Sheesh.. Changing a headlight

[PhilNH5]

My headlight burnt out. I drive a Dodge Dakota quad cab.
After checking the manual I went out and picked up the lightbulb.

Once back home I started the replacement process. The manual was short and useless. First I needed a Torx driver. After un-doing that I needed a large flat screw driver to undo the quick connects to the turn signal unit. There was no slack in the wires so I used the screwdriver to pry off the connectors. I could then remove the turn signal unit.

Next I had to remove the headlight and its' housing. This required a 10 mm socket and 10 inches of extensions to reach the 3 nuts. What a pain. I replaced the bulb and then re-assembled eveything.

In all it took about forty minutes. If I didn't have a Torx set and extensions for my socket set I would have been stymied. Changing a lightbulb should not be so hard.

The conspiracy theorist in me thinks they do this by design so the average owner will take it into the shop to get replaced.

Phil

 

[RichZ]

It's amazing how complicated the simplest repair has become. I recently had to change a tail light on my Ford F250. I had to read the manual several times to even understand what they were saying, and it wasn't even accurate. What used to be a 5 minute repair, now takes about 20. I don't even want to think about when a headlight blows in one of my trucks.

I used to do most of my own repairs on my trucks, now even changing a bulb is painful!!!

 

[gordon21]

After making the same mistake with several Fords, I finally noticed that most Ford taillight assemblies have all kinds of nuts and fasteners on the back. However, if you look close, there will usually be 3 that are different and longer. Loosen those 3 and the assembly pops out in a minute. The other fasteners hold the rest of the housing and backing plates in place. You don't need to remove all that stuff. One of my construction workers needed a taillight bulb. I had one in my glove box and changed it for him in less than 2 minutes with only a pair of slip joint pliers. He was about to make the common mistake of undoing 6+ nuts and brackets and yanking back all the trunk liner material.

 

[Bird]

A couple of weeks ago, I had a left rear turn signal bulb went bad on my 2001 Ranger, and I guess maybe I was just lucky; a philips screwdriver and a few minutes were all that was requiired. The bad part to me is that I went to AutoZone for a bulb and naturally they only come two bulbs together, and of course, made in China, and cost over $4 for the pair and I used one and will probably lose the other one before I need it.

 

[gordon21]

The second bulb is so that you can be a good samaritan. See previous post.

 

[randy41]

A couple of weeks ago, I had a left rear turn signal bulb went bad on my 2001 Ranger, and I guess maybe I was just lucky; a philips screwdriver and a few minutes were all that was requiired. The bad part to me is that I went to AutoZone for a bulb and naturally they only come two bulbs together, and of course, made in China, and cost over $4 for the pair and I used one and will probably lose the other one before I need it.

i always put the extra in a place i know I will always remember that it is. and when i need another i remember doing that but i never remember where.

 

[tallyho8]

i always put the extra in a place i know I will always remember that it is. and when i need another i remember doing that but i never remember where.

Me too. But don't worry, you will find it right after you buy and install another one.

 

[dgl24087]

A friend of mine has a Chrysler of some sort, the battery is located in such a manner that the front wheel and fender liner access door must be removed in order to change it.

 

[turnkey4099]

i always put the extra in a place i know I will always remember that it is. and when i need another i remember doing that but i never remember where.

Tell me about it. I jsut assembled my new big snow blower. Last step - reduce pressure in tires to 15-17 psi. UHUH. I am the proud owner of two gauges, bought the last one last summer and put "where I can find it". Still amongst the missing.

Harry K

 

[4720 OWNER]

Buy 2. Leave the crappy one out and someone will 'borrow' it and put the good one where you 'will find it later'. Then go find the neighbor with the crappy one when you need it.