97 eclipse headlight removel?

[dsm power]

Does anyone know a simple way to remove th3e headlight bulbs without removing the bumper to install headlight bulbs? I see there is 2 silver clips above the headlight to i pull those and release the headlights?

 

[LiquidX]

There are twist knobs where the wires go into the housing. Twist those and the bulbs will be released.

 

[dsm power]

Yea i know,but its really tight to work around there the fuse box is in the way and such,
so i was planning on taking the headlights out.Do i release those clips above the headlights and it comes out?

 

[jjrock5]

By twist knobs you mean caps, correct? I don't want this guy to get confused.

They are circular and about 4 inches in diameter colored gray on the back of the headlight. Twist them counterclockwise and the caps (one for low and one for high beams) will come off. Then release the spring loaded clip to free the bulb, disconnect the connector and swap out the bulb.

DO NOT touch those chrome clips you speak of.

Good luck.

Yea i know,but its really tight to work around there the fuse box is in the way and such,
so i was planning on taking the headlights out.Do i release those clips above the headlights and it comes out?

If you want the luxury of an easy bulb swap then you have to remove the headlight, which is an even larger pain in the ass.

 

[dsm power]

Yea,i know,Thanks alot jjrock5,
Its just a pain to work around the the fuse box in front of the twist knobs.
But i'll try to bare with it.The space is soo small.

 

[jjrock5]

No problem, Im sure there are pics around here of the procedure. Just do a search.

 

[LiquidX]

By twist knobs you mean caps, correct? I don't want this guy to get confused.

Haha yeah, I haven't seen my headlights for a long while so I'm going by old memory right now.

 

[MrBoxx]

Bumper Removal

To remove the entire headlight housing, it's required to remove the front bumper. There are two or three bolts on the headlight housing that you can get to, then there is one behind the bumper cover. That one bolt you cannot get to unless the bumper is removed.

 

[JDog_27]

It is a tight space to change out the bulbs but it can be done. I did it even with my clumsy hands. Good luck.

 

[dsm power]

Hey why is it after i get the bulb in,its hard to get it to set and lock in one place,i see the clip but its sort of not staying in place,its kind of loose

 

[JDog_27]

It's like playing the game doctor...I had to use a long screwdriver to get that clip to sit properly on there. It's tough to do while the headlights are still attached but with a lot of cussing and steady hands I managed to get the bulb and clip to seat securely. Good luck.

 

[hardtrailz]

By twist knobs you mean caps, correct? I don't want this guy to get confused.

They are circular and about 4 inches in diameter colored gray on the back of the headlight. Twist them counterclockwise and the caps (one for low and one for high beams) will come off. Then release the spring loaded clip to free the bulb, disconnect the connector and swap out the bulb.

How do you release the spring loaded clip? It felt like something was going to pop when I was trying to get the bulb out.

 

[dsm03]

Really.. Changing the bulbs really isn't that hard..

OP, make sure the bulb is lined up correctly before you turn the bulb back in to seat, sounds like you may not have it in correctly.

The harness, will feel like it clicks once reconnected to the bulbs.

 

['97boostinGST]

You can easily remove the bulbs without having to remove the bumper.
Remove the "silver caps" and remove the clip inside the headlight holding down the actual bulb, if I remember correctly you push it in the push it up.
Remove the bulb and replace as needed. To put the clip back to hold the bulb down just push it underneath the plastic hook and bam!
Do the same for the other.
If the fuse box is in the way, just move that bi*** instead of removing your entire bumper

 

[hardtrailz]

remove the clip inside the headlight holding down the actual bulb, if I remember correctly you push it in the push it up.
Remove the bulb and replace as needed. To put the clip back to hold the bulb down just push it underneath the plastic hook and bam

Thanks. I will try this on the clip.

 

[99RedGs]

You can remove the headlight housing without removing the bumper. There is one bolt under the housing that is tougher to reach. Remove all of the easily accessible bolts ( Top 1 and side 2) first. Then you need an 1/4" drive socket wrench + ~8" extension + deep socket 10mm socket. Lift up on the housing, push down on the bumper under the housing and slide the socket setup in there. You shouldn't have too hard of a time being able to see the head of the bolt and you'll know when youre on it. Loosen, and the housing will come off. It is the same procedure for putting it back on...

Picture for reference:

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Of course, this is WAY more work then needed to change bulbs.. I took mine off to refinish the lenses and install HID projectors.

For those who say this isn't possible I ask them to explain how I did it 3 weeks ago

 

[joeyb]

Yes it can be done... a pain in the ass but possible. It is almost is as if you have to remove the bumper cover to remove the headlights or remove the headlights to remove the bumper cover. I used a 1/4" 10mm wobble