DIY Headlight (Low Beam) Bulb Change

[Exage]

This is a guide to change the headlight low beam and DRL (bulb) on your 9th Gen Toyota Corolla. This applies to all 9th Gen models and years.

Time: A couple minutes

Parts: Headlight Bulb #9006. Toyota Part #90981-13047. Cost $20-25 per bulb.

Tools: Rubber Gloves

First check which light is out by turning on the headlights (you don't have to turn the key!). Then turn the headlights back off.

Note: If both your low beam headlights are out, check the headlight fuse first.

Note: You don't have to disconnect the battery, however when you remove the lightbulb from the plug I recommend that the headlights are off.

Once you've determined which side is burned out, pop and raise the hood. On my XRS it was the passengers' side. Now look at the rear of the headlight housing from the engine bay.

You should see something like this (passengers' side)

I tagged the headlight and plug but I'll point out some other things in the picture:
Top Left: That's the highbeam bulb and plug.
Bottom Left: XRS ABS Control Unit.
Bottom Right: Windshield washer fluid reservior cap.

To take the bulb out you will need to disconnect the bulb from the plug. You will need to pry the two clips back (on the plug) that are facing towards the engine bay and slip the plug off. I managed by hand...

Pic of the plug in my hand, note the two clips on the plug

Now you can remove the headlight bulb. The headlight bulb is removed by turning it 1/8th of a revolution counter-clockwise. After that you may need to wiggle it back and forth to get it to come out.

Pic of the old bulb on the 2ZZ-GE

Note: DON'T TOUCH THE GLASS PART OF THE NEW BULB. THEY ARE HALOGEN. If you touch it with your bare hands oil/dirt will be transfered to the glass and when the bulb heats up it may explode or have a shorter lifespan.

With any new light bulb: Take your time and be gentle with it, don't drop it!

Putting the new headlight bulb in is just the steps reversed.

The new bulb might be hard to turn 1/8 clockwise... give it a little bit of force if that's the case. Make sure the plug clips snap to the new headlight.

Turn your headlights back on and make sure the new headlight bulb works!

Back to normal again!

[02zx9r]

Is essentially how I did it. For me on my 08 LE it is more of a pain on the left side for me to do that one. (right side of car, left if looking at it.)

[NMGeorge]

I'd consider changing both bulbs after one blows... It's funny how many times one soon followed the other!

[Exage]

Originally Posted by 02zx9r

Is essentially how I did it. For me on my 08 LE it is more of a pain on the left side for me to do that one. (right side of car, left if looking at it.)

True. The intake snorkel and battery are slightly in the way of the drivers side headlight and plug.

Sorry I misread... you mean the passengers' side was hard to get at?

[dorman68]

Good job!! Great Info!

[JasonA]

Halogen lamps also dim over time. Not really enough to be noticeable, but when just one is replaced, you can usually tell the difference. It's generally best to replace in pairs.

[grandjayson]

where do i get the bulb from though? toyota dealer or i could get it from canadian tire? thank you very much!

[Exage]

Originally Posted by grandjayson

where do i get the bulb from though? toyota dealer or i could get it from canadian tire? thank you very much!

I went to the dealer. The halogen bulb will cost you more money there. I heard some stories about certain halogen bulbs from retail stores burning out after 6 months so I played it safe.

[JasonA]

You can get them everywhere. The Toyota bulbs are Sylvania anyway; same stuff you buy at the store. They're about $10/pair at Walmart, AutoZone, Advance, Pep Boys, etc. Any name brand halogen bulb should last YEARS. Even upgraded bulbs (like Sylvania Xtravision) are $18/pair at my local Walmart.

Canadian Tire will sell the bulb.