How to Fix a Burned Out Headlight

Removing a Blown Out Headlight

Open the hood. You will need to access the headlight from the back. In most vehicles, that requires opening the hood. Find the hood release switch near the door frame on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Pull the release backward to release the hood. 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.

Disconnect the battery. Before starting any work on the electrical system of your vehicle, you should always disconnect the battery. Locate the battery in your vehicle and use a hand or socket wrench to loosen the nut on the negative terminal. With the nut loose, pull the cable up and off the terminal and tuck it to the side of the battery to prevent it from coming back into contact with the terminal. Locate the negative terminal by looking for the letters “NEG” or the negative (-) symbol. You will not need to disconnect the positive terminal.

Remove any trim components necessary to access the headlight. In many modern vehicles, you will need to remove engine covers or plastic trim components in order to access the back of the headlight. Be careful removing plastic clips that hold trim pieces in place, as they may be brittle and prone to cracking or breaking. 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.

Unplug the headlight wire pigtail. Press down on the plastic release clip on the wire pigtail going into the back of the headlight. Maintain pressure on the release as you pull the clip backward to disconnect it. 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.

Twist the headlight and pull it backward to remove it. Rotate the back of the headlight bulb counter clockwise to release it from the plastic headlight housing. Remove the bulb by sliding it back out of the plastic housing. In some applications, the bulb will be held in a plastic assembly and will need to be pulled out to be replaced. Refer to the service manual for your specific vehicle if it is not easy to assess how to remove the bulb.

Installing a New Bulb

Purchase a replacement bulb. New headlight bulbs can be purchased at many large retail or auto parts stores. Be sure to provide the year, make and model of the vehicle to the clerk to receive the correct replacement 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.

Remove the bulb from the package without touching it. The oil on your hands can damage the bulb of most modern headlights, so it’s important that you make every effort not to touch the glass of the bulb with your fingers as you remove it from the package. Hold the bulb by the base if possible. Wearing gloves can also protect the bulb.

Wipe down the bulb with rubbing alcohol. If you do touch the glass of the headlight bulb, pour some rubbing alcohol on a rag and wipe the bulb down. This will remove the oils from your skin and prolong the life of 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.

Insert the bulb into the headlight housing. Slide the bulb into the plastic assembly (if equipped) and then insert the bulb and assembly into the headlight housing. Twist the bulb clockwise to lock it into place within the headlight housing. 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.

Connect the headlight wire pigtail. Clip the wire pigtail to the backside of the bulb. Be sure it seats evenly with the connection. When the pigtail is connected properly, you will hear an audible click as the plastic releases latch into place. 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.

Replace any trim pieces you removed. With the new bulb in place, return any components of the trim you needed to remove to access it. Put each piece back on in the reverse order you removed them, as some pieces may overlap. 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.

Replacing Sealed Beam Style Headlights

Remove the trim around the headlamp. Sealed beam style headlights were common in older model vehicles. These headlights are entirely self-contained and tend to be three to five inches in diameter. Because these headlights need to be pulled out, start by removing any parts of the vehicle’s exterior trim that surrounds the headlights. You may not need to remove any trim components depending on the application.

Remove portions of the grill if necessary. In some trucks, you will need to remove all or parts of the grill in order to access the headlight screws and connections. Refer to the service manual for your specific vehicle to determine what parts, if any, of the grill you’ll need to remove. 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.

Unscrew the ring that holds the light in place. Sealed beam style headlights are commonly held in place by a metal of plastic ring that is secured with multiple screws or bolts. Use the appropriate hand tool (screw driver or wrench) to remove each of these fasteners and set them aside somewhere safe. 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.

Pull the headlight out toward you and disconnect the wiring. With the ring removed, grip the headlight with your thumbs and fore fingers and pull it toward you, out of the front of the vehicle. Once the headlight slides out, disconnect the wiring going into the back of it. 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.

Connect the new light and slide it into place. Remove the new light from the package and connect the loose wiring you removed from the previous light. Slide the headlight into place where the old one sat and hold it in place until you can replace the ring that secures it. If the wiring connectors are dirty, spray them with electrical cleaner. You can purchase electrical cleaner from your local auto parts or electronics store.

Screw the ring back into place. Place the metal or plastic ring back over the headlight and use the fasteners you saved to secure it into place. Once done, return any pieces of the trim or grill you needed to remove. 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.