How to Replace a Car Headlight
Having a blown headlight can be a dangerous situation, especially if it goes out at night while on some foggy back road. In addition to that it can also cost you some big bucks in the form of a traffic ticket. So if you find yourself missing a headlight be sure to change it as soon as possible, both for your own sake and the wellbeing of others on the roadway.
Changing a headlight bulb isn't a difficult task and there is no need to take the car to an expert to perform this task. The level of difficulty often depends upon how much space there is in which to work when actually removing the bulb and on some vehicles the job is made much harder than it should be simply due to a lack of space. If you take your time however and follow a few simple steps you will have your bulb changed in no time.
The first step in this task is buying a replacement bulb, there are many options when it comes to replacement bulbs and the difference between them is not only a matter of price. If you own an older car, five to ten years at least, then most replacement bulbs will be an upgrade over the one that is already in your vehicle but for an extra amount of cash you can buy an even brighter bulb than that currently being used. Whatever your choice of bulb, make sure that the one you are replacing isn't drastically brighter, or dimmer, than the one that doesn't need to be replaced.
When changing a headlight bulb you first begin by lifting the hood to access the back of the headlights. Within each headlight housing are multiple lights so be sure to locate the correct bulb that you wish to change. Once you have found it then disconnect the wire leading to it. The wire that connects to the back of the headlight housing usually has some sort of clip on it to ensure that it stays fastened so take a good look at it before pulling on it to make sure that it disconnects cleanly and that you don't break it.
For a stiff or stubborn electronic clip it may be necessary to use a flat-head screwdriver to gently, very gently, pry the clip up in order to remove the wire; if you find yourself having to use a tool to remove the clip be very careful not to break any piece of it or a replacement may be necessary.
With the cord unplugged from the back of the headlight housing, turn the bulb counter-clockwise to loosen it. Most headlight bulbs only screw in about a quarter to a half turn before they release from their slot and they shouldn't be hard to turn. Once it is loose, gently remove the bulb, making sure not to break it and leave bits of glass inside of the housing. If you find that there is water inside the housing then this is likely the reason the bulb busted in the first place so if possible try to find the leak in the housing and use a bit of transparent silicon to seal it. If there is a leak in the housing allowing water to get inside, you will probably find yourself changing the bulb every time it rains so if possible fix it as soon as the problem is identified. Additionally, if there is water present in the housing it is best to remove the entire piece and either turn it upside down to drain the water out, or if possible use a wet/dry shop vacuum to remove the water.
With the old bulb removed then slide the new one into the housing using just as much caution as you did when removing the old one. Installation is the reverse of removal so once in place turn the new bulb clockwise to tighten it into position. The electronic clip on the end of the wire will slide right onto the new one, if you encounter any difficulty getting the wire back on, double check to ensure that the bulb is seated properly. With the new bulb in place and the wire reconnected your new headlight bulb is ready to go, often however, especially on older vehicles if you change one bulb you will find that it is much brighter than the old one. If this is the case it may be necessary to change the other one as well simply to ensure that you have an even casting of light in front of you.
