2003 Nissan Sentra Logo
Posted on Oct 16, 2009
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Headlamp replacement How do you get the old bulb out?

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ZJ Limited

ZJ Limited

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  • Nissan Master 17,989 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 16, 2009
ZJ Limited
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According to Nissan PDFs on line, it seems pretty straight forward, although it seems pretty cramped around the headlight assemblies (go figure...) For the driver's side, it recommends removing the battery to make some room in the 2004 book (I would agree, after seeing mine). For all, it recommends at least removing the negative battery cable.
It states several times NOT TO TOUCH THE BULB. The grease from your fingers will reduce the life of the bulb, if not damage it immediately.

I pasted the links for the PDFs below- one for the 2002 and one for the 2004. I can't wait to tackle mine in -20 weather.
Oh yeah- you will have to re-program your radio after disconnecting the battery.
Update: (Dec. 29/07) I changed mine today, and it was very easy.
1. Remove battery for driver's side bulb.
2. Unplug electrical connection to bulb. There is a locking clip that you depress with your thumb to unlock the connection to the bulb casing.
3. Turn the locking collar counterclockwise to unlock, and remove.
4. Remove dead bulb.
5. After comparing the bulbs to make sure they match, holding the new bulb by the plastic casing at the rear, insert the new bulb making sure the notches seat into the seating tabs. Remember- DON'T TOUCH THE BULB!
6. Re-install the locking collar clockwise, and the electrical connection plug.
7. Re-install the battery for driver's side installation. (Might be a good time to clean the posts if they are corroded.)
8. Test the bulb. Re-set your clock and re-tune the radio.

www.nissan-techinfo.com/nissan/refgh0v/og/sentra/2002-Nissan-Sentra.pdf
www.courtesyparts.com/nissan-manual/pdf/2004-Nissan-Sentra.pdf
UPDATE- with small enough hands, you do not have to disconnect the battery. This is a wasted step.
ANOTHER UPDATE: I just used these instructions, and they were very good, but for older Sentras it's a little different.


On a 1996 there is no "clicking" mechanism to turn counter clockwise. Instead there is a wire holder keeping the bulb in place. You have to remove the wire holder, and then you can pull out the bulb in its holder. On the holder there was a plastic piece marked "press here" which when pressed, allows you to pull the old bulb out of the holder.

Hope helped (remember rated this help).

×

1 Related Answer

Anonymous

  • 710 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 25, 2009

SOURCE: how do I replace headlamp bulb?

Some imports require the entire light assembly to be removed in order to replace headlamps. Look to see if there are angled rods on the back side of the light assembly. If so, see if the can be pulled straight up towards the hood of the car. When they are released the headlight will be able to come forward. Good luck. Hope this helps.

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Remove the headlamp assembly. Refer to Headlamp Replacement.



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1. Raise the hood.
2. Remove the plastic cover at the rear of the headlamp assembly by rotating it counterclockwise, and pulling it off. This will allow access to the headlight bulb.
3. Twist the bulb socket counterclockwise in order to remove it from the headlamp assembly. Pull the old bulb out of the socket, and use a clean cloth to install the replacement bulb. Do not touch the glass of the new bulb.
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When you turn the headlights on everything works but the headlights. If you hold the dimmer switch in the brights will come on. When you let it go the lights go out
Have you tried to change the headlights?

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION Sealed Beam NOTE: If vehicle is equipped with headlamp doors turn the headlight switch ON. Open the hood and locate the power distribution center. This center is located in the front of the left front strut tower. Remove the cover from the center and remove the Headlamp Close Relay. This will prevent the headlamp doors from closing to provide easier servicing. Turn the headlight switch to OFF, then perform this repair.
  1. Remove the headlight bezel.
  2. Unhook the spring from the headlight retaining ring if so equipped.
  3. Unscrew the retaining ring and remove it. NOTE: Do not disturb the two long aiming screws. Conventional and Halogen headlamp sealed beams units are interchangeable in pairs, but it is recommended that they not be mixed together (one halogen and one conventional). It is fine to upgrade from conventional bulbs to halogen, but do not change from halogen bulbs to conventional bulbs, especially if the vehicle came equipped with halogen bulbs.
  4. Unplug the old sealed beam from the engine electrical wiring harness.
  5. Extract the old bulb from its mounting bracket. To install:
  6. Connect the replacement bulb and install it into the receptacle (check operation of headlight before completing repair).
  7. Install the retaining ring and secure it in place with the retaining screws. Connect the spring.
  8. Install the headlight bezel.
Aero Headlamp Aero headlamp systems use replaceable halogen bulbs that are mounted in aerodynamic, molded plastic lens reflector assemblies. NOTE: Lens fogging is a normal condition and does not require service, as moisture will vent from tubes behind the lens on Aero headlamp-type system. EXCEPT PREMIER AND MONACO It may be necessary to remove the entire headlamp assembly if enough access cannot be gained otherwise.
  1. Locate and remove the wire connector behind the headlamp assembly in the engine compartment. It may be necessary to remove certain items in the engine compartment to gain access to the bulb wires.
  2. Rotate the bulb retaining ring counterclockwise 1?4 turn and remove the ring, bulb and bulb holder from the lens assembly. The bulb holder has alignment notches. NOTE: Do not touch the bulb with bare fingers or any possibly oily surface, since reduced bulb life may result! Fig. 1: To remove the light bulb, first unplug the headlight electrical connector, then . . . 86726p13.jpg
    Fig. 2: . . . remove the light bulb socket retaining ring 86726p14.jpg
    Fig. 3: Rotate the light bulb socket 1?4 turn counter-clockwise, then pull it straight out of the lens assembly 86726p15.jpg
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  3. Wearing gloves or holding the replacement bulb with a cloth rag to keep oil off of the bulb surface, insert the bulb into the rear hole of the headlamp assembly. Make certain that the alignment grooves and tabs line up, push the light bulb into the assembly until seated flush, then turn the bulb clockwise 1?4 turn.
  4. Plug the electrical light bulb wiring harness into the new light bulb. Install any items removed from the engine compartment.
PREMIER AND MONACO Unlike the other vehicles covered by this manual, the removal and installation of the headlamp bulbs in the Premier and Monaco models requires the extraction of the entire headlamp lens assembly.
  1. Remove the grille-to-headlamp assembly attaching screws.
  2. Disconnect the headlamp aiming cable from the aiming screw end.
  3. Remove the headlamp assembly attaching bolts from above and behind the lamp assembly and separate the lamp assembly from the vehicle.
  4. Unplug the headlamp wire connector. NOTE: Do not touch the bulb with bare fingers or any possibly oily surface, since reduced bulb life may result!
  5. Rotate the socket counterclockwise 1?4 turn and pull the socket from the back of the lens assembly. Fig. 4: Remove the bezel retaining screws to loosen the headlamp assembly - Premier and Monaco 86726g91.gif
    Fig. 5: Detach the headlamp wire connector - Premier and Monaco 86726g92.gif
    Fig. 6: Once the headlamp assembly has been removed from the vehicle, the various light bulbs can easily be removed - Premier and Monaco 86726g93.gif
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  6. Wearing gloves or holding the replacement bulb with a cloth rag to keep oil off of the bulb surface, insert the bulb into the rear hole of the headlamp assembly. Make certain that the alignment grooves and tabs line up, push the light bulb into the assembly until seated flush, then turn the bulb clockwise 1?4 turn.
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  9. Connect the headlamp aiming cable to the aiming screw end.
  10. Install the grille-to-headlamp assembly attaching screws.
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Need more come to https://www.autorepairhelp.us


change-headlight-bulb-2009-gmc-1pzbcmqursjjtd0qcfo11o2t-2-0.png change-headlight-bulb-2009-gmc-1pzbcmqursjjtd0qcfo11o2t-2-1.png
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Headlamp Removal & Installation Bulb Replacement To Remove:
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Make sure to wear eye protection when handling a halogen bulb.
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Do not touch the glass of a halogen bulb, only handle the bulb by the base.
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  1. Turn the lamp switch to the off position.
  2. Make sure the bulb is cool before changing.
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  4. Remove the rear access cover from the headlamp assembly.
  5. Disconnect the headlamp connector.
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Headlamp Assembly (Chevrolet) gm-06-00-1591.gif

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What is the process for replacing the headlamp
Replacing headlamp bulbs
 Handle a halogen headlamp bulb carefully
and keep out of children’s reach. Grasp the
bulb only by its plastic base and do not touch the
glass. The oil from your hand could cause the bulb
to break the next time the headlamps are
operated.
If the bulb is accidentally touched, it should be
cleaned with rubbing alcohol before being used.
 To remove the headlamp bulb:
1. Make sure headlamp switch is in OFF position,
then open the hood. If you are replacing the driver
side headlamp, unclip the electronic module on the
right side of the battery and move it out of the way.
2. Locate the headlamp bulb through the hole in the
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3. Release clip and
disconnect the
electrical connector
from the bulb.
4. Remove the bulb
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rotating it
counterclockwise
(when viewed from the
rear) about 1/8 turn to
free it from the bulb socket, and slide the ring off
the plastic base. Keep the ring to retain the new
bulb.
5. With out turning, remove the old bulb from the
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lamp assembly.

To install the new bulb:
1. With the flat side of
the bulb’s plastic base
facing upward, insert
the glass end of the
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assembly. You may
need to turn the bulb left or right to align the
grooves in the plastic base with the tabs in the lamp
assembly. When the grooves are aligned, push the
bulb into the lamp assembly until the plastic base
contacts the rear of the lamp assembly.
2. Install the bulb retaining ring over the plastic base
until it contacts the rear of the socket by rotating
clockwise until you feel a “stop.”
3. Install the electrical connector into the rear of the
plastic base until it snaps, locking it into position.
4. Turn the headlamps on and make sure they work
properly. If the headlamp was correctly aligned
before you changed the bulb, you should not need to
align it again.
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Things You'll Need:
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Instructions
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  2. Depress the black tap holding the harness connector to the headlamp assembly. Pull the connector toward you to remove it.
  3. Turn the bulb assembly counterclockwise and remove the headlamp from the car.
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  5. Insert the new bulb into the assembly and turn clockwise.
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Tips & Warnings
  1. Vehicle headlamps can get extremely hot, make sure the lights are off for a significant amount of time before touching them.
  2. Halogen bulbs shatter easily, so handle with care
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I need to change a dead bulb in my headlights and I dont have the owner manual.
96 sable, only ino I have. should be similar. Please rate, thanks

  1. sth~us~en~file=ani_caut.gif~gen~ref.gif WARNING: THE REPLACEABLE HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULB CONTAINS GAS UNDER PRESSURE. THE HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULB MAY SHATTER IF THE GLASS ENVELOPE IS SCRATCHED OR THE HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULB IS DROPPED. HANDLE HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULB CAREFULLY. GRASP HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULB ONLY BY ITS PLASTIC BASE. AVOID TOUCHING GLASS ENVELOPE. KEEP HALOGEN HEADLAMP BULB OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
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    Make sure headlamp switch (11654) is in OFF position.
  1. NOTE: On some models the clamps holding the integrated relay control module (IRCM) may need to be unsnapped and the module pulled aside to gain access to the driver side bulb.

    Open hood and locate headlamp bulb through hole in upper radiator support assembly.
  1. Remove headlamp wire connector from headlamp bulb and retainer by pulling the connector and wires in a rearward direction.
  1. Remove headlamp bulb retainer (13N019) by rotating counterclockwise (when viewed from rear) about one-eighth turn and sliding headlamp bulb retainer off headlamp bulb and retainer. Keep headlamp bulb retainer as it will be used again to retain new headlamp bulb and retainer.
  1. Carefully remove headlamp bulb and retainer from opening in headlamp bulb (13007) by gently pulling straight out of opening. Do not rotate headlamp bulb and retainer during removal.
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Jul 05, 2009 • 1991 Mercury Sable
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Replacing headlight bulb of 2001 mercury villager?
SECTION 417-01: Exterior Lighting 2001 Villager Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Bulb —Headlamp Removal
  1. s1v~us~en~file=ani_caut.gif~gen~ref.gif WARNING: The halogen bulb contains gas under pressure. The bulb may shatter if the glass envelope is scratched or if the bulb is dropped. Handle the bulb only by its base. Grasp the bulb only by its base. Avoid touching the glass envelope.
    NOTE: The headlamp bulb should not be removed from the headlamp until just before a replacement bulb is installed. Removing the bulb for an extended period of time may affect headlamp bulb performance. Contaminants may enter the headlamp where they can settle on the lens and reflector. Never turn on the headlamps with the bulb removed from the headlamp.
    NOTE: Make sure that the headlamp switch and the ignition switch are in the OFF position.
    Remove the headlamp bulb.
    1. Disconnect the electrical connector.
    1. Remove the headlamp bulb retainer by rotating it counterclockwise about one-eighth of a turn.
    1. Remove the headlamp bulb.
0deebe4.gif Installation
  1. Install the headlamp bulb.
    1. Install the headlamp bulb.
    1. Install the headlamp bulb retainer by rotating it clockwise about one-eighth of a turn.
    1. Connect the electrical connector.
------
go here for villager help

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/
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