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Accessing a Car's Headlight

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Hi, my name is Mark Boudreau and today, I am going to show you how to change a headlamp bulb and a tail lamp bulb in your car. Right now, I am going to show you how to safely handle a headlamp bulb, remove its access covers, remove the bulb and identify the type of bulb you have. First, headlamp handling procedures, now, headlamp bulbs are pressurized in most cars today, either with halogen or xenon gas. So, you need to protect the bulb from any contaminants. That can be done by either using a cloth or a paper towel or wearing protective gloves. I am putting on protective gloves so, when I handle the bulb and the housing, I do not contaminate any of the surfaces. This can reduce the life of the bulb and can cause the bulb to explode. First thing we need to do is open the hood.

Now, I know that this left low beam is out on this vehicle. So, I am going to open the hood. Now, we are going to access the backside of the headlamp, its trim covers and the plastic ring surrounding the headlamp opening for the bulb. There are two little grippers here on the backside of the headlamp. We grab with thumb, forefinger and twist counterclockwise. We then pull the socket directly out of the headlamp housing and there is our left headlamp low beam bulb. When accessing the back trim of the headlamp, you need to remember that they are often vehicles specific. In this case, the 2004 BMW 3-series or whether you have a Toyota Corolla or a BMW or a Ford Taurus, you can often find the directions for how to access the back of the headlamp in your vehicle's owner's manual.

Next, I am going to show you how to remove the bulb, identify what type of headlamp you have, where to obtain a new bulb and then to reinstall it.

Expert: Mark Boudreau

Spectrum Auto Painting & Collision Center

P: (703) 671-2402

When you step into Spectrum Auto Painting & Collision Center, you walk into an award-winning body shop that will immediately surpass your expectations. A clean reception area; greeted with a hello; comfortable seating; original art.The philosophy of the staff at Spectrum is "We are here to provide service. We just happen to fix cars." Mark Boudreau, who started Spectrum in 1993, says that when people More »