I can't see!!!

June 25, 2007 3:41 PM

How do I replace my headlight bulbs on my 2002 Cavalier?

I bought some new headlights after looking at my Owners Manual and a Haynes Manual I bought for the car, thinking it was an easy job to do myself. However, it seems that things are a bit more complicated. To do it, the whole headlight assembly needs to be taken out to access the bulb. What neither the Owners Manual or the Haynes Manual mentions is that their seems to be some kind of clip holding it in, even after unscrewing the two screws at the top. Any tips?

posted by northernsoul to grab bag (7 comments total)

To change the bulbs in the headlights,(on a 2002 Z24) you need to remove the plastic splash cover the extends the width of the car over the headlights by removing the plastic pins that hold it in . Pull up on the center of the pins to remove them. Once the cover is off, remove the two bolts that hold the headlight in, then place a screwdriver into the slot for the parking light lens to pop the clip loose that holds the lens in place. The headlight assembly can then be removed, once the wire harness is unplugged from the bulb. There is a round retainer that locks the bulb into place. Rotate the retainer counter clockwise and remove the bulb. Don't touch the bulb surface as oil from a person's hands can cause premature failure. Just reverse these directions to reinstall the rest of the parts. This may sound difficult, but it really isn't.
posted by Floydd at 4:31 PM on June 25, 2007

Thanks, but I also found that page and I'm still no closer to actually finding out where this clip actually is.
posted by northernsoul at 4:41 PM on June 25, 2007

My '96 Civic had a similarly convoluted process for changing the headlight bulbs. After hours of cursing, and a call to the dealership to see whether it was worth my trouble (it was - no way am I going to pay someone $75 to install a light bulb), I got a very flexible and nimble-fingered friend to help me with it. Between me holding a mirror so he could see into the opening, and his long fingers and extreme patience, we finally got the thing installed.

I don't know the specifics of your car, but I'm here to recommend a sidekick to help in the process. Especially if you're having trouble seeing what you're doing, or you feel that you've pried at every possible bit of plastic and metal with no results, an extra pair of hands and eyes can be really invaluable. Good luck!
posted by vytae at 5:01 PM on June 25, 2007

Is there a slot for the parking light lens? Look all around the parking light lens for a slot with a clip inside. I'ts been years since I've worked on a Cavalier, but between the headlight lens & the parking light lens is a slot. Use your flat blade screwdriver to remove the clip. Without a picture to which to refer you, that's all I've got.
posted by Floydd at 5:20 PM on June 25, 2007

I'd recommend going to an auto parts store. There may be someone there who's willing to show you what to do, with the hopes that you'll choose that store in the future for all of your automotive needs.

And, having changed these things myself, I swear it's not that hard. I'll be danged if I can remember how I did it, though.
posted by Deathalicious at 6:04 PM on June 25, 2007

If it is like my 2001 cav then putting a long flathead screwdriver down into the small hole just above the two bolts holding the light should do it. On mine, to get the clip to open it takes a lot of moving that screwdriver around to find just the right place to put pressure on it to one side to get it to click because you can't see what you're doing.
posted by rfbjames at 7:08 PM on June 25, 2007

thanks for the help guys. turns out i just needed to really pull on them. i pulled out the signal light with the headlight, but pulling really hard didnt damage anything, and they work just fine now.
posted by northernsoul at 7:16 PM on June 25, 2007