How to Change Headlight Bulbs in 6 Easy Steps

You’re driving, and it’s getting dark.
Your immediate reaction: Turn on the headlights.

But oh no, they’re not working!
You know you need to stop driving and replace the headlight ASAP.

Want to know how to change headlight bulbs on your own?
Well, you’ve come to the right post!

We’ll explain how to change the headlight step by step and answer some related queries.

This Article Contains

How to Change Headlight Bulbs (Step-by-Step)
5 FAQs about Car Headlights

Time to switch the lights on.

How to Change Headlight Bulbs (Step-by-Step)

Before you get a new pair of headlights, you must determine whether you’ve got a bad bulb or a blown fuse.

How do drivers check that?
It’s simpler than it sounds.

Keep your car parked and turn on the headlight. Now, walk over to the front of your vehicle and check if only one or both lights are out.

If it’s just one, you need a headlight replacement, but you’re likely dealing with a blown fuse if it’s both. You should conduct a quick fuse test to ensure the headlight is the real problem and not a faulty fuse.

If your fuse is OK, changing the headlights can be easy or difficult, depending on how your headlight housing is set up. And before you change your factory bulb, you need to decide what headlight bulbs to get.

Once you have your new bulbs set aside, here’s how you can perform a headlight replacement:

Step 1: Park in a Well-lit Area and Turn off the Engine

Park your vehicle on a flat, well-lit surface, and engage the parking brakes. Turn off the engine and remove the keys from the ignition.

Step 2: Open the Hood and Disconnect the Headlight Housing

Open your hood and disconnect the negative terminal on the battery — to avoid touching a live wire. Next, locate the headlight backing behind the housing. Unscrew the dust cover and disconnect the power connector before removing the headlight housing unit.

(Some headlight housings may not require removal, and you’ll have to access them directly from behind — through the engine bay, bumper, or the wheel well by removing its fender liner.)

Pro tip: Some vehicles have a tilt-adjustable steering column. If you need to replace a headlight bulb, adjusting the steering wheel tilt can provide better access to the area behind the headlights.

Now, disconnect the electrical connector by releasing the metal clip or screws attaching the power wires to the bulb. Use a Phillips screwdriver to pry a hard-to-remove metal clip. You might also have to remove other components, like the battery or air filter housing. In some cars, you’ll also find a screw cap covering the electrical connector. Just remove it before releasing the power connector from the bulb.

Once you’ve removed the entire headlight assembly, it’s time to replace the bulb from the headlight holder.

Step 3: Unscrew the Old Headlight Bulb

Before unscrewing the bulbs, in older vehicles, you’ll need to identify which headlight bulb is the low beam and the high beam.

A new vehicle uses one light bulb for both. The bulb in a new car has two individual filaments, one for the low beam and the high beam lights.

If your vehicle uses two bulbs, here’s how you can distinguish them:

The low beam bulb is typically on the outer side of the headlight, while the high beam is on the inside.
The low beam bulb has a higher part number than the high-beam. To find the part number, refer to the owner’s manual.

After taking note of the bulb placement, you can remove them from the bulb holder. Grab the bulb and turn it counterclockwise.

Notice how the locking tabs behind it turn as well?

Pull out the old bulb once the tabs are aligned. Be careful when removing the old headlight bulb from the bulb holder, and don’t ruin the locking tabs. Because once they’re damaged, you’ll have to replace the entire headlight assembly.

But if your car uses a sealed beam headlight, you’ll have to remove the screws that connect the glass cover to the body. Use a Phillips screwdriver to slowly pry off the glass cover once all the screws are off. Only after that can you unscrew the HID headlight bulb.

Step 4: Screw in the New Headlight Bulb

Set aside the old bulb and prep the replacement headlight bulbs.

Handle the new bulb with gloves or wrap it in tissue paper. This prevents you from accidentally contaminating the new bulb with oils or water, as it could reduce the life of your light bulb.

Line up the replacement bulb with the locking tabs on the headlight holder and turn it clockwise until it clicks. If needed, gently wipe the bulb clean.

Reattach the headlight assembly to the car’s body. Be sure to connect the other components you have removed.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 2 to 4 on the Other Headlight

You should always get replacement headlight bulbs in pairs. Usually, when one bulb dies out, the other isn’t far behind.

Repeat steps 2 and 4 to install the new headlight bulb on the other side.

Step 6: Do a Quick Test

Once your replacement bulb set is installed, turn the car back on and test it. Cycle through the high and low beams to ensure they work correctly.

If it’s all good, your new headlight bulbs are ready for the road!

What if the new bulb doesn’t work?
If you notice something wrong with the new bulb — they appear dim, don’t come on, or the check engine light illuminates, it’s best you take your car to the mechanic. Frayed power wires or a faulty wiring harness could be the culprit. Your mechanic will have to check and figure it out.

Now that you have the basics of changing headlights, it’s time for some FAQs.

5 FAQs about Car Headlights

Here are the answers to some common questions drivers have about headlights:

1. How Do I Conduct a Fuse Test for My Headlight?

Here’s how a mechanic would conduct a fuse test:

Locate the fuse box — some cars have it inside the engine compartment, while others store it inside the car on the driver side.
Open the fuse panel cover, read through the codes inside the panel cover, and find the code for the headlight fuse — if not stated, refer to the owner’s manual.
Locate the fuse for the headlight and test the pin connectivity using a multimeter.
A functional fuse will cause a positive reaction from the multimeter, producing a constant sound. If the multimeter remains silent, the fuse is broken and needs to be replaced.

2. What Are the Different Types of Headlight Bulbs Available?

You should always check your owner’s manual to find the type of factory bulb and housing for your vehicle. A Ford Fusion may use a different kind than a Dodge Dakota. Here are the common types:

A. Types of Bulbs

Halogen bulb: Halogen headlights contain halogen gas and a tungsten filament in the bulb and produce a yellow-tinged light. A halogen bulb can last from 450 to 1700 hours.
LED bulb: This bulb produces light by passing an electric current through a microchip. LED bulbs produce a cool, bright light that lasts for 10,000 hours.
HID light: HID headlights produce light as bright as an LED headlight. The glass bulb gives off a cool white or blue light when heated. HID lights last longer than halogen lights but not as long as LED bulbs.

Note: If you own a new car, it’ll likely house LED or HID lights.

If you need to change your entire headlight assembly, there are different types of headlight housings as well.

B. Types of Housing

Reflector headlight housings: Uses a reflective surface to direct and focus the light.
Projector headlight housings: Combines a small reflector and a convex lens to provide a precise and intense light beam.
Composite headlight housings: Also known as sealed beam headlights, they integrate the bulb, reflector, and lens into a single glass unit.
LED headlight housings: Offers various designs with individually controlled small LEDs for precise lighting patterns.
HID headlight housings: Equipped with projector-style housing to control light output and minimize glare.

3. Why Do Headlights Fail?

Whether you drive a Ford Fusion or a RAM truck, headlights can fail for several reasons, like:

Old age: Headlights, like other electrical devices, can wear out over time.
Extreme temperature changes: Sudden temperature changes can shock the glass casing of the bulb and take a toll on the bulb’s filament.
Damage to the headlight assembly: Huge scratches or even yellowing of the headlight casing can cause the bulb to die out faster, especially with halogen headlights.

4. What Are the Signs of Failing Headlights?

These signs point to headlight failure:

Dim headlights: Your headlight bulb can dim out over time. However, if it’s due to a weak battery or a bad alternator, your check engine light or battery warning light will pop on.
Flickering headlights: This happens when the filaments inside the bulb start to go bad or are excessively worn.
Only one headlight works: Regular use or a blown fuse can cause one headlight to burn out and stop functioning.
Both headlights won’t work: This one’s an obvious sign to get it changed. Do we have to explain more?

Faulty headlights reduce visibility and can endanger other road users. So, replace your headlights if they show any of these signs.

5. How Often Should I Replace My Headlights?

You should get a headlight bulb replacement every 2,000 to 3,000 hours of use — usually after 7-10 years.

Keep Headlights in Top Shape with AutoNation Mobile Service

Regularly replacing headlights is crucial for optimal visibility and ensuring your safety on the road. Learning to install new headlight bulbs independently is a good skill, and you can save some cash.

However, if you’re unfamiliar with auto parts and need a headlight repair for your vehicle, call in the professionals — like AutoNation Mobile Service!

We’re a mobile auto repair service that you can quickly get in touch with by filling out an online form. Our technicians are equipped with all the required tools to fix automobile issues in your driveway.