How to Troubleshoot the Headlights of a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire
- 1). Turn off the Sunfire's engine and open the hood. Put on the clean gloves.
- 2). Remove the bolt above the headlamp assembly. Remove the two plastic fasteners holding the shield in place. Remove the bolt that anchors the headlamp assembly to the vehicle. Pull the headlamp assembly toward you to access the bulb assembly. Push the bulb firmly into the headlamp assembly. Check the electrical connector and make sure it is plugged directly into the rear of the headlamp assembly. If the headlights still do not work, the bulb will need to be replaced.
- 3). Rotate the bulb retainer counterclockwise. Pull the bulb assembly out. Lift the plastic locking tab at the base of the bulb to remove the old bulb. Place the replacement bulb into the bulb assembly, snapping the plastic locking tab over it. Push the bulb assembly back into the headlamp assembly and rotate it clockwise to lock it into place. Place the headlamp assembly back into the vehicle and reattach the anchoring bolt. Reattach the plastic fasteners holding the shield in place and reinstall the bolt above the headlamp assembly. Close the hood. If the headlights still do not work, there may be a problem with the fuse.
- 4). Open the driver's side door. The fuse panel is located at the left end of the instrument panel, behind the air conditioning vent. Open the fuse panel by pushing the tab on the access door to the left and pulling the door forward. Locate the fuses labeled "R HDLP" and "L HDLP." "R HDLP" is the right headlamp fuse and "L HDLP" is the left headlamp fuse. If either is broken, pull them out with the fuse puller and replace with a fuse of the same amperage. Close the fuse panel.
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