How do you replace 2003 Subaru Forester headlight bulb?

Answer 1

The bulb replacement is pretty straight-forward once you know what to look for.

Here are the steps:

1. Pull the wire connector off the base of the bulb. Do not twist. Just pull it out like an electric plug. (You'll need to use a little force to do this.)
2. There is a rubber seal around the base of the bulb that also encloses the back of the headlight. This rubber seal can be pulled off using the tab at the top or just role it back from the side with your finger. Note: to access the bulb on the passenger side, reach under the air intake cover with your right hand. There is actually some space under there.
3. The bulb should be visible now. There are 2 spring clips holding the bulb in place. Push it in then move it towards the bulb base. The bulb can then be removed.
4. Installation is in the reverse order. Note that the 2 tabs on the bulb face down. Remember to not touch the bulb with your fingers to avoid creating oil deposits that turn into hotspots.

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Added by LazerFlash (12/31/2010):

On our 2003 Forester, steps #1 & #2 were not quite as simple as indicated. First off, unless you have hands as small as a 2-year-old's, there just isn't enough room under the air intake cover on the passenger side to work. However, this is not a big problem, as the cover comes off easily with a socket wrench and a screwdriver. On the driver's side, while a small-handed person shouldn't have a problem, I needed to remove the front battery bracket to have enough room to manipulate things behind the light. Again, a socket wrench is all you need to accomplish this.

Also, I would strongly suggest that when you re-assemble things, you not be tempted to pre-install the rubber seal around bulb. Take the extra time and install the bulb in the socket first and *then* carefully replace the rubber seal around it. Even though it takes a little extra time, it makes it much more likely that you won't actually touch the bulb (which is the kiss-of-death for halogen bulbs). Lastly, prior to putting everything back together, be sure to test that your new bulb is working... There's nothing worse than reassembling things only to find that changing out a bulb didn't correct the problem. ;-)