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How to Repair or Replace a Headlight

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Regardless of the make or model of your car, knowing how to repair or replace a headlight is a useful skill to have. Apart from not having to pay a mechanic to do the work for you, the law says that you need to have two functioning headlights to drive on the road. Also, knowing how to clean car headlights can ensure that they light up the road for you.

The following shows how to repair or replace a headlight. For this task, you'll need your vehicle owner's manual, a screwdriver, a wrench set, the replacement light and safety glasses.

Identify the Bulb and Purchase a Replacement

Check the vehicle owner's manual to find out the type of bulb that you need. If the manual isn't available, you can browse the car brand's website to check out your options. There are also free online headlight bulb finders that you can use to help you look for compatible bulbs for your car. If you go into an auto parts store, staff there can help you determine which is the correct bulb to use, too. The store may also have catalogs available where you can look up the bulb based on your car's make, model and year. Purchase the correct bulb.

Remove the Headlight Bulb

You can go about removing the headlight bulb two ways. One is to access it through the engine compartment. Do this by popping the hood, locating the headlight, disconnecting the power connectors and pulling the whole headlight out. The other way is to do it without fiddling through the hood if your car allows for an exterior headlight assembly removal.

Prior to taking out the headlight assembly, you may also need to remove clips that are holding it in place and take off dust covers before you can get to the old bulb. Remove the old bulb from the socket gently by twisting it just a bit. Once you've pulled it free, compare it with your new bulb to make sure that you have the right replacement for it.

Install the New Bulb

Wipe the new bulb with a clean, dust-free cloth and some rubbing alcohol. This helps you make sure that it's free from dirt, fingerprints and oil before you install it. It's a good idea to wear gloves while installing a new bulb to make certain that no dirt or oil from your hands smudges the surface when you install it. Twist the bulb or retaining harness to secure the bulb into place. Reconnect it to the wiring harness. Reinstall the whole headlight assembly, including the dust covers, retaining clips and screws.

Double-check the connections before you secure the whole headlight assembly firmly into place. Turn on your headlights to make sure that they're working properly.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Because most headlights are made of polycarbonate material, they do get dull over time. Cleaning them regularly can keep them beaming light properly and adequately to give you enough illumination when it's dark or foggy on the road. You can purchase headlight cleaning and restoration kits, which are readily available at auto parts stores.

Always do a quick inspection of your lights before heading out by taking a quick walk around your car with the lights turned on. Check for damage and to see if the headlights are fogging up from the inside. Replace parts that show damage or are defective.