Changing front directional bulb?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
Many have reported that the bulbs have melted a hole in the top of the housing - you may want to check this while you're in there - if you have a hole it will blow bulbs frequently...
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
No you do not have to remove the headlights. You can crank up the headlight with the thumb wheel at the headlight motor, or you can turn on the headlights and then turn them to running lights, the headlights will go off but remain "UP". the running lights and side markers ands fog will stay on if the fog switch is set to on. Cranking up the headlight (turn wheel counterclockwise) is the best way.
Then remove the three Phillips head screws holding the black plastic headlight surround and remove it.. Note it has an alignment tap at the top center of the surround.
Then remove the hood height adjuster just inboard of the headlights, Noting it's height ( use a sharpie pen to mark its height) its just a locknut and unscrew it.. this will give you arm access .
there are two light sockets under the head lights, one is a side marker socket, the other is what you are looking for... this socket is directly below the headlamps . reach down and gently turn the socket counter clockwise.. be careful not to try to turn it all at once.. dirt may have made it tight. so use a back and forth motion adding a little more force each time.. you will feel it start to disengage.. IT just a quarter turn socket.. it may take five or six times to disengage without breaking it..
Then remove the three Phillips head screws holding the black plastic headlight surround and remove it.. Note it has an alignment tap at the top center of the surround.
Then remove the hood height adjuster just inboard of the headlights, Noting it's height ( use a sharpie pen to mark its height) its just a locknut and unscrew it.. this will give you arm access .
there are two light sockets under the head lights, one is a side marker socket, the other is what you are looking for... this socket is directly below the headlamps . reach down and gently turn the socket counter clockwise.. be careful not to try to turn it all at once.. dirt may have made it tight. so use a back and forth motion adding a little more force each time.. you will feel it start to disengage.. IT just a quarter turn socket.. it may take five or six times to disengage without breaking it..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 710
From: Sunnyvale CA
The other alternative way:
If you're hand is small enough put it into the air duct below the turn signal. Push the ducting back and down out of the way. Turn your hand up and grab the socket, disconnect it and pull it out of the air duct.
To disengage the socket you must press a tab on the end opposite the wiring. It should come free easily if you do that.
In any method you choose, do not touch the new bulb with your bare hands. Wear surgical gloves or the equivalent. Oils from your hands will shorten bulb life.
If you're hand is small enough put it into the air duct below the turn signal. Push the ducting back and down out of the way. Turn your hand up and grab the socket, disconnect it and pull it out of the air duct.
To disengage the socket you must press a tab on the end opposite the wiring. It should come free easily if you do that.
In any method you choose, do not touch the new bulb with your bare hands. Wear surgical gloves or the equivalent. Oils from your hands will shorten bulb life.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 3
From: Round Hill, VA
Originally Posted by 99C5Alan
The other alternative way:
If you're hand is small enough put it into the air duct below the turn signal. Push the ducting back and down out of the way. Turn your hand up and grab the socket, disconnect it and pull it out of the air duct.
To disengage the socket you must press a tab on the end opposite the wiring. It should come free easily if you do that.
In any method you choose, do not touch the new bulb with your bare hands. Wear surgical gloves or the equivalent. Oils from your hands will shorten bulb life.
If you're hand is small enough put it into the air duct below the turn signal. Push the ducting back and down out of the way. Turn your hand up and grab the socket, disconnect it and pull it out of the air duct.
To disengage the socket you must press a tab on the end opposite the wiring. It should come free easily if you do that.
In any method you choose, do not touch the new bulb with your bare hands. Wear surgical gloves or the equivalent. Oils from your hands will shorten bulb life.
I now have this down to a science.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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Likes: 24,777
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Either of the three ways mentioned above will work - just depends on which way would work easier for you. Good luck getting the bulb changed.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,630
Likes: 8
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
And after you've replaced the bulb...remove the #2 fuse in the fuse box located underneath your hood...this will disable the DRLs (Daylight Running Lamps) and your turn signal/DRL bulb will last a lot, lot, longer...meaning you won't have to go through all that turmoil in replacing the bulb. Also, you won't be an easy target for the police who line up their radar/laser guns between the two yellow bright lights (DRLs)... 
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