I searched and read through many posts on this subject but Im still having trouble replacing the bulbs. Im replacing the driver side bulb of my headlight. I removed the battery and Im looking down on the power housing where the wires connect to the headlight unit. My question is...

The clips/grips/tabs that you press to remove the housing from the bulb - if I am looking down on it, they are on either side of the black housing, right? Are they the sort of very small arrow-like looking clips? I squeezed these as hard as i could and pulled but nothing moved. Im afraid im going to break or dislodge anything further inside if i pull too hard. Im wondering if im squeezing the wrong tabs because it seems more-difficult-than-it-needs-to-be.

Is there are 'click' when the tabs are fully squeezed....or can I just pull hard enough with worrying about any damage?

If you're talkling about removing the plug from the bulb? It should pull off, sometimes you might need to use a screwdriver to pry the plug off the bulb.

If you're talking about getting the bulb out of the headlight assembly? You need to push down on the wire(looks like a paper clip) and then push toward the bulb. Then it should hinge out of the way so you can remove the bulb.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply. It was those two clips on the plug housing - on the left and right sides if looking down. just squeeze them in all the way and pull. i was apprehensive because initially the plug wasnt moving but the bulb mechanism seemed like it was rattling. so i thought i was doing it wrong.

It was rather fundamental after that - peel off the black rubber booting, then remove that paper-clip type thing (by remove: it's sort of like a triangle with one end attached to the side, a top end to grab, and the other end that you need to push down then away). the bulb comes out with ease and a new one can be returned with ease. Dont put the bulb in upside down!

Little trouble to get the black rubber back on but really not too bad. The plug just slides back on easily too. I did remove my battery (burnt bulb on drivers side) to do this because it would have been a pain otherwise.

Oh, that clip. I've never removed it. I just peeled back the boot that covers the bulb connection. I've never pulled the battery either.

The first time I pulled the headlight assembly out so I could get more room. It can be changed tool free, if you have small hands and know what to do... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif)

This post has been edited by rsquared: Nov 3 2009, 11:24 PM

I attempted to unlatch the connector from the headlight bulb in my wife's Accent the other day, but it was nearly impossible to dislodge the connector from the three metal tabs on the bulb itself. I was able to get two of the tabs free from the connector, but the third one ripped off the bulb and was stuck in the connector. Awesome. The bulb was now ruined and I had to pry the tab out of the connector - the connector looked like it was slightly melted/fried. I really REALLY hope it works when I plug in some new bulbs, I'll be pretty annoyed if the connectors are completely shot.

I replaced the bulbs about 6-8 months ago with some Sylvania bulbs from the local auto parts store. Maybe they weren't the correct voltage? I have no idea. I bought some cheap GE bulbs to try this time.

I am really getting sick of this car...