OK, pretty much what it says. 2004 Neon and I want to change out the signal lights for the Silverstars. Problem is I have no idea how the hell you get the headlight out to do it. I know you take the two LONG screws out...then what? The plastic mounting bracket on the inside is in the way. You can't pull it "straight out" like the book says either. OK, it's a simple thing and it's driving me NUTS!! Any help or ideas?

 

Can't you take the headlight bulb out through the back of the headlight... in the engine compartment... ? You don't need to take the whole headlight out to change the bulb...

~Amanda

 

Nope you can't Amanda, at least on the drivers side light. Anyways to take the light out you have to undo obviously the two screws that hold the headlight in. Then after that there should be I believe 3 fascia screws/clips that hold part of the bumper down that you need to take out. Then you will need to pull back on the bumper a little bit then its just a matter of pulling the headlight out, its a PITA (pain in the ***) because there is a huge chunk of plastic that sticks into the frame, I was considering just hacking it off because it was annoying as hell. Anyways thats how you do it, hope that helps.

 

Wow... that's crazy...

I logged into Dealer Connect and this is what it says:

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Remove two screws attaching headlamp unit to upper crossmember.
3. Remove three screws attaching fascia to radiator crossmember and carefully bend fascia forward to allow removal of headlamp unit.
4. Remove headlamp unit from vehicle.
5. Disconnect wire connector from back of headlamp.
6. Rotate retaining ring counterclockwise one quarter turn.
7. Remove retaining ring from headlamp unit.
8. Remove bulb from headlamp unit.

Crazy, crazy...

~Amanda

 

Who ever came up with that design should be drug out in the street and kicked. Damn engineers don't think about the people working on cars.

 

I fully agree... I cannot believe it takes that much effort... thats why I logged into DealerConnect to doudble check... I'm stunned...

~Amanda

 

Thank goodness the taillight swap on my SRT-4 was a piece of cake.....!!!!

 

And I should add that its easier if someone pulls back on the bumper a little while the other takes the headlight out. Thats how I did it, I really would of had a hell of time getting it out doing it completely by myself, its a snug fit.

And by the way, the owners manual directions are useless for taking out the headlight. Its so vague, plus it makes it sound like its easy, which its not really.

 

i fully agree. i damn near took my car back on account of it being such a pain in the *** to change to headlights! (not really) changing the fog lights are nasty too. if you're gonna do that, i highly reccomend jacking it up or a lift or something.

 

Ya..I noticed is was a PITA when I put my Silverstar headlights in. I pulled the lamp out as far as I could and weadged my hand in to get the bulb out and in. I could have screamed. I took all those clips and screws out cause I figured I'd have to in order to get the damn thing out. I still couldn't do it. I really think you need two people for this. What a major pain. It's one thing I can't stand about the front end. What was the guy thinking when they designed this?! That's one good hting I will say about my last car. 2001 Grand Am. The lights were a breeze to change.

At least the rear lamps were VERY easy to swap out for the Mopar Custom Tumer Tails.

Well, I guess I'll have to get somebody to "help" me change the bulbs......man I feel like a loser. haha