Replacing headlight bulbs

[onphinal]

Gotta agree with the suggestion to skip removing the grill and go straight to the rubber caps on the back of the headlamp assembly. It takes a little bit more dexterity, but will save you from removing the grill and possibly breaking any fasteners. I figured out that the grill had to come off somehow, but didn't know how to undo the bottom fasteners and didn't want to break them. Then I found this thread and went for the rubber caps leaving the grill installed. I needed to replace the passenger side light and removing the air filter cover was the trick (3 fasteners).

Thanks for the tips.

[luvchevy]

OK, I need to change passenger side headlight bulb 02' Trailblazer. This a true pain, I will go ahead and take off the air filter cover and shimmy myself in there and change that bulb. Please wish me luck. Would hate to go to the dealership for a headlight!

[jeremyhelling]

This is one of the easiest things you can do on your Trailblazer. If you can't do this, you probably don't possess the motor skills necessary to operate a vehicle.

[Icap]

The grill pops off in a few seconds. Use a putty knife to start to pry on the ends of the chrome bar.

[Lucky519]

I have replaced the bulbs in both my low and high beams with Street Glow Xenon, and have had numerous problems with the lows, i have replaced them 5 times now, but the highs seem to have no problems. The grill is easily taken off, and the retaining clips on the top of the lights are easily pryed up for access to those black rubber covers. I have found this to be the easiest, as i have had them out numerous times. Do you all have the problems with your tail lights, they have burned out many times on me also. I replaced them with LED aftermarket bulbs, but soon realized they looked very out of place. Is there a way to get the "tinted" tail light lenses found on the SS Trailblazer?

[cateyes355]

I would just like to thank all of you guys (and gals) for the great information you provide me on my TB. Everytime I take it to my dealer for an oil change, I ask about some of the problems I read about on here and they are amazed I know so much (for a lady that is) ha ha. Thanks again, and keep the info coming....

[jimdbnps]

Thanks for the help, It was easy with your directions. Thanks again keep up the good work.

[shoney524]

Thanks for all the info on the headlamps...I just bought a used 2002 TB and was looking at what it would take to change the headlamps. It sure looked like it could be a pain. I have not had to do it yet. I do however have a passenger sidemarker lamp that needs to be replaced. I can see it from the top, but I don't know if the connector just unplugs or needs to be turned to the left or right. Thanks for any further info

[awallach]

Originally Posted by Icap

The grill pops off in a few seconds. Use a putty knife to start to pry on the ends of the chrome bar.

ICAP, you say to use a putty knife to start to pry on the ends of the chrome bar. Are you referring to the middle piece of chrome between the top and bottom part of the grill? How is this fastened to the rest of the grill?

Thank you!

[TB02]

Changing the bulbs by removing the grill and plastic "radiator cover" is actually very simple. I drove myself crazy until I broke down and bought a Chilton's manual. To change all four bulbs and remove/replace all the necessary plastic only took about 20 minutes... a small price to pay for knowing the correct way to change them. I do a fair bit of maintenance on my 02 TB. I recently heard someone tell me they paid $120 to have their fuel filter changed. The Chilton manual, Fuel filter and 15 minutes only cost me $40. By the way, the Trailblazers are great Trucks! If you don't want to buy a manual, e-mail me and I'll try to help you out by referencing mine.

[awallach]

OK everyone. Here is the official way to change the headlight bubls right from the mechanics who do it. DO NOT pull the grill off. DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT pry the chrome piece off, it's connect with clips except two spots where it's heat shrunck right to the grill. If you try to pry off the chrom piece, then you will eventually break the heat shrunk pieces and then end up replacing the entire grill. Here is what you do as posted before in this forum. For the passenger side, there is an air filter. Take the 3 screws off that holds the cover on and then remove the cover. Now move the hoses out of the way and reach behind the headlights and you will feel two round rubber covers. Pull these off. You should be able to pull them off with your fingers but if you can't use a flathead screwdriver. Now you have easy access to the bubls. Just turn the bulbs to unlock them from the headlights and replace your bubls. Once you have replaced them, reverse the process, put the rubber covers on, put the hoses back in place and put the air filter cover back on and screw it on with the 3 screws. Now the passenger side is done. For the driver side, just reach behind the headlights, pull the rubber covers off, turn the bulbs to unlock them, replace the bulbs and reverse the process. You're all done. Average time to replace all 4 bulbs is 15 minutes and no grill to take off.

Any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected]

[kuhnman]

I have to take mine apart every week. The insert that holds the bulb got hot and melted and had to rewire another one (little piece of GM plastic cost $21.00 that the bulb goes in) and now everytime I crank it the bulb is out, but if I give it a bang the light will come on. May be o.k. for a day and sometimes it will last a week or so then bang it again. As usual it melted right after the warranty went out. I will prob end up hving to buy a complete head light assembly and I'm sure that's about 175.00 not to mention the problem with the fan clutch staying engaged until I reach 50mph and if you don't think that sucks more gas then GM.

[Jethro]

Note to self:
Sell Trailblazer the day a headlight goes out.

[dach95]

I just bought a pair of silverstars... How are these compared to xenon. xenon seem to be a bit cheaper. does xenon bulb get really hot and melt the light assembly?

[lacanucknb]

I just replaced the passenger side low beam in about 15 mins. Thanks for the easy way!