Sportage Headlight

[ozzy]

Hi can anyone tell me how to remove the headlight on a 2005 kia sportage to change the side light bulb
thanx

[Glitch]

It is not necessary to remove the headlight to change the sidelight bulb, unless you have exceptionally large hands (or you do not know somebody with smaller ones).

The offside bulb is easy to access from behind the headlight assembly, it's the near side one that can look difficult. But the trick is to remove the air-intake first, so to clear the way to access the rear of the headlight.

The air-intake duct is just held in place by two plastic screw/rivet looking things (hard to describe) which easily come out with the use of a Phillips and very small bladed screwdriver. You can re-use the screws/rivets as well so don't worry. Then once you have them out of the way you just give the duct a good yank and it will release it's self from the air filter box.

The bulbs are held in place by a plastic cover which you have to remove by rotating in one direction the standard method found on most modern cars.

However I'm not saying that you will not scrap your knuckles or scratch your wrists doing it this way (hence if you have small hands it is easier I should imagine) but it's darn sight easier then removing the complete headlight unit just to change the bulb.

Oh and my method described above way the way recommended by my local KIA dealer, they said it was a job for the apprentice!

Oh and a tip from someone who found out the hard way, stuff some old rags down around and in all the holes, gaps etc below the headlight unit so if you do drop the sidelight bulb holder (or indicator) it does not fall down into the depths of the engine.

Cheers Glitch

[snapdog]

Originally Posted by ozzy

Hi can anyone tell me how to remove the headlight on a 2005 kia sportage to change the side light bulb
thanx

Thread resurrection alert...

After removing the front bumper cover to install my air horn, I discovered I forgot to reconnect the fog lights after it was all back together (insert Sam Kinison scream - Oh! Oh! Oooooooooooohhh!!!)
I wanted to use the "Just remove the headlight" method instead of pulling the bumper cover again, and came across an extra step needed for headlight removal that no one else has mentioned:

First, you will need to remove the 10mm bolt on top, and the plastic shroud over the radiator. THEN, lookie here:



Pull this bar straight up and out. A shot of WD40 will help. Here it is when removed:



And the bracket it came out of:



Insert a big flat-blade screwdriver into the gap to release those tabs from the bracket.

Headlight out:



NOW wiggle the headlight out and disconnect the harness. I don't know if they are all like this, but mine is a North America (USA) '07 model.

I will also use this method now if I need to replace a headlamp bulb. It saves a lot of contorting and foul language.

Re-installation is just the reverse. I did need to use needle nose pliers to squeeze the bracket together when I put the bar back in.

Easy-Peasy Japanesey.

[pips]

Originally Posted by Glitch

Oh and a tip from someone who found out the hard way, stuff some old rags down around and in all the holes, gaps etc below the headlight unit so if you do drop the sidelight bulb holder (or indicator) it does not fall down into the depths of the engine.

Definately good advice from Glitch! I just had to change a headlamp bulb (first failure in 2 years!!) and DIDN'T listen to the advice....... I was just putting the headlamp assembly back in place having replaced the bulb and knocked the metal bracket off the slam panel into the bowels of the engine bay

Being in a rush to get to work, I thought I'd call the Kia agent to see how much a new one would be......... they can't find the bracket listed as a separate item, so suggested it must be part of a whole new headlamp assembly, currently priced at £157 + vat!!!

Admittedly, this is much cheaper than I thought a headlamp assembly would be, but still way too expensive just for a simple bit of metal!



Guess I will have to try and find / recover the old one from the engine bay..... In the meantime a small round metal bar is holding the headlamp in place.

Phil

[mcckia1]

Originally Posted by snapdog

Insert a big flat-blade screwdriver into the gap to release those tabs from the bracket.

Many thanks SnapDog, the advice above helped me to remove the Headlight assy after I was stuck for 20 minutes or so, not knowing what to do.
Long live google as well.. :-)