Sept 2015,I just had to comment on this video. Thank you, watching this allowed me to see what was involved in the process to replace the headlight assembly. I have a 2006 PT Cruiser and it has some different connections than the car in the video. I did not remove the bumper cover because there are three push pin connectors between the assembly and the grill on both sides. However, removing the two ten mm nuts at the bumper cover and the upper fender allowed me to push the cover down enough to slide the assembly up into the fender area. I did not jack up the car or put it on jack stands. I just turned the wheels out for each side. It may be easier to jack it up, I just do not have jack stands.It took about an hour to do the first one and about 45 minutes to do the second one. I am 60 years old and have been wrenching on my own cars all my life, well since I was 10 years old. If a person watches this video they should be able to do their own light assembly IF they are patient and have a moderate knowledge of mechanics. To adjust these takes a Phillips screwdriver at the underside of the lens where the turn signal compartment meets the headlight compartment. Look at this first before you install them. Again, thank you for taking the time to film this and share it with us.PS, to all the haters out there. If working on your car is a hassle take it to someone and pay to have it done. Don't complain about the manufacturer or the brand. It shows your lack of mechanic knowledge.
+John Gaines awesome, yes it can be done without total bumper cover removal if you are very careful but removing the bumper and grill is super easy and 6-8 bolts total. We have seen bumper covers tear from trying that but should be fine if careful.
Thanks! Whoever you are! I watched this twice and decided I could do it, after Midas quoted me more than 2 hours at $100 per for labor even if I provided the parts. So I did it today. It took me 4 hours but well worth the savings and feeling of accomplishment. Snags: I bought jackstands too tall for the maximum height of the car provided jack. I solved it with a block of wood. 2. I couldn't get the tiny hub caps to fit and stay on after re-installing the wheels. Othewise, OK!
Unfortunately even the official Chrysler repair procedure wants you to remove the Grill and take out the bolts to loosen the front bumper cover, this saves frustration and avoids damaging the vehicle by trying to force it into the small hole for the headlight assembly. If doing both lights, it's only a bolt or two more to just remove the whole bumper cover and get it out of your way, a little extra work can prevent a huge headache on this job :)
Update... I found the vertical adjustment screws for the headlight aiming. If you look closely on the outside of the headlamp assembly you will see a small hole on the lower edge by the rubber strip. The outer hole nearest the parking light adjusts the vertical (up and down), clockwise raises the headlights aim. The OEM lights use a torx screw driver, some of the aftermarket ones like "Eagle Eyes" use a Phillips head. Horizontal is factory set, it's in the rear and you can't get to it anyways.
It actually is a 2005. This style of the PT-Cruiser was the same until the 2006 styling update, so the headlight instructions will work up to 2005 models.
I wish too someone would post a video on how to aim these PT headlights. Please show *exactly* where the adjusting screws are located, what tool is needed and how to get to them. Mine need adjusted now after replacing them, but I cannot find the horizontal adjusters anywhere. And like I said in my other post, if your PT has been driven in the winter salt DO NOT try doing this headlight change. What a nightmare.
@GeneralCracka The headlamp is designed to be a complete assembly, it is manufactured as one unit and not designed to be seperated. To my knowledge there is no way of removing the bulb itself from the base, I may be incorrect but I have never had a need to do so and unfortunately don't have a solid answer for you. Good Luck and Thanks!
@GeneralCracka The plastic used on those original headlights was not UV resistant, and over time, the UV Radiation from the sun causes the plastic to break-down and turn yellow like that.
You didn't show how to adjust the headlights after you installed the new ones but it is a very good video on how to install the new headlight but could you show me how to adjust them
1st Great video! Question, when the entire headlight assembly is removed on the passenger side. Is there access to the Power Steering unit to be able to get to the high pressure power steering line that's under the power steering box? I have to replace that 1 line and DON'T want to have to remove the front grill, the radiator and the radiator fan like I've seen in other videos. Thanks!
I noticed yours didn't have the two pops on either side of the grill..well between the grill and the head lights. Or if it did, did you have to remove the pops, or does the bumper cover slide out of there (IE notched in that area, not holes)? Also, you're lucky.. the 10mm's at the top edges of the bumper cover.. where it and the fender meet, all decided to just spin the whole bolt/stud/whatever you'd call it.. so now I have to find a solution for that. I'm with others. I did the timing belt
@Giovanni24043 Unfortunately removing the bumper cover is the only way to remove the headlight assembly. If you need to replace just the bulb, you can access that through a small panel inside the inner wheel well.
@Giovanni24043 yes you can take out the headlight without removing the bumper...i know because i did so in my pt cruiser when i instaled the H.I.D conversion.
@samsoninthepit the 2006 is most likely the same, but I know they changed the front ends slightly starting in 2006 so I cannot guarantee the exact same procedure is needed.
wow, that's a lot of work to replace a head lamp! I need to replace both my headlamps in my 96 ranger as both are cracked on the corners. I imagine you guys have replacements of stock lights but do you have stock looking but better, brighter bulbs?
Thanks for making the video. I need to remove the bumper, just bought a 2002 with 66k miles and found some hidden front end damage that needs to be better assessed and viewed.
@chitownchill We only carry stock style replacements, if your headlights are yellowed, you will be amazed at how much brighter they become once you replace the lens itself, you probably won't even need brighter bulbs. Thanks!
Thank you VERY much for this!!! You have no idea how frustrating these glazed over headlamps are.... Or maybe you do... :-) Anyway Thanks A Lot for giving me guidance on how to do this shade-tree style!!!!
+FiveNine Limited Yes it is possible to change the headlight assemblies without complete bumper cover removal, however it really is very quick and easy. If you do not remove the bumper and grill then just be very careful, the bumper cover is plastic and old and brittle. It is very easy to actually tear the bumper cover and if that happens the bumper cover has to be replaced. The light bulbs can easily be changed by opening the access panels that most cars have, but removing the whole bumper cover is really not much more work and it is just a precaution not to damage it.
Do not attempt this if your PT has been in the winter road salt. On my 2002 PT the 2 fender nuts on each side were rusted so that when I turned them they would just spin having broke loose on the inside. The "bolts" are basically spot welded and you can not access them if this occurs making it impossible to remove your headlights without major surgery. I had to cut the nuts off with a dremel and they are very hard to get to with a tool like this. I got it done but it took me 4 hours.
I also have a 2001 pt cruiser and you dont need to remove the front bumper he did to much work you just need to remove the tire and the plastic cover it has another 3 7mm screws on the other side and 1 under and 2 platic clip next to the shock,, once you take the plastic off you have acces to the 4 10mm bolts you take them off an you can take out the headlight
+miguel Flores awesome, yes it can be done without total bumper cover removal if you are very careful. We have seen bumper covers tear from trying that but should be fine if careful.
@Giovanni24043 you do exactly the same as in the video except the bumper part.....the pt cruiser's bumper is very soft so you can just push it out of the way...I pushed mine and it was fine..you just push down on it and the headlight will just come out
@Bigrick356 Over the years I have often asked myself that same question about many types of parts,,,, I have always wanted to know what the engineers were thinking when they designed stuff like this :)
You don't have to remove the grill or the bumper to replace the headlights! You're doing WAAAY to much work. Just remove the liner from the wheel well, and the two bolts on the very edge of the bumper - then you have full access to the backside of the headlight and it slips in from the front.
+j charles You can actually do it without total bumper cover removal but it puts the bumper cover at risk of twisting and tearing since it is brittle plastic.
NOT an easy job in the real world.... the studs from the front fenders that have the nuts tend to rust, and the studs are pressed into a metal holder. The stud lets go from the holder far easier than the nuts will turn. I could not remove any of the four and had to pull out the old assembly and push in the new without removing the bumper assembly. It can be done, but this is not for the amateur. My PT is a 2004 with the original front bumper which had never been removed. Guess 9 years age did it
you need to show how to replace the driverside, it is more difficult, and also the computer is on the driverside, weired place for it, but yea i see why yo dont show how to do the other lol
Whoever engineered the PT Cruisers deserves to be fired from Chrysler! From the Watts link to the timing belt/water pump issues, head gasket problems, having to cut the frame to replace the lower control arms, and now this??? Nothing was thought out during when this car was designed.
Except none of what you said is remotely accurate. I have owned 4 of them. Between friends anothet 10 at least. Not one has had any of the issues you mentioned. . The only issue that's consistent on all of them is the GM sourced power steering pump that always goes out around 115k.
@Bigrick356 its called engineering to go back to the dealership. all manufacturers do this, well maybe not honda, but chrysler is by far the worst. look at the failing ram and jeeps drive trains and even the pt cruisers problems with brakes and bearings. they design vehicles to go into the stealership mechanics at least twice a year. never buy another chrysler i look at there new vehicles, very sharp, but i say to myself its still a chrysler (kind of like the turd saying
Thanks! Whoever you are! I watched this twice and decided I could do it, after Midas quoted me more than 2 hours at $100 per for labor even if I provided the parts. So I did it today. It took me 4 hours but well worth the savings and feeling of accomplishment. Snags: I bought jack stands too tall for the maximum height of the car provided jack. I solved it with a block of wood. 2. I couldn't get the tiny hub caps to fit and stay on after re-installing the wheels. Otherwise, OK!
Sept 2015,I just had to comment on this video. Thank you, watching this allowed me to see what was involved in the process to replace the headlight assembly. I have a 2006 PT Cruiser and it has some different connections than the car in the video. I did not remove the bumper cover because there are three push pin connectors between the assembly and the grill on both sides. However, removing the two ten mm nuts at the bumper cover and the upper fender allowed me to push the cover down enough to slide the assembly up into the fender area. I did not jack up the car or put it on jack stands. I just turned the wheels out for each side. It may be easier to jack it up, I just do not have jack stands.It took about an hour to do the first one and about 45 minutes to do the second one. I am 60 years old and have been wrenching on my own cars all my life, well since I was 10 years old. If a person watches this video they should be able to do their own light assembly IF they are patient and have a moderate knowledge of mechanics. To adjust these takes a Phillips screwdriver at the underside of the lens where the turn signal compartment meets the headlight compartment. Look at this first before you install them. Again, thank you for taking the time to film this and share it with us.PS, to all the haters out there. If working on your car is a hassle take it to someone and pay to have it done. Don't complain about the manufacturer or the brand. It shows your lack of mechanic knowledge.
+John Gaines awesome, yes it can be done without total bumper cover removal if you are very careful but removing the bumper and grill is super easy and 6-8 bolts total. We have seen bumper covers tear from trying that but should be fine if careful.
Thanks! Whoever you are! I watched this twice and decided I could do it, after Midas quoted me more than 2 hours at $100 per for labor even if I provided the parts. So I did it today. It took me 4 hours but well worth the savings and feeling of accomplishment. Snags: I bought jackstands too tall for the maximum height of the car provided jack. I solved it with a block of wood. 2. I couldn't get the tiny hub caps to fit and stay on after re-installing the wheels. Othewise, OK!
Unfortunately even the official Chrysler repair procedure wants you to remove the Grill and take out the bolts to loosen the front bumper cover, this saves frustration and avoids damaging the vehicle by trying to force it into the small hole for the headlight assembly. If doing both lights, it's only a bolt or two more to just remove the whole bumper cover and get it out of your way, a little extra work can prevent a huge headache on this job :)
Update...
I found the vertical adjustment screws for the headlight aiming. If you look closely on the outside of the headlamp assembly you will see a small hole on the lower edge by the rubber strip. The outer hole nearest the parking light adjusts the vertical (up and down), clockwise raises the headlights aim. The OEM lights use a torx screw driver, some of the aftermarket ones like "Eagle Eyes" use a Phillips head. Horizontal is factory set, it's in the rear and you can't get to it anyways.
It actually is a 2005. This style of the PT-Cruiser was the same until the 2006 styling update, so the headlight instructions will work up to 2005 models.
I wish too someone would post a video on how to aim these PT headlights. Please show *exactly* where the adjusting screws are located, what tool is needed and how to get to them. Mine need adjusted now after replacing them, but I cannot find the horizontal adjusters anywhere. And like I said in my other post, if your PT has been driven in the winter salt DO NOT try doing this headlight change. What a nightmare.
@GeneralCracka The headlamp is designed to be a complete assembly, it is manufactured as one unit and not designed to be seperated. To my knowledge there is no way of removing the bulb itself from the base, I may be incorrect but I have never had a need to do so and unfortunately don't have a solid answer for you. Good Luck and Thanks!
Im replacing my broken bumpercover so this video is verry helpfull. Thank you
@GeneralCracka The plastic used on those original headlights was not UV resistant, and over time, the UV Radiation from the sun causes the plastic to break-down and turn yellow like that.
How do u adjust the headlights on 03 pt cruiser
You didn't show how to adjust the headlights after you installed the new ones but it is a very good video on how to install the new headlight but could you show me how to adjust them
How do you adjust the lights?
1st Great video! Question, when the entire headlight assembly is removed on the passenger side. Is there access to the Power Steering unit to be able to get to the high pressure power steering line that's under the power steering box? I have to replace that 1 line and DON'T want to have to remove the front grill, the radiator and the radiator fan like I've seen in other videos. Thanks!
I noticed yours didn't have the two pops on either side of the grill..well between the grill and the head lights. Or if it did, did you have to remove the pops, or does the bumper cover slide out of there (IE notched in that area, not holes)?
Also, you're lucky.. the 10mm's at the top edges of the bumper cover.. where it and the fender meet, all decided to just spin the whole bolt/stud/whatever you'd call it.. so now I have to find a solution for that.
I'm with others. I did the timing belt
@Giovanni24043 Unfortunately removing the bumper cover is the only way to remove the headlight assembly. If you need to replace just the bulb, you can access that through a small panel inside the inner wheel well.
@Giovanni24043 yes you can take out the headlight without removing the bumper...i know because i did so in my pt cruiser when i instaled the H.I.D conversion.
@samsoninthepit the 2006 is most likely the same, but I know they changed the front ends slightly starting in 2006 so I cannot guarantee the exact same procedure is needed.
Nice video but you forgot to show how to adjust/align the headlights
wow, that's a lot of work to replace a head lamp! I need to replace both my headlamps in my 96 ranger
as both are cracked on the corners. I imagine you guys have replacements of stock lights but do you have stock looking but better, brighter bulbs?
big job to do uh I have an 01 and light or foggie to what will be the cost of the replaing llight
Thanks for making the video. I need to remove the bumper, just bought a 2002 with 66k miles and found some hidden front end damage that needs to be better assessed and viewed.
@chitownchill We only carry stock style replacements, if your headlights are yellowed, you will be amazed at how much brighter they become once you replace the lens itself, you probably won't even need brighter bulbs. Thanks!
Very much helpful, thanks!! Looks like the car just left the Chrysler dealer in 2005!!
Thank you VERY much for this!!! You have no idea how frustrating these glazed over headlamps are.... Or maybe you do... :-) Anyway Thanks A Lot for giving me guidance on how to do this shade-tree style!!!!
Will these be the same steps for a 2006?
It looks like it would be.
Thank you
I'm sorry but you do not need to remove the whole bumper to change out the headlight assembly. 1A Auto features a much simpler method.
+FiveNine Limited Yes it is possible to change the headlight assemblies without complete bumper cover removal, however it really is very quick and easy. If you do not remove the bumper and grill then just be very careful, the bumper cover is plastic and old and brittle. It is very easy to actually tear the bumper cover and if that happens the bumper cover has to be replaced. The light bulbs can easily be changed by opening the access panels that most cars have, but removing the whole bumper cover is really not much more work and it is just a precaution not to damage it.
Do not attempt this if your PT has been in the winter road salt.
On my 2002 PT the 2 fender nuts on each side were rusted so that when I turned them they would just spin having broke loose on the inside. The "bolts" are basically spot welded and you can not access them if this occurs making it impossible to remove your headlights without major surgery.
I had to cut the nuts off with a dremel and they are very hard to get to with a tool like this. I got it done but it took me 4 hours.
Excellent video Bud, ty
I also have a 2001 pt cruiser and you dont need to remove the front bumper he did to much work you just need to remove the tire and the plastic cover it has another 3 7mm screws on the other side and 1 under and 2 platic clip next to the shock,, once you take the plastic off you have acces to the 4 10mm bolts you take them off an you can take out the headlight
+miguel Flores awesome, yes it can be done without total bumper cover removal if you are very careful. We have seen bumper covers tear from trying that but should be fine if careful.
when I try to remove the nuts discussed at 1:05, the stems spin....Any remedy, bumper will not come off...
great video ! !
@Giovanni24043 you do exactly the same as in the video except the bumper part.....the pt cruiser's bumper is very soft so you can just push it out of the way...I pushed mine and it was fine..you just push down on it and the headlight will just come out
So helpful!!! Thank you so much.
where are the headlights adjustments for 2002 PT Cruiser
allen screws as you look at the headlight 9 o'clock position and6 o'clock
holy shit chrysler... way to get your customers back to the dealer!
Great video. Thank you for uploading, it helped me replace my headlamp.
@mrbigsingsblues Glad we were able to help :)
@Bigrick356 Over the years I have often asked myself that same question about many types of parts,,,, I have always wanted to know what the engineers were thinking when they designed stuff like this :)
@APDTY I'll be ordering soon, thanks!
no importa lo mucho que pulir una lente, no se ven tan bien como una nueva asamblea
you dont have to pull the bumper just the inner fender
Good job friend
Mine has two phillips screws underneath the light, ffom the front. simple to do
You don't have to remove the grill or the bumper to replace the headlights! You're doing WAAAY to much work. Just remove the liner from the wheel well, and the two bolts on the very edge of the bumper - then you have full access to the backside of the headlight and it slips in from the front.
Good advice. You don't have to do all that BS. to replace them.
deirdrebeth that’s how I do it on my 2001.
PT Cruiser has a poor design, how is possible that I have to remove all the front bumper to remove the head lights....it's a poor design.
+j charles You can actually do it without total bumper cover removal but it puts the bumper cover at risk of twisting and tearing since it is brittle plastic.
NOT an easy job in the real world.... the studs from the front fenders that have the nuts tend to rust, and the studs are pressed into a metal holder. The stud lets go from the holder far easier than the nuts will turn. I could not remove any of the four and had to pull out the old assembly and push in the new without removing the bumper assembly. It can be done, but this is not for the amateur. My PT is a 2004 with the original front bumper which had never been removed. Guess 9 years age did it
HA HA HA! Nailed it!
you need to show how to replace the driverside, it is more difficult, and also the computer is on the driverside, weired place for it, but yea i see why yo dont show how to do the other lol
порвал подкрылок мууууддаа)
Whoever engineered the PT Cruisers deserves to be fired from Chrysler! From the Watts link to the timing belt/water pump issues, head gasket problems, having to cut the frame to replace the lower control arms, and now this??? Nothing was thought out during when this car was designed.
Except none of what you said is remotely accurate. I have owned 4 of them. Between friends anothet 10 at least. Not one has had any of the issues you mentioned. .
The only issue that's consistent on all of them is the GM sourced power steering pump that always goes out around 115k.
that was no 05 its an 04 gets your facts straight
and I have to say these are one of the worst cars to work on. I'd love to smack the designers for what they did.
@Bigrick356 its called engineering to go back to the dealership. all manufacturers do this, well maybe not honda, but chrysler is by far the worst. look at the failing ram and jeeps drive trains and even the pt cruisers problems with brakes and bearings. they design vehicles to go into the stealership mechanics at least twice a year. never buy another chrysler i look at there new vehicles, very sharp, but i say to myself its still a chrysler (kind of like the turd saying
Thanks! Whoever you are! I watched this twice and decided I could do it, after Midas quoted me more than 2 hours at $100 per for labor even if I provided the parts. So I did it today. It took me 4 hours but well worth the savings and feeling of accomplishment. Snags: I bought jack stands too tall for the maximum height of the car provided jack. I solved it with a block of wood. 2. I couldn't get the tiny hub caps to fit and stay on after re-installing the wheels. Otherwise, OK!