How do you change the headlamp on a 1999 Pontiac Sunfire?

Answer 1

If memory serves, you car should be the same body style as my '96, so this instruction should be relevant. (If in doubt, pick up a Haynes or Chilton manual)

There is a plastic shield or shroud which runs across the front of the car, above the radiator. This has to be removed. It's held in with some little clippy things that break very easily. Be gentle with them! I think that there is a screw in either end of that shroud too.

Once that's out, you should be able to see the rear of the headlamp assembly. On each side, there are two bolts that hold the assembly to the car's front end structure. Remove these bolts. The headlamp assembly should now be free and able to be moved rearward and up. No matter if you're changing the lamp or the entire headlight, you'll need to remove the lamp. It sits in a housing which merely unscrews from the back of the headlight. Replacing the lamp is the reverse of removing it and is pretty obvious. Replacing the headlight assembly is also the reverse and is too, obvious.

NOTE: If you are replacing the lamp and your headlights are hazed over like mine are, you'll want to buy lamps brighter than the stock replacements. I made this mistake and had to do the job again. The stock bulbs just don't shine through the haze well enough.