Hey guys! This is my first post here lol. I own a 2004 Dodge Stratus. And the driver side headlight bulb went out. I was wondering how I can take out the whole headlight and change the light bulb? I tried myself hehe. :P I found the two screws (??? is that what they are called?) and the headlight was loose but then I couldn't take it out because the bumper is in the way. I really need help cuz I got pulled over the other day for it. And I can't afford to take it to a mechanic since I have to pay the sticker tag thing-iee and my bday is coming up. Please please help :[

 

The entire headlight doesnt need to come out. Open the hood and locate the wires going into the back of the headlight; thats where the bulb plugs in. From there you will have to figure out how to remove the bulb because you didnt specify how many doors your car has.

 

Thanks pearl01stratcpe! Mine has 4 doors. I can see where the wires and stuff go into the bulb but there's this metal thingy in the way and even tho my hands are small it's a bit difficult to get in there lol.

I took a picture. The grey metal box on the bottom right behind the headlight is what's in the way.

https://i.imgur.com/yGTGG.jpg

 

Wow, thats ridiculous. Through some browsing, it looks like your owners manual is supposed to have detailed instructions on how to change it/ how to pull the headlight assembly. Good luck!

 

DUH! I'm dumb lol. THANK YOU!!! <3 Btw should I disconnect the battery or is it enough that the engine is off?

 

no you don't need to disconnect battery,headlight has to come out after you loosen the 2 little bolts(screws) and get it loose you have to push the bumper cover down under the headlight and work light out ,when you put back together make sure light is behind bumper

 

If you are going through all that trouble just get new headlight assemblies. Autopartswarehouse has them for around $50 each w/bulb and you will actually be able to see where you are going at night instead of getting a hazy beam out of those lenses.

 

I have done this before on my Stratus Sedan. Basically I did it the lazy way and just twisted the bulb out the back without removing the headlight itself, it was a tight fit but I got the bulbs out and in on both sides.
However, I have the 2.4 with the PCM mounted differently which may have given me more room, and I can tell you have the 2.7 with a separate TCM too so things are arranged dirrerently under the hood.

In your picture it looks like you have water inside your headlight, if that's the case then that will deffinatly burn out your bulb very quickly, even touching the glass when putting the bulbs in will shorten their lifespan. If there's water inside I'd go ahead and buy a new headlight before it ruins your new bulbs too.
Good Luck.

 

I think that is water on the outside. Had it on the bumper too.,

 

Hi. First time posting and first time installing a bulb. I have a 4-door 2003 dodge stratus, according to the vin number, on the back of the car it has Chrysler Sebring, anyway, I, too, was looking for screws to take out in order to get into the headlight. I saw the picture posted and is it the two matching bolts that have to be loosen?