Headlight Blew. WHY IS IT SO DAMN HARD TO JUST REPLACE A BULB?

[rp23g7]

My daughter has a '99 Chrysler 300M. When I replaced a headlight bulb on the drivers side, I had to remove the front tire in order to remove the FRONT BUMPER!!! It took me 4 hours to replace the bulb. I told her to sell the damned thing before another bulb burns out
Tom

Think that is bad? I worked for Chrysler for a bit, I think it was a Cirrus, to replace the horn, you had to take the battery out, the headlight, the support and the evap canister, it took me 2 hrs to do my first one.

 

[gijoecam]

I don't see what's so difficult about it, nor do I see why removing the battery is necessary? I've replaced both of mine several times over the course of the last 11 years, and never done anything more than flip up the little access door, remove the plug, remove the retainer ring, and pop the bulb out.

Why is that so difficult? Yeah, it's a little bit tight, but I can do it in literally 2 minutes on the coldest day of the year with numb fingers, so it can't be that tough...

 

[beach]

On the 5.0 you have to remove the battery, just had to do this, at night time with a flash light.. that was fun as you can't see **** even with a bright light at that angle (I couldn't get the light socket to go back in correctly and lock and I've done it before

 

[gijoecam]

Why would the 5.0 engine necessitate removing the battery? The core supports are the same as the 4.0, and the entire front clip is identical... So what's special that makes it mandatory to remove the battery? Yes, it likely gives you better access to the back of the housing through the core support, but I still don't think it's required...

 

[Electrohacker]

it's not required, you just need patience

 

[jagarundi]

Either you guys have extremely small hands or I'm going crazy. I passed my latest sanity test. I don't see no way in hell that you can lift the flap, stick your hand in that SMALL opening, twist the light, pull it out, replace and turn the housing back to lock it in. THERE IS NO WIGGLE ROOM whatsoever. I cut up two pairs of gloves trying to manuver around. I'm going to take the battery out again next weekend and try again.

 

[IZwack]

Just wait till you get into other tight areas like the top-two transmission bolts

Over time, we learn to just endure things (like pain) or innovate.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Problem solved.

 

[Oxygen]

high and low beam? that's clean, i like the concept...

 

[Joe Dirt]

lol!

 

[lvis82]

thats funny joe.

 

[jagarundi]

There's no way in hell you can get that bulb out without removing the battery and even then it's extremely tight. I've been driving around with my high beams on. I refuse to take it to Ford so that they can charge me $200 to change a damn light bulb.

 

[Electrohacker]

dont make me make a video...

 

[my pos mounty]

I also have changed both of my headlights on my 99 Mountaineer 5.0
NEVER had any trouble whatsoever. Less than a 5 minute job to do both sides. Like it has been said multiple times in this thread, lift up the plastic flap on the header panel, reach down inside, grab the plastic ring and twist it off, remove the wiring harness from the back of the bulb, remove bulb from headlight housing. Install new one. The very first time I had to do this, it was somewhere around -5 degrees(F not c). No flashlight, in a dark parking lot. Took me maybe 10 minutes. Maybe you have "meathooks" for hands, get some 5th grader to reach in there for you before you have a coronary.

 

[sport97]

I've changed mine without taking the battery out. Even if you have to take the battery out it only takes an extra 3-5 minutes. I had to change a light on an 07 accord, i had to pull the battery and reach back in the fender because of the way the light and fender are shaped. Even with this it only took 10 minutes mainly because i had a hard time getting the clip off.

 

[dmc80]

Just did this today, take out the corner lenses first then pull out the headlight assembly.

 

[TheJackal]

There's no way in hell you can get that bulb out without removing the battery and even then it's extremely tight. I've been driving around with my high beams on. I refuse to take it to Ford so that they can charge me $200 to change a damn light bulb.

Try Pepboys, my grandfather used to go there when he needed bulbs changed.

 

[BrianDye]

AutoZone usually replaces stuff like that free of charge...

 

[MustangP51]

There is absolutely no question that the bulbs can be changed without removing the battery. Unscrew and pop out the side markers and change the bulb.

 

[DanaM]

If you think it is a bi+ch on a x, try changing headlights on a new Dodge Charger, some guys pull the bumper although this is not needed. Changing the fogs, even with the best Sylvania has to offer needs to be done after 6 to 8 months of medium use and when changing, causes lots of scrape and cuts if you don't have a lift or jack. It is hell when I have to change a fog light in my Charger, I know it is going to be a bloody painful affair.

Nice going Ford and Dodge.

D a n a