How do I replace an indicator globe?

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Quick answer

If one side’s indicator suddenly flashes fast, a globe on that side has usually blown. Find the globe type in your owner’s manual (often PY21W, P21W or WY5W), reach the globe holder from behind the lamp, twist it out, fit the new globe and test before you put everything back. Front indicators on some modern cars are reached through the wheel arch or need the headlight removed.

Is this a DIY job?

  • Difficulty: Easy (rear and side indicators); Easy to Pro (front, depending on the car)
  • Time: 10 to 30 minutes
  • Tools: owner’s manual, screwdriver or trim tool, torch
  • Skills: gentle handling of plastic clips

Rear indicators are usually reached from the boot, the same way as the brake lights. Side repeaters on the guards often pop out with a gentle push and twist. Front indicators vary the most: some twist out from behind the headlight, some are reached through an opening in the wheel arch liner, and some need the bumper or headlight removed.

Step by step

Common bayonet globe bases: BA15s, BAY15d and BAU15s Three 15 mm bayonet globes. BA15s (for example P21W): two locating pins opposite each other at the same height and one contact on the bottom. BAY15d (for example P21/5W): pins at different heights and two contacts on the bottom, so it only fits one way. BAU15s (for example amber PY21W): pins at the same height but not opposite each other, and one contact. Bayonet globe bases: how to tell them apart Side view (top row) and looking at the bottom of the base (bottom row). Not to scale. BA15s Pins level, opposite BAY15d Pins at different heights BAU15s Pins level, not opposite One contact Two contacts One contact, offset pin e.g. P21W (brake, reverse) e.g. P21/5W (brake + tail) e.g. PY21W (amber indicator) Always confirm the globe code in your owner’s manual or on the old globe before buying.
Common bayonet globe bases: BA15s, BAY15d and BAU15s
  1. Work out which globe is out. Switch on the hazard lights and walk around the car. Check front, rear and side repeaters. A blown globe usually makes the dash indicator light and the ticking flash about twice as fast on that side.
  2. Find the globe type. Check the owner’s manual. Indicators commonly use PY21W (amber glass, bayonet), P21W (clear glass, for amber lenses), or small WY5W wedge globes in side repeaters. Buy a pair.
  3. Switch off. Ignition and lights off.
  4. Rear indicator: open the boot, remove the access cover or tail light unit as your manual shows, then twist the indicator holder out (usually anticlockwise).
  5. Side repeater: many slide or push one way to release a clip, then tilt out. Don’t lever against the paint; use a plastic trim tool and a cloth. Pull the holder out of the back and replace the wedge globe.
  6. Front indicator: look behind the headlight for a holder with an amber globe. If it isn’t reachable, check the manual. Some cars have an access flap in the wheel arch liner (turning the steering wheel gives more room). If the manual says to remove the bumper or headlight, consider a workshop.
  7. Remove the old globe. Bayonet: push in, twist anticlockwise, pull out. Wedge: pull straight out.
  8. Match the colour. If the lamp lens is clear, the globe must be amber (PY21W or WY5W). If the lens is amber, a clear globe (P21W or W5W) is normally used. An indicator must show amber light.
  9. Fit the new globe. PY21W globes have offset pins and only fit one way. Don’t force them.
  10. Test before refitting. Check the indicator flashes at the normal rate on both sides, then refit the holder, covers and lamp unit with seals in place.

Specs table

Common indicator globe types (12V)

Type Glass Wattage Base Typical use
PY21W Amber 21 W BAU15s (pins offset, one contact) Front and rear indicators behind clear lenses
P21W Clear 21 W BA15s (pins level and opposite) Indicators behind amber lenses
WY5W Amber 5 W Wedge (W2.1×9.5d) Side repeaters behind clear lenses
W5W Clear 5 W Wedge (W2.1×9.5d) Side repeaters behind amber lenses

Fitment varies by vehicle. Your owner’s manual or the old globe has the correct code.

What you’ll need

  • PY21W amber indicator globe or P21W globe (front and rear, as specified)
  • WY5W amber wedge globe or W5W wedge globe (side repeaters)
  • plastic trim tool
  • If you’re converting to LED: LED flasher relay or load resistor (see related questions)

When to call an auto electrician

  • The front indicator needs the bumper or headlight removed.
  • A new globe doesn’t fix the fast flashing, or no indicator on one side works at all. Check the fuse, then suspect the wiring, earth or switch.
  • The indicators don’t work at all, or the hazard lights work but the indicators don’t (or the reverse). That points to the flasher, switch or body control module.
  • Your car shows a “lamp failure” or bulb warning after the change, or you’ve fitted LED globes and get warnings. Many modern cars monitor lamp current through a CAN-bus control module, and the fix depends on the vehicle.
  • The indicator lamp is a sealed LED unit.

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Related questions

Q: Why are my indicators flashing fast? A: Usually a globe has blown on that side. If you’ve fitted LED indicator globes, they draw so little current that the car thinks a globe is out. (see Why are my indicators flashing fast?)

Q: Can I use a clear globe behind a clear indicator lens? A: No. The light from an indicator must be amber. Behind a clear lens you need an amber globe such as a PY21W or WY5W.

Q: Why does my amber indicator globe look pale or flash white? A: The amber coating on cheaper globes can fade over time. Replace faded globes, because the light must still be amber.

Q: Do I need to replace indicator globes in pairs? A: It isn’t essential, but the other side has done the same hours and often fails soon after. Replacing both keeps the colour matched.

Sources

  1. OSRAM, PY21W product data – BAU15s base, 12 V, 21 W. https://osram.com/ecat/Lamps%20with%20metal%20bases-Signal%20lamps-Car%20lighting-Automotive/ae/en/GPS01_1057060/ZMP_60924 (checked October 2026)
  2. OSRAM, P21W product data – BA15s base, 12 V, 21 W. https://osram.com/ecat/Lamps%20with%20metal%20bases-Signal%20lamps-Car%20lighting-Automotive/gb/en/GPS01_1057060/ZMP_1285824 (checked October 2026)
  3. OSRAM, WY5W product data – W2.1×9.5d wedge base, 12 V, 5 W. https://www.osram.co.uk/ecat/gb/en/GPS01_1057061/ZMP_4057277 (checked October 2026)
  4. Federal Register of Legislation, Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 13/00 – Installation of Lighting and Light Signalling Devices on other than L-Group Vehicles) 2005 – Table 1 lists direction-indicator lamps as amber. https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2005L03991/latest (checked October 2026)
  5. Federal Register of Legislation, Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 6/00 – Direction Indicators) 2005 – component rule for direction indicators. https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2005L03907/latest (checked October 2026)

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