Each exterior bulb on any vehicle is there for safety purposes, yet many drivers fail to check or replace them. Many drivers totally neglect them until they receive a ticket or fail an inspection. It only takes five minutes to do a quick check of your signaling and brake lights which can help you to avoid an accident or a traffic violation ticket. Replacing a non-functional bulb is simple as well.
If you find a faulty bulb, begin by unscrewing the housing around the light. Bulbs for all yellow, white, or red lights are hidden underneath a colored lens. You will need to remove this colored lens, which is usually held to the vehicle with Phillips-head screws. Using a screw driver, remove these screws, placing them somewhere safe so you won’t lose one.
Next, pull out the entire bulb housing, or assembly, from its hole. You will not be able to pull out the housing very far since all the wires are attached. You will not need much space to do the repair. Make sure to pull gently, because most housing assemblies will come out in one whole piece.
Once the housing is pulled out, locate the plug that holds the bulb. Follow the wires coming out of the light assembly to the back of your faulty light, and this will be the bulb holder that you must unscrew. With only a quarter turn, the bulb will be released from the bulb housing. Pull the bulb out of the housing.
The most common type of bulb will pull straight out from the plug, while older bulbs may require a small, quarter turn twist similar to the bulb holder. Remove the faulty bulb and replace it with a new one.
Finally, reverse your steps, reassembling the parts in the same order as you disassembled them. Make sure to replace all screws. As you insert the light housing back into the vehicle, watch out for any stray wires. Remeber, safety first. Never allow a wire to become pinched between the housing and the body of the vehicle.
Once the ensemble is totally reassembled, turn on your vehicle and check the lights for proper functioning.