'99 Grand Am headlight out

[bkreezy08]

OK....so I've read the threads about this, and I'm just a bit confused. None of the threads were specifically about a '99, so maybe that's the problem, altrhough I don't know why the '99 and '00 or '01 would be different. I open the hood and I see exactly waht is described. I had already removed the pins and the plastic piece before even reading this. Also, I can see these "tabs" that are supposed to "easily pull up and out". Now I'm pretty sure I just need to mess with the one more towards the middle of the car, since I believe that would be the headlight and my blinker works fine. But I pulled and pulled on both tabs...I tried jiggling them to get them loose, I tried prying with a screwdriver, and they simply won't budge. Am I just a wuss, or is there some kind-of trick, or is the '99 different in some way then the cars talked about in these other threads??? Any help would be great appreciated.
- Brent

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF.

You need to push them backwards, then pull out.
Pliers works great! Its not as easy as the manual would suggest either.

I'd be carefull with your fingers, those tabs can be realy sharp with burrs on the underside and they'll cut pretty good.

And you will need to remove both metal tabs to remove the headlamp housing.
Btw Their all the same from 99+.

[crazy Jim]

if you do not pry them back far enough you'll break the plastic catch, don't ask me how I know this

[tommy00gt1]

On my 2000 GT1, they were even more fun to put back.. I had a heck of a time lining up those guide posts exactly in the proper spot so the metal tab would clip onto the guide post. But my installation involved brand new headlight housings, so my guide posts were way off and nothing lined up correctly. I now have more gray hairs because of that, lol....

You've probably read about those black plastic rings that break very easily. be gentle with them.... they sure do break very easily.

What are you installing for a bulb replacement? I put in Sylvania SilverStars. Man, those are awesome. A very white, bright light that makes trying to read road signs at night a breeze. Very nice light dispersion. I put them in my fogs too...

Oh well.. have fun !! Take care.

[xeroinfinity]

Ya I put something together today for these headlights.

It's in the Appearance/Non-Performance section.
99+ Headlamp Removal/Replacement

That should help out bunches !

[tommy00gt1]

That's excellent; it will help out a lot of people...Thanks!

[bkreezy08]

Thanks for all the help guys, I will have to try that out tomorrow in the daylight. I know VERY LITTLE about fixing cars, so this will be immensely helpful.