urgent help needed

just replacing the bulb on my interior light / map light and the little metal release bit has popped off and gone up into the gap which the light sits in. cant reach it, even tried a vacuum with a pair of tights over it to try and suck it out but no luck.

how do i remove the plastic surround from there any ideas?
also i need to change the bulbs behind my gauges can someone explain how i remove the surround to get at them?
thanks

Firstly welcome to the Club! 

As for the interior light,  I'm guessing it's lost somewhere behind the head lining. 

If that's the case I'd bite the bullet and buy another one. 
Certainly wouldn't want to start messing with the head lining. 

But the surround should just ease off with a fine blade but… 

The bulbs behind the gauges, take a look in our 'how to ' section,  I'm sure there's something there for you!

Good luck with both. 

ijs1985 said

just replacing the bulb on my interior light / map light and the little metal release bit has popped off and gone up into the gap which the light sits in. cant reach it, even tried a vacuum with a pair of tights over it to try and suck it out but no luck.


thanks

have you got a magnet

will try and find a magnet!
i was hoping i wouldnt have to remove the whole dash just to replace a few bulbs and it certainly doesnt sound like a job for the evening in the dark! was hoping just to be able to remove the section around the speedo etc

It sounds/looks more daunting than it actually is. Just a bit fiddly. Had my dash out so many times it's second nature now!  

The dash removal is pretty easy, just be careful with the brittle plastics and over tightening the screws when you put it back. 

tried the magnets but they kept sticking to the metal of the head lining so didnt get far with that!

As mike said, I think you'll have to buy a new one. I've used all sorts previously to get these type of things out. Maplin sell little mirrors like the dentist uses for such applications. That and a torch if you're still gonna try and get to it. 

Failing the dentist tools, maybe look further than maplin for some suitable gynecological assistance! 
(sorry, it just came to me as I was typing)  

Any idea where to find just that or is it the whole light I need to buy again rather than the metal clip?

I'd you can see in the gap left by the light, the chance is its wedged in between the roof skin and box chassis. Likely to be stuck in the wax that's been injected up there. At least if you can see it, there's a chance you can reach it with a wire. 
But time and effort may be best served trying to get a complete light. I don't imagine that a used one would be any more than a couple of quid, and I'm sure heritage will have aftermarket versions too. Perhaps