headlight bulb replacement ???????

drewes · #1 10-18-2002, 12:40 AM

Does anyone know how to change the headlight bulb on a 2002/2003 Nissan Altima. I have a burnt bulb on a non-HID car. The manual shows a H1 bulb for low beams, but I cannot get the headlamp assembly out of the car. Any suggestions?

BestNissanParts · #2 10-22-2002, 11:13 AM

For a non-HID headlight, you can pull off the inner fender liners off to reach the headlight bolts. (on a HID vehicle you need to drop the front bumper)[list=1][*]Remove the headlight[*]Turn the plastic cap counterclockwise and unlock it[*]Disconnect the elctrical connectors from the bulb terminals[*]Unlock the retaining spring and remove the bulb[*]Replace the bulb and reverse above[/list=1]

After installing the bulb, be sure to install the plastic cap securely to ensure watertightness
Nissan reccomends you disconnect the negative cable before doing this repair

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions at Ray Brandt Answer Guys

drewes · #3 10-22-2002, 11:32 AM

Thanks for the reply BestNissanParts ...

What is involved in removing the inner fenders liners?

BestNissanParts · #4 10-22-2002, 03:20 PM

Usually all that retain the fender liners are srew in clip and a couple bolts. Fender liners are the plastic around the wheel well.

drewes · #5 10-22-2002, 04:15 PM

thanks...let you know how it goes tomorrow...

styckShii · #6 11-23-2003, 07:02 PM

good postin bestnissan' but i found that i had to take off the bumper without hid (regular factory halogen), this is what got me started so i'll post what and how i did it...
all that is holding the bumper up is 4 screws on the bottom of the bumper,2 on each side located right infront of the tyres(might have to lay on your back to find em) , there are plastic push pins holdin it in the middle but you don't have to take em off, they'll just stay on while the bumper comes down.. next is ..
remove teh inner fender lining,. its the plastic thats around the wheel fender,(all thats holdin it is push pin which pop out easily or sometimes need to be forced out, and i think 1 or 2 screws(take your time and look), after you took that off, you'll be able to see inside inside around the back of your headlight.. but you can't do anything yet until you droped that bumper so look for 2 more screws that are holdin it up , look at the place where the bumper connects to the body, there are 2 on each side, doin all this is a pain so take your time, this is my third day tryin to figure this out,.. next. finally, pop the hood and take off the push pins that are grabin the grille and bumper , (there are about 6, take em off with a needle nose plyer) , .. now like anything, you need to give it a little push to get it unhinged. take your time and use your good judgement. it should just come off and fall to the ground if you push it right, now, you'll see the bolts that were holdin your headlight, there are 4 in all. i don't know the exact wrench size but 1 is really hard to unscrew without the exact wrech size so have every wrench you have on hand. after that .. there will be 3 connectors in the back of the headlight connecting to high/low and i think turn signal. after this, follow bestNissanParts advice.,
its really good.

this is for 2002 Nissan Altima and i don't know anything else boutit so if you got it different plz let me know how it goes, thanks

later

mac87 · #7 06-02-2004, 06:29 PM

I think you may have to remove the bumber to replace the driving light or high beam. I replaced the right halogen low beam on the weekend and all I had to do was remove the inner fender and the coolant bottle. It's a tight squeeze getting in there. I think the bulb could be changed by just removing the coolant bottle on the right side and the air filter housing on the left side, but you'll need to have lots of patience or very small hands. The coolant bottle was easy to remove - just held in with a couple of bolts, then you move it out of the way without disconncting the hose.

Hyeeeena · #8 06-29-2004, 05:18 PM

You do not have to remove the bumpers to replace the headlights. I just changed mine in 15 minutes.

There are 2, 10mm bolts that hold the coolant tank off. Take those bolts off, move the tank out of the way, and you have clear access to the bulb.

On the driver side, there is 1 10mm bolt that holds the sir box on. Take that bolt out, wiggle the airbox out and you have clear access to the driver side as well.

Hope this helps!

Karan97 · #9 12-07-2004, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hyeeeena

You do not have to remove the bumpers to replace the headlights. I just changed mine in 15 minutes.

There are 2, 10mm bolts that hold the coolant tank off. Take those bolts off, move the tank out of the way, and you have clear access to the bulb.

On the driver side, there is 1 10mm bolt that holds the sir box on. Take that bolt out, wiggle the airbox out and you have clear access to the driver side as well.

Hope this helps!

Hey hyeena,
you were right, you don't have to take out the bumper. Your post really helped (the Air Box point)..
Took me about 25-30 mins after reading it.

bmj125 · #10 12-13-2004, 10:57 AM

I agree w/ the previous cpl of posts. It's kind of a tight squeeze and if your hands don't work too well (like mine) you need to be careful with the retaining clip. The first time I changed my driver's side bulb, I found the clip broken slightly, but it fit ok. Two weeks later, the bulb wasn't working anymore and I found that the clip was touching the side of the electrical portion and not sending current to the bulb.
I found that a bent paperclip will do in a pinch if you drop or break the clip. Use a large guage paperclip and bend it to match the stock one.
Thanks to all for the very helpful info. (dealership visits to change a headlight bulb - HA!)

jp2510 · #11 01-05-2005, 08:38 PM

Thanks Hyeena that helped immensely.

Can anyone recommend a replacement brand/model for the low beams.

I have a 2004 Altima, the lights on which are extremely dim - i can hardly tell whether the lights are on or not.

I just replaced the OEM lights with some APC's (American Products Company) 4000k supposed 'simulated HID', but they were only the slightest shade lighter than the originals and did not make any difference to driving. (I put just one side in to compare)

Any ideas?

Thanks.
JP

missydanielle · #12 03-22-2005, 05:52 PM

Headlight replacement on my 2003 Altima was covered by my warranty and replaced for free.

FAUguy · #13 01-05-2006, 12:51 PM

I just got an 06 Altima (non-HID).
The two low-beam bulbs are the standard H1 Halogen. I want to replace them with better PIAA H1 bulbs.
The user manual says that the entire lamp assembly has to be removed and to take it to a Nissan Service Dept.
I decided to try and do it myself. I located two bolts on the top of the lamp assembly that hold it in place.
However, when I removed them, it feels like there is something more holding the lamp in place.

What method would be the best way to replace them?
Also, how do you adjust the beam angle? The low beams are angled a little to low for my tastes.
I rather try it myself than having to pay a service dept.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=501127

awhodat · #14 01-20-2006, 06:07 PM

The info in this thread was all I need to do my 2002 Altima, but I found a site with diagrams. Here you go: http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/.../NTB05-057.htm

Naguche · #15 02-08-2006, 11:44 AM

This does work very well! I would also like to add, that there a few clips near the radiator that should pop out and then you can remove the complete Air Flow system. This made changing the low and high beams a breeze! Now all I have to do is figure out how to replace the stock fog lights. Any ideas?!?!

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