The solution posted on Sep 8 2008 is good. Let me just add my own observations.
First of all, the bulb you will need is probably going to be H-7. Just go to the auto parts store and find the bulb that says H-7 on it. Apparently you're not supposed to replace just one bulb. You should replace them both at the same time, so buy two bulbs ($27.00). Also, I needed a flathead screwdriver and a pair of latex gloves. Don't try to do this at nighttime. You will need plenty of light.
If you're replacing the driver's side light, you'll have to remove a plastic shield from above the light. Not a big deal. Use a philipshead screwdriver and a pair of pliars (gently!). Remove the black plug that goes into the back of the bulb by squeezing the sides and pulling. Then remove the black rubber boot that goes over it. The flathead screwdriver was helpful getting the boot off.
When removing the silver clip that holds the bulb in, you'll have to push in on the side of the clip closer to the driver's side of the car. (Please note that it is not necessary to unscrew any screws.) It swivels open like a door.
Next, remove the bulb. The bulb is attached to a black adapter thing. Use the flathead screwdriver to pry that black thing off the bulb. Throw the old bulb in the garbage. Put your latex gloves on and put the new bulb into the black adapter thing. (Remember not to touch the glass part of the bulb with your fingers. It's not good for the bulb and you will decrease its lifespan.)
Put the bulb with the black adapter thing into the headlight. You may have to fiddle with it a little bit. (You're still wearing your latex gloves, right?) It only goes one way. There's a little notch that fits into the ten o'clock position. (Just rotate the bulb in the headlight. You'll see where it fits in.)
Close the silver clip back over the bulb. This part may be challenging. Remember, the bulb should have no wiggle to it when the silver clip is installed correctly. The end of the clip fits deep inside the headlight. Push it in and try and find where it clips in. It might be hard to do. Don't get frustrated- you're almost done.
Put the rubber boot back on. It has to be tight to protect the bulb from water. Then plug in the bulb. Replace the black plastic shield over the driver's side light. Finally, test the light.
Replacing both headlights took me about 60 - 90 minutes.
Great tips. I followed your advice and I was done in half an hour. Not bad for a girl.
With your directions it only took me 15 minutes!! Great advice on the silver clip thingy! Well done!
I was following someone else's (completely wrong and useless) instructions for about 30 minutes before I found yours. It still took me a bit, but at least I got it done! That was much more difficult than I thought it would be (the stupid metal clip is a pain opening and closing). Thanks for the detailed instructions.
One tip is to have a second person shine a bright light in from the front of the car (point it into the hole that the light normally comes out). This helps you see the notch at the 10 o'clock position and helps you see most of the metal clip (although not a lot of it - you still will have to feel inside and follow the metal with your fingers). Obviously you'll need to change the position of the light after you put the rubber boot back on, but by that time it's fairly straightforward.
Thanks again!
i just did it. to take it off you have to push on the spring. on the side closer to the engine. then to put it back in place you have to close spring, then pull up and push toward the front of the car. dont ask how but it worked. i didnt want to deal with it again so i left it. fixed but not exactly sure. all i know is that i pulled up and towards the front of the car to install the spring
No problem, glad to help. And yes, that little silver clip is a giant pain in the ****! Last time I had some work done to the car, and the mechanic said he would replace the bulb for free. He had no idea what he was getting into! The darn clip broke! So when I had to replace the bulb again a few months later, it took a miracle for me to get the thing working. Please don't ask me how I did it!
And by the way, good idea about the flashlight. I'll try that next time.
Not bad for a girl? There's plenty of guy that can't do it that fast (or at all). It's that the stereotype is women can't do it when it's really a choice not to do it mostly due to the other stereotype: that it's a guy's job.
great advice jim coulnt done it without ya........yayzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Excellent instructions. My only problem was that my retaining clip didn't "swivel like a door." The screw the acts like the "hinge" was too tight, so I used a 90 degree screwdriver and gave it about a quarter turn. That allowed my retaining clip to open up. Once that was done, I was able to complete the job. Though getting the retaining clip back in took a bit of time, I used a flathead to pry it back in.
This is an excellent description. I bet if you were to do this again it would take you only 6-9 minutes instead of 60-90. Maybe that is an exaggeration but the lesson is to not give up, most of the "work" is simply learning; the process itself is not that hard. Thanks for sharing this experience, I bet most readers will save a lot of time following your tips.
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For low beem, take the plug off, then "the rubber boot" ( get a flash lite) look at how the light bulb is sitting in there, should be a thick wire, that has some spring to it on one side only, find that side then gently press on the "safety pin like contraption" and it should swing open similar to a door(sorry if you couldnt understand it, i couldnt find another way of saying it), then turn the bulb the only direction it would go, pull it out , the thick wire will get in the bulbs way, so you have to work with it, DONT TOUCH THE BRAND NEW BULB WITH YOUR FINGERS, touch plastick side only, gently putt it back in, twist in to position, and do the revers, remember how the spring like wire was sitting in there, rubber boot firmly on so there is no water leeking in @ high speeds!
There is no reason that this process should take 60 - 90 minutes. It shoud only take 10 at the most. I just changed mine today and it only took 5 min.
Follow solution #1. Great instructions! The spring is tough, just know that it goes up, in, then down over a little black clip.
The text descriptions here are excellent, I took a series of photos that may help people understand what's going on a bit better in advance:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kanuck/sets/72157628032298468/
2 thumbs up! Clear and concise instructions made it easy and saved lot of time and money!!
Thanks a bunch for the great instructions JimInciardi and mzda3forme. I just replaced my the headlights in my mazda 3 and it was a great success!
Being botha designer and mechanical engineer, this was as easy as 5 ~ 10 minutes, but did take 30 minutes. I could probably do it noe in 15 minutes. Good solutions provided here. Thanks!
i just did it. to take it off you have to push on the spring. on the side closer to the engine. then to put it back in place you have to close spring, then pull up and push toward the front of the car. dont ask how but it worked. i didnt want to deal with it again so i left it. fixed but not exactly sure. all i know is that i pulled up and towards the front of the car to install the spring
Lucky you! I have been trying this for hours and still can't get it to work! Wonder if the designer ever tried to use it?
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Solution #1 had awsome instructions....thank you very much...im a do it yourselfer but never installed lights on the mazda...only hard part was the passenger side clip trying to get it back in...if i didnt spend 15 min and 30 expletives on that clip i wouldve done the whole process within 5-10 min...very easy to do...thanx jim
Four Stars! I had to do this on a cold day. Your clear and concise instructions saved me alot of aggrevation - Bravo and Thankyou!!
H7 at ebay HID for $30
If you take your vehicle to Autozone then they are more than happy to change them for you. they also do batteries and wipers.
Replace headlight bulb sedan
SOURCE: 1986 Volvo 740 turbo station wagon headlight bulb replacement
U will have to play with it and move it back and forth and wiggle it at the same time, other than that I have no easy fix.
SOURCE: replace headlight bulb
Actually there are two little black tabs on top of each headlight housing and you simply have to pull them up to release the whole headlamp.
Then follow the rest of emissionwiz's solution.
SOURCE: headlight bulb replacement & side marker light bulb replacement
i think there are two flat guide pins that hold the headlight assembly in .. just pull them straight up ..and the assembly should come out ..hencse replace the bulbs.
SOURCE: how do I replace a headlight bulb in a 2006 aveo
you can access the bulbs from inside the engine compartment. the socker turns about a quarter turn to remove it. do NOT touch the bulb with your fingers as that will shorten the bulb life. you may have to remove the battery to change the one on that side.
SOURCE: Headlight Issue
You can replace the bulbs wihout removing anything. The passenger side is super easy. The driver side is tougher because there isn't much room to stuff your hands, but it can be done. If you must pull the battery, make sure you have your radio security code on hand because you will need it after hooking the battery back up. I'd suggest not removing the battery and just taking your time to get the driver side bulb replaced.
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How many bulbs are in each headlight for the Mazda 3? One high and one low? Both of my low-beam lights are out - LEFT and RIGHT. I'm just not sure how many I need to buy.
Direction sounds easy but getting to the bulb is difficult if you have very large hands. I went to Sears to them replaced and it took the mechanic 45 minutes to do the right headlight bulb. Imagine if I had to do it
The directions are absolutely fantastic to follow so thank you. I tried to replace the bulb and struggled till I read the instructions. I agree that getting the metal clip off is the hardest part and the analogy to opening a safety pin was excellent. Once I pinched it in and up, it swiveled off easily, although it did take me a while to get it. The other area I had a problem with was replacing the bulb. It is easy but I thought that once it is popped in at "10 O'Clock" I had to twist it in to secure it but that is not the case and it is secured by the metal clip.
So thanks for the great advice.
BTW for the person whose mechanic took 45 minutes to replace it, time to get a new mechanic :)
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