How to replace a headlight bulb on a JMC Landwind 5
While it may not sell in huge numbers, the JMC Landwind 5 has plenty of appeal for budget-minded buyers. One of its drawcards is that it uses well-proven technology, so the electronic systems and mechanical bits are fairly easy to understand and work with. This also means that owners don’t need to visit the dealership to perform simple maintenance tasks, which will save both money and hassles. Replacing the headlight globes is one such task, and we’ll guide you through the process step by step.
Light DIY
Not every piece of maintenance work on your car has to be undertaken by the dealers: it’s easy enough to top up screenwasher fluid or replace a blown fuse, for instance. Another simple operation is replacing a headlamp globe: seeing as the Landwind 5 uses old-fashioned Halogen headlamps instead of fancy Xenons or LEDs, it’s well within the owner’s abilities to do this at home – this action can probably even be performed without any tools.
Related: Our review of the Landwind 5 showed some strong suits... and a few weaknesses too.
You will need:
- New headlight bulbs (correct wattage and amperage for your model)
- Ratchet socket bit & driver
Let’s get it done!
Before we get started, you need to know that the accessibility inside the Landwind 5’s engine bay differs between the driver’s (right side of car) and the passenger’s (left side of car) side.
- If you need to replace the right-hand bulb, you’ll need to remove the small bolt which locates the windscreen washer fluid bottle’s filler neck (1) to access the headlight cluster. Fortunately, the filler neck is flexible, so it won’t be difficult to move it aside slightly – just enough to let your hand through the gap.
- If you need to replace the left-hand bulb, you can create extra space for your hand by unclipping the fuse box cover (2). This is a very simple operation, and entails depressing the locating clip (located at the rear of the fuse cover), and then lifting the cover away from the fuse box. It’s not strictly necessary to remove this cover, but it does make removal and refitting of the bulb a bit easier.
Now, with those details out of the way, we’ll replace the bulb quickly. Both headlights need the same procedure to extract the blown bulb and insert the new one, but we concentrated on the passenger side unit in the pictures, simply because it’s easier to get clear images on that side.
- Open the bonnet.
- Move any obstructions aside, as detailed above for the left- and right-hand headlamps, to gain access to the relevant headlamp cluster.
- Unscrew the waterproof plug (arrowed) to access the main beam assembly. To remove it, simply turn it counter-clockwise (and to replace it, turn it clockwise). This plug has a very steep thread angle, so it should come loose after less than a quarter of a turn. Set the plug aside in a safe location (not on top of the engine cover, because it might slide off and get lost in the engine compartment).
- Unplug the black electrical connector housing (arrowed) by wiggling it slightly while pulling it towards the rear of the car. DO NOT pull on the wires, as doing so may dislodge them from the housing. Move the connector housing aside to give a clear view of the globe and reflector.
- Move any loose wires inside the cluster housing aside to ensure free movement for the retaining clip and bulb.
- Release the metal spring clip (arrowed) by pushing it slightly towards the front of the car and then upwards, where you should hear a “click” sound as it comes loose. Don’t force it: if you don’t get it released at your first try, try again but with slightly different motions. The clip is a very soft metal spring, which is only meant to keep the bulb in position, so excessive force may break it.
- Swing the clip out of the way (as illustrated).
- Remove the bulb by pulling it straight towards the rear. You will notice that it has a flat side to its locating flange, and a locating tab to ensure that it’s properly aligned inside the reflector.
- Install new bulb in the same position as the one you just removed.
- After ensuring that all the wires are out of the way, you can swing the locating clip back into position. The top arm will press against the top of the bulb flange, and the lower arm (with the releasing tab) will press against the bottom of the bulb flange. If it all clears, the lower arm will align with the little hook in the headlamp housing, and you can just clip it into its slot.
- Replace the plastic connector and cover, reversing the order of removal.
- Refit the fuse box cover (for the left light cluster) or relocate the screen washer filler neck (for the right light cluster.
- Test the headlights.
Pro tip: DO NOT touch the new bulb with your bare hands, as doing so will transfer skin oil to the glass. When this oil heats up, it will bake onto the glass, which will reduce the lifespan of the new bulb.
Thank you to JMC Auto Centurion for their assistance in obtaining the images and details contained in this article.
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