Brake light bulbs/Halfords - another whinge

**robmawer** · 01-04-2003, 15:04

Checked the little bulb book in Halfords with all the makes
and models of cars listed in it - said the Otavia brake light
bulbs are "380" ones. These are the right size, but the
"hooking" prongs are too high, it has two filaments and
also two of those bump things on the bottom, instead of
one big one.
So, basically, it's the wrong one, and the "382" should
be used. Are Halford's really that clueless about Skodas,
or is it time they realised a facelift model exists?

Rob.

SkodiRS · 01-04-2003, 16:30

Rob,

I think the Halfords catalogue has specced the face-lift models; brake bulb on mine (52 reg) has a double filament; one for the brake the other for the fog lamp.

I think they need to list all versions; from what you've said they've only listed the face-lift model.

Cheers.
Adrian.

**robmawer** · 01-04-2003, 16:35

Hmm...mine's post-facelift though, and in the Halford's book
it's for "97 onwards".

My fog lamp is at the bottom of the cluster though, and my
brake light is second from the top.

Maybe I've been sold a Passat by mistake!

Rob.

SkodiRS · 01-04-2003, 16:41

My mistake.......the fog lamp is combined with the rear driving light (I knew a double filament was required for the fog and something else

).

Brake bulb should be as you said.
Halfords got it wrong but we have to cut them a little slack as they do sell the excellent Infinity 652i speakers!

**robmawer** · 01-04-2003, 16:47

I haven't got any double-filaments in mine! I thought the driving light
and brake light were the same, and the increase in brightness was a
result of just sticking more current through it. My fog lights appear
to be independent, except on the left hand side which doesn't have
a bulb at the bottom. Although that still makes it independent.

I'm all confused now

Rob.

***ncarring*** · 01-04-2003, 16:52

Historically driving lights were combined with brake lights in a dual filament bulb. When fogs became popular they were often put in the same reflector as brake lights albeit as a separate bulb, until people started realising they confused other drivers who couldn't tell when someone in front was braking or just had their fogs on (before high-level brake lights became universal). So nowadays the brake and fog are usually in separate reflectors. I think this is probably one reason behind single fog lights too.

I think brake and fog as one bulb would get too hot - both are 21W filaments whereas driving are only 9W IIRC

***DGW*** · 01-04-2003, 20:13

I seem to recall that the rear light clusters are different for the Octavia Hatch and Estate. The rear fog light is separate on the Estate but is combined with another light - the brake? - on the Hatch. This was discussed in the thread about wiring up a second fog light.

I carry one of those spare bulb packups sold by Skoda dealers for under 10 squid, but whenever I can I take the bulb that needs replacing to my local car shop and as for 'One of these, please'.

Time to walk the dog........

SkodiRS · 02-04-2003, 09:04

Checked out the lamp arrangement yesterday:

top - brake lamp

bottom - driving and fog lamp

the clear lenses are for the indicator and the reversing lamp.

So IIRC 380 bulb for the bottom and 382 for the top.

Cheers.
Adrian.

**robmawer** · 02-04-2003, 10:09

Hmm...from my memory of changing it on Saturday, I have five bulbs from top
to bottom:
Indicator
Brake
Reversing
Driving
Fog

This is from memory though so I might be wrong...

Rob.

SkodiRS · 02-04-2003, 10:14

Doh! I've got to go and check again now as I may have remembered incorrectly.

SkodiRS · 02-04-2003, 10:33

Just checked:

brake
indicator
reversing
driving/fog

The indicator and reversing lamp could be the other way round.

Cheers.
Adrian.

**robmawer** · 02-04-2003, 10:39

How strange...

Rob.

**mannyo** · 02-04-2003, 12:17

Mines the same as Adrian,

on pre-facelift the indicator is at the top.

**robmawer** · 02-04-2003, 12:28

But...that would mean I have pre-facelift clusters on a post-facelift car!

I'm going to have to check tonight otherwise it's going to bug me...

Rob.

SkodiRS · 02-04-2003, 12:38

Rob,

does your lense look like the following (top to bottom):

red
clear
clear
red

if so then it should be the same arrangement as mine. If the lenses are (I think)

red/orange
red
clear
red
red

then it's a pre 2001 face lift lense.

Had a look at the Butts catalogue and they have a rear lense cover which clearly shows 5 sections with the reversing lamp being the 3 one from top. This is said to be for pre 2001 cars.

Looks like you've got pre 2001 lenses on your car.

Cheers.
Adrian.

**robmawer** · 02-04-2003, 12:49

They're the latter! So, yes, pre-facelift lenses, which might
explain why the Halford's bulb catalogue was "wrong".
Think my car was registered around June 2001, so not
really sure when it was made.
Maybe I have a unique car.
Or maybe I have the front of a post- and the rear of a pre-!

Rob.

rich1068 · 02-04-2003, 13:29

What's the technical term? Cut and shut!

Rob, is the upholstery on the front seats different to what's on the back?

**robmawer** · 02-04-2003, 13:52

Hmm...I thought there was something strange about having the black pattern
on the front seats and the sand colour in the back, but the salesman said
it was how they came out of the factory :p

Rob.

SkodiRS · 02-04-2003, 14:08

Wasn't that the new option service called "Mix 'n Match"?

Sort of like Range Rover's "Autobiography" service for that...individual look.

All cars ordered using the "Mix 'n Match" service are built on a separate production line......some lock-up in a railway arch.

Banter a side, hopefully we haven't stumbled upon something here.

Cheers.
Adrian.

**robmawer** · 02-04-2003, 14:12

I don't think it is, Horner's seem like a reputable dealer who do all HPi checks and that,
and the vehicle was formlerly owned by Europcar, who I'd imagine wouldn't want to tarnish
their public image.

Does anyone remember those VW Polo's...were they called Harlequins or something?
Where all the panels were different colours. Was really shocked to find they came like that!

Rob.

01-04-2003, 15:04	#1
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,389 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	Brake light bulbs/Halfords - another whinge Checked the little bulb book in Halfords with all the makes and models of cars listed in it - said the Otavia brake light bulbs are "380" ones. These are the right size, but the "hooking" prongs are too high, it has two filaments and also two of those bump things on the bottom, instead of one big one. So, basically, it's the wrong one, and the "382" should be used. Are Halford's really that clueless about Skodas, or is it time they realised a facelift model exists? Rob.

01-04-2003, 16:35	#3
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,389 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	Hmm...mine's post-facelift though, and in the Halford's book it's for "97 onwards". My fog lamp is at the bottom of the cluster though, and my brake light is second from the top. Maybe I've been sold a Passat by mistake! Rob. __________________

01-04-2003, 16:47	#5
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,389 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	I haven't got any double-filaments in mine! I thought the driving light and brake light were the same, and the increase in brightness was a result of just sticking more current through it. My fog lights appear to be independent, except on the left hand side which doesn't have a bulb at the bottom. Although that still makes it independent. I'm all confused now Rob. __________________

01-04-2003, 16:52	#6
*ncarring* Don't talk, drive! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The B roads of Britain Posts: 12,864 Thanks: 15 Thanked 86 Times in 74 Posts	Historically driving lights were combined with brake lights in a dual filament bulb. When fogs became popular they were often put in the same reflector as brake lights albeit as a separate bulb, until people started realising they confused other drivers who couldn't tell when someone in front was braking or just had their fogs on (before high-level brake lights became universal). So nowadays the brake and fog are usually in separate reflectors. I think this is probably one reason behind single fog lights too. I think brake and fog as one bulb would get too hot - both are 21W filaments whereas driving are only 9W IIRC __________________ Nick

01-04-2003, 20:13	#7
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,030 Thanks: 45 Thanked 152 Times in 115 Posts	I seem to recall that the rear light clusters are different for the Octavia Hatch and Estate. The rear fog light is separate on the Estate but is combined with another light - the brake? - on the Hatch. This was discussed in the thread about wiring up a second fog light. I carry one of those spare bulb packups sold by Skoda dealers for under 10 squid, but whenever I can I take the bulb that needs replacing to my local car shop and as for 'One of these, please'. Time to walk the dog........ __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP, Jabba rear ARB, and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.01 mpg...

01-04-2003, 16:30	#2
SkodiRS BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: darkest Hampshire Posts: 8,650 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Rob, I think the Halfords catalogue has specced the face-lift models; brake bulb on mine (52 reg) has a double filament; one for the brake the other for the fog lamp. I think they need to list all versions; from what you've said they've only listed the face-lift model. Cheers. Adrian.

01-04-2003, 16:41	#4
SkodiRS BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: darkest Hampshire Posts: 8,650 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	My mistake.......the fog lamp is combined with the rear driving light (I knew a double filament was required for the fog and something else ). Brake bulb should be as you said. Halfords got it wrong but we have to cut them a little slack as they do sell the excellent Infinity 652i speakers!

02-04-2003, 09:04	#8
SkodiRS BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: darkest Hampshire Posts: 8,650 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Checked out the lamp arrangement yesterday: top - brake lamp bottom - driving and fog lamp the clear lenses are for the indicator and the reversing lamp. So IIRC 380 bulb for the bottom and 382 for the top. Cheers. Adrian.

02-04-2003, 10:09	#9
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,389 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	Hmm...from my memory of changing it on Saturday, I have five bulbs from top to bottom: Indicator Brake Reversing Driving Fog This is from memory though so I might be wrong... Rob. __________________

02-04-2003, 10:14	#10
SkodiRS BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: darkest Hampshire Posts: 8,650 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Doh! I've got to go and check again now as I may have remembered incorrectly.

02-04-2003, 10:33	#11
SkodiRS BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: darkest Hampshire Posts: 8,650 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Just checked: brake indicator reversing driving/fog The indicator and reversing lamp could be the other way round. Cheers. Adrian.

02-04-2003, 10:39	#12
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,389 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	How strange... Rob. __________________

02-04-2003, 12:17	#13
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 10,741 Thanks: 26 Thanked 265 Times in 248 Posts	Mines the same as Adrian, on pre-facelift the indicator is at the top. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

02-04-2003, 12:28	#14
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,389 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	But...that would mean I have pre-facelift clusters on a post-facelift car! I'm going to have to check tonight otherwise it's going to bug me... Rob. __________________

02-04-2003, 12:38	#15
SkodiRS BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: darkest Hampshire Posts: 8,650 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Rob, does your lense look like the following (top to bottom): red clear clear red if so then it should be the same arrangement as mine. If the lenses are (I think) red/orange red clear red red then it's a pre 2001 face lift lense. Had a look at the Butts catalogue and they have a rear lense cover which clearly shows 5 sections with the reversing lamp being the 3 one from top. This is said to be for pre 2001 cars. Looks like you've got pre 2001 lenses on your car. Cheers. Adrian.

02-04-2003, 12:49	#16
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,389 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	They're the latter! So, yes, pre-facelift lenses, which might explain why the Halford's bulb catalogue was "wrong". Think my car was registered around June 2001, so not really sure when it was made. Maybe I have a unique car. Or maybe I have the front of a post- and the rear of a pre-! Rob. __________________

02-04-2003, 13:29	#17
rich1068 Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: North Posts: 2,709 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What's the technical term? Cut and shut! Rob, is the upholstery on the front seats different to what's on the back? __________________ Rich. Skoda Octavia RS

02-04-2003, 13:52	#18
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,389 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	Hmm...I thought there was something strange about having the black pattern on the front seats and the sand colour in the back, but the salesman said it was how they came out of the factory :p Rob. __________________

02-04-2003, 14:08	#19
SkodiRS BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: darkest Hampshire Posts: 8,650 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 13 Posts	Wasn't that the new option service called "Mix 'n Match"? Sort of like Range Rover's "Autobiography" service for that...individual look. All cars ordered using the "Mix 'n Match" service are built on a separate production line......some lock-up in a railway arch. Banter a side, hopefully we haven't stumbled upon something here. Cheers. Adrian.

02-04-2003, 14:12	#20
robmawer Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Rochdale Posts: 12,389 Thanks: 2 Thanked 65 Times in 58 Posts	I don't think it is, Horner's seem like a reputable dealer who do all HPi checks and that, and the vehicle was formlerly owned by Europcar, who I'd imagine wouldn't want to tarnish their public image. Does anyone remember those VW Polo's...were they called Harlequins or something? Where all the panels were different colours. Was really shocked to find they came like that! Rob. __________________

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