How to Change a Headlight
by Colton Lewis
---BEFORE YOU START ANYTHING, MAKE SURE YOUR CAR IS OFF AND THE KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION TO AVOID SERIOUS INJURY---
Tools Required – Socket Wrench, Screw Driver, Cloth/working gloves. New Light Bulbs
Average Time – 30 minutes – 1 ½ hours.
Step 1 – Open your drivers side door and pull the lever to pop the hood of your car.
Step 2 - Open your hood and prop it up using your stick under the hood of the car and then locate the light you wish to replace.
Step 3 – When you have found the light, locate the four bolts holding it in place, usually they would be on two on the top that are visible and two that might be underneath the grill* of the front. Usually all four are visible without taking the grill off.
Step 4 – Get your socket wrench and attach the correct size socket to it and begin to unscrew the bolts holding your headlights in, yes all four bolts are the same size. Unscrew them to the left and repeat for each bolt until the headlight is completely loose and all four bolts are out.
Step 5 – Once this is done put your socket wrench down next to your four bolts and begin to LIGHTLY jiggle your headlight out of place. Usually this involves pulling it up and jiggling it in order to make it come out of the mold its sitting in. When you do this you should be able to see the wiring in the back of the headlight. Be aware, still support your headlight and DO NOT LET IT HANG BY THE WIRES, THIS WILL CAUSE DAMAGE.
Step 6 - Now, in the back of the headlight is either one, two or three butt ends of the light bulbs in which the wiring is attached to. To release the wires, push down on the clips that are on each side and begin to jiggle and pull the plugs out in order to detach them from the headlight. Do this for every single light bulb in the back that a wire is attached to.
Step 7 - Now your headlight should be completely loose and you should be able to pick it up and carry it around, it is completely detached at this point. Now for the lights, in order to remove the lights, spin them counter clockwise (or clockwise for certain car models) by the butt of the light bulb and this should release the bulb. Dispose of them because they are useless, or keep them if you have another purpose.
Step 8 – Now, to add the new light bulb, DO NOT TOUCH THE LIGHTBULB WITH YOUR FINGERS, USE A CLOTH OR GLOVES TO PUT THE LIGHT BULB IN, TOUCHING IT WILL KILL THE LIFE OF THE LIGHT. Put the light bulb into the hole and spin it clockwise to tighten it and fasten it into the socket.
Step 9 – Now put the headlight back near the wiring and make sure it is on the right way, attach the wiring into the back of the light bulb by pushing on the clips on the side and then pushing the wiring into the light bulb fixture. Do this for one, two, or three of the bulbs.
Step 10 – Now place the headlight back into the casing and jiggle it around a little bit in order for it to slide into place.
Step 11 – RECOMMENDATION FOR THIS – SCREW EACH BOLT IN HALF WAY THEN EQUALLY SCREW THEM IN LITTLE BY LITTLE TO AVOID CRACKING HEADLIGHT.
Now get your socket wrench and bolts and begin to screw the bolts back into the headlight screw holes and so they are fastened to the front of the car. Do this for all four of the bolts and until they are completely tightened down.
Step 12 – Your headlight should be in place and should now work. Close the engine bay and check to see if it is sitting right. Turn your car on and check your lights, they should work perfectly.
