How Do I Change the Headlight Bulb?

[Stoejer]

Hi.

As I pulled up to my house the other day I noticed that the right headlight bulb had died on me. So I thought, take out the owner's manual and follow the instructions.

Not that easy, it seems. It mentions something about turning something counter clockwise. Hell - nothing will move a millimeter so I turned to this forum.

It seems "Jesus" has put a guide on how to remove the entire front of my car. Is that really necessary? Can't I change the light bulb in a much easier way? I am thinking - had this been my mother's car she would have had no choice but pay the auto shop a visit for a "simple" light bulb change.

Any help is appreciated.

[Murphwiz]

Remove the 10mm bolts holding the headlamp in place, and give a sharp tug, as headlamp is clipped near the wing, nd then you can change the bulb.

[scottiedog999]

How hard do you have to tug? I have tried several times and it won't come out. I was starting to get worried as i was pulling quite hard and was worried I was gonna break something

[Stoejer]

I have actually decided to give up on this. I would need pictures, because I can't follow the directions given here.

The instructions from the owner's manual indicates that this is supposed to be close to extremely easy and has no mention of removing any screws or bolts.

I think I will have to let the mechanic take care of replacing the light bulb, though it seems crazy that has to be necessary.

[scottiedog999]

They do come out as the original reply stated undo the two bolts on the headlight. one on top and one to the side next to the grill. you have to pull hard away from the car but they do come out so in the end it was fairly easy. try with the drivers side first as that side was easier. Don't give up and give your hard earned money to some mechanic. you can do it. If I can you should be able to

[Tazteam]

For changing the headlightbulbs: remove the whole front of the car.

To remove the front: 20 bolts


If you've done this once, the next time its much easier.

[Stoejer]

Today I tried removing those two screws and started tugging the darn thing, i.e. the headlight unit. I think I also located the clip referred to in this thread, but I was not able to pull the unit out, because I was afraid of scratching my front of the car.

Since Tazteam is proposing removing the entire front, I would like to know whether this is necessary or even just a good idea in avoiding damaging the front bumper? It's starting to look like a big operation and I am still very disappointed that the manual is worthless since there is no way you can just "turn the cover counter-clockwise".

All in all, changing a freaking bulb is starting to look like a job for the mechanic and I am sure he will have to remove a whole lot of stuff too.

Really sucks.

[2Lmini]

OMG..i did'nt remove anything from my girls car...if u open the bonnet, look at either light u can see theres a rubber bung which covers the wires so they dont get wet...now pull that off ( its a tight gap to move your hand though..if u dont mind a scratch that is),now you will see the back of the bulb now theres a metal clip holding it inplace..undo that clip(it swings towards you, u'll see what i mean)you then can feel it come loose an u can remove (remember wen putting in ur new bulb..dont touch the glass on the new bulb..it should come right out with a a few tight turns..then reverse the process wen installing new bulb...10 mins it took me to do the 2 headlights...o yea, u can look in to the headlight when ur fitting back in,just to make sure its the right way up..hope that helps if not gimme a shout on here an i'll do a vid on my fone so u can watch.

[Murphwiz]

You must be blessed with small hands, offsides not to bad, but my hand won't get between battery and light, so I always remove the units for the sake of 30seconds for zero struggling.
The units will unclip, they are always silly tight the first time out, good sharp tug does it.. no need to take the bumper off!

[Alicedda]

I've been driving around without a working headlamp for weeks now. I have tried just pulling off the rubber cover etc and found that impossible in the space. Then looking at this site, I read about and tried removing the bolts and tugging, as suggested. But I failed in the attempt.
I too will have to submit to the expense of a mechanic. This is infuriating in the extreme. Here in the UK it is illegal to drive with only one headlamp working. And therefore I feel that changing the bulb should be something one could do at the roadside. Am deeply frustrated that such a simple thing should be such a trial.