Replacing the front parking lights, a story...

Thought I'd put my man pants on and work on the car last night, and ended up having a bit of fun with it. 4 high level items... 1) Watch any how-to youtube videos on this subject with sound, since they will point out the correct way of doing this. 1b) Use the tool that comes in the tool kit to remove the lights... 2) Local auto parts stores WILL NOT have the correct bulb, may as well order them online. I think they are $8-10 or something. 3) The assembly goes back in on little rails, and snaps into position. 4) have some beer on hand, not for doing any of the work but putting up with parts stores when they ask you what the bulb is for... Be sure to get a ride to the stores! So I saw a video and it seemed like a straight forward enough process. Remove the carpet, insert tool, light pops out. What I didn't see on the video was you remove the big round rubber stopper type thing and leave alone the other places to put tools. So rather than the light coming out I re-adjusted everything... Not the end of the world, but if you don't want to learn how to move things back then you may want to do it right to begin with. Or, I guess you could work on the car in a garage where you don't have access to metric allen wrenches that would fit into the adjustment holes... Removing the bulb was pretty straight forward and easy once the assembly was out. Went to a parts store, since the bulb looked like something they would have - they didn't. It's a 12v 6w light, and all you're really going to find (or I found) were 12v 4w bulbs. Not the end of the world, was only $5 for two of them, but it is a little dimmer. They aren't expensive online, so just order some and wait until they come in. DO NOT get into a conversation with the parts person about the car model, or try not to, they will just shake their head and say "we don't have parts for that here" - which is half true, but they should have something that will work (12v 4w). FORGOT - the 12v 4w light they will have is going to require taking a file to one of the nubs. The right bulb has offset nubs, where as what you can buy has them straight across from eachother. Shouldn't be a big deal, shouldn't work loose, but did suprise me a little. They only need to last a month or so until the new ones come in. So now it's dark and I need to put the assembly back in... I don't have a garage to work in, and my friends driveway didn't have great light. Got one in mostly by accident, didn't know about the rails. The other was a fight, until I learned about the rails and it went right in. Usually I'm pretty good when things come apart, but in this case it mostly seemed to pop out rather than slide out. Almost ready to pat myself on the back, and the socket I was using slipped off and fell into the body. So now I have to wait until the car poops it out at some point and/or I owe my friend a 4mm socket... Use the tool that came with the car and save some hassle, or maybe a deep 4mm socket would fit and not catch on the lip. Re-adjusting the lights seemed to have gone ok, just found a wall and made some adjustments. I'm sure it could be done better, I'm sure I'll take another look at it sometime, but for now it will work. Morel of the story is don't think that any job will be easy or that you know what you're doing. With my day jobs I should have known better but my brain just took a break (which, having a job where being careful and double checking is critical my brain deserves a break after work). Double checking, research, and taking your time (and I did take my time actually) will help prevent a funny story like this.

Another very important lesson to learn is to have a place to work that is sheltered from the elements and that has proper lighting. Makes all the difference in the world if it's a project I've not done before. Also, I just became more aware of using locking extensions to avoid the problem of the socket popping off. If you ever change spark plugs make sure you use a locking extension to avoid stranding your socket deep in the head.

I'd say I should get a good set of locking extensions but then I don't really have much in the way of tools that small. Other good take away is don't get in a rush at 11pm at night in a poorly lit area.