How do you replace the headlight bulb on a sebring 2001?

Answer 1

I just did this today on the passenger side headlight of my 2001 sebring. It took some time to figure it out, but I got it done today. You do have to remove the headlight assembly to change the bulb.

Instructions:

1. Unscrew the 2 small bolts that hold the assembly on, they are above the headlight assembly near the corners of the headlight. There should be 2 larger bolts between the small bolts that don't need to be removed. On mine, 1 of the small bolts had "4.8" on it and the large bolts had "9.8" on them. The recommended tool is a socket wrench, but I was able to do it with a crescent wrench held vertically.

2. Pull headlight assembly out in the car's forward direction. On the edge of the blinker side of the headlight, near the vertical center of the headlight, there is a peg on the assembly that goes in a hole on the frame, preventing the assembly from sliding sideways until the peg is out of the hole. After that is out, you have to get the bottom lip of the assembly above the top of the fender, I found that this took some force to pull out, but I don't think I broke anything by using that force. Note that you can only pull this out so far because of the wires connected to it.

3. Unplug the wire socket from the old bulb. To do this you'll probably need a screwdriver or other long metal rod (I used the long bolt that was previously holding the assembly in place) to get the plastic hooks of the wire socket around the side of the block protruding from the top of the bulb housing. Once the plastic hooks are no longer hooked onto the block, you can slide the wire socket off, unplugging it.

4. Unscrew the ring with ridges on the outside (only requires 1/3 of a rotation max, then it is unlocked and pulls off). I found it difficult to hand turn but was eventually able to do it with just my hand.

5. Pull the old bulb out, it's pretty straightforward.

6. Put the new bulb in, it has 3 grooves on it that line up with 3 ridges on the bulb housing, and as I was told by the autoparts clerk, don't touch the bulb with bare hands because your skin oils will decrease its lifespan. I chose to wear rubber gloves for this step to avoid contact with the bulb.

7. Screw the ridged wheel back on to lock in the bulb.

8. Plug the wire socket into the new bulb, the plastic hooks should be locked around the protruding block. At this point you can test the headlights to see if the new bulb works.

9. Slide the headlight assembly back into place; I found that I had to put the peg in the hole first, then try to get the bottom lip of the assembly past the top of the fender, this took some force, and there were some sounds that gave me some concern, but I don't think anything was broken.

10. Screw the bolts back in.