Changing Headlight Bulbs

[loop]

Little background - You guys are my last hope here.

I have changed every headlight in every car I have ever owned from a little Hyundai Excel back in 91 to my dad's Honda Pilot recently. I refuse, I mean - I REFUSE - to take in my car for service unless it's something I know for a fact that I can't physically do myself. Also, I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to cars, you know? I know how to do most little things that require at most a couple of decent wrenches and some elbow grease.

But I'll be damned if I can figure out how the hell to get these damned headlamps out of the mounting in my 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS.

I have looked all over the web for help on this one, and come to you guys- a frickin' DSM enthusiast forum - for help.

Thank you, in advance, for any and all leads on this one. Seriously, it's driving me nuts.

 

[blackGSX2g]

For some stupid reason, Mitsu put 3 bolts that you can access, and 1 bolt at the bottom of each headlight that you can access only by taking off the front bumper. Don't ask why they did it, but they did. After seeing that, I skipped that bolt when I took off my bumper as I don't want to mess with that every time I need to take off my headlights.

 

[loop]

For some stupid reason, Mitsu put 3 bolts that you can access, and 1 bolt at the bottom of each headlight that you can access only by taking off the front bumper. Don't ask why they did it, but they did. After seeing that, I skipped that bolt when I took off my bumper as I don't want to mess with that every time I need to take off my headlights.

wait wait wait a second here... are you telling me that I have to remove the entire assembly to change the bulb?? I mean... that's...


####tarded. that's the only word I can think of to describe just how stupid that is.

 

[blackGSX2g]

No, to change the bulb all you need to do is unscrew the cover on the backside of the healight and change the bulbs. In order to remove the whole headlight assembly, you need to take off the front bumper.

 

[loop]

but that's... uh... kinda the question. I am having a hard time getting the bulb out in the first place, what with the hoses etc all behind the passenger side bulb (getting my hand in there is damned near impossible) and there's a wierd metal thingy (like a paperclip, but thicker) holding it in as well....


The question really, I guess... is... uh...

"what's the trick"?

 

[blackGSX2g]

Sorry, I thought you meant the headlights as a whole. To get the bulbs out, you unscrew the circular plastic piece on the back of the headlight to expose the bulbs and wires. Once you see those, you find the end of the 'paperclip' thing that hooks under the plastic hook. If you are standing in front of the car and looking down at the headlight, the pivot point should be to the right of the 'paperclip'thing. Push it and release it and then you should be albe to unscrew the bulb. Replace and tighten it in with the paperclip piece.

 

[loop]

beautiful. I'll be trying that in the morning. thank you very much, man. greatly appreciate it.

 

[Denji]

its a little tough, but all bulbs could be done in 15 minutes without taking them out or anything. Both turbo and non turbo models, as i have done both.. good luck!

 

[loop]

well, i did it.

here's my thoughts and observations:

1 - it's literally impossible to get the bulb back in the socket on the passenger side without touching it. Seriously. What a mess. I'm pissed about that, too, since that's REALLY bad for the bulbs.

2 - The retention mechanism, once i figured it out, is pretty nice. I like that- it's simple and it works. Just sucks that I couldn't figure it out. Kinda embarrassing.


Thanks again!

 

[GsXtacY325]

Thats awesome. The DSM community once again lends a helping hand!

 

[Defiant]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126634

Sorry it's too late.