How to Change the Headlight Bulb in a 1991 Toyota Camry

There were two headlight options on a 1991 Toyota Camry depending on the date of manufacturer that year and the plant in which it was manufactured. The earlier versions had the old fashioned sealed beam unit headlights. The later versions that year introduced us to the new halogen light bulb inserts that are now common in most vehicles. The difference is, in 1991, when they introduced the halogen light bulbs, the manufacturers where actually giving people room to place their hands down inside the engine compartment and extract the bulbs. Here are two versions of removing and installing the different types of headlights on a 1991 Toyota Camry.

Things You'll Need

• Straight edged screwdriver Phillips head screwdriver

Instructions

Sealed Beam Unit Removal

1. Open the hood and prop it on the hood prop rod.

2. Locate the headlight door. This is a plastic or chrome-plated door that covers both the high beam and low beam sealed units. Remove the two screws on top with a Phillips head screwdriver.

3. Locate the retaining clips on the bottom of the headlight door near the center of each headlight. To unlock the clips, insert the straight edged screwdriver flat and angle it until the clip unlocks. Remove the headlight door.

4. Locate the headlight bezel of the headlight you're changing. There are four screw to remove from the bezel. They are located on the top right, top left, bottom right and bottom left of the bezel. Do not try to remove any screws on the very top center of the headlight or on the side of the headlight. Those are headlight adjusting screws and turning them will manipulate how the headlight is aimed. You will have to have it professionally aimed by a certified mechanic if you disturb the headlight aiming alignment.

5. Remove the four screws of the bezel. The seal beamed headlight will now allow you to pull out about 6 inches or so. Unplug the harness from the back of the sealed unit. Insert the new sealed beam headlight and plug it into the harness. Turn the headlights on now to see if it is working properly before you put everything back together.

6. Replace the bezel and screws. Replace the headlight door. Remove the screwdrivers from under the hood and close the hood.

Halogen Headlight Removal

1. Open the hood and prop it on the hood prop rod.

2. Turn the headlights on to determine which bulb is blown and the proper location of the bulb from behind inside the engine compartment. Turn the headlights off again and shut the Camry completely off.

3. Unfasten the locking ring of the headlight and extract the bulb from the headlight assembly.

4. Gently pry the lock clip on the plug insert of the harness and separate the headlight from the harness.

5. Plug the new bulb into the harness until the lock clip snaps being cautious not to touch the glass bulb part. Oils and alkaline in our skin can compromise the lift of a halogen bulb and in some cases even damage it altogether. Turn the headlights on at this point to make sure the bulb is working properly before securing it inside the headlight assembly.

6. Insert the bulb into the headlight assembly and secure it with the locking ring. Close the hood.