Replacing Headlight Bulbs
10-04-2010, 11:35 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-15-2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 1,706
Replacing Headlight Bulbs
One of my headlights just burnt out on me today. It's only been burnt out since this afternoon, and I already got pulled over by the Wisconsin State Patrol tonight. I guess I am just super lucky (sarcasm). 
When the cop came to my car and told me my headlight was burnt out, I told him that it just happened today and was going to get it fixed tomorrow. So he went back to his car and worked on his computer. I was pretty sure he was going to give me a Fix-it ticket. But when he came back to my car, he gave me a warning, which means I don't have to take it back to the police station to prove my headlight is working. He told me that he "trusts that I will have it taken care of," which is really nice of him, because it saves me the hassle of having to take it back to the police station. I was going to fix it anyways. I wonder if telling him that "it just happened today and I was going to have it fixed tomorrow" made a difference maybe? 
Anyway, how do you change the headlight bulb? I popped the hood and looked around, but I can't seem to find anything. Is it difficult to do? How do you access the bulb? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Tyler
When the cop came to my car and told me my headlight was burnt out, I told him that it just happened today and was going to get it fixed tomorrow. So he went back to his car and worked on his computer. I was pretty sure he was going to give me a Fix-it ticket. But when he came back to my car, he gave me a warning, which means I don't have to take it back to the police station to prove my headlight is working. He told me that he "trusts that I will have it taken care of," which is really nice of him, because it saves me the hassle of having to take it back to the police station. I was going to fix it anyways. I wonder if telling him that "it just happened today and I was going to have it fixed tomorrow" made a difference maybe? Anyway, how do you change the headlight bulb? I popped the hood and looked around, but I can't seem to find anything. Is it difficult to do? How do you access the bulb? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Tyler
10-04-2010, 11:55 PM
#2
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Join Date: 01-09-2007
Location: SE USA
Posts: 15,856
10-05-2010, 01:04 AM
#6
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Join Date: 01-09-2007
Location: SE USA
Posts: 15,856
You can do it, use some needle-nose pliers or a screwdriver to remove the push plugs.
Then make sure you don't touch the bulb glass, any oils from fingers or etc will make a short bulb life..
PS: Here's a thread on how to get the inner fender out of the way with pics.
(I know it's for a Horn), but it gives you a visual as to what to watch for..
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-tutorial-library-21/how-install-new-horn-14226/
Then make sure you don't touch the bulb glass, any oils from fingers or etc will make a short bulb life..
PS: Here's a thread on how to get the inner fender out of the way with pics.
(I know it's for a Horn), but it gives you a visual as to what to watch for..
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/how-tutorial-library-21/how-install-new-horn-14226/
10-05-2010, 11:31 PM
#9
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Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-15-2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 1,706
Well, today I went to the local Chevy dealership to get it fixed. I was thinking about doing it, but I kinda doubted myself. I'm not exactly super handy. That was a big mistake!! 
One of my brights has been out for the longest time because the wire for it was accidentally cut. I lived without my brights, because it's not like I totally needed them or anything. So, I asked them if they could take care of that too. They said, yeah that shouldn't cost much extra. I was thinking maybe $50-$60 for the whole thing, which didn't seem so bad to me. When I asked what the total was, they said it was $111. 
Holy cow!! I never would've guessed it costs that much just to have them fix your headlight. It was $78 just in labor. It was good service and everything, and they were really nice, but the insanely high cost reminded me of why I normally avoid the dealership. Next time, I am for sure going to do it myself, no matter how hard or tricky it is. I definitely learned my lesson this time!! I just couldn't believe it was that expensive. It just blows my mind!!
One of my brights has been out for the longest time because the wire for it was accidentally cut. I lived without my brights, because it's not like I totally needed them or anything. So, I asked them if they could take care of that too. They said, yeah that shouldn't cost much extra. I was thinking maybe $50-$60 for the whole thing, which didn't seem so bad to me. When I asked what the total was, they said it was $111. Holy cow!! I never would've guessed it costs that much just to have them fix your headlight. It was $78 just in labor. It was good service and everything, and they were really nice, but the insanely high cost reminded me of why I normally avoid the dealership. Next time, I am for sure going to do it myself, no matter how hard or tricky it is. I definitely learned my lesson this time!! I just couldn't believe it was that expensive. It just blows my mind!!