How to replace headlamp/headlight bulb in a Gen 2 Camry (1990)

[driving90]

Tonight, I was heading home from one of my friend's houses when he told me my driver side headlight was blown. From what I've heard, the changing headlights are an easy fix on cars. However, I've not found any specific instructions on how to change a Toyota Camry headlight blub.

Being that this is my 1st headlight change, I don't want to screw it up. Could you give me a few instructions and tips/pointers on how to change out the bulb?

I've been searching around on google and the only thing I found was a generic eHow article that basically told me to twist & pull on the bulb housing. Since I don't want to damage my car, I wanted to check with you guys here on a toyota-specific forum before I do it (or attempt to do it) tomorrow.


Thanks in advance,
driving90.

[71Corolla]

It's really quite simple. If the blown lamp is on the left side, it will be easier to remove the battery.

All you need to do is twist the plastic ring counter clockwise until it is free, then pull the bulb/connector out and replace the bulb. Reminder, do not touch the glass of the new bulb.

BTW, the plastic threaded ring has a tendency to become brittle and break, on my car I had to replace both of them (the dealer had them in stock for a few dollars)

[driving90]

alright, so I got the blub out of the housing, but before I change the new bulb, I wanted to make sure, using the dead bulb, that I'll be able to put in the new bulb without problems. Here's where it got messy.

When I tried to put it back in, I got it pretty far, the bulb is in the housing but it's not tight enough to turn the plastic ring -- the ring can't latch onto the notch. I've spent about a good 45 minutes trying to figure it out, but it's just not going in any further. any suggestions?

again, right now, I'm just using the burnt bulb for the practice rounds -- that way when I put in the new bulb, I don't have to be knocking it everywhere and damaging the filament.

[driving90]

Originally Posted by driving90

alright, so I got the blub out of the housing, but before I change the new bulb, I wanted to make sure, using the dead bulb, that I'll be able to put in the new bulb without problems. Here's where it got messy.

When I tried to put it back in, I got it pretty far, the bulb is in the housing but it's not tight enough to turn the plastic ring -- the ring can't latch onto the notch. I've spent about a good 45 minutes trying to figure it out, but it's just not going in any further. any suggestions?

again, right now, I'm just using the burnt bulb for the practice rounds -- that way when I put in the new bulb, I don't have to be knocking it everywhere and damaging the filament.

alright, nevermind. I guess i wasn't putting enough force on it. i randomly went what the heck and squeeze really hard and i was able to lock in the practice burnt bulb. and finally after about 2 hours of figuring out what to do, I finally replaced the headlight.

now comes a new problem
after replacing my driver side headlight, I noticed the right corner headlight (the one with the yellow glass panel; not the main passenger side headlight) was burnt.

any idea on how to change it? i looked behind it, hoping that it'll be similar to the main headlight I just done but it appears to be only a pair of wires going through a piece of metal...

[atobe]

2 screws holds on the corner.. then you push it forward to the front of the car to get it out