How to Change the Headlights on a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
The headlights on the 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix are composite dual filament halogen capsules. The base of the headlight is made of a durable plastic socket that houses the bulb. Inside the bulb are two filaments that provide both the high-beam and low-beam lamps. The separate filaments switch on demand by using the high-beam switch on the directional controller (the blinker stalk) inside the car.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Ratchet and socket set
- Rubber or latex gloves
- Replacement headlight No. 9007
Instructions
-
-
1
Ensure the keys are not in the ignition and that the headlight switch inside the Grand Prix is in the off position.
-
2
Open the hood and approach the headlight assembly that houses the defective headlight.
-
-
3
Locate the two retaining bolts at the top rear edge of the headlight assembly and remove them with a ratchet and socket.
-
4
Place your hands on the ends of each side of the headlight assembly to wiggle the guide pins of the assembly free from their anchors. Take care not to scratch the lens of the assembly or the paint on the Grand Prix.
-
5
Pull the assembly outward, away from the car, enough to access the connected wire harnesses attached to the headlight and corner marker light that are still housed inside the assembly.
-
6
Reach behind and disconnect the wire harness plug attached to the composite headlight socket. You'll need to lift the locking tabs of the harness plug to release it from the headlight socket.
-
7
Turn the base of the headlight counterclockwise a quarter-turn to align the retaining tabs of the headlight with the mating notches of the headlight assembly. Pull the headlight from the assembly and discard it.
-
8
Place rubber or latex gloves on your hands before handling the replacement bulb. This will prevent accidentally touching the glass of the composite headlight bulb with your skin. Touching the bulb with your skin will damage the bulb.
-
9
Insert the replacement bulb into the back of the headlight assembly while simultaneously aligning the retaining tabs of the headlight to the mating notches of the assembly. Push the headlight inward slightly once the tabs and notches are aligned and twist it a quarter-turn clockwise.
-
10
Reconnect the wire harness plug to the replacement headlight socket. Test the headlights at this point before reinstalling the headlight assembly to make sure the bulb is working, but ensure the headlights are back in the off position before proceeding.
-
11
Align the guide pins of the headlight assembly to the anchor holes in the frame and push the assembly inward gently but firmly until it locks into place and aligns the upper retaining bolt holes.
-
12
Replace the two upper headlight assembly retaining bolts and tighten them with the ratchet and socket. Close the hood.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit front wheel and headlight image by Milovanoff from Fotolia.com
