how to change an $8 bulb

[cabinfevrr]

This procedure is directly from the toyota repair manual for the Yaris Liftback...I got the manual from here: http://www.etimago.com/yaris/repairmanual/Exterior.pdf



okay here we go - this is quite funny.

step 1: set the parking brake and block the rear wheels. raise the front of the vehicle, and put it on jackstands
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0220.jpg

step 2:
remove the 5 plastic clips at the top of the bumper cover,
1 from each wheel well, and the 8 bolts from the bottom fascia. I like to organize the bolts in a block of wood, oriented from left to right.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0221.jpg


Step 3:
disengage the 3 clips on each side, holding the bumper to the fender. tilt the bumper cover forward.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0222.jpg

step 4:

unclip the wire connectors for the fog lights( if equipped), and also the block heater cord (if equipped)
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0223.jpg

step 5:

remove the bumper cover.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0224.jpg


step 6:
locate and remove 3 10mm bolts holding the headlight in place. remove the headlight.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0225.jpg


step 7:

remove the old bulb and dust boot, taking care not to tear the boot.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0226.jpg


step 8:

re-install the new headlight bulb and connect the wires.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0227.jpg


step 9:
test that bulb works, after all that effin work you did.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0228.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0229.jpg



step 10:
the headlight assembly is now ready to be re-installed.
locate the 3 10mm bolts you removed, and put them in. it is impossible to affect the headlight aiming.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0230.jpg

step 11:
"installation is reverse of removal."

-re-attach the foglight connectors
-re-install 7 plastic clips
-re-engage 6 plastic clips to the fenders
-re-install 8 bolts from under the front fascia
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0231.jpg


step 12:

if equipped, cable tie block heater back to grille.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0232.jpg


step 13:
remove the jackstands, and lower the vehicle
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0233.jpg

step 14:

let the happy car smile!
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/cabinfevrr/yaris/IMG_0234.jpg

[Nodrog]

Wow. That's worse then what I had to do for my New Beetle.

[jemmah]

I've been changing a half-a-dozen headlight bulbs per year. Boy!!! Isn't it fun!! If you want to spoil the fun go to Toyota to purchase the bulb from the service department ----- $25.00 to $30.00 dollars (US) per bulb. That really spoils all the fun!!

[thebarber]

LOL

wow, you did WAYYYY too much work there

1. don't need to jack up the car
2. don't need to fully remove the bumper, just take out the 5 clips at the top and the clip in each fender well.

you can pull the bumper forward hinging on the under plastics to get at the bolts for the headlights...

[auxmike]

LOL

wow, you did WAYYYY too much work there

1. don't need to jack up the car
2. don't need to fully remove the bumper, just take out the 5 clips at the top and the clip in each fender well.

you can pull the bumper forward hinging on the under plastics to get at the bolts for the headlights...

+1
I just hinge down the front fascia enough to get at what I need. I did this to put in my premium horn set.
Don't waste time making it a "huge" job when it should be just a "big" job...:clap:

[auxmike]

Oh , I 'm also going on three years straight coming this april with ALL the original factory installed bulbs still working!
WOOT!

[MadMax]

LOL

wow, you did WAYYYY too much work there

1. don't need to jack up the car
2. don't need to fully remove the bumper, just take out the 5 clips at the top and the clip in each fender well.

you can pull the bumper forward hinging on the under plastics to get at the bolts for the headlights...

Isn't there a DIY on this here somewhere?

[cabinfevrr]

LOL

wow, you did WAYYYY too much work there

1. don't need to jack up the car
2. don't need to fully remove the bumper, just take out the 5 clips at the top and the clip in each fender well.

you can pull the bumper forward hinging on the under plastics to get at the bolts for the headlights...

just going by what it said in the factory repair manual - which said to remove the headlight assembly...which meant removing the bumper cover. to be honest, the warranty is now up, so this is really the first bit of work i've done to it, so I wanted to do it right. I jacked up the car because you may notice that i have the RS model which makes the front lip about 1.5" lower than a regular one, plus if i'm taking off the bumper cover I thought it would be a good idea to get my head under there so I could actually see the bolts to remove.

on the plus side, now that the warranty is done, and the fact that I work at a parts house, I'm going to do stuff to this car - i'm thinking an axleback, coilovers, a strut bar, and a rear swaybar. might lower it a little with the coilovers, but living in a place where I sometimes plow snow with the low front end, I might just go about an inch in the front and 2" in the back - hate the raked look.

[cabinfevrr]

Oh , I 'm also going on three years straight coming this april with ALL the original factory installed bulbs still working!
WOOT!

if i'd made it to May, I would have had 3 years with all the bulbs. :thumbup:

[cabinfevrr]

Isn't there a DIY on this here somewhere?

to be honest, I looked, but I didn't find much other than people upgrading their headlights to HID or silverstars or something of that nature. I didn't look as hard as I could, because I found the FSM pretty quick.

[nemelek]

Glad that I have garage and do my work inside. Disableing the day time running lights might add years to the life of the light.

[cabinfevrr]

Glad that I have garage and do my work inside. Disableing the day time running lights might add years to the life of the light.

Yes I'm glad you have your garage too, quite happy for you actually. i keeps it real...on the ice...

that would add years to the bulb life, however it's illegal not to have DRL here. For what it's worth, it's also illegal to not have tails illuminated on any moving or standing vehicle here, so I turn my lights fully on everytime i drive it - so no half voltage drl for me. I got the car may of 2008, so until a week ago at around 70,000 kilometers, when the bulb burned, that's not too bad a bulb life. YMMV

[cabinfevrr]

not to be a party pooper but like barber said all you really need to do is pop the hood and change the bulbs, with practice you can do it in under 5 minutes

yeah thanks, that was already mentioned several times, thanks for adding that in there again :thumbsup:

further, i already mentioned that I just followed the procedure outlined by the FSM - I figure if that's how toyota is going to change my bulbs this way, then it was good enough for me.

[auxmike]

You did good.
Next time you'll have it done in half the time.:clap:
I might just change my bulbs come spring, BEFORE they burn out!
Three years is probably cutting it real close....

[thebarber]

yeah thanks, that was already mentioned several times, thanks for adding that in there again :thumbsup:

further, i already mentioned that I just followed the procedure outlined by the FSM - I figure if that's how toyota is going to change my bulbs this way, then it was good enough for me.

lol, don't kid yourself, the dealer is going to change the bulbs in 10min like i described, and charge for an hour of labour

either way, you'll know for next time...

[the_boss]

did it twice since last August and will probably do it again next week...yea I know a lot of changing but I just got my replacement bulb directly from GE after a nice little email to there customer service department.

[the_boss]

just got a box from GE customer care today with 3 pairs of GE Nightwack to replace the previous ones...I guess I have bulbs for at least 12 months now!

[henry33]

I have change the bulb without dismounting the front bumper and headlight!
you will need lot of patience but it can be done ;)

[mlaverdiere]

Ok, I did manage to replace an headlight bulb on my Toyota Yaris, without removing the bumper & the headlight and without any tool. It's true that the work space is tight (I have big hands, so it didn't help!) and when you do it for the first time, it's not so obvious. But hey, over all, it took me just 30 min.! Next time, I guess it should take me 10 minutes.

Instructions: Just follow what you'll find in your owner manual!

For reference, here's the link to some 2007 Toyota Yaris manual where you'll find the relevant info:

- P. 289-290 of 2007 Owner Manual: http://pdfcafe.com/files/pdfcafe.com_yaris_2007_user_guide.rar

- P. LI-97 of 2007 Toyota Yaris Factory Repair Manuals, lightning part (Disassembly section): http://www.etimago.com/yaris/repairmanual/Lighting.pdf

A few tips:

1. It's not so obvious, but the rubber part that comes with the bulb can be removed quite easily, by pulling gently the bulb out.

2. When you install the new bulb, be sure to position it correctly (that is to say, the larger border plate at the top) in order make it fit easily in the socket.

Hope this helps

[Siffleu]

I have change the bulb without dismounting the front bumper and headlight!
you will need lot of patience but it can be done ;)
+1
just done both into 45minutes

[HuchoTS]

Done it in less than 5 minutes on both sides.
1. pull the connector Off
2. pull the rubber boot off the bulb completely so you have the complete rubber boot off in your hand ( sometimes it sticks to the bulb due to heat. get your fingers as close to light bulb you can and pull the rubber off the back of light bulb) otherwise you can not release the spring that holds the bulb in reflector.
3. feel for two metal wire bumps (its a spring that holds the bulb in place) on each side and squeeze together (pinch style ;) ) to release the light bulb. The key is to move it in horizontal direction Don't push in or pull the spring. Just move it horizontally towards the light bulb.
4. replace the bulb and go step by step backwards . All Done!