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Step 1
Determine which type of bulb your car uses: Open the hood and look behind the headlamp. If you see a small, plastic, usually black knob on the back of the headlamp, your car requires a small halogen replacement bulb. Go to step 2. If the headlamp is the all-in-one-piece type, you'll see a thin metal band around the outside of the headlamp. This is what holds it in place. On the back of the headlamp you'll see a three-pronged connection covered by a piece of rubber (go to "Replacing a Headlamp" below).
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Step 2
Unscrew the black knob and pull it out. You may have to push in and turn. The bulb is attached to this knob and will come out with it.
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Step 3
Remove the bulb.
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Step 4
Avoid touching the glass on the new halogen bulb with your fingers. The oil from your fingers will ruin the bulb and cause it to burn out.
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Step 5
Put the new halogen bulb in.
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Step 6
Screw the knob and the new bulb back into the headlamp.
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Step 7
Turn on the headlights to test that it works.
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Step 1
Determine if you need to replace the bulb only or the headlamp itself: If the headlamp is the all-in-one-piece type, you'll see a thin metal band around the outside of the headlamp. This is what holds it in place. On the back of the headlamp you'll see a three-pronged connection covered by a piece of rubber. Go to step 10. If you see a small, plastic, usually black knob on the back of the headlamp, your car requires a small halogen replacement bulb (follow the directions in "Replacing a Halogen Bulb" above).
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Step 2
Unscrew the screws (typically there are two to four) that hold the metal band down. These screws are very small and short - don't confuse them with the two screws that are used for horizontal and vertical headlamp adjustment. The adjustment screws are larger and longer.
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Step 3
Put the screws where you won't lose or kick them.
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Step 4
Remove the metal band. The headlamp should hang limp.
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Step 5
Pull back the rubber covering and unplug the headlamp from the back.
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Step 6
Put the new headlamp in place and plug it in. Put the rubber cover back over the connection.
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Step 7
Put the metal band back on, and screw the small screws back in to hold it in place.
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Step 8
Turn on the headlights to test that it works.
Comments
mrdane said
on 6/1/2008 Just got done changing my girlfriend's acura bulbs. Be sure to consult your car's manual for extra reference. For example the acura had additional steps such as debolting the battery to get a more workspace as well as a weather seal and hold-in wire that needed to be removed and replaced.
JimCheng said
on 9/10/2007 I have a 2004 Mazda 2i sedan, I can't see where to access the lower mounting screws for changing out the headlamp assembly
kathra2003 said
on 8/27/2007 I DID IT!!!!! This was so helpful. It wasn't as easy as the video, because of all the stuhh crammed behind my headlight, but I got my hand back there and got it done. I didn't even need tools. Before I found the site, I almost started to disassemble the whole headlight.
annab said
on 7/26/2007 @ hawkirk:
- Me too! :)
g-regular said
on 5/18/2007 I've got a Xenon Conversion Kit (HID) that I am trying to install. Is there a "How To" for that? I'm still having some trouble trying to remove the original halogen lights on my car, but I have a good idea of what needs to be done, I'm just not sure. I guess I'll have to take it to a professional now.