GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Holden 🢒 2008 🢒 VE Ute 🢒 Body Systems 🢒 Lighting 🢒 Headlamp Bulb Replacement

Removal Procedure - Low Beam (Type A and Type B)

    Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.

    Caution: Halogen bulbs contain gas under pressure. Handling a bulb improperly could cause it to shatter into flying glass fragments. To help avoid personal injury:

       • Turn off the lamp switch and allow the bulb to cool before changing the bulb.
       • Leave the lamp switch OFF until the bulb change is complete.
       • Always wear eye protection when changing a halogen bulb.
       • Handle the bulb only by its base. Avoid touching the glass.
       • Keep dirt and moisture off the bulb.
       • Properly dispose of the used bulb.
       • Keep halogen bulbs out of the reach of children.

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  2. Remove the radiator air baffle and deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Upper Baffle and Deflector Replacement

    3. Important: For left-hand headlamp access, go to step 3.

    Important: For right-hand headlamp access, go to step 4.


    Object Number: 1946809 Size: SH
  3. For access to the left-hand headlight, detach and move the airbox upper cover rearward. Go to step 4.

    4. Object Number: 1946811 Size: SH
  4. For access to the right-hand headlight, remove the coolant reservoir fill neck by pulling up on the neck assembly and position aside. Note the orientation of the aligning tabs and keyway of the coolant reservoir fill neck for installation.

    5. Object Number: 1946818 Size: SH
  5. Remove the low beam headlamp dust cap from the rear of the headlamp assembly by rotating the dust cap counter clockwise. Note orientation of the dust cap and tabs for installation.

    6. Object Number: 1946819 Size: SH
  6. Disconnect the electrical connector (2) from the low beam headlight bulb (1).
  7. Press and unclip the low beam headlight bulb spring retainer (3) and pivot the retainer clear from the bulb (1). Remove the bulb from the headlamp assembly.

Installation Procedure - Low Beam (Type A and Type B)

    Important: Do not handle the quartz envelope of the headlight bulb. Wipe the quartz envelope immediately with methylated spirits if it is touched accidentally or the performance of the bulb will deteriorate.

    Important: The different-sized tabs on the bulb base and mating cut-outs in the headlamp assembly allow the bulb to seat correctly in one orientation position.


    Object Number: 1946819 Size: SH
  1. Install the new bulb (1) into the headlamp assembly, ensuring the locating tangs on the bulb mate correctly with the cut-outs in the headlamp.
  2. Clip the bulb spring retainer (3) and secure.
  3. Connect the wiring harness connector (2) to the bulb (1).
  4. Inspect the low beam dust cap seal and replace if necessary.

    5. Object Number: 1946955 Size: SH
  5. Install the low beam headlamp dust cap (1) to the rear of the headlamp assembly by rotating clockwise to secure.
  6. For the left-hand headlamp assembly, replace and secure the airbox upper cover. Go to step 8.
  7. For the right-hand headlamp assembly, reinstall the coolant reservoir fill neck by aligning the tabs and keyway and pushing the neck into position.
  8. Install the radiator air baffle and deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Upper Baffle and Deflector Replacement
  9. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  10. Check all vehicle lights for correct operation.

Removal Procedure - High Beam (Type A and Type B)

    Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.

    Caution: Halogen bulbs contain gas under pressure. Handling a bulb improperly could cause it to shatter into flying glass fragments. To help avoid personal injury:

       • Turn off the lamp switch and allow the bulb to cool before changing the bulb.
       • Leave the lamp switch OFF until the bulb change is complete.
       • Always wear eye protection when changing a halogen bulb.
       • Handle the bulb only by its base. Avoid touching the glass.
       • Keep dirt and moisture off the bulb.
       • Properly dispose of the used bulb.
       • Keep halogen bulbs out of the reach of children.

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  2. Remove the radiator air baffle and deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Upper Baffle and Deflector Replacement

    3. Object Number: 1946809 Size: SH
  3. For access to the left-hand headlight assembly, detach and move the airbox upper cover rearward. Go to step 5.

    4. Object Number: 1946811 Size: SH
  4. For access to the right-hand headlight, remove the coolant reservoir fill neck by pulling up on the neck assembly and position aside. Note the orientation of the aligning tabs and keyway of the coolant reservoir fill neck for installation.

    5. Object Number: 1946812 Size: SH
  5. Remove the high beam headlamp dust cap (1) from the rear of the headlamp assembly by rotating the dust cap counter clockwise. Note the orientation of the dust cap and tabs for installation.
  6. Disconnect the electrical connector from the high beam headlight bulb.

    7. Object Number: 1946814 Size: SH
  7. Rotate the high beam headlight bulb (2) counter clockwise and remove the bulb from the headlamp assembly (1).

Installation Procedure - High Beam (Type A and Type B)

    Important: Do not handle the quartz envelope of the headlight bulb. Wipe the quartz envelope immediately with methylated spirits if it is touched accidentally or the performance of the bulb will deteriorate.

    Important: The different-sized tabs on the bulb base and mating cut-outs in the headlamp assembly allow the bulb to seat correctly in one orientation position.


    Object Number: 1946956 Size: SH
  1. Install the new high beam bulb (2) into the headlamp assembly (1) and lock the bulb in place by rotating it clockwise.
  2. Connect the high beam bulb connector to the bulb and push the connector until the tangs of the connector engage.
  3. Inspect the high beam dust cap seal and replace if necessary.

    4. Object Number: 1946961 Size: SH
  4. Install the high beam headlamp dust cap (1) to the rear of the headlamp assembly by aligning the tabs and rotating the dust cap clockwise to secure.

    5. Important: For left-hand headlamp, go to step 5.

    Important: For right-hand headlamp, go to step 6.

  5. For the left-hand headlamp assembly, replace and secure the airbox upper cover. Go to step 7.
  6. For the right-hand headlamp assembly, reinstall the coolant reservoir fill neck by aligning the tabs and keyway and pushing the neck into position.
  7. Install the radiator air baffle and deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Upper Baffle and Deflector Replacement

    8. Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.

  8. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  9. Check all vehicle lights for correct operation.

Removal Procedure - Front Park (Type A)

    Caution: Halogen bulbs contain gas under pressure. Handling a bulb improperly could cause it to shatter into flying glass fragments. To help avoid personal injury:

       • Turn off the lamp switch and allow the bulb to cool before changing the bulb.
       • Leave the lamp switch OFF until the bulb change is complete.
       • Always wear eye protection when changing a halogen bulb.
       • Handle the bulb only by its base. Avoid touching the glass.
       • Keep dirt and moisture off the bulb.
       • Properly dispose of the used bulb.
       • Keep halogen bulbs out of the reach of children.

  1. Remove the radiator air baffle and deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Upper Baffle and Deflector Replacement

    2. Important: For left-hand headlamp access, go to step 3.

    Important: For right-hand headlamp access, go to step 4.


    Object Number: 1946809 Size: SH
  2. For access to the left-hand headlight, detach and move the airbox upper cover rearward. Go to step 4.

    3. Object Number: 1946811 Size: SH
  3. For access to the right-hand headlight, remove the coolant reservoir fill neck by pulling up on the neck assembly and position aside. Note the orientation of the aligning tabs and keyway of the coolant reservoir fill neck for installation.

    4. Object Number: 1946818 Size: SH
  4. Remove the low beam headlamp dust cap (1) from the rear of the headlamp assembly by rotating the dust cap counter clockwise. Note the orientation of the dust cap and tabs for installation.
  5. Disconnect the electrical connector from the low beam headlight bulb.

    6. Object Number: 1946822 Size: SH
  6. Press and unclip the low beam headlight bulb spring retainer (4) and pivot the retainer clear from the bulb (1). Remove the bulb from the headlamp assembly.
  7. Using long nose pliers, pull the front park bulb socket (2) from the headlamp assembly.
  8. Remove the front park bulb (3) from the socket.

Installation Procedure - Front Park (Type A)

    Important: Do not handle the quartz envelope of the headlamp bulb. Wipe the quartz envelope immediately with methylated spirits if it is touched accidentally or the performance of the bulb will deteriorate.

    Important: The different-sized tabs on the bulb base and mating cut-outs in the headlamp assembly allow the bulb to seat correctly in one orientation position.


    Object Number: 1946822 Size: SH
  1. Install a new bulb (3) to the front park bulb socket (2).
  2. Install the front park bulb socket to the headlamp assembly
  3. Install the low beam bulb (1) into the headlamp assembly, ensuring the locating tangs on the bulb mate correctly with the cut-outs in the headlamp.
  4. Clip the bulb spring retainer (4) and secure.
  5. Connect the electrical connector to the bulb.
  6. Inspect the low beam dust cap seal for damage and replace if necessary.

    7. Object Number: 1946955 Size: SH
  7. Install the low beam headlamp dust cap (1) to the rear of the headlamp assembly by aligning the tabs and rotating the dust cap clockwise to secure.
  8. For the left-hand headlamp assembly, replace and secure the airbox upper cover. Go to step 9.
  9. For the right-hand headlamp assembly, reinstall the coolant reservoir fill neck by aligning the tabs and keyway and pushing the neck into position.
  10. Install the radiator air baffle and deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Upper Baffle and Deflector Replacement
  11. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  12. Check all vehicle lights for correct operation.

Removal Procedure - Front Park (Type B)

    Caution: Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution in the Preface section.

    Caution: Halogen bulbs contain gas under pressure. Handling a bulb improperly could cause it to shatter into flying glass fragments. To help avoid personal injury:

       • Turn off the lamp switch and allow the bulb to cool before changing the bulb.
       • Leave the lamp switch OFF until the bulb change is complete.
       • Always wear eye protection when changing a halogen bulb.
       • Handle the bulb only by its base. Avoid touching the glass.
       • Keep dirt and moisture off the bulb.
       • Properly dispose of the used bulb.
       • Keep halogen bulbs out of the reach of children.

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Disconnect Caution.
  2. Remove the radiator air baffle. Refer to Radiator Air Upper Baffle and Deflector Replacement

    3. Important: For left-hand headlamp access, go to step 3.

    Important: For right-hand headlamp access, go to step 4.


    Object Number: 1946809 Size: SH
  3. For access to the left-hand headlight, detach and move the airbox upper cover rearward. Go to step 4.

    4. Object Number: 1946811 Size: SH
  4. For access to the right-hand headlight, remove the coolant reservoir fill neck by pulling up on the neck assembly and position aside. Note the orientation of the aligning tabs and keyway of the coolant reservoir fill neck for installation.

    5. Object Number: 1946812 Size: SH
  5. Remove the high beam headlamp dust cap (1) from the rear of the headlamp assembly by rotating the dust cap counter clockwise. Note the orientation of the dust cap and tabs for installation.

    6. Object Number: 1946824 Size: SH
  6. Disconnect the electrical connector (4) from the high beam headlight bulb (1).
  7. Rotate the high beam headlight bulb counter clockwise and remove the bulb from the headlamp assembly.

    8. Notice: Refer to General Repair Instructions in the Preface section.

  8. Pull the front park bulb socket (2) from the headlamp assembly.
  9. Remove the front park bulb (3) from the socket (2).

Installation Procedure - Front Park (Type B)

    Important: Do not handle the quartz envelope of the headlight bulb. Wipe the quartz envelope immediately with methylated spirits if it is touched accidentally or the performance of the bulb will deteriorate.

    Important: The different-sized tabs on the bulb base and mating cut-outs in the headlamp assembly allow the bulb to seat correctly in one orientation position.


    Object Number: 1946958 Size: SH
  1. Install a new bulb (3) to the front park bulb socket (2).
  2. Install the front park bulb (3) and socket (2) to the headlamp assembly.
  3. Install the high beam bulb (1) into the headlamp assembly and lock the bulb in place by rotating it clockwise.
  4. Connect the high beam bulb connector (4) to the bulb and push the connector until the tangs of the connector engage.

    5. Object Number: 1946812 Size: SH
  5. Inspect the high beam dust cap seal and replace if necessary.
  6. Install the high beam headlamp dust cap (1) to the rear of the headlamp assembly by aligning the tabs and rotating the dust cap clockwise to secure.

    7. Important: For left-hand headlamp, go to step 7.

    Important: For right-hand headlamp, go to step 8.

  7. For the left-hand headlamp assembly, replace and secure the airbox upper cover. Go to step 9.
  8. For the right-hand headlamp assembly, reinstall the coolant reservoir fill neck by aligning the tabs and keyway and pushing the neck into position.
  9. Install the radiator air baffle. Refer to Radiator Air Upper Baffle and Deflector Replacement
  10. Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to Battery Negative Cable Disconnection and Connection.
  11. Check all vehicle lights for correct operation.