2003 V6 Elegance front fog light bulb type

[adamvortex]

can someone please tell me what type of bulb is in the front bumper fog lights on the elegance model?? im thinking of installing a HID kit, but need to know the bulb type.
also has anyone fitted HID to the front fogs?? is it an easy affair or a complete nightmare??

[HMG1K]

Hmmmmm... sounds good! I shall be watching this thread for my Elegance! :-)

[Scanny]

i think its an H3. i hope so cos thats what i bought. i just havent managed to fit them yet. have a look behind the bumper and you will see what the problem is

[adamvortex]

oh no richie you are scaring me lol,
if its like the twin spot on my v6 sport then its going to be a complete nightmare, why did mitsubishi make it so awkward??

is there anyone that has challenged this mission? & what was the verdict??
anybody got any tips??

[HMG1K]

If you've the single front fog lights - which you would have on a 2003 Elegance, then it's simple. I did mine a few years ago when I bought my Elegance, just to upgrade the bulbs to the Philips Silver Vision range.

It involves getting on your back and sticking your head under the bumper to have a fiddle around - it's easy, just fiddly. Failing that, have a hunt around with your hand behind the light housing, it's a simple 'twist and turn' and pull the bulb and socket out. :-)

[adamvortex]

cheers for the info phill, are they H3?

[HMG1K]

You're welcome. :-)

Yep, they're H3!

[Scanny]

its the rusty brown plate right behind the lamp unit that is causing me a nightmare. the car is too damn low to get any space to move around anyway but that plate is the real problem. not that i have tried much in the last month anyway. i havent even managed to wash the car although that will change today. she had 3 baths in one week just before the snow started and its taken from then until 3 days to gain access to my driveway again

[Scanny]

i can now confirm 100% that i was correct. the front fog light bulb is definately an H3.
they are a serious pain in the arse to fit though. i finally managed to remove the bottom screw and just bent the metal plate out of the way on the passenger side. i havent done the drivers side yet due to rain and losing the feeling in my fingers. the washer bottle is right behind it though so yet more misery awaits me

now done! total time = 3 hours to change 2 damn bulbs

[adamvortex]

so a massive mission rich! 3 hours to fit 2 bulbs, god that has put me off a bit to doing the hid conversion, i think i will wait for the warmer sunshine before squeezing under the bumper.

[Scanny]

the headlights arent as bad but being honest, every bulb up front is awkward. there is a metal plate behind the drivers side fog lamp which appears to have no purpose. its no longer there because of the hassle of undoing the bolt at the top. the washer bottle gets in the way when putting the bulbs in too. there is far more space to work in on the passenger side but i did have rust to deal with. i just removed the screw from the bottom, pushed the plate out of the way, fitted the bulb then screwed the plate back on. bending it will weaken the metal slightly but metal fatigue wont be an issue unless you bend the plate a few times. once wont be an issue. it only holds the horn on. there is also the fact i only had the car jack to work with which made it trickier

[HMG1K]

The headlight bulbs are a pain x10000 to change,

It took me hours the first time and those metal clips, as Richie says, don't help. It gets better. The second occasion when I had to replace a blown headlight it was quicker and easier as I knew what to do - and summer months mean warmer weather and no frost bite and scraped fingers!

[nevadamamba]

hi adam when you have fitted your lights ill have to get you to do mine it will take half as long as you can practise on yours.

[Scanny]

The headlight bulbs are a pain x10000 to change,

It took me hours the first time and those metal clips, as Richie says, don't help. It gets better. The second occasion when I had to replace a blown headlight it was quicker and easier as I knew what to do - and summer months mean warmer weather and no frost bite and scraped fingers!

thats me done every bulb up front now including the indicators. the battery does restrict the room on the passenger side and the wires and pipes get in the way on the drivers side. bulbs are about the most basic maintenance you can do on a car and if they are this much of a pain, i wouldnt like to see how much work is involved in proper mechanical work. i wouldnt like to pay for a lot of jobs either. im glad i have a mechanic who knows these cars and particularly likes the V6. you could spend a lot of money in a garage full of guys standing around figuring out how to fix your car. fortunately they are incredibly reliable and dont need much doing beyond wear and tear items