You will have to release the safety latch on the front of the vehicle to open the hood the rest of the way. If you are unsure where to find the safety latch, refer to the owner’s manual for your vehicle.
Locate the negative terminal by looking for the letters “NEG” or the negative (-) symbol. You will not need to disconnect the positive terminal.
You can usually purchase replacement clips at your local auto parts store if you break one. Refer to the service manual for your vehicle for specific instructions on how to access your headlight.
Do not pull on the wiring itself or you may accidentally remove them from the pigtail. Inspect the inside of the pigtail for damage. If there are signs of burning or melting, there may be an issue with your vehicle’s electrical system.
Refer to the service manual for your specific vehicle if it is not easy to assess how to remove the bulb.
You may want to replace both headlight bulbs at once to ensure they offer the same level of brightness. You can also look up the bulb part number on the automaker’s website.
Wearing gloves can also protect the bulb.
Be sure to wipe the bulb dry after cleaning it. Holding the bulb with the rag will prevent you from touching it again.
You usually need to turn the bulb a quarter turn to secure it into place. Be careful not to bang the bulb on things as you insert it.
If the pigtail is dirty, spray it with electrical component cleaner before reconnecting it. You can buy electrical cleaner at most electronics or auto parts stores.
Reconnect the battery and test the new headlights to ensure they work. Repeat this process on the other side if you are replacing both lights.
You may not need to remove any trim components depending on the application.
If you need to remove the grill, it is usually secured with bolts along the top and a series of clips. You will need to gain access to the screws that hold the headlight in place. Remove anything you need to in order to reach them.
You will need to reuse the fasteners, so be careful not to lose them. If any of the bolts or screws are severely rusted or damaged, be sure to replace them.
Depending on the vehicle, there may be a wire pigtail with plastic releases you will need to squeeze to release. Inspect the disconnected wiring for damage.
If the wiring connectors are dirty, spray them with electrical cleaner. You can purchase electrical cleaner from your local auto parts or electronics store.
Start the vehicle to test the headlight. If the headlight does not work, check to ensure the wiring is securely connected and free of damage.
