How do you replace a headlight for a 2005 Buick Rainier?

Answer 1

This is not extremely easy, so if you aren't patient, take to the shop to have this done. Otherwise, here is how you do it.

1) Open up the hood and prop it.

2) Locate the headlamp support pins and pull them up about (1) inch, you will feel now that the headlamp assembly is loose.

3) Where the manual says to grab the grill and pull forward, forget it. Get a small screw driver and gently pry the grill away from the clips, you will need to release about 6 of them to get enough slack to remove the headlamp assy.

4) Unhook the wiring harnesses away from the headlamp assembly. There are (4) of them. This will allow you to pull the headlamp assembly out of the vehicle.

5) Depending on which bulb you are replacing, (lo beam or hi beam), remove the rubber cover by slightly twisting it and pulling toward you. It will come off and you can see the bulb.

6) Remove the wiring clip from the bulb, and turn the bulb 90 degrees and it will come out, be careful not to drop it.

7) Insert the new bulb and be sure it is locked in tightly. Be careful not to leave fingerprints on the bulb.

8) Reinstall everything in the reverse order. Good luck. The Buick manual is useless and they should be ashamed of the procedure they wrote for changing the bulbs.

Steve Stephens, owner of a 2004 Rainier.

Just to add this, Yes, you need to remove the entire grill. The Grill does not come off very easily..On the 2005 there are 8 clips, 4 on top and 4 at the bottom. The 4 on top are easy to see and a screw driver can release them. The bottom clips are not really accessible so you need to pull the grill straight forward, parallel to the ground to release it. If you twist it at all, the cheap plastic clips will break ( First hand experience. - It was very cold today so perhaps that had something to do with it! ) Perhaps a bit of wd40 or something sprayed into the clips will make the clips release easier. After gluing the clips back together I added a bit of lithium grease to the clips and they slid right in..Not sure if it will make a difference next time. Buick, why not just add 6 or 8 screws on those parts that you know will be removed from time to time!

Steve 2005 Buick Rainier Owner