How to Replace a Headlight on a 1998 - 2001 Nissan Altima

Replace a Headlight on a 1998 - 2001 Nissan Altima

http://www.1aauto.com shows you how easy it is to replace your own headlight on a Nissan Altima and save money! This article will help you both change a headlight bulb and to change the entire assembly. You may want to change your entire headlight if it was damaged in an accident or if your headlights are pitted scratched cloudy or dull. New headlights can increase the brightness of your headlights and make your car look years and miles younger.
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Regular Screwdriver
10mm Socket
1/4 in. Drive Ratchet and Extension

1

Open hood. There is a screw located at the intersection of the headlight and the parking light. Remove this screw with a Phillips head screwdriver.
2

Once the screw is removed, place a screwdriver between the headlight and parking light and separate the ball and socket of the light. This basically separates the parking light from the headlight.
3

Pull the parking light off the car body. Twist the bulb out and the parking light is now free.
4

Remove two screws that connect the headlight to the car body.
5

Remove the two bolts in front of the battery on the driver's side. One bolt is a bit blocked; however you can reach it with a ratchet and 10mm extension.
6

Once the bolts are removed, pull the headlight away from the car body.
7

Reach in back of the headlight and unplug the bulb. Depress the tab with your thumb and pull the bulb out.
8

The headlight is now free. Compare the old headlight to the new, replacement headlight. Make sure all the mounting points are the same.
9

Prior to reversing the above process, you will most likely need to loosen up the grille a small bit. This is to allow the headlight to be properly placed back on the car. (When these cars came off the line, the headlights were already attached. The grille then clipped up onto the headlights.) Behind the grille, there is a washer and bolt. Loosen the bolt to allow for some play in the grille.
10

Place headlight back onto the car body. Push the bulb back into the light. Tighten bolt back up on the grille.
11

Place screws back into holes on the side of the car body and through light. Tighten screws. Tighten with a ratchet. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN. Some of the parts are plastic and over tightening could cause the parts to break.
12

Thread two bolts located near the front of the battery on the driver's side. Tighten bolts.
13

Twist the bulb back into the parking light. Push parking light back into place on the car body. Line up the back part of the light with the fender and push it onto the ball. Push the ball and socket joint together.
14

Thread the screw into the top where the headlight and parking light intersect. Tighten screw.
15

Test your work. Test the headlights - low and high beams, parking light and signal.