How to remove/replace headlights

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Old Jul 18, 2004 | 09:02 PM
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How to remove/replace headlights

Sup fellas, apparently someone backed into my car and rammed into my headlights. Now my passenger side headlight has a cracked hole. I taped up the headlight with some heavy duty clear tape.

I recently ordered a set of JDM headlights from japan on ebay. I was just wondering if anyone knew how to install these headlights? My friend told me I would have to remove my bumper inorder to install them.

If you guys have any input, please hook a brother up!!
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Old Jul 18, 2004 | 10:23 PM
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Yea.. i know how.. hell ive done it too many times...

1. DISCONNECT ALL Wires leading to ur headlights. Take out the bulbs.
2. Remove the Corner Lights on the bottom portion of the bumper.
3. Remove the Grill
4. Remove the bumper itself. Its held on by i think 5 bolts.. 3 in the front, one on each side.. and 2 screws under the tirewell in the front... you need a phillips screwdriver to remove it.
5. Upon removal of the bumper, remove the metal reinforcement bar.
6. After removing the reinforcement bar, you'll see the 3 bolts on the bottom that are holding the headlights down. Remove those. Also remove the 2(?) bolts on the top of the light.
7. After removing the bolts, pull the headlights out. You might have to move it from side to side to get it out.. takes a couple mins.

There ya go... and its recommended you have a friend to help you put on the bumper and reinforcement bar afterwards... cuz the SOB wont stay still no mater what xD



Is your drivers side headlight in good condition? cuz i might need a new drivers side headlight... -_-;
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Old Jul 19, 2004 | 07:05 AM
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yeah its a big enormous pain in the ass.
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Old Jul 19, 2004 | 10:17 AM
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what the fuck?? all that shit just to take out the damn headlights? crazyness I tell ya!
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Old Jul 19, 2004 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by TLBaller
what the fuck?? all that shit just to take out the damn headlights? crazyness I tell ya!
I "think" it is done to prevent theft.

And yes, its a pain in the ass. Took my Dad and I two hours to do it right.
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Old Jul 19, 2004 | 12:42 PM
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Ya looks like it would be a bitch.
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Old Jul 19, 2004 | 01:31 PM
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you have no idea... lol. so many screws and bolts you need to keep track of...
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Old Jul 19, 2004 | 04:22 PM
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Wow, that's alot of information. Me and my friends are going to work on it this saturday, but if its too hard, im going to bring it to this shop I know. I don't know the quote on the labor yet, but I want it to be a good job.

Also, the driver side headlight is in perfect condition. I was thinking about putting it on ebay, since I have no use for it. I'll try to take some pictures after I remove them from the car.

In the mean time, it's going to be hell putting those lights in. Thanks Demon Rage for your help! :'(
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Old Jul 19, 2004 | 05:52 PM
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haha npnp.. its not as hard as it sounds... its just a lot of work... its not hard work, but its just a lot of stuff you have to do before you can actually reach the headlights
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Old Aug 8, 2005 | 09:38 AM
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Lets see those new headlights, and the website you got them from!
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Old Aug 8, 2005 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by demons rage
Yea.. i know how.. hell ive done it too many times...

1. DISCONNECT ALL Wires leading to ur headlights. Take out the bulbs.
2. Remove the Corner Lights on the bottom portion of the bumper.
3. Remove the Grill
4. Remove the bumper itself. Its held on by i think 5 bolts.. 3 in the front, one on each side.. and 2 screws under the tirewell in the front... you need a phillips screwdriver to remove it.
5. Upon removal of the bumper, remove the metal reinforcement bar.
6. After removing the reinforcement bar, you'll see the 3 bolts on the bottom that are holding the headlights down. Remove those. Also remove the 2(?) bolts on the top of the light.
7. After removing the bolts, pull the headlights out. You might have to move it from side to side to get it out.. takes a couple mins.

There ya go... and its recommended you have a friend to help you put on the bumper and reinforcement bar afterwards... cuz the SOB wont stay still no mater what xD



Is your drivers side headlight in good condition? cuz i might need a new drivers side headlight... -_-;
should make this a STICKY
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Old Aug 8, 2005 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by KrayzieDxC
should make this a STICKY


sticky icky icky
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Old Aug 8, 2005 | 05:19 PM
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sticky done
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Old Aug 15, 2005 | 08:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Ken1997TL
I "think" it is done to prevent theft.

And yes, its a pain in the ass. Took my Dad and I two hours to do it right.
I was seriously thinking about doing a HID Retro conversion on my car but $700.00, was making me lean towards NOT doing it. The retro and install was going to be a HUGE pain, and this new info sealed the deal. No way in hell am I going to go through all that bull Shiznit just to get the bloody lights out! Thanks for saving me some serious money and swearing!
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Old Aug 21, 2005 | 01:24 PM
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JDM headlights = http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-9...spagenameZWDVW
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 03:28 PM
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My Driver's side Foglight is burned out..............so i have to do all that Shit just to replace the bulb????????????
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 05:29 AM
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Originally Posted by 98_2.5_TL
My Driver's side Foglight is burned out..............so i have to do all that Shit just to replace the bulb????????????
Late response, but no you dont. You just have to rotate it out from within the engine bay
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Old Mar 25, 2007 | 01:12 PM
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Do you have to remove the bumper cover and reinforcement to change the driver's side headlight bulb? My boyfriend can't figure out how to get to the bulb on that side.
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Old Mar 25, 2007 | 04:40 PM
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Well my boyfriend just changed my bulbs. I'll post some pictures soon.
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Old Mar 25, 2007 | 05:45 PM
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All you have to do is lift out the coolant reservoir and push your battery back a bit to have some room to fit your hand down there. And whoa, we have a girl with a UA? Welcome!

~Cheers~
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Old Mar 26, 2007 | 12:46 AM
  #21  
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a UA?
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Old Mar 26, 2007 | 06:24 PM
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UA1 = 2.0l version not sold in the US, UA2 = 2.5TL, UA3= 3.2TL. UA is the chassis code.

~Cheers~
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Old Mar 26, 2007 | 06:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Pinkgurl97
Do you have to remove the bumper cover and reinforcement to change the driver's side headlight bulb? My boyfriend can't figure out how to get to the bulb on that side.
you have to remove that to take out the headlight itself, but not the headlight bulb.
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Old Mar 26, 2007 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Go90go
UA1 = 2.0l version not sold in the US, UA2 = 2.5TL, UA3= 3.2TL. UA is the chassis code.

~Cheers~
oh I c...lol

Sorry new to the forum and the lingo!
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Old Mar 26, 2007 | 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by daemonicus
you have to remove that to take out the headlight itself, but not the headlight bulb.
yeah we got it figured out.. apparently he didnt have the right sized w/e to get the bolt off so he had to take it off anyways..oh well... my lights have been fixed and I can now see when its raining!!! Yippy!

what is your guys opinion on light bulbs? What brand is best to go with? (for next time)
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Old Mar 26, 2007 | 08:55 PM
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next time go with HID. you'll never go back to stock.
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Old Mar 26, 2007 | 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by daemonicus
next time go with HID. you'll never go back to stock.
Yeah that what I have been thinking....Anyone know a good place to get them from for a reasonable price? Thanks for the help yall!
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Old Mar 26, 2007 | 11:54 PM
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check out ebay for kits of if you'd rather go with a company online, go with cqlight. their kits are $180 with free 2 day shipping. that's only for the low beam kit though, not the bi-xenon. bi-xenon will let you keep your low beam and high beam but honestly, with HID, you dont even need the high beam.

here's the link for the bi-xenon from cqlight and the other is for the standard low beam conversion kit.

http://www.cqlight.ca/product_info.p...b943fdc26351a0
http://www.cqlight.ca/product_info.p...b943fdc26351a0

the bi-xenon is considerably more expensive than the standard low-beam but like i said before, you dont even need your high beam with HID.

just remember, whatever you end up getting, our bulbs are H4 and if you want the best lighting possible, go with a light that is rated at around 4300k-6000k.
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 03:11 AM
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6000K has the actual highest lumens output of all the colour temps. The higher in the colour spectrum you go, the lower the actual light output. I personally am running an 8000K setup with 3000K driving lamps.

~Cheers~
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 03:47 AM
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i was under the impression that 4300k was the best because it was closest to the color of actual sunlight. also, i'm pretty sure all car companies with factory HID systems use a bulb in the 4000k range.
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Old Mar 27, 2007 | 06:07 PM
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4300K is just standard on most factory systems. Some are higher, in the 5300K range, but the projectors change the actual colour because of the lens coatings, giving it that colour shift effect that is most pronounced on the Evos. 4300K actually looks llike halogen to me anyhow, hehe.

~Cheers~
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 09:01 PM
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does anyone have pics of their headlights on with HIDs?
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 08:36 PM
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Originally Posted by SurfingScotty
I was seriously thinking about doing a HID Retro conversion on my car but $700.00, was making me lean towards NOT doing it. The retro and install was going to be a HUGE pain, and this new info sealed the deal. No way in hell am I going to go through all that bull Shiznit just to get the bloody lights out! Thanks for saving me some serious money and swearing!
I'm correcting myself. I'm in the process of taking of the bumper right now to do a retrofit. KEV, I'll (hopefully) have pictures within the next week or two. Wish me luck. This will be the biggest car project I've undertaken thus far.

Cost so far:
$145= BMW 7 Series Bi-Xenon projectors
$299=G35 ballasts, igniters, and bulbs

Still looking for a chrome-ish looking bezel to cover the projector. Any ideas cheap ideas?
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Old Jul 11, 2008 | 05:43 PM
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Haha Demon Rage

Sorry DEMON RAGE you have a rage to tear A CAR APART hahaha. I changed the low beam headlight on 07 TL without ripping it apart. JULY 11, 08

Tools needed:

1. Phillips four heads, and a flat head
2. A tampered proof torx #T20 [Tampered proof meaning it has a hole in the middle of the torx]
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Old Jul 11, 2008 | 05:59 PM
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haha DEMON RAGE = CAR JACK THE RIPPER

Sorry DEMON RAGE you have a rage to tear A CAR APART hahaha. I changed the low beam headlight on 07 TL without ripping it apart. JULY 11, 08

Tools needed:

1. Phillips four heads, and a flat head
2. A tampered proof torx #T20 [Tampered proof meaning it has a hole in the middle of the torx]
3. A number 10 socket and ratchet

How to replace Headlight:

1. Easy side would be the left [driver side], take out the battery cover and the battery itself, remember to get the code for antitheft/navi before disconnecting the battery. Use the T20 TORX to remove the torx bolt it's on the left corner, you'll have to run your finger through the low beam side to feel where it is. After you removed the bolt, turn the low beam cover 45 degrees. Remove the screw that hold the spring to hold the head bulb down. THROW away the torx screw if you want, there's no way the plastic cover for the headlight bulb is going to fall off.

Install: install the headbulb in, and put the spring lowered end in first. Then try and try as hard as you can to make it go into the two arms to hold it in because it's going to be bouncing out and even your head bulb may fall out again too.

The right headlight bulb [a pain in the ass]. This side you'll need to jack your car up and remove your right front wheel. Remove the fender lower plastic cover [YES, REMOVE IT]. Remove the wind shield washer resovoir [YES, REMOVE IT TOO]. Find the torx nut, did you see it? It's easier to see with all that out right? OK now do the same thing like on the otherside.

OK, now you don't have to go through all the fender remover crap do you? if you successfully followed instructions. Hahha you wont be known as CAR JACK THE RIPPER
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Old Jul 11, 2008 | 09:25 PM
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^ well thats for a 07 tl... if you have the 1st gen you think you can do the same..no easy way

why would we want to move the windshield reservoir,ours is near the firewall..haha
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Old Aug 10, 2008 | 02:09 PM
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Would it be the same hassle if you're changing the bulbs on for the parking light on the side of the headlight?
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Old Aug 11, 2008 | 06:52 AM
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Originally Posted by gian_18778
Would it be the same hassle if you're changing the bulbs on for the parking light on the side of the headlight?
Not at all. The high mount parking lights can be changed from within the engine bay. The pass side simply requires you to pull the coolant resv. tank straight up and out of the way for easier installation. The low mount parking lights and turn signals need to be removed to change...in most cases. However, it's a bit of a pain trying to put them back together so I crank the wheels to one side, pull back the splash guard in the wheel well and acess them that way. Easier in my opinion.
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Old Aug 11, 2008 | 07:26 PM
  #39  
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Thanks
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Old Oct 14, 2008 | 02:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Go90go
UA1 = 2.0l version not sold in the US, UA2 = 2.5TL, UA3= 3.2TL. UA is the chassis code.

~Cheers~
Whoa, a 2.0L?! I want!
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