and gave me easy access to all bulbs at the back of the light. Start to finish about 20 minutes which I think was about 15 minutes too long to change out a couple of bulbs 😁👍🏼

[@AcornElectron]

@@lespaulplayer23 I didn’t want to do that because alignment and mot bullshit. But fair enough, that’s definitely one way.

[@wayneashton]

Great video, very informative!