How to Remove the Headlamp on a Nissan Altima

The headlight bulbs in your Nissan Altima will eventually burn out because of the amount of heat generated in the thin coil of wire in the headlight. Not only is it unsafe to drive with a burnt-out headlight, doing so will attract attention from law enforcement, giving police an excuse to pull you over. To avoid these potentially serious situations, replace the bulb in your headlight so that you can rest assured your vehicle is safe to drive.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Replacement headlight bulb
1

Open the hood and prop it up. The headlights are located at the right and left sides at the front of the engine bay.
2

Remove the two-wire electrical connector attached to the rear of the headlight you want to replace. It is a plastic connector with a tab that can be pressed down with your fingers and then pulled outwards.
3

Locate the rubber protector cap at the rear of the headlight housing. It is black and approximately 5 inches in diameter. Remove it by simply pulling it off the headlight housing. The rubber cap insulates the bulb and ensures that dust does not enter the housing. Removing it will provide you with ample access to the bulb; you do not need to remove the housing or assembly.
4

Locate the metal clip that holds the headlight bulb in place. Push downward to release the headlight bulb and remove it.
5

Insert your new bulb into the headlight, pushing the metal clip down to secure the bulb in place. Be sure not to touch the bulb because the oils on your fingers can damage it and shorten its lifespan.
6

Put the rubber cap back onto the headlight housing.
7

Plug the two-wire electrical connector back into the headlight.
8

Test your new headlight bulb for proper operation.

Tips & Warnings

To ensure that you purchase the correct bulb for your Altima from the auto parts store, remove your bulb first and take it with you to the store. The specialists there can help you locate the bulb you need for your vehicle.

Wear safety glasses to protect yourself from injury.