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My low beam burned out on a rainy, foggy night. Worst possible timing. The next day, I drove to Autozone to buy a new bulb, thinking I could change it real quick and easy before heading into work. WRONG. I figured I had to remove the cap that covers over the back of the bulb on the headlight housing. This was kind of a pain because hand room is extremely limited under the hood at the driver's side headlight housing. After scraping my knuckles all up getting the cap off, I unplugged the bulb to find a weird situation I've never encountered before. HOW do you remove the bulb? It seemed overly (stupidly) complicated and I had no tools to help me. Can someone please explain to me the proper way to remove the low beam bulb? I got the impression I was supposed to remove the entire headlight housing, but that seems kind of insane. I don't have an owner's manual to reference. I'm driving every night home from work in the dark with only one eyeball. Help!
From the info I can find, the headlight assembly is to be removed. 2 bolts inside and one at the top, and there a clip at the fender. Probably the unit just pulls out of the clip.
Removing the bulb:
When turning the bulb grip counterclockwise, the bulb and connector are removed at the same time.
From the info I can find, the headlight assembly is to be removed. 2 bolts inside and one at the top, and there a clip at the fender. Probably the unit just pulls out of the clip.
Removing the bulb:
When turning the bulb grip counterclockwise, the bulb and connector are removed at the same time.
I was afraid I'd have to go through the trouble of removing the whole headlight housing. Darn it! I did notice the two bolts on the back of the headlight housing and one on top. I was hoping I could simply remove the one on top and then pull the headlight housing out. Of course that'd be too easy though. The owner's manual I pulled up on kiatechinfo.com was utterly useless. The instructions for removing the low beam bulb went something like 1) Open the hood. 2) Turn the low beam bulb cover counter clockwise. 3) Remove the bulb. 4) Install new bulb. 5) Replace bulb cover. Humorously bad instructions. The instructions for replacing the turn signal bulbs is even worse, which basically state to bring the car to a Kia dealership for replacement! I was cursing the Kia Gods when I attempted it myself. I won't have access to my socket wrenches until this weekend, so I'll give it a shot then. Thanks so much for your help!
this info helped me remove and change the pass side headlight bulb. only diff was the 2008 only has 2-10mm bolts both up top then pop the assembly off the plastic clip on the lower left bottom of the assembly.,
You don't have to remove the whole headlight assembly, though that's what I also ended up doing the first time I changed them.
Once you unscrew the cap on the back of the lamp assembly, there is a metal tab that pushes in (towards the front of the car) to release it from the catch. Once that's done the bulb comes right out.
As I said, the first time I couldn't figure it out and pulled the whole assembly loose. The plus side to that was that I was able to see clearly how the whole thing worked. Now that I know, changing the bulbs is no big deal even with the limited space.
You don't have to remove the whole headlight assembly, though that's what I also ended up doing the first time I changed them.
Once you unscrew the cap on the back of the lamp assembly, there is a metal tab that pushes in (towards the front of the car) to release it from the catch. Once that's done the bulb comes right out.
As I said, the first time I couldn't figure it out and pulled the whole assembly loose. The plus side to that was that I was able to see clearly how the whole thing worked. Now that I know, changing the bulbs is no big deal even with the limited space.
Well once I came back into possession of my socket wrenches, I just removed the whole darn headlight to gain access. It helped me see how it all works to get the bulb out, like you said in your case. It actually wasn't that bad, just way more involved than it should be to change a head light bulb. Now I know for next time how to take the bulb out and I can leave the headlight housing in place. Thanks for your help!
You don't have to remove the whole headlight assembly, though that's what I also ended up doing the first time I changed them.
Once you unscrew the cap on the back of the lamp assembly, there is a metal tab that pushes in (towards the front of the car) to release it from the catch. Once that's done the bulb comes right out.
As I said, the first time I couldn't figure it out and pulled the whole assembly loose. The plus side to that was that I was able to see clearly how the whole thing worked. Now that I know, changing the bulbs is no big deal even with the limited space.
Interesting..just like you, I ended up taking the whole assembly out only to find out that I just had to get a little firmer to unscrew the bulb. The contacts on the bulb just slide in and out of the receptical as you screw it in or out. Easy peasy too bad I had to take it out to find out.
Thanks fastlerner, once you mentioned the clips and I saw them, you are right it was quick and easy. Appreciate you guys all taking the time to be on here helping out with better answers then the owners manual.
My low beam burned out on a rainy, foggy night. Worst possible timing. The next day, I drove to Autozone to buy a new bulb, thinking I could change it real quick and easy before heading into work. WRONG. I figured I had to remove the cap that covers over the back of the bulb on the headlight housing. This was kind of a pain because hand room is extremely limited under the hood at the driver's side headlight housing. After scraping my knuckles all up getting the cap off, I unplugged the bulb to find a weird situation I've never encountered before. HOW do you remove the bulb? It seemed overly (stupidly) complicated and I had no tools to help me. Can someone please explain to me the proper way to remove the low beam bulb? I got the impression I was supposed to remove the entire headlight housing, but that seems kind of insane. I don't have an owner's manual to reference. I'm driving every night home from work in the dark with only one eyeball. Help!
>>> Probably good that you don't have the owner's manual. If it's like mine, it will FAIL to tell you the most significant part - pulling the light assembly to change the bulb!
here's my post about my bulb drama: http://www.kia-forums.com/do-yoursel...tml#post427966
good luck
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How to change low beam bulb?
Linear Mode
