Changing Headlight Bulb

artistmk · 12-19-2004, 03:59 PM

I have a Mitsu Eclipse GT 2001 and I am trying to change the bulb that went out on the driver's side.

I am not all that mechanically inclined but it's a lightbulb so I thought I would try.. two hours late.. I come here for help.

I was able to get the rubber off enough to see what was holding this thing in place. I got the one side of the clasp off and then finally found a screwdriver small enough to get to the one screw holding the clasp down. Bingo, I unplugged the light, changed the bulb and go to put this thing back together but cant figure out for the life of me how that stupid clasp goes back on!! I know the bulb base is triangular and I lined all three flat corners up but this clasp has me going bonkers!!!

Can ayone describe or show me a picture before going to the dealership and admitting incompetence?

Sleepr awd · 12-20-2004, 01:23 AM

dont' go to the dealership!!!

...there shouldn't be a screw holding anything down...it just goes under kinda like a safety pin...

Stickin_It_2_Em · 12-20-2004, 02:23 AM

This was coverd not too long ago. Here is the address to make it easier for you. Please do not post without searching the archives. Shibby
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=316341

artistmk · 12-20-2004, 07:37 AM

Stickin, that link I read and wasnt useful.

ElChico, yeah I saw how that worked, the problem is that the whole clip is off now and I don't know how to quite get it back on to get it back to that kinda safety pin setup.

Putting this clasp on (which looks like a deformed paper clip or something). There's a like a flat square part that goes right under a small screw (I guess to lock it down because that's how I got the light to come out in the first place was by loosening it) on the right side, toward the outer part of the car. I looked at the other side and it's basically the same.

eclipsed4utoo · 12-20-2004, 08:03 AM

you shouldnt have unscrewed the screw. it was holding the safety pin down. the safety pin unlocks from one side and folds over toward the screw.

artistmk · 12-20-2004, 11:28 AM

eclipse... ok, not sure how I would have gotten the bulb out if I didn't unscrew it. It didnt seem to want to come out otherwise and I didnt want to breat it.

Now, how do I get the safety pin back on correctly? Does it go on before I put the base of the headlight bulb (lining up the triangular portions)? I know which direction it goes I just dont understand how it wraps around the base of the bulb.

Can't believe I messed something up so simple... I undid the safety pin/clasp but the sucker just didnt come out. All I did was loose the screw a little and bingo, the part came out.. I replaced the bulb and that's where I am at now.

Stickin_It_2_Em · 12-20-2004, 02:45 PM

If you havnt already remove the head light assembly. It makes this a whole lot easier. There are only 3 bolts that hold it down. Screw the clsap/ saftetey pin dealy thing back on before you do anything. Now holding the head light assembly between your legs w/ the big black side facing up so that you can carefully set the bulb in. The saftey pin thing should be in the vertical position, so that the bulb is not on top of the wire. now that you have the bulb in correctly, becuase there is only one way it will fit, carefully and yet firmly press the wire down on the side that is the longest. You will then push it under the little retainer perch that is there. If for any chance you light bulb is not in snug enough, un clamp the wire and bend it a little bit. Repeat this process as needed. I hope this clarify's everything. N-Joy

artistmk · 12-20-2004, 02:51 PM

Stickin It 2 Em, thanks for the explanation.... I'll give it a shot. At least I know that the safety pin thing needs to go on first just unclasped. I'm going to give it one more shot before taking the whole casing out. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks for the reply!

eclipsed4utoo · 12-21-2004, 09:01 AM

next time you do this...dont unscrew the screw. all you have to do is pop the safety pin off the perch and you will be able to move it to the side and the bulb will come right out.

artistmk · 12-21-2004, 02:11 PM

Gonna give it a shot tonight. Last night's attempt didnt go so well. I think I had the clasp on but I had the part that sticks out going into the headlight chamber instead of pointing out like I think you described when you said "vertical position"...... Fun stuff I tell ya...

artistmk · 12-22-2004, 05:37 PM

OK, I admit it... I must be the dumbest person on the planet.

I finally got it and it took about 15 seconds. I am sooooooooo stupid. All I had to do was TAKE THE RUBBER off before trying to put the clasp on!!!!!!! Then put the rubber on and then the plug.... UGH!! I feel sooooo stupid. If I would have taken this to the dealership, they would have laughed at me. I spent hours trying to figure this out over a 3 day span...

Order of removal:
Unplug
Take Rubber off
Unclip Safety Pin type Clasp (DONT UNSCREW/REMOVE)
Take the Bulb out
Replace Bulb with new

To Put Back:
Bulb in lined up with triangular edges
Close Safetly Pin Clasp
Rubber goes on
Plug goes in...

SIMPLE!

Stickin_It_2_Em · 12-22-2004, 06:51 PM

Blonde moment?

FairyDust · 12-23-2004, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eclipsed4utoo

next time you do this...dont unscrew the screw. all you have to do is pop the safety pin off the perch and you will be able to move it to the side and the bulb will come right out.

Agreed. I have an 01 GT like yours art.

And no offense but you must really not be mechanically inclined cause I'm a girl and I'd never done a thing with a car before and it took me maybe 5 minutes to change my headlights.

Also if you read the manual it has directions...

eclipsed4utoo · 12-23-2004, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artistmk

OK, I admit it... I must be the dumbest person on the planet.

I finally got it and it took about 15 seconds. I am sooooooooo stupid. All I had to do was TAKE THE RUBBER off before trying to put the clasp on!!!!!!! Then put the rubber on and then the plug.... UGH!! I feel sooooo stupid. If I would have taken this to the dealership, they would have laughed at me. I spent hours trying to figure this out over a 3 day span...

Order of removal:
Unplug
Take Rubber off
Unclip Safety Pin type Clasp (DONT UNSCREW/REMOVE)
Take the Bulb out
Replace Bulb with new

To Put Back:
Bulb in lined up with triangular edges
Close Safetly Pin Clasp
Rubber goes on
Plug goes in...

SIMPLE!

hey, you live and you learn. we all have our blonde moments sometimes. atleast you figured it out and you wont have this problem again

artistmk · 12-23-2004, 08:58 AM

Well, my issue was I didn't realize that the rubber came off so easily and I didn't unplug it first. I kinda propped the rubber off the base and saw the clasp which I undid... however, it wouldnt release because everything was still on....

Without wanting to force the issue, I saw the screw, undid the screw and everything popped off. Now, at the point why would I think anything I did was wrong? I changed the bulb but getting the clasp to work with everything attached was impossible. I did remove the plug of course but honestly, removing the rubber completely was the last possible thing I tried. I never removed it from the bulb to begin with.

Oh well, lesson learned... Thanks for the replies gang.

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