Seat Alhambra 2013 Owner's Manual

329
If and when
Changing bulbs
Introduction
Changing bulbs requires a certain amount of manual skill. If you are unsure,
SEAT recommends that you consult a Technical Service or request assis-
tance from a specialist. In general, a specialist is required if other vehicle
components must be removed or if the discharge lamps must be replaced.
You should store spare light bulbs in the vehicle for safety-relevant lights.
Spare bulbs may be obtained from the Technical Services. In some coun-
tries, it is a legal requirement to carry spare bulbs in the vehicle.
Driving with faults and blown bulbs on the vehicle exterior lighting is
against the law.
Additional bulb specifications
The specifications of some headlamp bulbs and bulbs for the tail lamps fit-
ted at the factory may be different to those of conventional bulbs. Bulb in-
formation is displayed on the bulb socket or on the bulb itself.
Additional information and warnings:
● Lights and visibility ⇒ page 95
● Working in the engine compartment ⇒ page 278
● Vehicle tools ⇒ page 323
● Fuses ⇒ page 325
WARNING
If the road is not well-lit and the vehicle is not clearly visible to other
drivers, there is a risk of accident.
WARNING
Failure to replace bulbs correctly may cause serious accidents.
● Before carrying out any work in the engine compartment please read
and observe the warnings ⇒ page 278. In any vehicle, the engine com-
partment is a hazardous area and could cause severe injury.
● Discharge lamps work with high-voltage and can cause serious or fa-
tal injury if handled incorrectly.
● H7 and discharge lamps are highly pressurised and could explode
when being changed.
● Only replace the bulbs concerned when they have cooled.
● Never replace bulbs alone if you are not familiar with the operations
necessary. If you are not sure about procedures then visit a specialised
workshop to carry out the necessary work.
● Never touch the bulb glass directly. Fingerprints will be evaporated by
the heat of the operating bulb thus “fogging” up the reflector.
● The headlamp frameworks in the engine compartment and the tail
lamps contain sharp elements. Always protect your hands when chang-
ing bulbs.
CAUTION
After changing a bulb, if the rubber covers and plastic caps are not replaced
correctly on the headlamp framework, the electrical installation may be
damaged, especially if water is allowed to enter. 
Control lamp
lights upPossible causeSolution
A vehicle exterior lighting
bulb is not working.Replace the faulty bulb. 
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330If and when
Several warning and control lamps should light up for a few seconds when
the ignition is switched on, signalling that the function is being verified.
They will switch off after a few seconds.
Checking the bulbs of a trailer
For vehicles with the factory fitted towing bracket, certain trailer lights are
also controlled if the power socket is correctly connected.
A fault on a trailer turn signal is indicated on the instrument panel by the
turn signal blinking twice as fast (  or ) ⇒ page 95.
● General fault of all turn signals on one side.
● Fault in one tail light (on some models, also the registration light).
● Fault in two brake lights.
WARNING
If the warning lamps and messages are ignored, the vehicle may stall in
traffic, or may cause accidents and severe injuries.
● Never ignore the warning lamps or text messages.
● Stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible.
CAUTION
Failure to heed the control lamps and text messages when they appear may
result in faults in the vehicle.
Note
A fault in the LED on the tail lights will not be indicated. However, if the fault
affects all the LEDs then this will be indicated by the control lamp . Information for replacing bulbs
Checklist
To replace a bulb, carry out the following operations always in the order giv-
en ⇒ 
:
Park the vehicle a safe distance from traffic and on suitable ground.
Connect the electronic parking brake ⇒ page 184.
Turn the light switch to position 0 ⇒ page 95.
Move the gear lever into the neutral position ⇒ page 95.
Automatic gearbox: move the selector lever to position P ⇒ page 175.
Stop the engine and remove the key from the ignition ⇒ page 171.
Manual gearbox: Select a gear ⇒ page 175.
Wait until all of the vehicle interior lights are turned off ⇒ page 95.
Allow the corresponding bulb to cool. Visually inspect fuses to see if any are blown ⇒ page 325.
Replace the bulb according to the instructions ⇒ 
. Bulbs should only
be replaced by new identical models. Bulb information is displayed on
the bulb socket or on the bulb itself.
In general, never touch the bulb glass directly. The heat of the bulb
would cause the fingerprint to evaporate and condense on the reflector.
This will impair the brightness of the headlight.
Check if the new bulb is working. If the bulb is not working, it may not
have been correctly fitted, it could be damaged or the connector may
not be correctly connected.
Every time a bulb for the headlights is replaced, visit a specialised
workshop to check the headlights. 
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

331
If and when
WARNING
Failure to follow the checklist prepared for your own safety could lead to
accidents and severe injuries.
● Always complete the operations given in the checklist and observe
the general rules of safety.CAUTION
Always remove and fit headlights carefully to avoid damage to the paint-
work and other vehicle parts. 
To replace halogen headlight bulbs
Fig. 205 In the engine
compartment: Left-hand
side headlight lining. A
dipped beam headlights,
B daytime driving lights
and C main beam head-
lights and side lightsFig. 206 Left headlight
There is no need to remove the headlight to replace bulbs.
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Fig. 205, Fig. 206 ABCTurn signals (small lamp holder)Dipped beam head-lightsDaytime driving lightMain beam headlightsSide lights
1.Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary actions ⇒ page 330.2.Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 278. 
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332If and when
Fig. 205,
Fig. 206 ABCTurn signals (small lamp holder)Dipped beam head-lightsDaytime driving lightMain beam headlightsSide lights
3. Remove the rubber cover on the rear of the headlight.
4.
Rotate the lamp holder1 to the left all the way
and pull it out back-
wards with the bulb.Rotate the lamp holder to the left all the way and pull it out backwards with the bulb.Press the wire clip down-wards and pull the lamp holder 2
out with the
bulb.
Pull the lamp holder 3out backwards with the
bulb.
5.Depending on the model, the bulb is removed directly from the lamp holder or it may need to be rotated and then removed.6.Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
7.Place the bulb holder in the headlight and rotate to the right all the way.
Place the lamp holder in
the headlight and pull the
wire clip upwards until it
clicks into place.Place the lamp holder inthe headlight and insert completely.
8. Insert the rubber cover.
Note
The images show the left hand headlight from behind. The structure of the
right hand side headlight is symmetric. 

333
If and when
To replace the xenon headlights bulb
Fig. 207 In the engine
compartment: Turn signal
cover
Fig. 208 Turn signal
lamp holder 1 and turn-
ing light 2
There is no need to remove the headlight to replace bulbs.
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Turn signals 1Turning lights 2
1.Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary ac-
tions ⇒ page 330.
2.Open the bonnet  ⇒ page 278.
3.Rotate the cover ⇒  Fig. 207 in the direction of the arrow and remove
it.
4.
Rotate the lamp holder 1⇒ Fig. 208 to the left all the way
and pull it out backwards with
the bulb.Press the wire clip downwards
and pull the lamp holder 2
⇒ Fig. 208 out with the bulb.
5.Depending on the model, the bulb is removed directly from the
lamp holder or it may need to be rotated and then removed.
6.Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
7.Place the bulb holder in the
headlight and rotate to the right
all the way.Place the lamp holder in the
headlight and pull the wire clip
upwards until it clicks into place.
8.Rotate the cover ⇒  Fig. 207 in the opposite direction to the arrow as
far as it will go.
Always seek the help of a specialist when changing the Xenon dipped beam
and main beam headlamps ⇒  in Introduction on page 329.
Note
The illustrations show the left hand headlight. The structure of the right
hand side headlight is symmetric. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

334If and when
To replace the front bumper bulbs
Fig. 209 On the right-
hand side of the front
bumper: Removing the
headlights
Fig. 210 Changing the
bulbs in the headlights
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
1.Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary ac-
tions ⇒ page 330.
2.Pull the cover forwards, in the direction of the arrow ⇒ Fig. 209.
3.Unscrew the attachment screw 1 using the screwdriver from the
vehicle tool kit ⇒ page 323.
4.Tilt the headlight slightly forward and extract it from its lateral at-
tachments ⇒ Fig. 210 (small arrows).
5.Release the connector 1 and remove it.
6.Rotate the lamp holder 2 to the left all the way, in the direction of
the arrow, and pull it out backwards with the bulb.
7.Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
8.Place the bulb holder in the headlight and rotate to the right all the
way.
9.Insert the connector 1 on the lamp holder 2. The connector must
audibly click into place.
10.Place the headlight into its position ⇒ Fig. 210 (small arrows) and
tilt it backwards.
11.Tighten the attachment screw ⇒ Fig. 209 1 using the screwdriver.12.Replace the cover on the bumper ⇒ Fig. 209.

335
If and when
To replace the rear lid light bulbs
Fig. 211 On the rear lid:
Remove the cover
Fig. 212 On the rear lid:
Remove the lamp holder Complete operations only in the sequence given:
1.Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary ac-
tions
⇒ page 330.
2.Open the rear lid ⇒ page 83.
3.Extract the cover carefully using the flat part of the screwdriver from
the vehicle tool kit as a lever ( ⇒ Fig. 200) on the indent
⇒ Fig. 211 1
.
4.Release the lamp holder connector by pulling on the red connector
block.
5.Press on the attachment tabs in the direction of the arrow
⇒ Fig. 212 and pull out the lamp holder.
6.Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
7.Install the lamp holder. The attachment tabs should audibly click
into place.
8.Insert the cover. The cover should lock into place.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

336If and when
To replace the tail light bulbs
Fig. 213 On the side of the luggage compartment: To
remove the left and right hand side tail lights. 1 re-
move the cap; 2 attachment screw
Fig. 214 Tail lights on
bodywork: To remove the
lamp holder. 1
to 4:
Attachment tab
Complete operations only in the sequence given.
Removing the tail light units
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Tail light, leftTail light, right
1.Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary ac- tions ⇒ page 330.
2.Open the rear lid ⇒  page 83.
3.Open the storage compartments
on the left-hand side of the lug-
gage compartment ⇒ page 141.Move the 12 V power socket sup-
port by pressing gently down-
wards ⇒ Fig. 213 B
(arrow).
4.Rotate the cap 1 90° in the di-
rection of the arrow and remove
it.
5.Unscrew the attachment screw 2 using the screwdriver from the
vehicle tool kit ⇒ page 323. The bolt is secured in its position.
6.Extract the tail light from the bodywork by carefully pulling back-
wards.
7.Pull the red strip on the connector and extract the connector.8.Disassemble the tail light unit and place it on a flat, clean surface. 

337
If and when
To change the bulb
9.To release the lamp holder, press on the attachment tabs
⇒ Fig. 214 1 to 4 in the direction of the arrow.10.Remove the lamp holder from the tail light unit.11.Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
12.Place the lamp holder in the tail light unit. The attachment tabs
should audibly click into place.
13.Insert the connector and press the red attachment strip in so that
the connector is locked into place.
Assembling the tail light units
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Tail light, leftTail light, right
14.Carefully insert the tail light unit into the opening in the bodywork.
To do this, insert the upper tail light unit guide into the attachment ring.
15.Tighten the white attachment screw using the screwdriver from thevehicle tool kit.
Tail light, leftTail light, right
16.Ensure that the tail light unit has been correctly fitted and is firmly secured.
17.Replace the cap 1 and rotate it
90° in the opposite direction of
the arrow.Move the 12 V power socket sup-
port upwards gently until it is
correctly closed.
18.Close the storage compartment. 19.Close the rear lid ⇒ page 83.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical tipsTechnical Specifications

338If and when
Changing the number plate light
Fig. 215 On the rear
bumper: number plate
lightsFig. 216 Number plate
light: Remove the lamp
holder
Complete operations only in the sequence given:
Fixed number plate lightBolted number plate light1.Always take the checklist into account and take the necessary actions ⇒ page 330.
2.Press the flat part of the screwdriver included in the vehicle on-board
tools (⇒ Fig. 200) in the direction of the arrow, in the groove of the
number plate light ⇒ Fig. 215.Unscrew the number plate light screws using the screwdriver from the
vehicle tool kit (⇒ Fig. 200).
3.Detach the number plate light.
4.Press on the connector lock in the direction of the arrow ⇒ Fig. 216 Aand pull out the connector.Separate the attachment tabs from the rear panel of the number plate
light by pressing.
5.Rotate the lamp holder in the direction of the arrow B and extract it
with the lamp.Take the lamp holder out of the number plate light.
6.Replace the faulty bulb by a new identical bulb.
7.Insert the lamp holder into the number plate light and rotate all the
way in the opposite direction to the arrow B.Insert the lamp holder into the number plate light.
8.Plug the connector into the lamp holder.Press on the attachment tabs. The lamp holder must be firmly attached
to the number plate light.
