changing headlights?

[rhybeka]

Hey everybody!

...so I'm trying to be good and learn how to do mantainence on my car - change a headlight bulb... no big deal I think... but then I can't figure out how to actually get the bulb out to change it! I have a 2001 Elantra, and unfortunately I've misplaced my owners manual. From appearances it looks like either the headlight has to be popped out or the battery removed? Am I looking at this wrong, or is that really the direction I need to go in?

Becky

[mazdatech]

I personnally just pop the headlight out it is only 2 or 3 10mm but those are like 15-20 buck each so why but them because Headlight bulbs for hyundais are covered under the 5yr 60k warrenty unless your out though....

[rhybeka]

I would take it to a dealer to let them do it, but I'm already over my 60,000 mi warranty. I've got the headlight from one of the previous times I was going to replace it myself. (it's gone out about four or five times since I've had my car.) So, all I really needed to figure out is how to remove the old bulb. I wanted to make sure before I popped the hatches on the light that that was the right way to be doing it before I make a bigger mess than I started with

[cheddar41]

Unscrew the cap that goes over the headlight under the hood. There will be a little metal flap that you can push in and slide up. This will release the bulb and you can replace it with the new one.

Originally Posted by rhybeka

Hey everybody!

...so I'm trying to be good and learn how to do mantainence on my car - change a headlight bulb... no big deal I think... but then I can't figure out how to actually get the bulb out to change it! I have a 2001 Elantra, and unfortunately I've misplaced my owners manual. From appearances it looks like either the headlight has to be popped out or the battery removed? Am I looking at this wrong, or is that really the direction I need to go in?

Becky

[Wa jang chang]

If the headlight is the left one, you need to remove the battery first. I tried to replace the bulb without removing the battery but no success. Once the battery is out, it should be straight forward.

[edmat]

Do I really have to remove the battery to replace the left headlight? Please tell me that isn't true. There has got to be an easier way.
Any suggestions?

[Wa jang chang]

I believe you can replace the high beam bulb without removing the battery 'cause there is bit more room. To replace the low beam bulb, it would be easier if you remove the battery. I tried it without removing the battery but not successful. With proper tool it may be possible to replace the bulb with the battery intact. There is an alternative though. You can remove the whole headlight assembly which is not so difficult. Good luck.
Wajangchang