Installation of headlight help

mbatdorf · 09-26-2008, 12:37 PM

I need to change the headlight lamp on the passenger side of my 98 sportage. However, there is to much stuff behind the lamp just to pull it out (AC lines, etc.) Any tips or suggestions so I can get it fixed?

MrVette · 09-26-2008, 04:53 PM

The only way i found was to remove the entire bucket.
Find the white plastic loop with a wire attached on the inside (behind headlight/HL on fender), and give it a slight pull. That releases the parking light. Then remove the bolts around the front of the HL. This means getting the grill off also. Then replace the lamp from the, now accessible, back.
Don't let anything touch the bulb or stem...only by the socket.

bubbashrimp · 09-26-2008, 05:01 PM

I was going to refer you to the on line kia manual at Kia Global Information System (KGIS), but MrVette pretty much said what the book said.

How bad does it suck that you have to tear the car apart to change a headlight. Hope them puppies lasts a long time.

mbatdorf · 09-27-2008, 10:23 AM

Thanks. I thought that was what I had to do but hoped that there was a better way.

MrVette · 09-28-2008, 09:43 AM

When i got my Sportage the Driver-side head light was so yellowed and scratched that it wouldn't let much light through. It looks like water gets in there and really messes them up over time. I got lucky and just loosened the grill to get to the 2 bolts...it seems like the passenger side should be the same.
Now if you want to complain about lights that are impossible to reach try doing the outside tail lights on an 84 to 90 Corvette...You will always give blood out of your forearm doing those after taking half the rear bumper off.