How To Change a Headlight

The obvious answer to this question is when the bulb burns out. Unfortunately drivers rarely notice the failure themselves. More often someone, like a police officer, advises them that a headlight is out and advises them to get it repaired before venturing out at night again.

There are three types of headlight bulbs on the road. In older cars and trucks you may find "sealed units" which consist of the entire headlamp. In most models these units are accessed from the exterior by unscrewing the lens (if any) and then unscrewing the unit from its mount. Pull the unit out, disconnect from the wiring plug, connect the new unit and screw everything back in place and you have a new sealed unit ready to go.

Recently high end vehicles have started to use HID (high intensity discharge) bulbs where an electrical charge is passed through a gas (typically xenon) that creates an intense light that almost looks blue. These are high voltage bulbs and nothing that a do it yourself enthusiast should try to replace. If you have HID headlights take them to the dealer for replacement.

That brings us to halogen bulbs which are the most common on the road and the ones we will discuss here. Changing these bulbs is a snap and can save you a nice chunk of change.

• Correct replacement bulb
• No tools required although you may want to have a Kleenex or latex glove handy

1. Open the hood and look for circular "caps" that are located directly behind the headlights and identify the cap that is covering your burned out light.
2. Twist the cap about a quarter turn counterclockwise and the cap will come off. These caps have a rubber seal inside and prevent moisture and dust from entering the bulb mount.
3. When you remove the cap you will see a wire ending in a plug. Grab the plug and pull straight back to disconnect the bulb from the plug.
4. With the plug out of the way you will see the back end of the bulb. Note that most have two small "wings" at the base that correspond to two screws in the bulb mounting. Grab the bulb by the base and give a small turn counterclockwise to clear the two screws on the mount. Pull the bulb straight back.
5. You are now ready to install the replacement. It's important that you DO NOT TOUCH THE GLASS on the bulb when handling it or installing it. Halogen bulbs give off an enormous amount of heat and any oil that you leave behind from your finger (and you will leave oil) will eventually bake on the bulb and cause a heat crack.
6. Grab the light by the base, line up the wings and insert the bulb. Twist the base clockwise until the wings engage the screws.
7. There is only one way to connect the plug with the light so don't worry about getting it backwards. Line up the plug with the base and push straight forward. When the plug is secure reinstall the cap.
8. Turn the ignition to on and test the light.

That's it. Quick and simple.

- End of Procedure -

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